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Exotic Turkey
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Istanbul
Fly into Istanbul, where we will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel, free afternoon. Overnight in Istanbul. (D)
Day 2 Istanbul
After breakfast you will have a full day tour of the old city to include: Visiting: Haghia Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and underground cistern. Return back to the hotel after the tour. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 3 Fly to Cappadocia
You will be transferred to Istanbul airport for your flight to Nevsehir. Upon arrival you will be met and proceed to Capadoccia. Visit Zelve and Pasabagi valleys and Cavusin ghost town. Avanos and Ortahisar villages will be visited in the afternoon. Overnight in Capadocia (B,L,D)
Day 4 Cappadocia
FREEDOM DAY -- Optional early morning hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. After breakfast the visits to this unique land in the world begin. Tour will take you to Uchisar for a spectacular view of the volcanic region then onto Pigeon valley, Avcilar valley with its amazing rock formations called fairy chimneys and Goreme valley which houses tens of examples of rock carved churches and monasteries painted with colorful frescoes. Kaymakli underground city. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Kusadasi
This morning you will be transferred to Nevsehir airport for your flight to Izmir via Istanbul. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your Kusadasi hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure.
Overnight in Kusadasi, (B,D)
Day 6 Kusadasi
Today after the breakfast you will enjoy a full day tour to Ephesus Antique City, (the best preserved in Turkey) St. John's Monastery, Ephesus Museum and the House of Virgin Mary. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)
Day 7 Marmaris
After breakfast you will be transferred to Marmaris to embark your gullet. Boarding the yacht in Marmaris, dinner on board. Overnight in Marmaris Harbor. (B,D)
Day 8 Sailing
After breakfast sailing begins to Ekincik. In this bay we have an optional excursion to Dalyan Caunos. You can discover this area with small boats from Ekincik bya. Passing through the river which is covered with reefs (a real photo-op) Here you will also see the famous king tombs on the hill which belongs to the kings and their family. Visiting the Caretta Caretta Beach (Iztuzu) will be the last point. The Caretta Caretta turtles are coming to this area to dig and lay their eggs in the sand. Overnight on board. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Sailing
Early in the morning the captain will start the engines for passing Disibilmez. Here you will enter the world famous Fethiye gulf where you can see the best bays from all around the world. The breakfast is at Agalimani. Later in the day a visit to Batik hamam.
Day 10 Sailing
Today we sail to Fethiye with the blue lagoon along the way. Today includes sun bathing, swimming and snorkeling at secluded coves of the bay. Overnight on board. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Sailing
After breakfast you will sail to the Gocek Islands. You will pass between the greatest islands and after swimming breaks, visit the Yassica Islands with spectacular views. Overnight on board. (B,L,D)
Day 12 Sailing
After breakfast you will visit the Batik hamam (Cleopatra Bay) Part of this ancient building here is covered with water, and the hill which is behind the bay is covered with pine then Sarsala. Overnight on board. (B,L,D)
Day 13 Istanbul
Disembarkation in the morning at Gocek with a transfer to Dalaman airport for the flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, meet your driver who will transfer you to your Istanbul airport hotel. The remainder of the evening is free at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 14 Istanbul
FREEDOM DAY -- Full day to explore independently. Perhaps today you will return to the Grand Bazaar and discover the Spice Bazaar, then at the end of the day relax at a local hammam (Turkish bath) with a cup of chai. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 15 Home
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
Fly into Istanbul, where we will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel, free afternoon. Overnight in Istanbul. (D)
Day 2 Istanbul
After breakfast you will have a full day tour of the old city to include: Visiting: Haghia Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and underground cistern. Return back to the hotel after the tour. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 3 Fly to Cappadocia
You will be transferred to Istanbul airport for your flight to Nevsehir. Upon arrival you will be met and proceed to Capadoccia. Visit Zelve and Pasabagi valleys and Cavusin ghost town. Avanos and Ortahisar villages will be visited in the afternoon. Overnight in Capadocia (B,L,D)
Day 4 Cappadocia
FREEDOM DAY -- Optional early morning hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. After breakfast the visits to this unique land in the world begin. Tour will take you to Uchisar for a spectacular view of the volcanic region then onto Pigeon valley, Avcilar valley with its amazing rock formations called fairy chimneys and Goreme valley which houses tens of examples of rock carved churches and monasteries painted with colorful frescoes. Kaymakli underground city. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Kusadasi
This morning you will be transferred to Nevsehir airport for your flight to Izmir via Istanbul. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your Kusadasi hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure.
