12 Days / 10 Nights - $4,799 for 2 persons
Tour Turkey’s highlights showcasing ancient Roman cities & ruins, the caves of Cappadocia, the warm mineral waters of Pamukkale, and one of the most significant Temple cities in Asia Minor, Ephesus. Start and end your tour in the megacity, Istanbul, located on both the European & Asian sides of the Bosphorus, and stay in superior accommodation, travel by road, boat & air, and dine on some delectable local cuisine!
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Day 1
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Depart Home City
Fly from Toronto to Istanbul via Paris.
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Day 2
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Arrive Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met and then transferred to the Ayasultan Hotel 4* or similar for your three nights stay. Situated on two continents (Europe and Asia) and the inheritor of a great history where we can still witness the remnants of five civilizations, Istanbul is one of the most fascinating capitals of the Orient. |
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Day 3
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Istanbul (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, immerse yourself into the heart old Istanbul and discover its principal Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. Visit the Spice Market, and then be transferred to the pier to take a cruise along the Bosphorus. Visit the Asian side of Istanbul, crossing the transcontinental Bosphorus Bridge, connecting Europe and Asia. See the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of Ottoman Sultans and then return to the hotel.
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Day 4
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Istanbul (B)
The exploration of Istanbul continues with a visit to the Blue Mosque, built on the site of the Great Palace of Byzantium in the early 17th century. Today, it is a working mosque and is therefore closed to non-worshippers during the five daily prayers. The interior, with its lightness, spatial effect and color, is one of the finest creations of Turkish architecture. Next is the St. Sophia Museum, formerly known as the Hagia Sofia (Holy Wisdom), a former Greek Orthodox Church that was converted to a mosque in 1453 by the Ottoman Empire and now a museum. Later, visit the At Meydani, the Ancient Hippodrome of Septime Severius (2nd Century), the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. In the afternoon, we explore the Topkapi Palace, the ancient residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Late afternoon visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest of its kind with 17 gates, 65 streets and 4,000 shops.
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Day 5
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Istanbul - Cappadocia (B/D)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before being transferred to the Ataturk airport for your flight to Nevsehir. On arrival, meet and then visit the underground city of Kaymakli. These troglodyte cave-cities were excavated as early as Hittite times. There are 36 underground cities in Cappadocia and the widest one is the Kaymakli underground city. Afterwards visit the old Christian village of Cavusin, and stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Later, continue on to see the Ortahisar natural rock castle. This evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers. Overnight at the Peri Tower Hotel - 4*.
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Day 6
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Cappadocia (B/D)
Depart the hotel for a full day continuing your exploration of the Cappadocia region. Visit the open-air Museum of Goreme. There are eleven refectories within the Museum, with rock-cut churches tables and benches. Each is associated with a church. Most of the churches in Goreme belong to the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries. Visit the Uchisar Castle, many rooms hollowed out into the rock are connected to each other with stairs, tunnels and passages. Drive to Pasabagi in the Zelve area where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Later, see the Dervent valley, which is also known as Imaginary Valley or Pink Valley. Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. Also, make a stop at a carpet weaving workshop at the end of the day.
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Day 7
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Cappadocia - Konya - Pamukkale (B/D)
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and then drive to Pamukkale via Konya. In Konya we explore the Mevlana Museum, with the tombs of Rumi, his family, and outstanding members of the Mevlevi order. After lunch, we continue to Pamukkale, one of the most interesting places in the world, famous not only for the entrancing beauty of its unique geological formations, but also for its historical remains. Overnight in Pamukkale at the Pam Thermal Hotel - 4*.
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Day 8
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Pamukkale - Kusadasi (B/D)
In the morning visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, and enjoy the warm mineral waters of Pamukkale. The name Pamukkale means "cotton castle", derived from the dazzling white calcareous castles which are formed by limestone-laden thermal springs, creating a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins. Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is among the remains of Hierapolis (Holy City). We then depart for Kusadasi, experiencing Aphrodisias en route. Its ruins are as impressive as those of Ephesus. The Aphrodite Temple, the marbled stadium, the Theatre, the Odeon, the Agora and the Roman Baths are all beautifully preserved. Continue onward to Kusadasi for dinner. Overnight at the Sürmeli Hotel - 4*.
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Day 9
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Kusadasi (B/D)
This morning, depart for Ephesus where we will spend the full day touring. Ephesus is the greatest Temple City in Asia Minor and was dedicated to the Great Goddess Artemis Diana. The Temple of Artemis Diana, built about 550 BCE, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and one of the most complex temples built in ancient times. Explore Mother Mary's House inside the ruins of Ephesus, and visit the St. John Basilica built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in the 6th century AD with the belief that it was the site of the tomb of St John. Ephesus was one of the biggest and most famous sites in the ancient world. Towards the 3rd Century BCE, Ephesus was located naturally on the crossing point of the commercial road and so gathered all the richness of the Orient. Among its numerous monuments, you will see its famous Arcadian Street, large Hellenistic Theatre, the Celsius Library, and the magnificent façade of the Hadrian Temple. Late afternoon, enjoy an interesting visit to a Leather Factory.
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Day 10
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Kusadasi - Pergamon - Canakkale (B/D)
Drive to Pergamon and visit the Greco Roman city built on four rising terraces and the Asclepion. Pergamon is one of the important antique cities founded by the ancient Greeks in Western Anatolia. It is home to the second largest library in the ancient world, the steepest theatre of Anatolia, the monumental Altar of Zeus, the Roman Medical Center ruins, and the working site of the great physician, Galen. On your tour of Pergamon, you will notice that the Acropolis and the Asclepion are the two principal places to see the ruins. After sightseeing, continue onwards to Canakkale for dinner and overnight at the Iris Hotel - 4*.
