Day 01: Arrive Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul (Constantinople). Truly, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Istanbul has 3 airports with most flights arriving at the newly relocated, Istanbul Airport (IST). Previously, arrivals were at Ataturk International Airport. This new airport is the 11th busiest one in the world handling over 100 million passengers a year. After immigration and customs, kindly exit from Gate 8 where we are cordially welcomed by our representative and transferred to our hotel. For those arriving at any of the other two airports there is a surcharge of $50 per person for the transfer. Hotel check in time starts at 1500hrs.  According to legend, the Delphic Oracle first instructed the Megarions to establish a city here. During the Byzantine Empire, Constantine chose this very spot as his capital, and it was here that the keys to the city were given to Mehmed the Conqueror. Every emperor and king, president and prime minster, cherished the desire of ruling this city. Welcome then, to one of the most important witnesses of world history and to where it all happened. Balance of the day is at leisure.

Overnight: Avantgarde Levent (Superior) / Grand Halic (Standard), Istanbul (2 nights)

Day 02: Istanbul

After breakfast at our hotel, we explore this beautiful city with a guided tour to include the Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.  Be ready to be amazed when you discover the variety of historical monuments, including palaces, museums, cisterns, fountains, and pillars, which surround you on all sides. You can experience the magnificence of both the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires one each after the other.  A trip to Istanbul is not complete without a visit of the Grand bazaar, which is one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 lanes and 5,000 shops, and attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops. You will encounter Istanbul firsthand, which you may have previously only seen on films, postcards, and read about in history books. (B)

Day 03: Istanbul/Ankara/Cappadocia (Drive)

After breakfast, we depart for Ankara where we will visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk and its Museum.   The huge hall, lined in red marble, has simple mosaic decoration recalling the many ages and civilizations - this is the burial place of Mustafa Kamal Pasha the national hero who founded modern Republic of Türkiye. He is referred to as Atatusk – Father of the Turks. The Anitkabir museum is located between the Tower of the National Pact and the Tower of the Revolution. A number of Ataturk's personal belongings are exhibited, including clothes that he wore, and gifts presented to him by visiting foreign dignitaries.  After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake, which is a protected area for bird species, we arrive at Cappadocia for our 2nights stay. For an upgrade experience at a Cave Hotel, please see under Notes below.

Overnight: Dinler Urgup Hotel (Superior) / Dinler Hotel (Standard), Cappadocia (2 nights) (B, D)

*UPGRADE to Cave Hotel available

Day 04: Cappadocia

Early morning, take part in an optional hot-air balloon tour (extra charge). The rest of the day is filled with an excursion to Cappadocia, including visits to the Kaymakli Underground City. More than a hundred underground settlements are found in this region, and many are not open to the public. In the Byzantine period, increasing invasions forced local residents to build underground cities for protection and religious purposes. Next stop is the Open Air Museum in Göreme Valley*, which holds the region's best collection of painted cave-churches. Medieval orthodox Christian monks carved the caves from the soft volcanic stone and decorated them with elaborate Byzantine frescoes between 1000 and 1200 AD. Afterwards, we continue on to the natural fortress Uchisar. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Byzantine army took advantage of the natural elevation of three of the area's rock formations and used them as natural fortresses. We enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant. Here, we will have the opportunity to discover and understand the rich history of local handicrafts like hand-made carpets, Turkish tiles, onyx and pottery.  Optional night tour with a Turkish folk show and dinner is available tonight (extra charge). (B, L)

Day 05: Cappadocia/Konya/Pamukkale (Drive)

Today is yet another interesting day as we visit the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai, which is an exceptional example of architectural stone work and decoration art from the Seljuk period.  It was constructed to provide security for the road from Konya to Aksaray, an important trade and military route. At Konya, we visit the convent of the Whirling Dervishes and the tomb of Mevlana Jalaludin Rumi, who died here on December 17, 1273. Born in Balkh, Afghanistan, Rumi remains one of the world’s most well-read poets. He wrote his famous six-volume poem The Mathnavi of Jalaludiin Rumi in Persian. Rumi was a Sufi mystic who would get lost in trance and dance, sometimes spinning like a top for hours on end. His belief was that there were many ways to God. During Rumi’s life, and since his death, pilgrims have come to Konya from all over the world to visit his final resting place. Today, Rumi's tomb is Türkiye's second most-visited tourist attraction after the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. We culminate this eventful day at Pamukkale.

