TASTE OF TURKEY

Thursday Day 1. ISTANBUL
Arrival into Istanbul, the only city in the world spanning two continents.  After clearing Passport and Customs Controls, you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to relax or commence exploring this magical city.

Friday Day 2.  ISTANBUL
Take a full day tour of Istanbul today, including lunch.  Visit the Old City where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. Discover St.Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a basilica in 536 by Emperor Justinian (Closed on Mondays; replaced with a visit to the St. Chora Museum). Visit the Blue Mosque, one of the great architectural marvels of the ancient world. Cross through the Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations, and political activities of the old city where one can also see today the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi, the Fountain of Wilhelm II and the Colossus. After a visit to the Grand Covered Bazaar (Closed on Sundays), with nearly 4000 shops, there will be a stop for lunch (included).

This afternoon explore the spectacular Topkapi Palace (Closed on Tuesdays; replaced with a visit to the Archaeological Museum), built in 1468 by Mehmet the Conqueror, and the imperial residence of Ottoman sultans for more than 400 years. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex commands superb views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The palace is filled with treasures of the Sultans including the extravagant Treasury with its magnificent jewels, and the priceless Chinese porcelain, one of the best collections in the world.  The last visit will be to the Suleymaniye Mosque, masterpiece of Sinan, the chief architect of the Ottoman Empire, built in the name of the Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, the Lawgiver, during the 16th century, and considered the best amongst the imperial mosques. You will be returned to your hotel at the end of this tour. (B/L)

Saturday Day 3. ISTANBUL
Take a Bosphorus Tour this morning. Visit the aromatic 17th century Spice Bazaar with its domed and vaulted shops , where the smells of cloves, cinnamon and thyme rise from colourful mounds of spices at every storefront.  The assortment of Turkish Delight and dried fruit is a delight to the eyes.  The best Turkish Delights are served by scoops at the rear of each shop – absolutely delicious! 
Then board a local ferry to cruise along the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus – the waterway separating the two continents Asia and Europe, viewing marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture standing beside modern houses and luxurious apartments. During this trip Ciragan Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges will be visioned. Leave the boat in Tarabya or Sarıyer to be driven back to your hotel.

Note: At the end of the tour, you may like to be dropped off at the charming area of Ortakoy, located on the shores of the Bosphorus with its outdoor cafes, market everyday, baroque mosque, old synagogue and church filled with marvellous paintings and embroideries. It also has an interesting outdoor market. From Ortakoy, it is a short 10 minute ferry ride across the Bosphorus to the other side, then an approx. 20 minute back up to your hotel, or you can take the local tram.

This afternoon we suggest that you visit the marvellous Yerebatan Underground Cistern with its atmospherically lit rows of columns – 336 in total. It was built in 532, with a capacity to store 80,000 cubic metres of water. It has excellent acoustics, and, with its fabulous atmosphere, has been used by famous singers, and for film sets. Please note: as the Underground Cistern is very old and damp, appropriate footwear is advisable as the floor can be slippery.

You may also like to returnto visit the Grand Covered Bazaar – “Kapali Carsi” – which is the biggest “souk” in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, ceramics and leatherware. (B)

Sunday Day 4. ANKARA-CAPPADOCIA
You will be transferred to the airport early this morning to take an 8 a.m. flight to Ankara (flight not included in the cost). Visit the world famous Anatolian Civilizations Museum, which houses numerous remnants from the Stone & Neolithic Age, the Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many other civilizations. Onto the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded the modern Republic of Turkey. Completed in 1953, it is an impressive fusion of ancient and modern architecture. There is a museum housing a wax statue of Atatürk; his writings, letters, personal items, impressive car collection, as well as an exhibition of photographs recording important moments in his life and the establishment of the republic. Depart for Cappadocia along the Salt Lake. (B/L/D)