Overnight in Kusadasi, (B,D)
Day 6 Kusadasi
Today after the breakfast you will enjoy a full day tour to Ephesus Antique City, (the best preserved in Turkey) St. John's Monastery, Ephesus Museum and the House of Virgin Mary. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)
Day 7 Marmaris
After breakfast you will be transferred to Marmaris to embark your gullet. Boarding the yacht in Marmaris, dinner on board. Overnight in Marmaris Harbor. (B,D)
Day 8 Sailing
After breakfast sailing begins to Ekincik. In this bay we have an optional excursion to Dalyan Caunos. You can discover this area with small boats from Ekincik bya. Passing through the river which is covered with reefs (a real photo-op) Here you will also see the famous king tombs on the hill which belongs to the kings and their family. Visiting the Caretta Caretta Beach (Iztuzu) will be the last point. The Caretta Caretta turtles are coming to this area to dig and lay their eggs in the sand. Overnight on board. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Sailing
Early in the morning the captain will start the engines for passing Disibilmez. Here you will enter the world famous Fethiye gulf where you can see the best bays from all around the world. The breakfast is at Agalimani. Later in the day a visit to Batik hamam.
Day 10 Sailing
Today we sail to Fethiye with the blue lagoon along the way. Today includes sun bathing, swimming and snorkeling at secluded coves of the bay. Overnight on board. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Sailing
After breakfast you will sail to the Gocek Islands. You will pass between the greatest islands and after swimming breaks, visit the Yassica Islands with spectacular views. Overnight on board. (B,L,D)
Day 12 Sailing
After breakfast you will visit the Batik hamam (Cleopatra Bay) Part of this ancient building here is covered with water, and the hill which is behind the bay is covered with pine then Sarsala. Overnight on board. (B,L,D)
Day 13 Istanbul
Disembarkation in the morning at Gocek with a transfer to Dalaman airport for the flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, meet your driver who will transfer you to your Istanbul airport hotel. The remainder of the evening is free at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 14 Istanbul
FREEDOM DAY -- Full day to explore independently. Perhaps today you will return to the Grand Bazaar and discover the Spice Bazaar, then at the end of the day relax at a local hammam (Turkish bath) with a cup of chai. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 15 Home
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
Departs September 12, 2011 and Returns September 27, 2011
Includes: RT airfare from Washington DC to Istanbul, 13 nights accomodations, professional English speaking guide on tours, all transportation and transfers, meals outlined in itinerary, travel insurance.
Email annie@freedomtoursllc.com or call 877.384.4372 for a customized price quote!
Includes: RT airfare from Washington DC to Istanbul, 13 nights accomodations, professional English speaking guide on tours, all transportation and transfers, meals outlined in itinerary, travel insurance.
Email annie@freedomtoursllc.com or call 877.384.4372 for a customized price quote!
Email Annie at annie@freedomtoursllc.com or call 877-384-4372 for more
information!
Our Istanbul Hotel:
Situated at Sultanahmet, the heart of
Istanbul, a city which has been fascinating
travelers with her history, nature, and archaeological splendor for many ages, Hotel Arcadia is a facility dedicated to offer the traditional Turkish hospitality and the service responsibility of a 4 star hotel, using all the opportunities of the latest technology.
With its position facing right towards the Hagia Sophia, the most famous of the Byzantine works, and the Blue Mosque, with its unique six-minaret structure, at the heart of Istanbul, a city which was the capital of three empires, Hotel Arcadia has an unmatched panoramic view overlooking the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea.
