Wednesday, 28 May 2014

10D Turkey Delights 2014

Itinerary Map
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Day 2SA Istanbul - Canakkale Map (Video 1 30mins, Walked 6.3km, Temp 20°C)
20140531 Upon arrival, make a stop at Hagia Sophia(St. Sophia), one of the great architectural marvels of the ancient world, proceed to visit Topkapi Palace, once the seat of the Ottoman Empire. Today, it is a museum palace with a wide collection of porcelain, antiques, holy relics and other treasures. Then, enjoy a Ferry crossing on the Sea of Marmara and a leisurely drive to Canakkale.
(Meals On Board/
Lunch: Sur Balik Cankurtaran [Soup, Mini Turkish Pizza, Donar Kebap, French Fries, Rice, Dessert]/
Dinner)

Day 3SU Canakkale - Pergamon - Kusadasi Map (Video 2 32mins, Walked 5.0km, Temp 22°C)
20140601 Proceed to Troy where we see the ruins of nine cities built on top of each other and an enormous reconstruction of the famous wooden Trojan horse. Next, continue our journey to the ancient city of Pergamon to see the Acropolis - some of the sites includes altar of Zeus, Temple of Athena, the library, theatre and arsenals.
(Breakfast/
Lunch: Bergama Kardesler [Open Buffet]/
Dinner)

Day 4MO Kusadasi - Pamukkale Map (Video 3 48mins, Walked 4.5km, Temp °C)
20140602 After breakfast, proceed to Ephesus an ancient Roman city and visit the Grand Theater, the Library of Celsius, Marble Street. Gather some picture perfect memories at House of the Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her last years. Travel to Pamukkale, the famous old capital city of the Seljuk Turks in the 12th and 13th centuries. Thereafter, explore the unique Cotton Castle, a World Heritage Site, made up of fascinating white terraces and pools created by calcareous hot spring waters flowing down the mountain. Continue to visit the extensive ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient Roman city.
(Breakfast/
Lunch: Sofra [Open Buffet]/
Dinner)

Day 5TU Pamukkale - Konya - Cappadocia (Video 4 24mins, Walked 3.7km, Temp °C)
20140603 Travel to Cappadocia via Konya, make a stop at Horozluhan, one of the best-preserved caravanserais (inns) in Anatolia. Visit the blue-green domed Mevlana Museum, which used to be the cloister for Mevlevi Dervishes. Continue along the old silkroad from Konya and make a stop at Sultanhani Kervansary, which was built like a fort with its high walls of local stone. It used to provide accommodation for the merchants who traded across Turkey with their camels, horses, donkeys and cargoes and kept them safe from highwaymen. Then, continue your journey to Cappadocia.
(Breakfast/
Lunch: Horozluhan [Soup, Salad, Pita with Meat, Roast Beef]/
Dinner)

Day 6WE - Cappadocia Map (Video 5 1h20mins, Walked 5.2km, Temp °C)
20140604 Visit the Underground City of Kaymakli, one of the largest underground cities there and said to have existed since the Hittite period. you will get a chance to see bedrooms, kitchens, dining halls, wine cellars, chapels, stables and more. Next, explore the rock-carved churches with some of it decorated with scratched frescos in the Goreme Open-air Museum. Thereafter, procced to Uchisar, an old village of small dwellings carved into massive rocks. Gather some picture perfect memories at Mushroom Valley (Pasabag Fairy Chimneys) and Uchisar Castle, a fantasyland of strange and wonderful works of man and nature. En route, make a stop at the carpet factory. This evening, enjoy a Belly and Folklore Dance performance.
(Breakfast/
Lunch: Han Rest [Open Buffet]/
Dinner)

Day 7TH Cappadocia - Ankara - Bolu Map (Video 6 22mins, Walked 3.3km, Temp °C)
20140605 This morning, continue our journey to Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Visit the magnificent Anıtkabir(Ataturk Mausoleum), the final resting place for Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who is also known as “Father of Modern Turkey”. Make a stop at Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi(Museum of Ancient Anatolian Civilizations) - a historic caravanserai holding artefacts from 7,500 years ago. Thereafter, continue our journey to the enchanting town of Bolu.
(Breakfast/
Lunch: Etye Rest [Soup of the day, Grilled Chicken, Rice, Seasonal Salad, Grilled onion, fruit]/
Dinner)

Day 8FR Bolu - Istanbul Map (Video 7 57mins, Walked 9.8km, Temp °C)
20140606 Upon arrival, embark an optional private cruise (1 hour) along the 30km straits that divide Turkey into 2 Continents - Asia & Europe. See the beautiful palaces, fortresses, mansions and the 2 famous suspension bridges while enjoying the breeze with many beautiful photo taking opportunities. Proceed to visit Taksim pedestrian Shopping Street - Istiklal Caddesi where more shopping spree awaits you and Taksim SquareHippodrome Square, which is the center of sports and political activities of Constantinople and of Turkey today. Next, be awed by the interior decoration and distinctive blue tiles at the Sultanahmet(Blue Mosque), one of the largest religious complexes in Istanbul. End your day at the covered Grand Bazaar.
(Breakfast/
Lunch: Silk Road [Soup, Beef, Fish, Chicken, Egg, Chinese pastry, vegetables, rice, tea, fruit]/
Dinner: Patara [Turkish Mezze, Flack Pastry, French Fries, Grilled Fish, Salad, Dessert)

Day 9SA Istanbul - Airport
20140607 After breakfast, you will be free until departure transfer for your flight home.
(Breakfast/Meals on Board)

Reference:
Interactive maps for Turkey