Day 1 - Istanbul
Arrival at Istanbul airport, you will be met
and transferred to your hotel. A short briefing
and Welcome Cocktail in the evening.
Day 2 - Istanbul
Following breakfast, we drive to the 'Old City'
where we will visit the Hippodrome, The Museum
of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Blue Mosque,
famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles and
Saint Sophia. This church - turned mosque - turned
museum takes the breath away with the sheer architectural
size of its interior and magnificent dome and
next we will visit the spectacular Topkapi Palace.
Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul,
this huge complex commands views of the Sea of
Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It
was the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire
for many centuries (1453-1852) and we will see
the extravagant Treasury, the priceless Chinese
porcelain. Following our return to the hotel
for a quick rest and a change, we will proceed
to welcome the evening with dinner at an Istanbul
night spot with live music and Belly Dancing.
(B,L,D)
Day 3 - Istanbul
Our morning starts with a visit to the aromatic
Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves
and thyme, rise from hundreds of colorful muslin
bags at every store-front. We then board our
ferry boat for a relaxing cruise along the shores
of the legendary Bosphorus, the natural gateway
that divides Asia and Europe. As you sit back
and enjoy Turkish coffee or well-brewed tea from
traditional small cups, numerous summer palaces
and palatial homes will pass by on either side.
Disembarking at the northern end of the Strait,
we proceed to a restaurant for a tasty meal of
local fish. Following lunch we will travel by
coach to the Suleymaniye Mosque built by master
architect Sinan during the reign of Sultan Suleyman
the Magnificent, the Lawgiver. The last stop
will be Grand Bazaar with nearly 4000 shops of
antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets and leatherwear.
(B,L)
Day 4 - Canakkale (Gallipoli)
After an early breakfast, we will begin our scenic
drive down to Gallipoli, historically famous
for being the site of many battles during WW1.
Following lunch, we will board a car ferry and
cross into Asia at Canakkale and proceed to Troy.We
will check-in to our hotel in Canakkale for the
evening. (B,D)
Day 5 - Troy - Kusadasi
Referred to in Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey",
Troy has in fact nine cities superimposed one
upon another. Troy VI pertains to the famous
Trojan War of Homer where the legendary heroes
included Agamemnon, Achilles, Ulysses and Nestor
on the Greek side and Priam, Hector and Paris
on the Trojan side. ) Drive to Kusadasi Check-in
Hotel Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)
Day 6 - Pergamon Tour
KusadasiOn our journey to Izmir we will stop
by the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon. Among the
impressive structures of this city, dating from
399 BC, we will see the Altar of Zeus, Temple
of Dionysus and the 200,000 volume library which
was surpassed only by that found in Alexandria
at the time. The Asclepieum of Pergamon was a
famous health center where methods of treatment
included blood transfusions, music therapy and
meditation. Leaving Pergamon behind us we settle
at our . (B,D)
Day 7 - Kusadasi
Following an early breakfast we will proceed
to the old section of Izmir called Kadife Kale,
which was a bastion, built by Alexander the Great
when he moved the city to this commanding location
over the Bay of Izmir. Heading further south,
we will arrive at the ancient city of Ephesus
and first visit the Basilica of St. John, who
came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his
Gospel. To the southwest of the Basilica stands
the Isa Bey Mosque and further in the same direction
is the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders
of the world. Ephesus was undoubtedly one of
the most important cultural centers of the ancient
world. Impressive structures we will see include
the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theater
and Odeon. We will also visit the Museum of Seljuk.
Close by is the House of the Virgin Mary where
she is believed to have spent her last years.
On August 18th, 1961, Pope John XXII proclaimed
the House of Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred.
You will have a chance to take a phial of Holy
Water from the Sacred Spring.hotel in Kusadasi
(B,D)
Day 8 - Kusadasi - Didyma, Miletos, Priene-
Marmaris
We will leave early and journey to Priene which
is an example of a truly ancient city, whose
history dates back to the 10th century B.C. Highlights
include the Temple of Athena Polias, the Ecclesiasterium
and the Agora. We next visit Miletus where the
Philosopher Thales was born. He coined the phrase "Know
Thyself". We will inspect the Delphinion,
Baths of Faustina and the Council Chamber. Our
last visit is to Didyma which served as a religious
sanctuary to the god Apollo. The oracular inscriptions
date as far back as 600 BC. Among the highlights
are the Temple of Apollo and the Stadium. We
then return to Kusadasi for the night. (B,D)
Day 9 - Marmaris
We will leave the hotel after breakfast and drive
to Marmaris with lunch en route. In the afternoon
we embark on our yachts and settle down for a
relaxing dinner. (B,D)
Day 10 - Ekincik
After breakfast, our first stop is Ekincik. You
will find the chance to visit the Dalyan village,
ancient city of Caunos, mud baths, Koycegiz River
and Iztuzu Lagoon, the home of Caretta Caretta
turtles. Lunch, dinner and overnight in Ekincik. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Bedri Rahmi
After breakfast you will sail through Kurdoglu.
Lunch in Manastir Bay. Dinner and overnight in
Bedri Rahmi Bay. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Gocek
After breakfast cruise sailing between the Gocek's
bays. Dinner and overnight in Yassica Islands.
(B,L,D)
Day 13 - Fethiye-Istanbul
We arrive in Fethiye in the early afternoon and
disembark for our drive to Dalaman for our flight
to Istanbul. and Overnight in istanbul (B,L)
Day 13 - Leave Turkey
After Breakfast Transfer to the
airport for final departure.(B)
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