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Turkey
MP-13 HISTORIC AND NATURAL WONDERS
DAY 01: Arrival to Istanbul.
Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative at the exit gate of arrivals hall and transfer your hotel. On the way, driving along the 1700-year-old ancient city walls will be a great photo opportunity. There will be time to relax and refresh before meeting your guide in the evening for an orientation walk around Sultanahmet by night and overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 02: Bosphorous and Dolmabahce Palace Sightseeing Tour.
Breakfast at hotel, then meet your guide at the hotel lobby and short drive down to Eminonu to visit Spice Bazaar with mystical scents of various herbs and spices. Here, you will have a chance to improve your bargaining skills at the shops selling spices, Turkish Delights, souvenirs, fruits, Caspian sea caviar, vegetables, fish, flowers,etc. Then walk to the harbour to embark on the Bosphorus Ferry for a cruise on the Bosphorus. We believe a visit to Istanbul is never complete if you haven't joined the Bosphorus Cruise. During the cruise you will see the city from a different perspective, the old wooden villas, Rumeli Fortress, Ortakoy Mosque, both bridges linking Asia and Europe, and much more. After lunch, continue on land to visit Camlica Hill for 360 degrees panoramic views over the city and driving back to Europe over the Bosphorus Bridge we visit Dolmabahce Palace, with more than 340 rooms and 8 Turkish Baths the Imperial Residence of the last 6 Sultans, is sure to fascinate its visitors. At the end of the tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel, evening at leisure and overnight in Istanbul
DAY 03: Byzantine and Ottoman Traces Tour.
After breakfast at hotel, your guide will take you to visit some of Istanbul's most fascinating sights such as the Blue Mosque; unique with its 6 Minarets, St Sophia Museum; the jewel of Byzantine architecture in Istanbul, a 6th Century Church dedicated to Divine Wisdom. We walk around the Hippodrome where once chariot races and other activities took place during the Roman period. We will have lunch at a local restaurant serving Turkish Cuisine before heading to the Grand Bazaar; world’s oldest and biggest covered bazaar with more than 4000 shops which are still in business today. Finally we visit Topkapi Palace; the home of the Ottoman Sultans & their families for over 400 years, a city within a city with 3000 residents. We will also see the Harem section and and it's chambers which have become a myth in the West due to the discrete life of the Sultans living here. The day will finish with the visit to the Mosque of Suleymaniye the Magnificent. At the end of the tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel. Then you will be transferred to the bus terminal to take the night bus to Cappadocia.
DAY 04: Arrival to Cappadocia and Cappadocia Tour 1.
On your arrival to Cappadocia you will be met by your new guide and transferred to your hotel. Depart on to visit Devrent Valley, Monk's valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world known fairy chimneys. Break for lunch in Avanos and then continue on to the Goreme Open-Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock carved churches and monasteries. Continue for a panaromic view of Esentepe and then on to Uchisar, a natural rock castle. At the end of the tour the guide will take you back to your hotel, evening at leisure and overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 05: Cappadocia Tour 2 and night bus to Olympos.
After breakfast at hotel, another full day tour this time to visit the famous Derinkuyu Underground City. Afterwards, a short hike through the Red Valley along the stream and visit some of the churches along the way. We stop in Belisirma for lunch and then on to Selime for a panoramic view. Stop at the Agzikarahan Caravansarai is included. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the bus terminal and take a night bus to Olympos.
DAY 06: Day at leisure in Olympos
You will be dropped off at the Olympos main road bus stop. You just take the shuttle bus 11 km down to the valley of Olympos and check-in to your tree house. Just a short walk from your pension, the Olympos beach is situated in a picturesque bay in the shadow of Olympos Mountain. Opportunities abound for swimming, rock jumping, kayaking and hiking.
DAY 07: Day at leisure and walk tour to Chimera in the evening.
After a lazy day in Olympos we drive to Ulupinar in the evening and begin our walk to Chimera, home of the legendary Homeric Dragon, which was killed by Bellerophontes and buried seven layers below the ground. The flames of the monster can still be seen. After the walk we return to Olympos for an overnight stay.
DAY 08: Leaving Olympos and day bus to Lake Egirdir.
After breakfast you will take the shuttle bus from the doorsteps of your tree house up to the main road bus stop, then bus to Egirdir via Antalya bus terminal. You will arrive Egirdir in the afternoon, be met on arrival to be transferred to your hotel, evening at leisure and overnight in Egirdir.
DAY 09: Fishing on Lake Egirdir - Kovada national park and King’s Road
Leave early in the morning with the local fishermen to pull in the morning catch. Besides experiencing a moment of how net fishing has been done for ages, you can enjoy the tranquility of the lake and take in a beautiful sunrise. Later in the morning depart for Kovada national park. Visit Sigirlik, an early period Roman castle before arriving at the river side for lunch stop. Next visit is the Candir canyon, a mountain gorge carved from marble with waterfalls, natural swimming pools, springs and historical sites. You can jump off from the top of the waterfalls or trek along the river to check out the ruins and the wild life. Return to Egirdir for an overnight stay.
DAY 10: Zindan Cave and bus to Pamukkale
Visit to Zindan Cave before leaving Egirdir. The cave was formed during the third geological period. There are beautiful stalactites and stalagmites inside. The cave was used as a temple dedicated to Eurymedon. During the late Roman and early Byzantine times this place was used as a shelter. Return to Egirdir to take the bus to Pamukkale. You will arrive Pamukkale in the late afternoon, be met on arrival to be transferred to your hotel, evening at leisure and overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 11: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour.
Breakfast at hotel, and then meet your guide at the hotel to start Pamukkale Tour. As we approach Pamukkale it looks like a glacier is spilling down the mountainside. The name translates to Cotton Castle. In truth these are glistening white travertine terraces formed over millennia by mineral deposits as water flowed out of natural springs. The water is credited with healing powers. It is alleged that Cleopatra swam in one of the pools that is open to the public. Nearby are the ruins of the Roman resort, Hierapolis, and a large necropolis. At the end of the tour your guide will take you back to your hotel to pick up your stuff. Then you will be transferred to the bus terminal and take the bus to Selcuk-Ephesus. You will be met on your arrival in Selçuk and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 12: Ephesus and surroundings Tour.
Breakfast at hotel, and then meet your guide at the hotel to start the tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved Greco-Roman Cities in the world. Depart for the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to have spent the last of her days. After lunch in a local restaurant, the tour also includes a visit the remains of Artemis Temple and if time allows a visit to the old Greek Village of Sirince. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the bus terminal and take the bus to your next destination or ferry to to Samos-Greece.