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Day 11
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Canakkale - Istanbul (B)
Today, drive to the legendary town of Troy, the site of the Trojan Wars. Immortalized by the writings of Homer and Virgil, the legendary city of Troy invites wanderlust with its enchanting romanticism, picturesque settings and historical ruins. Archaeological excavations in Hisarlik have revealed nine separate periods of settlement; but at present you will find the ruins of city walls, house foundations, a temple and a theatre stand. A recent wooden replica of the famous Trojan Horse symbolically stands on the site to commemorate the legendary war. Later, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and then check-in to the Ayasultan Hotel - 4*.
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Day 12
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Depart Istanbul
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
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| 2 for 1 Turkey, Turkish Delights |
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Departs from Toronto
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| April 4 - 15, 2012 |
$4,799 for 2 persons
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Air Taxes & Fuel Surcharge
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$550 per person |
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Package includes:
- Return economy class airfare with Air France;
- Domestic economy class flight from Istanbul to Nevsehir;
- Hotel accommodations as specified;
- Airport / hotel transfers;
- Meals as specified;
- Sightseeing with admissions as specified;
- Private Air-conditioned coach with English-speaking guide;
Package does not include:
- Meals and services not specified;
- Any beverages with meals;
- Excess baggage fees levied by airlines;
- Turkish Entry Visa fee (approx. US$65);
- Tips and gratuities to drivers & tour guides;
- Travel Insurance;
- Any personal expenses such as telephone calls, laundry, drinks,
mini-bar, internet, etc.
Entry Regulations:
All Canadian citizens require a Canadian passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry into the country. An entry visa is necessary to enter Turkey which can be obtained at the point of entry for a fee of US$60 for Canadian passport holders and US$20 for American passport holders. A photo is not necessary.
Canadians should ensure that an entry stamp is placed in their passports by Turkish immigration officials upon arrival. Failure to do so could lead to fines, detention, deportation, or serious difficulties upon departure.
Please check with your country’s Foreign Affairs office to find out about entry requirements for non-Canadians and Americans.
Climate:
Turkey's climate is characterised by extremes, with temperatures varying greatly from season to season in the country's different regions. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts of Turkey have very dry, hot summers, and the mild, though wet, winters occur between October and April, when the coastal towns tend to more or less shut down. Istanbul and Cappadocia can experience very cold winters, with light snow. High summer, usually between July and September, is the peak tourist season, though from June mosquitoes can be a problem. The best time to visit Turkey is usually between spring and autumn as the climate is still hot, but not unbearable. Eastern Turkey experiences bitterly cold winters, and so it is best that travellers wait until summer, because although hot, roads and mountain passes are less likely to be closed due to ice or snow
Currency:
The New Turkish Lira TRY is the basic unit of currency in Turkey. At present, the exchange rate is TRY1.59 to CA$1 and TRY1.52 to US$1.
The exchange slips for the conversion of foreign currency into Turkish lira should be kept, since you may be required to show these when reconverting your Turkish lira back into foreign currency, and when taking souvenirs out of the country (to prove that they have been purchased with legally exchanged foreign currency).
As exchange rates fluctuate each day, please check the current exchange rate near your date of travel.
Electricity:
The current used in Turkey is 220AC 50Hz.
North American electrical appliances require a converter and adapter plug which can be purchased in almost any appliance shop, however it is recommended that they should be purchased at home and brought alone.
Language:
The official language in Turkey is Turkish though Ethnologue lists many minority languages some of which are spoken by large numbers of people.
Health Requirement:Normally, vaccinations are not mandotory unless one travels from or via an infected area. Check with your local health authority or travel clinic for further requirements.
Airport Facilities and Tax:
Turkey has various ports of entry. The international airport in the capital city is the Istanbul Ataturk Airport. There are also nine other airport many of which serve international and domestic flights. Departure taxes are formulated into the price of the airline ticket.
Shopping:
Old, new, exotic, mundane, antique, kitsch— shopping in Istanbul is all these things and more. Everyone knows about the Grand Bazaar with its 4000 shops, but in fact the entire area around it is shopping, shopping, shopping for blocks and blocks. 4000 shops is a mere fraction of the whole picture. Things to buy are alabaster, brass, carpets, kilims (woven mats) and silk.
Cuisine: Turkish cuisine is largely the heritage of Ottoman cuisine, which can be described as a fusion and refinement of Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines. Turkish cuisine varies across the country. The cooking of Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, and rest of the Aegean region inherits many elements of Ottoman court cuisine, with a lighter use of spices, a preference for rice over burghul, and a wider use of seafoods. The cuisine of the Black Sea Region uses fish extensively, especially the Black Sea anchovy (hamsi), has been influenced by Balkan and Slavic cuisine, and includes maize dishes. The cuisine of the southeast—Urfa, Gaziantep and Adana—is famous for its kebabs, mezes and dough-based desserts such as baklava, kadayıf and künefe.
Turkish coffee or Turk kahvesi is the perfect way to finish off a good meal. When ordering you specify whether you want it sade (plain), orta (with some sugar) or sekerli (very sweet) and it is brewed with the specified amount of sugar mixed in with the coffee granules.
For more information please visit:
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- Explore the Byzantine and Ottaman monuments in Istanbul
- Visit the Blue Mosque and see the finest creations of Turkish architecture
- Explore the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
- Visit the underground city of Kaymakli
- Fascinate yourself with the Cappadocia region
- See the unique geological formations in Pamukkale
- Visit the greatest Temple City, Ephesus
- Visit Troy, the site of the Trojan Wars
- Istanbul: Ayasultan Hotel ****
- Cappadocia: Peri Tower Hotel ****
- Pamukkale: Pam Thermal Hotel ****
- Kusadasi: Sürmeli Hotel ****
- Canakkale: Iris Hotel ****
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