Situated at Sultanahmet, the heart of
Istanbul, a city which has been fascinating
travelers with her history, nature, and archaeological splendor for many ages, Hotel Arcadia is a facility dedicated to offer the traditional Turkish hospitality and the service responsibility of a 4 star hotel, using all the opportunities of the latest technology.
With its position facing right towards the Hagia Sophia, the most famous of the Byzantine works, and the Blue Mosque, with its unique six-minaret structure, at the heart of Istanbul, a city which was the capital of three empires, Hotel Arcadia has an unmatched panoramic view overlooking the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is home to one of the most interesting and strikingly dramatic landscapes in the world. The landscape is more like a moonscape punctuated with fairy chimneys, large cone formations and over a hundred underground settlements that often were used to protect early Christians. Cappadocia indeed, has a most unique historical and cultural story to tell.
Cappadocia is home to one of the most interesting and strikingly dramatic landscapes in the world. The landscape is more like a moonscape punctuated with fairy chimneys, large cone formations and over a hundred underground settlements that often were used to protect early Christians. Cappadocia indeed, has a most unique historical and cultural story to tell.
Highlights of Turkey:
Istanbul
Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium & Constantinople, is the only city in the world to sit in both Europe and Asia The city embodies mystery, intrigue, and glamour which left most other cities long ago. While the museums, palaces, great mosques, and bazaars seem inexhaustible, there's also an unexpected natural beauty. From the shores of the Bosporus at sunset, the red evening light reflects in the windows on the opposite shore and instantly you understand what attracts visitors to Isanbul.
Shopping in Istanbul is most likely the least expensive in entire Europe, food is varied and exquisite combining unique tastes of European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Istanbul
Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium & Constantinople, is the only city in the world to sit in both Europe and Asia The city embodies mystery, intrigue, and glamour which left most other cities long ago. While the museums, palaces, great mosques, and bazaars seem inexhaustible, there's also an unexpected natural beauty. From the shores of the Bosporus at sunset, the red evening light reflects in the windows on the opposite shore and instantly you understand what attracts visitors to Isanbul.
Shopping in Istanbul is most likely the least expensive in entire Europe, food is varied and exquisite combining unique tastes of European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Ephesus
Ephesus was once a great port and the trade center of the ancient world. At one time Ephesus was the second largest city in the Roman Empire, just trailing Rome. The city was built and destroyed at least twice.
It was also a religious hub for the early Christians and played a important role in ancient times with its strategic location. Ephesus was one of the Seven Churches of Asia, mentioned in the book of Revelations and it is believed that the Gospel of John may have been written here.
Ephesus was once a great port and the trade center of the ancient world. At one time Ephesus was the second largest city in the Roman Empire, just trailing Rome. The city was built and destroyed at least twice.
It was also a religious hub for the early Christians and played a important role in ancient times with its strategic location. Ephesus was one of the Seven Churches of Asia, mentioned in the book of Revelations and it is believed that the Gospel of John may have been written here.
Ekincik
Ekincik an unspoiled nature conservation area of breathtaking beauty. Uncrowded, pretty and tranquil, with a nice little beach nearby. The coastal road there is gorgeous and a great place for walks. Ekincik is a very small place with some local shops and a restaurant. There is no nightlife. The Sultaniye Thermal Baths are just a short drive from Ekincik, and situated on the southwest shore of Lake Koycegiz, the water comes from natural springs at 40 degrees centigrade and has been in use since Roman times.
Ekincik an unspoiled nature conservation area of breathtaking beauty. Uncrowded, pretty and tranquil, with a nice little beach nearby. The coastal road there is gorgeous and a great place for walks. Ekincik is a very small place with some local shops and a restaurant. There is no nightlife. The Sultaniye Thermal Baths are just a short drive from Ekincik, and situated on the southwest shore of Lake Koycegiz, the water comes from natural springs at 40 degrees centigrade and has been in use since Roman times.
A Customizable Itinerary