Highlights of Turkey 14 days with 4 days Cruise

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Turkey - Culture - History - Fun - Sun & Sea - Relaxation -

HIGHLIGHTS of TURKEY - 14 Days; WITH 4 DAY CRUISE

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul

Upon arrival at The Istanbul Ataturk Airport, you will be met and assisted to The Germir Palas Hotel.

You will meet your guide and other tour participants for a cocktail and a brief of your trip before dinner.

Accommodation: The Germir Palas Hotel

Meals : Dinner (D)

Day 2: Istanbul

Our second day in Istanbul takes us to a number of Byzantine Relics.

We first stroll to the great square which was once the Byzantine Hippodrome. Now it is a great park like area surrounded by the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Underground Cistern, commonly called the Basilica Cistern. The Hippodrome exhibits the Walled Column, The Serpent Column and the Egyptian Obelisque from the Byzantine times and the German Fountain is located in the North end of the Hippodrome.

Next we visit the Hagia Sophia.

After lunch at a local restaurant we take a short drive to The Chora Church to see the climax of Byzantine Mosaic Art.

Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Accommodation: The Germir Palas Hotel

Meals : Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

Day 3: Istanbul

Your guide will meet you after breakfast for a tour of the Ottoman Istanbul. A short walk takes you to the Blue Mosque which was completed in 1616. Our next stop will be the Topkapi Palace, more than just a palace, it is an assemblage of museums containing collections amassed by the Sultans for almost five centuries. Our visit also takes you to the famous Harem where the Imperial Family resided. We then stop at Divan Yolu for lunch at a local restaurant.

Next we walk through the old cobbled streets down to Rustem Pasha Mosque and then the Spice Market, where Genoese and Venetian goods were sold at a time when there was no Suez Canal, and all the spices from the East were also brought here after being loaded on vessels in Egypt.

We end the tour with a visit to the Grand Bazaar.

Dinner will be at one of our selected restaurants serving you specialties of Turkish Cuisine.

Accommodation: The Germir Palas Hotel

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 4: Istanbul - Flight to Kayseri - Cappadocia

On our last day in Istanbul, we check out after a leisurely breakfast and take a short drive to the shores of the Bosphorus to visit the Dolmabahce Palace.

Overlooking the Bosphorus, its beauty is incomparable with 14 tons of pure gold used for its interior decoration, its priceless paintings, furniture, and a rich collection of Bohemian crystal in addition to its famous Harem section.

Then we get on board at Eminonu for the leisurely cruise of the Bosphorus to the still unspoiled village of Sariyer.

In the late afternoon, we are transferred to Istanbul Airport for the 18:25 flight to Kayseri, then we take an hour's transfer to our hotel in Uchisar.

Dinner and overnight in Uchisar.

Accommodation: Kale Konak Hotel

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 5: Cappadocia

Today we introduce you to the lunar landscape of Cappadocia at Dervent Valley, then we head on to Zelve Open Air Museum, which is one of the earliest inhabited and latest abandoned monastic settlements of Cappadocia. Seeing the best examples of the fairy chimneys at Pasabag Fairy Chimneys Valley, we drive further to Avanos, where we have lunch at a local restaurant. Goreme Open Air Museum is where we visit the rock carved churches and colorful frescoes. We end the day hiking up to the top of Uchisar Castle, which is the highest and the most dominant point, giving us a breathtaking panorama view.

Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Accommodation: Kale Konak Hotel

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 6: Cappadocia

Our first stop is the Soganli Valley, which is one of the earliest settlements in Cappadocia. After this, we drive back to Urgup through the unspoiled villages of Cappadocia, surrounded by the "table-top" mountains. On the way we visit the Medrese in Taskinpasa, a Theological School of the Seljuk Turks. After lunch in Mustafapasa at an old Greek house hosted by a local family, we descend towards the centre of the earth, with a trip to the Underground City of Kaymakli, one of the largest and deepest of Cappadocia's many such settlements.

Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Accommodation: Kale Konak Hotel

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 7: Cappadocia - Konya - Pamukkale

As we check out, we start our long but pleasant and spectacular drive to Pamukkale. We make a visit to the Sultanhan Caravanserai, where the medieval merchants used to stay overnight, then we stop at Konya to visit the world famous Mevlana Museum, formerly the place where the mystic philosophy of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi was taught. Strolling through the streets of Konya, we will have lunch at a local restaurant before heading on to Pamukkale.

Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Accommodation: Richmond Thermal Hotel Pamukkale

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 8: Pamukkale - Hierapolis - Bodrum - Embark the gulet

We start the day by visiting Hierapolis, only a stone's throw away from our hotel. After an exhilarating walk on the calcareous terraces of Pamukkale, we start for Bodrum, taking an en route visit to Aphrodisias, where there was a fertility cult dedicated to Aphrodite. After a well-earned lunch, we drive to Bodrum, and embark on our gulet.

Accommodation: Gulet

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 9: Gulet

Departure after breakfast. We will cruise for about 3 hours to cross the mouth of the Gokova Gulf and reach Knidos. This city, moved to this strategic important point in the 4th century BC was one of six cities forming a league called the Dorian Hexapolis. Knidos can be considered the point where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. It has two ancient harbours and we will drop anchor in the bigger eastern harbour from where we can see the ruins. The harbour is unfortunately relatively unprotected from the wind so the captain will often dock overnight in Mersincik instead.

Accommodation: Gulet

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 10: Gulet

After breakfast we departure to Kisebuku Bay. Lunch and swimming break here. Leaving in the afternoon from here to Cokertme for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Gulet

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 11: Gulet

Departure to Orak island. Swimming break and lunch here. The second stop will be in Çiftlik. Late in the afternoon, we will arrive at the harbour in Bodrum. Last dinner on board.

Accommodation: Gulet

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 12: Didyma - Miletus - Prienne

After breakfast on board, we say good bye to the crew, disembark the gulet and head to Kusadasi. On the way, we first visit Didyma. As the historian Pausanias wrote; 'The sanctuary of Apollo at Didymoi, and the oracle there are more ancient than the Ionian settlement.' As we drive further North, we visit Miletus and then arrive at Prienne, formerly a leading member of the Panionic League.

Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Accommodation: La Vista Hotel

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 13: Ephesus

We start early in the morning to beat the crowds and first drive to the Virgin Mary's House; afterwards, we visit Ephesus which was founded in the eleventh century BC by the Ionians. Strolling through the streets of Ephesus, we see the Fountain of Traian, the temple of Hadrian and the Library of Celsus to name a few. We also visit the Terrace Houses: A number of living units where the rich and the dignitary of Ephesus with the most beautiful ground mosaics, frescoes, terra cotta pipe lines and private baths.

Later in the afternoon we will visit St John's Basilica, believed to be the tomb of the Apostle John, Christ's beloved disciple. From the basilica, we will be able to look down on the remains of the temple of Artemis. We end the day with our visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, then we head on to Kusadasi for a well-earned rest.

Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Accommodation: La Vista Hotel

Meals : (B, L, D)

Day 14: Izmir - Home

Transfer to Izmir Airport to board a morning flight to Istanbul. Board your homeward flight or book additional nights in Istanbul. Please advise us on your departure flight out of Istanbul so that we could book you on the best connecting flight from Izmir.

Accommodation: You may book additional nights in Kusadasi or Istanbul.

Meals: (B)

Group size: Min. 10 Participants

Price Information:
4.263,- € per person Min. 10 Participants

Sing. supp: 919,- €

0-2 Child Reduc. Free, 2-12 Child Reduc.50 and % Student Reduc.10 %

The price include:

• Accommodation at the mentioned hotels including breakfast
• Lunches and dinners as described in the itinerary
• Transportation with an A/C luxury minivan
• Professional guiding
• Admission fees to the museums and sights
• Domestic flight tickets as described in the itinerary
• 4 day private cruise along the Turquoise coast, with an A/C gulet
• Taxes

The price exclude:

• International flight tickets
• Visa fee on arrival to Turkey
• Personal travel insurance
• Drinks
• Non-mandatory but customary tips

If you are interested to know more about this trip, please contact our IBE Travel Team at

info@ibe-travel.eu
Tel.: + 49 89 25557 5890

We look forward to it!

Your IBE Travel Team