Wonders of Turkey tour, Istanbul

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Wonders of Turkey
September 19-29 2007

Turkey is one of the great cradles of civilization - a proud country whose cultural and historic treasures will delight and inspire even the seasoned of travellers. The superb scenery and landscape reflect a remarkable geographical diversity. Beguiling seascapes, soft beaches and brooding mountains along the Mediterranean coast yield to the tranquillity of Turkey's Lake District, while the deep forests and cool Yayla of the Black Sea region leave visitors unprepared for the vast empty steppes of the eastern provinces. Pictures can only hint at the enchantment that awaits travellers in Cappadocia. Here, centuries of underground activity have resulted in entire cities carved deep into porous tuff, while eons of erosion have carved the landscape into fantastic fairytale-like mushroom formations.

Many of Turkey's national parks and wetlands sanctuaries are a last refuge for species that are almost extinct elsewhere in Europe, and for botantist there is an amazing display of flora. Add to the countless ancient ruins, and the friendliness and hospitality of the Turkish nation, and you are guaranteed an unforgettable holiday.

SEPT 18: DEPART CANADA FOR YOUR OVERNIGHT FLIGHT

DAY 1 SEPT 19: ARRIVE ISTANBUL (D) Welcome to Istanbul. You will be met by your English speaking tour guide. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. During the key distribution "a welcome cocktail" will be served. Rest of the day at leisure. (D) Dinner will be served at hotel.

DAY 2 SEPT 20: ISTANBUL (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel ,our tour starts with a visit to Hippodrome, the former center of sportive and political activities of Constantinople, Blue Mosque, which is famous with its blue Iznik tiles and unique six minarets, St. Sophia Museum the magnificent Byzantine Church of all times. After lunch visit Topkapi Palace the former imperial residence from where the Ottoman Empire was ruled. Late afternoon shopping will be done. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 3 SEPT 21: ISTANBUL (B, L, D) After a short visit to the famous Egyptian Spice Market Bazaar embark on a Cruise along the Bosphorus. Disembark at Sariyer and have lunch then drive to the Asian Part of Istanbul. Visit to Yeditepe Hill for a panoramic view of the city. Also visit to Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Dinner and overnight will be at hotel.

DAY 4 SEPT 22: ISTANBUL - ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA (B, L, D) After breakfast at hotel transfer to the airport and flight to Ankara. Arrival and transfer to the city center. Tour starts in the morning with the tour of Ankara. The first site is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which is located in a restored bazaar. The museum has the most unique and priceless collection dating back to the Prehistoric Era. The Mausoleum of Atatürk is the next stop. This magnificent structure serves as a tribute to the founder of modern Turkey. Lunch will be taken in Ankara and after lunch drive to Cappadocia and the tour program will start. Dinner and overnight is at the hotel in Cappadocia.

DAY 5 SEPT 23: CAPPADOCIA (B, L, D)
Breakfast will be served at the hotel and the full day tour of Cappadocia Begins with the Natural Citadel of Uchisar which will enable you to get a panoramic view of the region and continues with the G�reme Valley which is the highlight of the day. This valley houses, the G�reme Open Air Museum with its churches hewn out of rock and the colorful frescoes which decorate them. Continue to Underground City of Kaymakl? or Ozkonak which was used by Christians of the 7 th century as places of retreat in order to escape persecution. The tour visits to Avanos Village. Lunch will be served enroute at a typical regional restaurant.Dinner and overnight will be at the hotel in Cappadocia.

DAY 6 SEPT 24: CAPPADOCIA - KONYA - PAMUKKALE (B, L, D)
Departure will be early in the morning for Konya. Enroute there will be a stop to visit the13th century Caravanserai of Sultanhan which is authentically kept. The next stop will be in Konya which was the capital of the Selcuk Turks in the 13th century. This city which hosts The Mevlana Museum is also known for its theological school of whirling dervishes. Lunch will be served enroute. Arrive in Pamukkale will be late in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight will be at the hotel in Pamukkale.

DAY 7 SEPT 25: PAMUKKALE - KUSADASI (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel the visits will begin early in Hierapolis will start in the morning with the ruins of the Magnificent Temple of Apollo, continuing with the breathtaking theatre, the fascinating Necropolis and the last stop before lunch will be at the great baths of Hieropolis Antique City. Lunch will be taken enroute at a typical restaurant and the afternoon will continue with the visit to Aphrodisias.This is one of the most recent discoveries in Turkey. This ancient city is dedicated to the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. Then drive to Kusadasi and the tour program will begin. Dinner and overnight will be at the hotel in Kusadasi.

DAY 8 SEPT 26: KUSADASI - IZMIR (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel there will be a morning tour of Ephesus.

This is the best preserved and the most often visited of all sites in Turkey. It is dedicated to Artemis who is the Virgin Goddess of Chase. The visits will continue with the House of Virgin Mary which is world famous. Lunch will be served in Selcuk and the drive to Izmir will follow. Dinner and overnight will be at the hotel in Izmir.

DAY 9 SEPT 27: IZMIR - CANAKKALE (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel the day will begin by driving to Pergamum. The first visits of the day will be to Asklepion and Acropolis. Lunch will be taken enroute and after lunch you will continue onto "Troy". This is the legendary city of 'Homers' which has nine principal levels of occupation covering a period of 3000 years. It is rich in history to say the least. Dinner and overnight will be at the hotel in Canakkale.

DAY 10 SEPT 28: CANAKKALE - ISTANBUL (B, L, D)
After breakfast drive to Istanbul . Lunch will be served enroute. After arrival in Istanbul you will be transferred to the hotel. Dinner and overnight will be at hotel.

DAY 11 SEPT 29: ISTANBUL - HOME (B)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport.

COST: Based on twin sharing
LAND ONLY $2069.00 per person
SINGLE add $450.00

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