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DAY 1
Istanbul
Upon your arrival to Istanbul Airport, you will be escorted to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, we will have some time to start to explore the magnificent city.
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 : Bruno Girin |
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DAY 2
Istanbul
Today we have a full day to discover Istanbul, which was declared as ’New Rome’ by Constantine, its founder. We start our tour with Sultanahmet Square, Visit ancient Byzantine Hippodrome, the important monuments of the Hippodrome are; Egyptian Obelisk dating back to 16th century B.C., Serpentine Column from 5th century B.C., and the Stone Obelisk erected in 10th century A.D. Sultanahmet Square which is surrounded by Blue Mosque famous for its six minarets and beautiful Iznik tiles as interior decoration, Topkapı Palace was once the residence of the Ottoman Sultans located on a hilltop dominating Boshporus and Golden Horn. Today it's used as a museum where precious displays such as porcelains, crystals, Sultan's costumes, books, portraits and diamonds can be seen.
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DAY 3
Istanbul; Hagia Sophia, Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, Sariyer, Teahouse of Pierre Loti
Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a basilica in 536 by Emperor Justinian. The Church was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century and than into a museum after the Republic. Than visit to the Spice Bazaar with its domed and vaulted shops selling spices and herbs, also known as Egyptian Bazaar. Then to the pier for a Bosporus cruise on a public ferry. Starting the trip from the Golden Horn and sailing through the waterway separating the two continents, Asia and Europe- with a possibility to take pictures of the marble palaces, old wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials. We get on land in Sariyer district which has the old and modern taste together. Then a drive to Golden Horn for a short break at the Café known as the Pierre Loti, commands a superb view of the Golden Horn.
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DAY 4
Istanbul-Cappadocia
Early flight to Kayseri. 1 hour transfer to Cappadocia. ( we may take a train to Ankara to see the new capital of Turkish republic and mausoleum of ataturk and to see the magnificent Anatolian civilization museum which was chosen the best museum in Europe twice. Transfer to Cappadocia, on the way we will visit salt lake and a Seljuk caravanserai. )
We start first day trekking with the spectacular views of the White Valley, from a moderate walk through the vineyards surrounded by fairy chimneys. After visiting the castle of Uchisar we walk down the Pigeon valley, which gets its name from the pigeon lofts on the rock faces. (Total walk 5 hours).
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DAY 5
Cappadocia
Today we walk through some remote villages where time has stood still. Starting from Kavak, we pass through Bahceli and Ayvali and finish our day at the ruins of the 11th century Greek town of Gomeda.
(5 hrs walk)
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DAY 6
Cappadocia
Early balloon flight; please check: www.kapadokyaballoons.com
After breakfast we take a transfer to Gomeda valley where we finished our walk the day before. Our morning walk through the Pancarlik valley takes us to Ortahisar, a quiet town Byzantine / Seljuk fortress. After a short wander in the town we drive to Kizilcukur (Red valley) where we walk in the afternoon. We finish our walk at Goreme. (5 hrs walk)
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DAY 7
Cappadocia-Konya
Check out hotel. our transfer will take us to Ihlara town centre (1.15 hrs) On the way we will see Kaymaklı underground city. The amazing underground city was made by carving into solid rock into the ground. It consists of 5 levels. The deepest level is 30 meters under the ground. It is one of the wonders of Cappadocia and largest in the other forty of them. After a short tea break, we walk about 3.5 hours and en route visit three rock-cut churches. After a late lunch at around 13.30, we continue walking by the river down to the monastery at Selime which is famous for its 300 steps (6 hrs walk). After the hike, we are going to meet our wehicle and drive to Konya.
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: Levork |
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DAY 8
Konya-Pamukkale-Fethiye
In the morning in Konya, we are going to visit famous Mevlana Museum ( Whirling Dervishes ). Mevlana who was a great theologist and the founder of sufism lived in 13. century and well-known with tolerant doctrine. We get to Pamukkale travertines and ancient site Hierapolis after 4 hours drive. Site was an important settlement by the hot springs in the Roman period. The cotton looking travertines are formed by the hot calciumed water for thousand of years and one of the wonders of nature in Anatolia. Pool which is known as Cleopatra pool with hot springs has ancient remains in it and unique in the world. Drive to Fethiye beginning of the walk to Ovacik.
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DAY 9
Ovacik to Faralya
We transfer to the beginning of the Lycian Way and start walking with spectacular views as we climb the shoulder of Baba Dagi (Father mountain) (5-6 hrs walk). Dinner and night in pension in Faralya, overlooking Butterfly Valley.
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DAY 10
Faralya to Alinca
In the morning we have an optional descent to Butterfly Valley, down dry waterfalls. We trek from Faralya to Kabak along a forested path. There is a possibility for a swim break in Kabak bay. After breakfast we trek into the forested Kabak valley; splash in the waterfalls, and we climb up a beautiful old mule trail to Alinca, with spectacular views over Yedi Burun (Seven capes) (6 hrs walk). Dinner and night in village house.
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DAY 11
Alinca to Gey
From Alınca village we have an optional descend to a secret beach; explore and swim in crystal waters. Then we then return to main trail (4 hrs). We walk along cliff tops to Gey village (3 hrs). Dinner and night in village house.
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DAY 12
Gey to Patara
We trek a tiny goat path around a spectacular bay to Bel, then to Belcegiz and descend a steep rocky Roman road to Gavuragili (7 hrs). We meet our vehicle here and take a transfer to Patara. We will explore ancient site Patara which is also famous for its very long beach where the giant sea turtles, caretta caretta are also known to come for laying eggs. Overnight in Kalkan. Small old greek town on the coast.
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DAY 13
In the morning we head on to Ephesus direction. In the afternoon visit St John Basilica, Isa Bey Mosque and Temple of Artemis which was one of the seven wonders of ancient world.
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: Dave Cross |
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DAY 14
Ephesus
Ephesus is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the world. In ancient times, its convenient location at the mouth of the Cayster River made it the foremost commercial city of a coastal region, but the silting up of its harbor gradually resulted in the loss of this importance. Ancient site is being excavated for more than one hundred years. Some of the stunning ruins are Temple of Hadrian, Celsus Library, terrace houses, theater. After Ephesus we visit an important christian site, the house of Mother Mary. It is known with certainty that Virgin Mary has been to Ephesus and lived there for some time. Whether or not she died in Ephesus is not certain. The house which is 10 km away from Ephesus is visited by millions of Christians as a sacred place today. After we complete the tour we are transferred to Izmir Airport and fly to Istanbul.
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Istanbul Holiday Apartment
Istanbul Holiday Apartment is a fully furnished character flat located in central Istanbul, at the heart of Beyoglu, Taksim. You will enjoy the vibrant Istanbul nightlife while enjoying the fantastic architectural features of this unique character apartment, which is at the convenient first floor of an award-winning listed grade II building.
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