Option 2 (B) 9 nights / 10 days
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Day 01 Istanbul (Arrival)
Your guide will
meet you at the airport and you will be transferred to the 'Old
City' where we will visit
the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles
and Saint Sophia. This church - turned mosque - turned museum takes the breath
away with the sheer architectural size of its interior and magnificent dome and
next we will visit the spectacular Topkapi
Palace. Built on one of
the seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex
commands views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden
Horn. It was the seat of government for the Ottoman
Empire for many centuries (1453-1852) and we will see the
extravagant Treasury, the priceless Chinese porcelain. Dinner and overnight at
hotel. (B, L)
Day 02 Istanbul / Anzac / Canakkale
Early departure for the Gallipoli Peninsula
where you will visit the war museum which houses an array of memorabilia of the
tragic events which took place in 1915. Letters written by soldiers and their
clothing, along with rifles, ammunition and old photographs are a few of the
saddening historical reflections to be recalled. Continue in the afternoon with
sufficient time to reflect at Anzac
Cove and the Beach Cemetery, home to one of Australia 's most
legendary soldiers, John Simpson, as well as Lone
Pine, Chunuk Bair, original
trenches, the Nek, Courtney
Steel Post and Queen 's Post. We finish the day by crossing the
famous Dardanelles by ferry and driving to
your hotel in Canakkale. (B,L,D)
Day 03 Canakkale / Anzac Day / Canakkale
An inevitable early start before midnight is scheduled
in order to serve our purpose of presence and to arrive at Anzac Cove by 3.00
a.m. so that we may secure space for the Anzac Dawn service. At 5.30 a.m. as
the sun breaks over the mountains behind you, all of the present witness the
international gathering of people who have travelled from faraway lands to help
commemorate the tragic events of 25th of April 1915. Following the Anzac Day
Dawn Service, you will have your light breakfast. Following this free time, you
then travel by coach to the Australian memorial service at Lone Pine Cemetery. Late afternoon you will leave
the site with reflections of unforgettable feelings for your hotel in
Canakkale. (B,L,D)
Day 04 Canakkale / Troy / Bergama / Izmir
After breakfast we proceed to Troy. Referred to in Homer's
"Iliad" and "Odyssey", Troy has in fact nine cities superimposed one
upon another. Troy Vl pertains to the famous Trojan War of Homer where the
legendary heroes included Agamemnon, Achilles, Ulysses and Nestor on the Greek
side and, Priam, Hector and Paris on the Trojan side. We will drive back to Istanbul for dinner and
overnight. (B,L,D)
Meet at
pier,assist and transfer to the hotel,dinner and overnight. We continue on to
Pergamon with its impressive hilltop ruins dominated by the Acropolis. We
continue to Izmir for a visit to this major seaside city. Dinner and overnight.
(B,L,D)
Day 05 Izmir / Ephesus /
Pamukkale
Following an early breakfast we will proceed to the ancient
city of Ephesus
and first visit the Basilica of St. John, who came here with the Virgin Mary
and wrote his Gospel. Ephesus
was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient
world. Impressive structures we will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theatre and Odeon. Close by is
the House of the Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her last
years. On August 18, 1961, Pope John XXll proclaimed the House of Virgin Mary
at Ephesus to
be sacred. You will have a chance to take some of Holy Water from the Sacred
Spring. Then continue to the
gleaming white travertines of Pamukkale. The travertines are filled with warm
calcium-rich mineral water providing a spectacular sight on the hillside. We
will also the Roman Health Spa of Hieropolis, the 2,000 year old natural
phenomen where Roman citizens bathed in shallow pools. Overnight at Pamukkale.
(B,L,D)
Day 06 Pamukkale / Cappodocia
A
journey across Turkey continues through the Trurus Mountains to Konya, renowned
for its Seljuk architecture. After a lunch stop we will continue past several
ancient Caravanserai to the incredible Cappodocia region. Cappodocia was once
the heart of the Hittite Empire, renowned worldwide for its unique landscapes
made from soft volcanic rock. We have two nights at an excellent hotel in
Cappodocia. (B,L,D)
Day 07 Cappodocia
This
morning we will tour the surrealistic landscape with its eerie, natural fairy
chimneys covering villages carved by the wind, rain and volcanic activities.
The caves are magnificently decorated with incredible scenes dating from the 6th
century. The Goreme Valley is one of the world's most eerie destinations! We
will also visit the underground city of Kaymakli, home of thousands of
Christians hiding in sub terranean dwellings from their persecutors. (B,L,D)
Day 08 Cappodocia /
Ankara / Istanbul
This
morning we drive approximately 4 hours to Ankara. We will take a short tour of
the Turkish capital before joining our late afternoon flight to Istanbul. We
transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.(B,L,D)
Day 09 Istanbul
Free
at leisure (B,D)
Day 09 Istanbul (Departure)
Free
until departure time. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)
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