1001 Colours of TurkeyDay 1 Sun: Istanbul 20 kms Arrival transfer from Istanbul airport to hotel.

Day 2 Mon: Istanbul 30 kms The Must day: Stroll through Sogukcesme Street with typical wooden house which are now landmark buildings of ottoman architecture. Arrive to Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest of the remaining palaces where Ottoman Sultans used to live; admire the gardens, kitchens, the treasury section as well as terraces overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Photo stop at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet the 3rd and explore Saint Sophia, the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture dating back to the VIth century. After lunch, visit the Blue Mosque covered by more than 20.000 Iznik tiles and continue with the Roman Hippodrome where the char races used to take place. Discover the handcrafts of Anatolia and shop in the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar. (B,L)

Day 3 Tue: Istanbul 30 kms Daily life in Istanbul: Stop at Yavuz Selim Mosque offering stunning views over the Golden Horn. Stroll down the hill to discover the typical Fener and Balat districts. Cross the Galata Bridge to reach the modern part of the city. Take the historical funicular built at 1875 and still carrying passengers up the hill. Visit the Galata Mevlevihanesi to learn more about the philosophy of the whirling dervishes and walk along the very busy Istiklal pedestrian street. Enjoy the lunch with “kebabs”, the most popular dish of turkish cusine. Take a public boat to cross

the Bosphorus to the asian side of Istanbul; the seagulls will come very close to check if you feed them like most of turkish do during this short trip. As you put your feed on the asian bank, take a lovely walk in the picturesque marketplace with vegetables, fruits and fish sellers. You can taste the real turkish coffee prepared on wood coal or buy the traditional rock candies at historical Haci Bekir Confectionery. Take the public boat back to european side while admiring the silhouette of the Old City. Visit the small Mosque of Rustempasa, a masterpiece of architecture and decoration with blue Iznik tiles. Free time at leisure in the colourful Spice Bazaar to smell the aromas of the spices of the Orient. (B,L) Please note that approximately 3 kms walking is involved throughout the day.

ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE

April 03 10 17 24 May 01 08 15 22 29June 05 19 July 03 17 31August 14 28 September 04 11 18 25 October 02 09 16 23

Tour operates with minimum 2, maximum 18 persons, 0-16 year old child not accepted

Departure Days: Sunday

Departures 2016

10 days - 9 nights

Hotels or SimilarHotelsLocation

ISTANBUL SirkeciMansion/LalahanASSOS NazlihanPAMUKKALE DogaThermalSIRINCE NisanyanEvleri

Day 4 Wed: Istanbul – Bandirma – Assos 263 kms Through the sea and mountains : Take the fast ferry to the south shore of Marmara Sea. Drive through the back roads and climb up the mythological Ida Mountains. Breath the fresh air and lunch in a countryside restaurant. Descend to Behramkale village and visit the Athena Temple offering stunning views over the Aegean and the Lesbos Island. Overnight in Assos fishermen village. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Thu: Assos – Gallipoli – Assos 220 kms Remembrance day: Drive north to visit the legendary city of Troy. Cross the Dardanelles Strait and explore Gallipoli Peninsula; deceptive in its silence lies the ANZAC Cove the Lone Pine, Brighton Beach and Chnuk Bair where the bloodiest battles of the World War I. On the way back to Assos visit Adatepe Olive Oil Museum. (B,L,D) Day 6 Fri: Assos – Pergamon – Pamukkale 432 kms A day at the Antiquity: Arrive to ancient Pergamum, the city where parchment was invented. Visit the Acropolis offering breathtaking views over the valley and discover the remains of the most impressive hellenistic theater in asia minor. In the afternoon, attend a cultural lecture about handwoven carpets,

the most important handicraft in Turkey. Continue to Sardis, one of the Seven Churches of Asia, the main feature of which is the once celebrated Temple of Artemis built by King Croesus. Dinner and and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Sat: Pamukkale – Aphrodisas – Pamukkale 178 kms Art and healing day: Proceed to Aphrodisias, the city dedicated to the goddess of love and home to a school of sculpture that was known throughout the ancient world. Sculptural reliefs still adorn many of the buildings. Explore its many Greco-Roman remains including a stadium, which once sat 30,000 people and the Temple of Aphrodite, which was later converted into a Christian basilica. Follow the scenic road up to Babadag driving through small mountain villages and return to Pamukkale, popularly known as the ‘cotton castle’. Here, immense tiers of white limestone cascading down a barren hillside you will enjoy the beauty of the terraces and visit the nearby Roman theater and necropolis. In the afternoon, enjoy indoor and outdoor thermal pools of your hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Sun : Pamukkale - Sirince 290 kmsWOW day: In the morning, visit the

