TURKEY EXPRESS 2008

13 NIGHTS / 14 DAYS
 

TURKEY EXPRESS – Mon/Wed/ Sat Departures

Day 01: Istanbul (D)

Transfer to your hotel.

 Day 02: Istanbul (BLD)

After breakfast sightseeing for Byzantine monuments of once imperial Constantinople; Saint Sophia, the largest church in mediaeval world was the protocol mosque of Islamic city under Ottoman Sultans. Ataturk, the first president of secular Turkey transformed this fifteen hundred years old monument to a museum. Saint Savior in Chora preserves best examples of mosaic icons dating back to the Paleologian revival of 14th century. You will enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus to unveil beauties of European and Asian shores of the city. At the Spice Market you will be rather tempted by gourmet Persian saffron then, next door witch doctor's merchants offer remedies such as leeches.

Day 03: Istanbul / Ankara     453 KMS         (BLD)

Early wake up and morning drive to the capital of modern Turkey. After lunch, visit the Anatolian Civilizations museum, displaying nine thousand years old mother goddess statues and ancient landscape paintings of human history. The refinement and fines of the Hittites and Phrygians art will captivate you.

Day 04: Ankara / Cappadocia           296 KMS         Driving Time: 5 Hrs    (BLD)

Enjoy the scenic drive along Salt Lake to Cappadocia. Discover the unusual landscape with fairy chimneys twisting valleys and table mountains, stop at a 13th century Caravanserai. See the natural rock citadel of Uchisar,reflecting a variety of colors through the day on its eroded, malleable tuff body.Visit Soganli village and valley, where women handcraft dolls, as beautiful as nature has crafted valleys, and man built cave churches in them.

Day 05: Goreme / Avcilar / Pasabagi / Dervent / Ozkonak           50 KMS (BLD)

Explore the frescoed interior of Goreme's churches ''Caves of god'', around which early christians established rules of monastic life.Visit the underground chambers and galleries of Ozkonak, one of the several subterrainian dwellings served as refuge to Cappadocians through their history full of invasions. You will take a walk in the red valley of Dervent, observe the uniquely formed pinnacles of Avcilar and Pasabag, and finally take a coffee break in a small village where you will mingle with locals. Learn about arts and and crafts of rural Turkey with a pottery atelier visit and attend a lecture on Turkish hand-made rugs.

Day 06: Konya / Antalya area           654 KMS         Driving time: 8 Hrs     (BLD)

Morning drive following the path of silk road merchants; Konya the city of icons. Its golden age was Seljuk sultans' 13th century, when numerous Islamic edifices such as mosques and medresses were added to the city's riches. Mystic poet Rumi's tomb is one of the most visited shrines by muslims venerating his teaching for love and tolerance. His whirling dervishes danced the Sema for their spiritual journey. Drive south in the afternoon over Taurus mountains to reach Antalya on the Mediterranean Coast.

Day07: Perge / Aspendos / Antalya 50 KMS           (BLD)

Explore Greek and Roman archaeology starting with the ruins of Perge. Visit one of the best preserved Roman theaters in Aspendos, that is still in full use for a variety of performances with its 15000 seating capacity. Return to Antalya for a stroll through the cobbled streets of the old town.

Day 08: Aphrodisias / Denizli           260 KMS         Driving time: 4 Hrs      (BLD)

An inland drive this morning, will take us to one of the most inspiring ancient cities of Asia Minor. As well as being an important cult city of mother godess Aphrodite, Aphrodisas was known with its production of marble sculptures and sarcophagi that were exported to many Roman towns throughout the empire. You will overnight in Pamukkale and explore the calcareous cascades and luke-warm basins. The variety of tomb styles at the necropolis is a proof of Hierapolis' fame in the healing power of its thermal springs since ancient times.

Day 09: Ephesus / Izmir                    258 KMS         Driving time 5 Hrs     (BLD)

Drive to the Aegean coast for a visit of Ephesus; the star of Asia Minor and the best preserved of all the classical world's great cities. St.Paul stirred up the worshippers of mother goddess Artemis, the temple of whom is one of the seven wonders of ancient world. During the Christian era, Mary was dedicated her first church in Ephesus, where ecumenical councils gathered during the Byzantine reign.

Day 10: Pergamum / Troy / Canakkale 318 KMS   Driving time 6 Hrs      (BLD)

Early drive to Pergamum for a visit of its fascinating acropolis.The 200000 pergament (parchement) scrolls of the library here, threathened the fame of that in Alexandria during the Hellenistic Age. Drive along the Aegean coast to Troy. You will touch the city walls around which Achilles dragged the dead body of Hector, as told in Homer's Iliad.

Day 11: Gallipolis / Istanbul             330 KMS         Driving time 6 Hrs      (BLD)

Cross the Dardanelles to Gallipoli for a visit of the infamous World War 1 battle sites. Lone Pine Cemetery and Anzac Cove are remembered for no hatred nor glory but human aspects of both sides' sufferings. Out of the ashes of this sad battle, rose Kemal Ataturk as a hero for future modern Turkey. And a John Simpson carried help to the wounded of both sides, with his donkeys. Drive in the afternoon to Istanbul.

Day 12: Istanbul                                                                                              (BLD)

Your day will be dedicated to the old city. Following the Roman Hippodrome, visit Blue Mosque that is one of the most splendid shrines of Islamic world. Enjoy successive courtyards and treasures of Topkapi Palace. You have to save some freshness and budget to Grand Bazaar for the rest of the day.

Day 13: Istanbul                                                                                                (B)

Day at Leisure and Overnight at Hotel.

Day 14: Istanbul                                                                                                 (B)

Transfer to Airport for onwards flight to Mumbai.

Istanbul - Grand Yavuz - 4 stars
Ankara - B.Anadolu - 5 stars
Cappadocia - Kapadokya Inn - 4 stars
Antalya - Golden Ring - 4 stars
Denizli - Pam Hotel - 4 stars
Izmir - Aksan - 4 stars
Canakkale - Akol - 4 stars
Istanbul - Grand Yavuz - 4 stars

Included in the below 

Guaranteed Departures:

Guaranteed Share: We will find you a roommate or you stay in a single room at no extra charge.

Sightseeing: Included per itinerary. No extra charges. All Entrances are included.

Guiding: Fully escorted by our professional, English speaking tour guides.

Hotels: 4 & 5 star basic hotels in each area. All hotels have private, Western style bathrooms to each room. Single rooms are available at additional cost.

Meals: Breakfast is a full buffet, lunches are usually in Turkish restaurants near the sites and dinners tend to be buffet style or set menus.

Ground Transportation: Explore Turkey in the air-conditioned comfort of a Mercedes or Mitsubishi bus.

Airport transfers: On the scheduled tour arrival/departure days.

Admission fees and service fees: Included.

International Airfare: Price includes Bombay Istanbul Bombay Airfares.

No Hidden Costs: Entire program is all inclusive, There is no reason what-so-ever to reach for those pockets

Not Included
- Visits and services not mentioned in program.
- Domestic flights
- Insurance
- Personal expenses and all beverages
- Tips