Turkey Turkey at the Crossroads of Cultures - Itinerary
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Day 1: Istanbul - Arrivals Welcome to Turkey! On your arrival at the Istanbul airport, you will be met by our chauffeur for a private transfer to our modern luxury hotel in the center of the city. In the afternoon, we will meet our tour director and our local guide to start our discovery of Turkey with an overview tour of the city of Istanbul on a privately chartered boat which will take us along the Bosphorus Strait. This iconic waterway, which separates the European and Asian sides of the city, offers views of Istanbul’s skyline, historical landmarks, its ancient fotifications, palaces, manor houses and mosques, as well as the traditional wooden Ottoman houses, bustling waterfront cafes, and lush green parks. Afterwards, we will celebrate the upcoming adventure with a welcome dinner of traditional Turkish cuisine, as we get to know each other and join in a light-hearted discussion about Istanbul's history and present. Day 2: Istanbul Today, we will get to know Istanbul, close and personal, learning about the multi-layered history of the city, former Constantinople, for over a millennium one of the most significant cities in the world, founded by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in 330 AD, as the capital of the Byzantine Empire. We will start with a visit to the Hippodrome, which was the center of public life, hosting chariot races, surrounded by the formidable Theodosian Walls which protected the city from numerous sieges over the centuries, then we'll continue to the Topkapi Palace, the opulent residence of the Ottoman sultans, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque and we'll top the day with the amazing Hagia Sophia, an engineering masterpiece and the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years. Half way through the day, we'll savor a delicious lunch infused with the flavors of the Middle East, and then the evening will be at leisure. Day 3: Istanbul to Cappadocia After breakfast, we'll check out from our Istanbul hotel and transfer to airport for the short flight to Cappadocia. On arrival in this fairytale region of Turkey, we'll transfer to our cave hotel, stopping at several locations to learn about Cappadocia's history and geology, as we're getting the first glimpse of this unique and surreal landscape with its fairy chimneys, ancient cave dwellings, and extensive rock formations formed by centuries of volcanic activity and erosion, and resulting in a surreal beauty. In the evening, we'll celebrate today's discoveries with an elegant dinner in the hotel's restaurant. Day 4: Cappadocia, Goreme Valley, Turkish Cultural Show Early this morning, we'll have an opportunity to take an optional balloon ride, and after breakfast we will get immersed in the region's history, as we tour some of Cappadocia's most significant sites. We will start with the Goreme Open Air Museum, showcasing rock-cut churches, chapels, and monasteries, many of which date back to the 10th century and are decorated with intricate frescoes which examplify the region's rich Christian heritage. We will stop for lunch at a dreamy spot overlooking the otherworldly formations, before continuing to Ozkonak with its well preserved underground city, Ürgüp with its photogenic vineyards, and Avanos, renowned for its pottery and ceramic art. In the evening, we will celebrate the heritage of Cappadocia with a Turkish Cultural Show, accompanied by a traditional dinner. Day 5: Cappadocia to Izmir Today, we will leave Cappadocia around noon and fly to Izmir, the modern name for the ancient city of Smyrna, a historic city sitting on the shores of the Turquoise Coast. On arrival, we'll transfer to our beachside hotel in Kusadasi. Those seeking respite from today's travels may choose to unwind on the beach adjoining the hotel, swim in the tranquil waters of the Aegean Sea or just admire the sunset from the balcony while enjoying the warm breeze. Today's dinner will be served in the hotel's restaurant. Day 6: Ephesus, St. Mary’s House, St. John's Basilica After a full breakfast, we'll set out to travel back in time to Greco-Roman times, as we visit the ancient site of Ephesus. Ephesus flourished during the Hellenistic period and became one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean during the Roman Empire. It was renowned for its grand architecture, including the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Library of Celsus, an impressive structure that housed thousands of scrolls. As the day unfolds, we will indulge in a sumptuous seafood-themed lunch, savoring the flavors of the Aegean Sea while soaking in the panoramic views of the coastline. After lunch, we will visit St. Mary’s House, believed to be the residence of Mary, the mother of Jesus, where she spent her last years under the care of the Apostle John. We will then continue to the Basilica of St. John, a magnificent testament to early Christian architecture, where amidst the ancient ruins, we can trace the footsteps of St. John and contemplate the enduring impact of his teachings. Day 7: Kusadasi, Tuquoise Coast Cruise This morning, we will have free time to enjoy the beach, the spa and the hotel's amenities, a blissful interlude of relaxation after a busy day of touring. In the afternoon, we will set out to admire the Turquoise Coast from another view point, as we take a private boat to escape into the blue expanse of the Aegean Sea. As we embark on this maritime odyssey, we will discover hidden coves, secluded beaches and photogenic islands along the coastline, and we will have the opportunity to swim, snorkel and soak in the natural beauty of the sea. Day 8: Pamukkale, Hieropolis, Afrodisias This morning, we will set out for another adventure, as we take a day trip to discover more history and more natural wonders in this region of Turkey. Our first stop will be Aphrodisias, steeped in myth and history as the legendary birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. Aphrodisias is renowned for its remarkably well-preserved Temple of Aphrodite and its impressive marble sculptures. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will continue to the natural wonderland of the cascading terraces of white travertine in Pamukkale. There will be time to wade in the mineral-rich, blue thermal waters spilling from the terraces and even swim in the famous Cleopatra's Baths. Adjacent to Pamukkale lies the ancient city of Hierapolis, where we will uncover the remnants of a once-thriving Greco-Roman metropolis, its sprawling ruins a testament to the passage of time. In the evening, we will return to our hotel. Day 9: Kusadasi to Istanbul This morning, we will check out from our hotel in Kusadasi and transfer to Izmir airport to fly back to the vibrant city of Istanbul. In the afternoon, we will visit the famous Spice Market, where we can do some last minute shopping or capture the final snapshots of Istanbul's sights, before we gather for our farewell dinner in one of our favorite restaurants in Istanbul to reminisce about the unforgettable moments shared throughout our journey. Day 10: Departures Depending on your flight departure time, you may have some free time in the morning before your private transfer to the airport, in accordance with your flight's departure time.
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