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Insight Vacations - Ancient Civilizations |
Turkish Delights
8 days, Priced from US$1150
Premium Escorted, Departs from & returns to Istanbul
Tour code I950
Included Premium Highlights
- Visit the ruins of Hierapolis and the white terraces at Pamukkale
- Tour Ephesus, one of the world's finest archeological sites
- Visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery at Gallipoli
- Visit the fabulous Topkapi Palace in Istanbul
Included Personal Insights
- A complete guide on how to haggle in the Grand Bazaar; the technique, the pitfalls and how much to pay!
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
- Visit charming Cumalikizik Village
- Visit Bursa's Green Mosque and Mausoleum complex, the Grand Mosque, bazaar and silk market
- Visit the Synagogue, Roman Gymnasium and the Temple of Artemis in Sardis
- Visit the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus
- Visit the Archeological Museum at Selcuk
- Visit Pergamon's Temple of Athena, Theatre, Library and the Asklepion ruins
- Visit the legendary city of Troy
- Visit Istanbul's Blue Mosque, and Basilica of St. Sophia
Included First Class Services
- Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Travel by luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
- Insight's professional multilingual Tour Director to escort & guide you
- Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Arrival and departure transfers between the airport and your Insight tour hotel
Included Quality Dining
- 7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
ITINERARY
Day 1 - ISTANBUL |
Welcome to Turkey - a land rich in archeological sites, historic monuments, warm-hearted people and an enormous variety of spectacular scenery. On arrival at Istanbul Airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your Tour Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Barcelo Eresin Topkapi
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Day 2 - ISTANBUL - BURSA |
This morning take a short ferry trip and drive to the charming Cumalikizik Village with its traditional wooden houses, and narrow cobblestone streets. Continue to Bursa for your overnight stay. There is time this afternoon to visit the glorious Green Mosque and Mausoleum complex, the Grand Mosque, the Bazaar and colourful Silk Market. Tonight you might like to experience a Turkish bath at your hotel.
Hotel: Kervansaray Thermal (BB,D)
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Day 3 - BURSA - PAMUKKALE |
Drive to Sardis, where you visit the Synagogue, Roman Gymnasium and the Temple of Artemis. Now continue to Pamukkale, famous for its 'Cotton Castle', a dazzling chalk-white array of fantastically shaped limestone terraces. Visit the ruins of ancient Hierapolis and the fairyland terraces and see the glistening pools and cascades in scallop-shell basins.
Hotel: Pam Thermal (BB,D)
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Day 4 - PAMUKKALE - IZMIR |
Journey to the ruined city of Ephesus. View the marvellous facade of the Library of Celsus, walk the Arcadian Way and see the amazing Amphitheatre. Also visit the House of the Virgin Mary. At the Archeological Museum in nearby Selçuk you can marvel at many of the artefacts excavated from Ephesus. After visiting a Turkish carpet centre it's on to the pretty port city of Izmir
Hotel: Swissôtel Grand Efes (BB,D)
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Day 5 - IZMIR - CANAKKALE |
Stop in Pergamon, the impressive site of an ancient kingdom, to visit the Asklepion, one of the most famous shrines and therapeutic centres in the ancient world. Drive to Homer's legendary city of Troy; visit the ruins and see an enormous reconstruction of the fabled Wooden Horse. Stay tonight in the seaport of Çanakkale, on the southern side of the Dardanelles at their narrowest point.
Hotel: Kolin (BB,D)
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Day 6 - CANAKKALE - ISTANBUL |
This morning cross the Dardanelles Straits and drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula to visit Anzac Cove and the emotive Lone Pine Cemetery. Then return to Istanbul. Upon arrival, embark on a superb highlight cruise along the Bosphorus Waterway.
Hotel: Barcelo Eresin Topkapi (BB)
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Day 7 - ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING |
Admire the Blue Mosque with its beautiful tiles and the Hippodrome where Roman chariot races were held. Visit St Sophia, at one time a cathedral and a mosque, and now a magnificent museum. Move on to Topkapi Palace where some of the world's biggest emeralds and diamonds are on display. Finish your tour among the 4,000 shops, cafes and tea houses of the Grand Bazaar. Don't worry, your guide will give you a full explanation of the time-honoured ritual of bargaining! Tonight consider an optional farewell dinner and show? (BB) |
Day 8 - ISTANBUL |
This morning, your tour comes to an end with a transfer to the airport. (BB) |
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