• Arrival and departure transfers• All transportation in air conditioned vehicle with wi-fi on board • 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 hotel dinners • English speaking professional guide throughout• Entrance fees to museums • All taxes and service charges

Inclusions:

• Personal expenses• Izmir / Istanbul domestic flight or Kusadasi / Samos ferry

Rates above do not include:

typical Birgi town renown with the original architecture of the well preserved historical buildings and its authentic lifestyle. Climb up Bozdag Mountain to admire the hidden Golcuk Lake at the summit and have lunch. Drive through the fertile Odemis plain with vineyards, tobacco and cotton fields. Discover the brand new Classic Automobile and Motorcycle Museum displaying samples starting from the very first car made in 1886 and first motorcycle made in 1885. Dinner and overnight in Sirince. (B,L,D) Day 9 Mon: Ephesus - Sirince 40 kms Journey through history : Visit the antique Ephesus city with Hadrian Temple, Celsius Library, theatre and the marble streets as well as the terrace houses reflecting the life of roman citizens. After lunch, climb up the Coressos Hill to visit the chapel believed to be the house where Mother Mary spent the last days of her life. Attend a fashion show in to learn more about leather, one of the major products of Turkey. Dinner and and overnight at Nisanyan Evleri. (B,L,D) Day 10 Tue: Departure 80 or 30 kms Transfer to Izmir Airport or to Kusadasi Harbour. (B)

*Please consult extension possibilities at the following page >

Istanbul Extension

• Arrival and departure transfers• 1 night accommodation at Istanbul Sirkeci Mansion Hotel or Lalahan Hotel• 1 breakfast• Izmir / Istanbul domestic flight • All taxes and service charges

Inclusions:

• Personal expenses

Rates above do not include:

Cappadocia Extension Cappadocia & Istanbul ExtensionDay 9 Tue: Sirince - Cappadocia 160 kms Transfer to Izmir Airport for your onward flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and overnight. (B)

Day 10 Wed: Cappadocia 80 kms Entire day to enjoy the natural beauty and the cultural depth of this unique region: explore the frescoed interiors of Goreme’s cave churches, which date from the 8th century, take a walk

in Avcilar, Pasabagi and the valley of Dervent where you will admire the chimney like volcanic formations and a brief photo stop at Uchisar. In the afternoon, discover the unique artifacts of Cappadocia such as pottery, onyx etc… Overnight.

Day 11 Thu: Departure 20 kmsTransfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your onward flight.

Day 9 Tue: Sirince - Cappadocia 160 kms Transfer to Izmir Airport for your onward flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and overnight. (B)

Day 10 Wed: Cappadocia 80 kmsEntire day to enjoy the natural beauty and the cultural depth of this unique region : explore the frescoed interiors of Goreme’s cave churches, which date from the 8th century, take a walk in Avcilar, Pasabagi and the valley of Dervent where you will admire the chimney like volcanic

formations and a brief photo stop at Uchisar. In the afternoon, discover the unique artifacts of Cappadocia such as pottery, onyx etc… Overnight.

Day 11 Thu: Cappadocia - Istanbul 100 kms Transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your onward flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel and overnight.

Day 12 Fri: Departure 20 kmsTransfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.

• Personal expenses• Hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia, please add 120 EURO per person

Rates above do not include:

• Arrival and departure transfers• 2 nights accommodation at Cappadocia Dere Suites Cave Hotel or Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel• 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch• English speaking professional guide throughout• Entrance fees to museums • Izmir / Kayseri and Kayseri / Istanbul domestic flights• All taxes and service charges

Inclusions:

• Personal expenses• Hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia, please add 120 EURO per person

Rates above do not include:

• Arrival and departure transfers• 3 nights accommodation : 2 nights Cappadocia Dere Suites Cave Hotel or Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel, 1 night Istanbul Sirkeci Mansion or Lalahan Hotel• 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch• English speaking professional guide throughout• Entrance fees to museums • Izmir / Kayseri and Kayseri / Istanbul domestic flights• All taxes and service charges

Inclusions:

Day 9 Tue: Sirince - Istanbul 160 kms Transfer to Izmir Airport for your onward flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and overnight. (B)

Day 12 Wed: Departure 20 kms Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.