10 Day Aegean Dream

 

Welcome to Turkey! You’re greeted upon arrival and escorted to your hotel located in the Old City area-Sultanahmet. According to your arrival time you can either check in to the hotel and relax or check out the Old city area. The remainder of the day is at leisure before meeting your tour guide for a short welcome briefing.

 

After having breakfast at the Hotel, Our guide meets you and We start our day trip around 09:00 am

We see how old meets new when you visit Istanbul’s five “must-see" historic sites. The sites include:

Sultanahmet Meydanı, was a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire and the largest city in Europe. Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are visited.

One of the most famous monuments in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) is a superb creation in the classical Ottoman style. The mosque has six towering minarets and 260 windows illuminating its vast main chamber, which is decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles.

Now a museum, Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian, and was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. Take a moment to linger here to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics.

In operation since the 14th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world's largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. The bazaar is specially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets.

*Lunch in an old city Restaurant.

The largest and oldest palace in the world, Topkapi is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. With its harem (additional cost), treasury and exotic buildings overlooking the Golden Horn, your visit to Topkapi promises to be a truly fascinating experience.

 

After having an early breakfast at the Hotel, You will be picked up for your Izmir Flight. Our driver and guide meets us at the Izmir airport. We continue our journey in air c. & comfortable vehicle to:

it is 8 km from Ephesus on the hills. The Vatican has recognized this small site in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small chapel dedicated to St. Mary was founded when the ruins of the house were first discovered.

It is considered one of the great outdoor museums of Turkey. Ephesus Tour starts from the upper entrance gate. Ancient city has 3 main streets. We see the Baths of Varius ,Odeon, Prytaneion,Fauntain of Polio, The Gate of Heracles ,State Agora, public toilets, Temple of Hadrian , Temple of Domitian, Library of Celsus, Great Theater and Horbour street with necropolis.

*Lunch in a local restaurant in Selcuk

St. John’s Basilica

A part of the site, was built in the 6th century AD, under emperor Justinian I over the supposed site of the apostle's tomb. It is now surrounded by Selcuk.

 

After having breakfast at the Hotel, We drive 1 hour South to see ;

it is an ancient Anatolian city of Ionia with its ruins : Prytaneum, Bouleuterion, the houses, Temple of Athena , the Great Church, Theater , Upper Gymnasion, Egyptian Temple, Sacred Stoa, Agora, Alexander the Great Temple or the Sacred House are visited.

Situated at the mouth of the Meander river in the south of the province of Ionia in Western Anatolia, we Visit ancient theater, built in 4th century BC. The theater could accommodate over 15,000 spectators. Visit the well-preserved Bath of Faustina, Odeon and Agora –the market place.

*Lunch in local restaurant in Didim.

Didyma is famous for its Apollon Temple, one of the largest paganic temples of the ancient world dedicated for Sun God Apollo.

 

After breakfast, transfer to Pamukkale  and start our day tour from ;

With its largest Necropolis of the ancient hellenistic world, Roman basilical baths , Domitian gate, latrines, Agora, collonaded street and Byzantine gate and Roman fauntains.

*Lunch in the village of Pamukkale.

Than we go for the Thermal pools and have 1 hour to enjoy hot pools.Than walk to the travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side, about 200 m overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins.

After tour, you will be transferred to Fethiye by Bus. Upon arrival in to Fethiye ,you will be transferred to your hotel.

 

After breakfast, transfer to the boat, Departure from Fethiye Harbour between 11 and 12 a.m. to Samanlik Bay for swimming & lunch. Butterfly Valley (sea conditions permitting) is our next stop for a swim & to visit this natural reserve, hosting 136 kinds of different butterflies and moths. Afterwards we cruise to Ölüdeniz (The Blue Lagoon) again sea conditions permitting. Option for paragliding available. Last stop of the day is St-Nicholas Island. Visit the Byzantine ruins, swim, and dinner.

 

Around sunrise departure to Aquarium or Firnaz Bay near Kalkan for breakfast & swimming. Cruising to Kas where we stop in the harbour for lunch & visit of this charming fishing village. Of ancient Antiphellos, as Kas was once known, only Lycian rock tombs & sarcophagi and the Roman theatre are left. But the charm of the town remains! In a bay near Kekova we stop for swimming and dinner.

 

Breakfast. Departure to Sunken City of Kekova (this Lycian- Roman archaeological site is protected, so only looking!). Simena, a traditional Turkish fishing village with no car access and Byzantine/Ottoman castle. In Gokkaya Bay water sports are available. Dinner, relax in this pirates haven or party the night away at the Smugglers Inn

 

After breakfast we have a look at the Pirates Cave before cruising to Andriace harbour (lunch). Bus transfer to the archaeological site of Myra, and to Demre for the St-Nicholas Church, shopping and banking when requested. Bus transfer to all Tree houses in Olympos where we arrive between 4 and 6 p.m. Transfer to Antalya Airport for return flight to Istanbul.Pick up from Istanbul airport and transfer to hotel.

 Overnight in Istanbul

 

After having breakfast at the Hotel, Our guide meets you and We continue for;

It is an inlet of the Bosphorus dividing the city of Istanbul and forming a natural harbor.One can see the old city and Galata tower panoramicly while cruising from

it is located close to water front nearby the New Mosque. This is a bazaar where you can find numerous kind of spices, dried fruits, nuts and seeds and also many other things.Closed on Sundays

Cruise through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments.

Rumeli Fortress is a fortress located on a hill at the European side of the Bosphorus just north of the Bebek district. It was built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II between 1451 and 1452, before he conquered Constantinople. There are three great towers dominant to the Bosphorus is one of the most popular highlights of Istanbul. Beautiful settings and the plesant breeze adds to the pleasures of a boat trip. Bosphorus, also known as the Istanbul Strait connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara

 

After the tour, you may ask our office for other options while enjoying tea with us. Depending on your departure time, transfer to Airport for your return flight.

 

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