Monday Day 5. CAPPADOCIA
Begin the day with a spectacular balloon flight (optional extra) over the deep canyons and lush fertile valleys, which provide the balloons with an ideal playground for the unique and memorable flight.
Gentle winds carry you over places that could never be reached, except by balloon. The natural wonder of Cappadocia is a result of volcanic deposits being eroded away by wind and water over millions of years. These soft rocks were hollowed out by early Christians and used as secret dwellings as they were being sought first by Roman and later by Byzantine persecutors. The sight of the Fairy Chimneys is phenomenal. Full day excursion in Cappadocia, which will include the Goreme Open Air Museum with its magnificent frescoed cave churches, the natural rocky fortress of Uchisar, Pigeon Valley, the intriguing Kaymakli Underground City, used by up to 15,000 Christians who escaped underground to evade persecution, and Zelve with its fascinating “fairy chimneys”. There will also be time for shopping in Avanos, with its excellent pottery and carpets. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B/L/D)

Tuesday Day 6. CAPPADOCIA-KONYA-PAMUKKALE
Early departure this morning for Pamukkale. Along the way visit the 13th Century Seljukian masterpiece, the Sultanhan Caravanserai. After lunch visit the ancient capital of Konya. Konya is one of Turkey’s oldest continually inhabited sites, and was known, biblically and historically, as Iconium. Visit the very interesting Mausoleum and Museum of Mevlana, the world-famous mystic, and instigator of the “whirling dervishes”, and the Karatay Museum with its beautiful tiles, before continuing to Pamukkale and overnight. (B/L/D)

Wednesday Day 7. PAMUKKALE-APHRODISIAS-KUSADASI
Visit Pamukkale, where the thermal water flows from natural pools in white terraces. Pamukkale is also the site of the ancient city of Hierapolis, which was named after Hiera, wife of the founder of ergamon. Highlights include the Roman Baths, the Temple of Apollo, the Nymphaeum and the interesting Necropolis. Drive to the magnificent ancient Aphrodisias, famous throughout the ancient world for her Temple of Aphrodite, and which enjoyed great prosperity during the Roman period. Continue west to Kusadasi and overnight. (B/L/D)
Please note that most of terraces at Pamukkale are presently closed as many have dried up and are currently under regeneration.

Thursday Day 8. KUSADASI-EPHESUS-KUSADASI
Most of the day today will be dedicated to visiting Ephesus, which was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. Impressive structures you will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Theatre and the Odeon. You will also visit the beautiful Museum of Ephesus with its attractively displayed statuary, mosaics and artefacts, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Nearby is the House of the Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her last years. In 1961, Pope John XXII proclaimed the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred. Also included in today’s tour is a visit of the Basilica of St. John, who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel. Return to Kusadasi. (B/L/D)

Friday Day 9. KUSADASI-PERGAMON-CANAKKALE
Early departure for Bergama to visit the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon, once one of the richest and most powerful small kingdoms in the Middle East. Among the impressive structures of this city, dating from 399 B.C., you will see the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the 200,000-volume library which was surpassed only by that found in Alexandria at the time. The most spectacular site is the theatre, a remarkable feat of engineering built into an exceptionally steep hillside. The Asclepieum of Pergamon was a famous health centre where methods of treatment included blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation. Continue to Canakkale and overnight. (B/L/D)

Saturday Day 10. CANAKKALE-GALLIPOLI-ISTANBUL
Cross the strategic waterway, the Dardanelles, to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles – particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. Visit Anzac Cove where the Allied Forces landed on 25 April 1915. A Turkish monument marks Anzac Cove with Ataturk’s poignant words uttered in 1934 for the Anzac troops:
“Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives…you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this
land, they have become our sons as well.”

Drive to Istanbul (5-6 hours) along the northern shores of the Sea of Marmara. Conclude tour at the airport or hotel. (B/L)

TASTE OF TURKEY Tour Costs include:
• Transportation in minivan or midibus, dependent on numbers
• English speaking local guides for sightseeing in Istanbul  
• English speaking tour guide from Ankara to Istanbul
• Accommodation for the mentioned number of nights
• Meals as indicated – 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 6 Dinners
• Porterage
• Entrance fees at monuments & places of visit
• All sightseeing and tours as indicated

Note: If you arrive into Istanbul on a Friday or a Saturday, you can also do this tour, by splitting your Istanbul stay.  Istanbul is such a magical city that it is recommended to spend at least 4-7 days, so by adding a few days in Istanbul you could do this tour any day of the week except Sunday.

TASTE OF TURKEY - COST  PER PERSON:

Superior category         $2189

Single supplement – to be advised.