AFFORDABLE TURKEY (8 Days/7 Nights, by Orion Tour)
Istanbul, Çanakkale, Troy, Pergamon, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara
(Group departures are infrequent, but Orion Tour will be happy to make arrangements for you to follow this itinerary as a private tour.)
Day 1 – ISTANBUL
Arrival at Istanbul Atatürk Airport. Meet by Orion representative and proceed to “Old City” for full day tour including the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles and unique with its six minarets built in the name of Sultan Ahmet I. Next we will have a look at the Hippodrome of Constantinople where horse and chariot races used to take place. Then visit the St. Sophia museum, which is one of the greatest religious and architectural marvels of all times. Finally the famous Topkapi Palace museum will be visited, which was built as the home of the Ottoman sultans and the World Famous Imperial Chinese Porcelain sections will be visited. Last stop will be Grand Bazaar. Following our return to the hotel dinner and overnight. (LD)
Day 2 – ISTANBUL -ÇANAKKALE
After an early breakfast, we will begin our scenic drive down to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles during WWI. Following a lunch break, we will cross the second strategic waterway, the Dardanelles, and land in Asia and proceed to Troy. Referred to in Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, Troy has in fact nine cities superimposed one upon another. Troy Vl 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. We will check-in to our hotel in Çanakkale for dinner and overnight. (BLD)
Day 3 – ÇANAKKALE – IZMIR
Depart for Izmir, enroute we will have lunch in Bergama before visiting Pergamon to see the Acropolis, the Temple of Trajan and the theater both overlooking to the plain of Bergama with a picture break for one of the Seven Churches of Revelation in downtown Bergama, then finally Ancient Medical Center, Asclepion will be visited before driving to Izmir and Overnight in Izmir. (BLD)
Day 4 – IZMIR – PAMUKKALE
Following breakfast we drive to Selçuk to visit the House of Virgin Mary on top of Mt. Coressos. Then our memorable visit to Ephesus will begin as well as viewing one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, the Temple of Artemis (One of the Seven Wonders of Antiquity) and the Basilica of St. John from a distance, followed by lunch in the township of Selcuk. After lunch we will visit the famous local production center for leather garments whereby after a live Fashion Show time will be allocated for shopping. Then continue to Pamukkale. You will tour the Antique City of Hierapolis where Calcareous hot springs descending over cliffs have created fascinating travertines in the form of white terrace and basins. After a picture break, dinner and overnight. (BLD)
Day 5 – PAMUKKALE-KONYA-CAPPADOCIA
Following an early breakfast we will drive through an interesting landscape where peasants make their living, to have lunch enroute before arriving in Konya. Konya was the center of the Selçuk Empire as well as the city of Mevlana and his Whirling Dervishes. After visiting the Mevlana Museum we will continue to Cappadocia viewing the Sultanhani Caravanserai enroute. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.(BLD)
Day 6 – CAPPADOCIA
Today we visit the incredible Underground City of Kaymakli where early Christians lived secretly in order to survive and keep their faith. Then picture steps will be given at the Pigeons Valley and at the foot of the Uchisar Castle. Then proceed to the Goreme Valley to visit the rock carved churches hollowed out of volcanic ash. Lunch will be at Avanos Village followed by the famous local pottery and carpet shows allowing ample time for shopping in the afternoon. Also time will be allocated for the local souvenir shopping before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.(BLD)
Day 7 – CAPPADOCIA-ANKARA-ISTANBUL
In the morning drive to Ankara to visit the Atatürk Mausoleum (1881-1938) founding father of the Turkish Republic. After lunch visit the well-known Museum of Ancient Anatolian Civilizations with its great Hittite Collection. Then continue to airport for flight to Istanbul by TK139 at 17:30. Transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.(BLD)
Day 8 – ISTANBUL
We escort you to Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport for your flight home. (B)
(Tour Code: AFFD7N)
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