Overnight: Adem Pira Hotel (Superior) / Villa Lycus (Standard), Pamukkale (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06: Pamukkale/Izmir (Drive)

After breakfast, visit the ancient Hierapolis with the magnificent Hierapolis, whose name means "sacred city". It  was believed by ancient people to have been founded by the god, Apollo. It was famed for its sacred hot springs, whose vapors were associated with Pluto, god of the underworld. The city also had a significant Jewish community and was mentioned by Paul in his Letter to Colossians. Today, Hierapolis is a World Heritage Site. In addition to interesting Classical ruins, the site offers a thermal Sacred Pool in which you can swim with ancient artifacts, a view of the spectacular white terraces of Pamukkale the lime cascade. You can see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name Pamukkale ("cotton castle").   Afterwards we continue our drive to Selcuk to visit Temple of Artemis ‘‘one of the seven wonders of the ancient  world ‘’.  Then continue to Izmir  for our overnight stay.

Overnight: Kaya Thermal (Superior) / Kaya Presige (Standard), Izmir (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 07: Izmir/Ephesus/Izmir

Morning drive to Ancient city of Ephesus, once the trade centre of the ancient world, a religious center of the early Christianity.  There is nothing like standing on the stage of the amphitheater where St. John spoke to the Ephesians, walking through the ruins of the ancient library where scholars studied, and seeing 2000 years old plumbing more sophisticated than in parts of the world today. The ruins that are now visible give you some idea of the city's original composition, and the names associated with the ruins are a reminder of its former status as a major port of the ancient world. The Library of Celsus, which was reconstructed from the original pieces, was originally built in 125 BC by Julius Aquila, and held over 12,000 scrolls, making it the largest library in the Mediterranean.  Lunch in a nomadic tent in Selcuk to taste a local know dish of Gozleme.  Continue to marvelous village of Sirince where you be able to experience one of the most beautiful villages in Türkiye.  The Orthodox Christian Greeks who lived here during the Ottoman empire were famed for their wine making.  The Muslim Turks who moved here from Thessaloniki in 1924 and restarted wine making using local fruits.  You will have the opportunity to shop and taste delicious wines of the village. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Izmir/Pergamum/Canakkale (Drive)

Early departure for Pergamum to visit the Asklepion, which was a healing temple in the Ancient Greece, as important as its counterparts in Epidaurus and Kos. According to Pausanias, the first Temple of Asclepius in Pergamum was built in the first half of the 4th century BC. The Asclepion dedicated to Asclepius, god of medicine and healing was built in mid-4th century BC, on the slopes of Mount Geyikli, far away from the city, inside a hidden valley, of which springs were believed to have healing effects. Visiting Pergamum with its well preserved remains before continuing to Troy; the site where the legendary Trojan War took place.  Troy (Turkish: Truva or Troya) is an ancient city in northwestern Türkiye, made famous in Homer’s epic poem, the Iliad. According to Iliad, this is where the legendary Trojan War took place. Today it is an archaeological site popular with travellers from all over the world, and in addition to being a Turkish national park, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive to Canakkale for our overnight stay.

Overnight: Kolin Hotel (Superior) / Helen Hotel (Standard), Canakkale (1 night) (B, D)

Day 09: Canakkale/Gallipoli/Istanbul (Drive)

After breakfast, we drive to Gallipoli to visit Anzac Cove, Nek, Conk Bair , Lone Pine and 57.th regiment memorial as well as the war museum.  The reason for the campaign was to break the stalemate on the Western and Eastern Front and to help the Russians. It is perceived as a defining moment in the nation's history—a final surge in the defense of the motherland as the Ottoman Empire crumbled. The struggle formed the basis for the Turkish war independence and the founding of the Republic Of Türkiye eight years later under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a commander at Gallipoli. The campaign is often considered to mark the birth of national consciousness in Australia and New Zealand and the date of the landing 25 April, is known as "Anzac Day". It remains the most significant commemoration of military casualties and veterans there.   Arrival in Istanbul for our overnight stay.

Overnight: Kent (Old City) Hotel (Superior) / Grand Halic (Standard), Istanbul (1 night) (B)

Day 10: Depart Istanbul

Breakfast. Check out time is by 1100 hrs.  Transfer to Ataturk Airport (IST).  Please note that departure transfers to (IST airport) are provided by the hotel’s shuttle and is only available at 0900 hrs and at 1300 hrs. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 28 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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