TOUR PROGRAM

Tour TURKEY – UNESCO WHS

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IZMIR(1n) EPHESUS PAMUKKALE(1n) ANTALYA(2n) CAPPADOCIA, ISTANBUL

DURATION   : 8 night 9 days

TOUR HIGHLIGHT:     three domestic flights, Shirince Village, Ephesus, Virgin Mary House, Pamukkale(cotton Castle), Cappadocia, Topkapi Palace Museum, SultanAhmet Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Covered Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, Spice Bazaar,

ITINERARY:

Day1 Arrival Turkey, Izmir( ):    You are welcome to Turkey, transfer in Istanbul airport to domestic  flight to Izmir-Adnan Menderes Airport, arrive late to the accomodating hotel in Izmir. Overnight in Izmir.

Day2 Izmir – Ephesus & Virgin Mary Tour - Pamukkale (B,L,D):    Early morning having the buffet breakfast at accomodating hotel and getting our private van to start the tour. First stop is the land of the civilisations, the Ephesus(UNESCO WHS) ancient city; one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of World, the site of Temple of Artemis(one hour) and a the ancient city of Ephesus(about two hours). You will feel the mystical atmosphere of the city and stadium where chariot and horse races were once held.  You will also have the chance to experience some Tukish handicrafts.  Having lunch in a local Turkish restaurant.

Visit the pilgrimage point claimed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary mount solmissos (half hours) and Shirince Village is a typical Aegean village and located on the top of a mountain and famous with homemade wines, that you can test. After end of the visits the area driving trough Pamukkale(Cotton Castle) ot our accomodating thermal hotel.  Overnight and dinner in Pamukkale.

Day3 Pamukkale Tour – Antalya (B,L,D):    After the breakfast, there is a full day tour of visitig Pamukkale (cotton castles) and Heirapolis(UNESCO WHS), a beautiful and spectacular natural site near Denizli, unique in the World. Thermal spring waters have carved this fantastic formation of stalactites. Thermal waters have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic Powers. Situated on the plateau are both the thermal center with its motels, thermal pools and ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis. including magnificently preserved necropolis,  the main steet, gates, the thermal baths, the Greco Roman theatre and the Basilica of St. Philippe. Swim in a theraputic bath of hot spring mineral waters. Monument on this site includes the ancient thermal baths which have been restored and converted into an archaeological museum.  Afternoon the lunch taking the luxury coach to Antalya city. After 3h riding bus, arriving to Antalya and transferring to the accomodated hotel. free time in Antalya.  Overnight and dinner in Antalya.

Day4 Antalya (B,D):    Having a relax buffe breakfast at the hotel, and free time in the nice Mediterranian City, visit the old harbour, get a 2h boat cruise ride(according the weather) visit/see ancient amphitiatr Aspendos, enjoy with shopping at huge malls. See the waterfalls around the city.  Overnight and dinner in Antalya.

Day5 Antalya - Cappadocia (B,L,D)      check-out the hotel, early morning for the flight from Antalya to Cappadocia. Having the sandwiches as breakfast on board of the domestic flight. at the hotel. Arriving Cappadocia and after check-inn the hotel, starting to discover the magical landscape of Cappadocia(UNESCO WHS) with Devrent Imagination Valley and walk through this lunar landscape, the highest point of the region Uchisar Rock Castle, a panoramic view of Goreme valley and Goreme OpenAir Museum (rock cut churches, frescoes, monastery)

Having lunch in a local restaurant in Avanos and after than Pashabaglari Chimneys, the World famous Fairy Chimneys, the village of Amanos, where you will witness a pottery-making demonstration using ancient Hittite techniques. Also visiting the underground city Kaymaklı.  Overnight and dinner in Cappadocia.

Day 6 – Cappadocia – Istanbul (B D)      Early morning optional Hot Air Balloon ride over Cappadocia Valley of “fairy Chimneys”. Hardly Recommended.

Having the buffet breakfast at the hotel. Free time to discover the area by them self. Evening transfer to Cappadocia airport and fly to Istanbul. Meeting and assist in Istanbul to transfer to the accomodating hotel. Having the dinner in a local Turkish restaurant and back to the hotel after. Overnight and dinner in Istanbul.  At evening optional program: Dinner cruise boat on the Bosphorus with Turkish folcloric Show and Belly dancer.

Day7 Istanbul “Historical City Tour” (B, L):    Having the buffet breakfast at the hotel and picking up at 08:30am from your hotel for the day tour of Istanbul Old City, to see Byzantium and Ottoman relics. (UNESCO WHS)

You will see and visit; Haghia Sophia Museum, this ancient basilica built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. This is one of the architectural marvels of all times. The Topkapı Palace Museum, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy islamic mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, which is built in the 16th century and it is known as the Blue Mosque, because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Having lunch in local turkish restaurant.

Afternoon, The Grand Bazzar, in this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. After the tour, transfer back to the hotel.  Overnight in Istanbul.

Day8 Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Spice Bazaar (B):    Having the buffet breakfast at the hotel and check out. Picking up about 08:30 for visit the Spice Bazaar and Cruise on the Bosphorus, After the tour driving to the new area of the city and having a good time in Istiklal Street and Taksim Area. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 9 – Istanbul and flight back (B)       Having the buffet breakfast at the hotel and check out at noon time. Free time to see Istanbul and many atractions. Picking up at the meeting point for transfer to the airport and catching your back flight to your country.

We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another KanulaTour activities. Have a safe trip back home.