TURKEY   May 2006

16  May

Arrive Istanbul. Transfer from Airport to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul at AND HOTEL.

17 May

Full day Istanbul city tour. Visit Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, St. Sophia, Topkapi Palas, Grand Bazaar. 


ST. SOPHIA :
This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time.

Good Luck at St Sofia

SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE : Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by  the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.

Inside View

                                  

Obelisk of Theodosisus

HIPPODROME : Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; The Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. 

GRAND COVER BAZAAR : 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, handhoned copperware, brassware and trays,  water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes.

Grand Bazaar

 



TOPKAPI PALACE : The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Overnight in Istanbut.

Topkapi Palace

Famous Dagger 

18May 05

Full day Bosphorus tour on Boat. Also visit Rumeli fortress, Spice Bazaar.

SPICE BAZAAR : ( Egyptian Bazaar ) The air here is filled with the exciting   aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron,   mint, thyme and every other concievable herb and spice.


RUMELI FORTRESS : Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the Conquest of   Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.


BOSPHORUS BRIDGE : Unique chance to step from one continent ( EUROPE ) to another ( ASIA ). Belly Dancing show with dinner. Overnight in Istanbul .

Belly Dancing Show

Bridge Asia to Europe

19 May05

Free day at leisure and overnight bus to Kusadasi. B.

20 May 05

Library of Romans

Virgin Mary House

Arrive to Kusadasi and transfer to the hotel. After the check in full day Ephesus tour. First visit of Temple of Artemis, after that drive to Ephesus ruins and visit( Theatre Celsius Library, Agora, Odeon, Domitianus Temple, Trojan Fountain, Roman Latrine and more) It can be said that Ephesus is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the world. In ancient times its favourable location at the mount of the Cayster River made it the foremost commercial city of a coastal region that also included the cities of Miletus, Smyrna & Pergamon, but the silting up of its harbour gradually resulted in the loss this pre-eminence. The city has been excavated for more than 100 years; the extensive remains are predominantly from the later Roman Period. Ephesus formed a focal point in the ancient world because of its protected harbour and as a starting point for the royal road via Sardis to Susa. It was also a cult center attracting thousands of pilgrims for traditional worship of the female, first Cybele, then Artemis and finally the Virgin Mary in the Christian period. Ephesus was also home for the early philosopher Heraclitus. Break time for lunch. In the afternoon continue the tour by visiting House of Virgin Mary. Overnight in Kusadasi at OZCELIK HOTEL  .

Ampli Theater

21 May 05

Calcium hot water spring Pammukkale

After the breakfast drive to Pamukkale in the morning. Visit Pamukkale with its famous white 'cotton fortress', ancient hot mineral springs said to have therapeutic qualities cascade over steep cliffs forming stalactites and pools. Also visit the archeological site Hierapolis and its ancient Roman Theatre. After the tour night bus to Cappadocia.

22May 05

Arrive to Cappadocia. free day. Went for famous Hamam bath.It is a steam bath followed by aggressive  skin cleaning.

Turkish hamama

23 May05

Full day city tour including lunch visit of Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Then visit Zelve Open Air Museum, where three canyons meet in one valley. Drive to Pasabag (Monk’s Valley) where there are unusual mushroom shaped pinnacles. Drive to the city of Avanos for lunch. In the afternoon visit another beautiful open air museum at Goreme where the remains of rock-cut churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Lastly, before returning to your hotel, visit the natural castles at Uchisar. Overnight in Urgup at KAPADOKYA PALAS HOTEL.

Devrent Valley

Stone Cave Resturant

24 May05

Depart from your hotel to visit Red valley,and explore the famous rock- cut churches and hike 5 km through the Güllüdere valley. Then visit Çavuşin village. This village is famous for the houses and churches of the christian clegymen. Istanbul.

Red Valley

Monk Valley

Pigeon Valley

Ulistar

Underground City

After lunch Drive to the pigeon valley . In the afternoon visit Kaymaklı underground city. Where early christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back visit the natural castles at Ortahisar. After the tour night bus to Istanbul.

25 May 05

Early in the morning arrive back to Istanbul. Free Day. Overnight in Istanbul at AND HOTEL.

26 May05

Transfer to the airport and tour end. .

Travel times:

Istanbul-Kusadasi: Overnight bus takes about 10-11 hours.

Kusadasi-Pamukkale: 2,5-3 hours

Pamukkale-Cappadocia: Overnight bus takes about 10-11 hours

Cappadocia-Istanbul: Overnight bus takes about 11-12 hours.

COST

Pkg 540$*2=1040$

Carpet  500$

Jwellery 150$

Shopping 123TL

Turkish Bath 23TL

Total   Rs 80430
COST of Pkg 540$*2=1040$