| Day 1 - Welcome to Istanbul!
We meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or gather your first impressions of this exciting new city. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Old City Tour
Following breakfast, we set out to the 'Old City' where we visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the famous Blue Mosque, and Santa Sophia. Once a church, then a mosque, and now a museum, Santa Sophia will take your breath away with its sheer size and magnificent dome. Next we will visit the spectacular Topkapi Palace. Explore the mysterious Harem where women planned and plotted their way into Ottoman history and view the extravagant Treasury, home of the world famous Topkapi Diamond and millions of dollars worth of gems and jewels. Following lunch we will travel by coach to the Suleymaniye Mosque, built by master architect Sinan during the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. The last stop will be Grand Bazaar which is the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets and leather apparel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 –Egyptian Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, and Dolmabache Palace
Our morning starts with a visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme, rise from hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every storefront. We then board our ferryboat for a relaxing cruise along the shores of the legendary Bosphorus, the natural gateway that divides Asia and Europe. As you sit back and enjoy Turkish coffee or well-brewed tea, summer palaces and palatial homes pass by on either side. At the northern end of the Strait, we stop at our favorite restaurant for a tasty meal of local seafood. In the afternoon, we tour Dolmabache Palace. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4 - An early morning start for Cappadocia!
A short 1 hour and 20 minute plane ride puts you in the heart of Turkey - within the lunar landscape of Cappadocia; a magical place of rock formations unlike anywhere else on earth! Spend time viewing the unique rock formations of Devrent valley and visiting picturesque fairy chimneys of Pasabag. We stop for lunch in Avanos, a centre of terra cotta works of art since 3000 BC. and take in a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. Next stop are the cave houses and fairy chimneys of Urgup, where we also stop at a winery and sample some of the local wines. The old Greek village of Mustafapasha is next, where the old Greek mansions are being restored to their former glory. In the afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Lastly, we stop at Uchisar Rock-Castle for a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia, before returning to your hotel for a good night’s rest. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5 – Hot Air Balloon Ride, Underground City and Ihlara Valley
Another early morning start! One hour before sunrise, you are transferred to the launch site of Cappadocia’s hot air balloons. Enjoy breakfast while the balloons inflate and then you are off just as the sun rises for a truly unique perspective on this already fascinating landscape. Upon landing there is a champagne toast before we take you back to the hotel for a little rest and relaxation. Later, we pick you up for a day of exploring the outer edges of Cappadocia. Visit the fascinating Derinkuyu Underground City, where whole villages of Christians hid underground from prosecutors and invaders. Next, hike through the cool, green Ihlara Valley, visiting some of the rock-cut churches along the way. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant the end of your walk and then on to Selime for a panoramic view of a rock-cut village. Also stop at the remote Agzikarahan Caravansarai, an ancient rest stop along the silk road for traders and their camels. Overnight bus to Antalya.
Day 6 – Perge, Aspendos and Manavgat waterfalls
Perge is a grand exhibit of what an ancient Greek and Roman cities once looked like. Records date it back as far as the 4th BC. During the reign of Constantine, (who made Christianity an official religion in 313 AD), Perge became an important centre of Christianity. Manavgat Waterfalls is where we’ll take a cool break, seated right next to the falls. Local restaurants provide iced drinks or ice cream. Aspendos is famous for its theater that dates to 160-180 AD. Depending on performance dates, we may be able to visit this ancient theater to see summer evening opera and ballet performances. Evening free in Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 7 – Antalya to Demre: Blue Cruise
Transfer by bus to the archaeological site of Myra, and then to Demre for the St-Nicholas Church. After lunch, board the wooden gulet and sail to Pirates Cave (sea conditions permitting), Sunken City of Kekova (this Lycian-Roman archaeological site is protected, so only looking!). After, we visit Simena, a traditional Turkish fishing village with no car access and a Byzantine/Ottoman castle. In Gokkaya Bay optional water sports are available. After dinner, relax in this pirates haven or party the night away at the Smugglers Inn. Overnight on the boat.
Day 8 – Relaxing Getaway: Blue Cruise
After breakfast, depart for Kas. A swim stop in a nice and quiet bay in front of the little town and then lunch. Visit this charming fishing village of ancient Antiphellos, as Kas was once known. Only Lycian rock tombs, sarcophagi and the Roman theatre are left, but the charm of the town remains! Near Kalkan we stop in Aquarium or Firnaz Bay. Overnight on the boat.
Day 9 – Relaxing Getaway: Blue Cruise
Around sunrise we depart for Butterfly Valley where we stop (sea conditions permitting!) for breakfast, swimming and to visit this natural reserve, hosting 136 kinds of different butterflies and moths. Oludeniz (The Blue Lagoon) is our next stop, again sea conditions permitting! Option for paragliding available. Lunch.
Last stop of the day is St-Nicholas Island. Byzantine ruins, swim and diner. Overnight on the boat.
Day 10 - Relaxing Getaway: Blue Cruise
After breakfast, depart for Samanlik Bay for a swim & lunch. Finally we sail to Fethiye Harbour between 3 and 4 p.m. You will be met and transferred to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 11 – Free day in Istanbul
Your last day is free for shopping for those last-minute souvenirs, enjoying the city’s nightlife or relaxing in one of the cool cafes near the Bosphorus! Your choice! But whatever you do, don’t overdo it! Save some energy for Turkish night, an evening of good food and live entertainment, featuring high-energy dances from the black sea to the mesmerizing spinning of the Whirling Dervishes.
Our suggestions…
Taksim Square and Galata Walking Tour - A wonderful and enjoyable half day walk includes these places: Taksim, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Pera, Galata Tower, Tunel, Galata Bridge and the Egyptian Bazaar and the flower market. Overnight in Istanbul.
Old City Walls and The Kariye Museum - Built by Constantine the Great, the Kariye Museum (Church of the Holy Savior in Chora) has the best Byzantine mosaics in the region. If you can spare a few hours, you must see them. (Note: the museum is closed Wednesday.)
The Princess Islands – Sandy beaches, pinewood scenery, and restored wooden houses, once the pleasure island of Byzantine princes. Tour the islands with horse-drawn carriages, (there are no cars on the island) before lunch at a local restaurant. There is also a 6th century Byzantine monastery on the island which, is open to visitors.
Traditional Turkish Bath (Hamam) – Featured on several “100 things to do before you die” lists, this is one of those unique experiences you’ll be telling your friends about for years! Don’t be shy! Where else can you bathe in a luxurious marble bath built by Mimar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect for sultans? The entrance fee includes a locker for your belongings and a wash and massage. (Ask your guide for recommendations as quality varies greatly.)
Day 12 - Transfer to the Airport
We transfer you and your belongings to the airport in plenty of time for your flight. Good-bye and we hope to see you again next year!
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