adventure@turkeytourcenter.com
Crossroads of Civilizations
Daily Program
Day 01 – ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL
Today, you will arrive in one of the most important and inspiringly beautiful cities of the world history: Constantinople! Our representative, will meet you at the airport and you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 02 – FULL DAY ISTANBUL
Istanbul boasts its monumental shrines of different faiths. You will begin your private tour in the Old City this morning from the breathtaking Blue Mosque standing in great prestige with its six minarets and perfectly proportioned dome. A short stroll will then take you through the famed Hippodrome Square which was the sporting and social center of Constantinople that hosted the chariot races until the Middle Ages. You will continue today’s sightseeing with a visit to the magnificent home of the Ottoman Sultans: Topkapi Palace! Today you will be having an intense tour of the palace going through corridors and different sections of the Harem where Sultan lived with his family members. Leaving the Harem through the “Golden Corridor” you will reach the inner courtyard to visit the Treasury. Your next stop is the Basilica of Saint Sophia built by Justinian the Great during 6th century. Later in the afternoon, you will find yourself drifting through one of the earliest shopping malls ever built in history, Grand Bazaar which maintains its charm and volume of business to the modern day with its indoor and outdoor sections. Nuru Osmaniye District (Glamour of the Ottomans) was where the Genoese and Venetian merchants had their ware houses to store their inventory of brass, copper and tiles before they were loaded on the ships to sail to Venice and Genoa. Your guide will escort you back to your hotel at the end of your touring. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 03 – ISTANBUL - BURSA
After the breakfast, you will set out from Istanbul and drive partly along the southern shoreline of the Sea of Marmara to Bursa (approx. 3 hours), the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. You will stop en route to visit Iznik (Ancient Nicea), founded in the 4th century BC by the Macedonian King Antigonus I Monophthalmus. Nicea was an important center in late Roman and Byzantine periods. Leaving Iznik, you will have the opportunity to see Cumalikizik , one of the most preserved Ottoman villages, that will send you back to 13th century with its mud covered wooden homes. At the end of your tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Bursa. Overnight in Bursa.
Day 04 – BURSA - CANAKKALE
Among a number of important Ottoman edifices you may see upon your arrival in Bursa are the mausoleums of the early Ottoman Sultans, Green Mosque with a beautiful interior decoration of blue and green tiles and Great Mosque. Great Mosque with a total of twenty domes and a fountain was built in 1396 and you will find it unlike any other mosque you may have seen up to now. Bursa, famous for its thermal baths, is also the heart of the country's silk industry with several lively bazaars. One of the oldest market courts is Koza Han, once the major center of Turkey’s silk trade and where you will spend some free time today before bidding farewell to Bursa.The legendary city of Troy - with nine different layers of occupation revealed during the excavations started in 19th century by Heinrich Schliemann - is approximately a 4-hour scenic ride from Bursa en route to Canakkale. Observe the ruins of the ancient city that has witnessed the battle of Achilles and Hector, the story of which has been immortalized by the famous historian Homeros in his legend Illiad. The excavations of Troy constitute the beginning of modern study of archaeology. Continue towards the southern regions on the western coastline, famed for its olive oil that is said to be the best in Turkey. The end of the day brings you to Assos, a tranquil fisherman town on the Aegean. Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 05 – CANAKKALE - IZMIR
Drive through the pretty scenery of the fertile fields of the Aegean Region for an excursion to the Greco-Roman city of Pergamon, famous for its remains of the Acropolis as well as Asclepion, the ancient medical center where the father of doctors, Galen, cured patients during the Roman era. Overnight in Izmir.
Day 06 – IZMIR - BODRUM
This morning you will be having your first stop at the remains of Temple of Artemis. Then, you will have a short drive and reach the city of Ephesus where history and archaeology will offer you their majesty with incredible richness. You will be walking on the Marble Road that runs through the city, having various structures resting on it: Temple of Hadrian is a unique beauty with its articulate facade while Library of Celsus has all the expression of the grandeur of “good old days” of the Roman Period. Today you will also tour the Terrace Houses, the ancient residential section of Ephesus. Among all the archaeological remains, the Great Theater of Ephesus bears the major Biblical importance. You will move on to Bodrum concluding your explorations. Overnight in Bodrum.
Day 07 – BODRUM
You will be strolling through the Crusaders’ Castle of St. Peter’s. Continue your sightseeing with the site of Mausoleum of King Mausoleus. You will have the rest of the day at leisure on your own. Overnight in Bodrum.
Day 08 – BODRUM - ISTANBUL - DEPARTURE FOR HOME
Early in the morning, you will be transferred to Bodrum Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul to connect to your international flight back to home.
Notes
Tour Package Inclusions:
- Arrival and departure transfers in Istanbul and Bodrum.
- Accommodation on BB basis at the selected category of properties.
- Services of the same English-speaking professional private tour guide throughout the program.
- Transportation by A/C non-smoking brand new deluxe vehicles throughout the program except for the walking tour on Day 02.
- All entrance and parking fees for the sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary.
- Domestic flight ticket from Bodrum to Istanbul.
Excluded Items:
- Meals except for the breakfasts at hotels.
- Beverages.
- Porterage at airports and hotels.
- Visa fee.
- Personal expenses.
- Honorary gratuities for guide and driver.
Back To Home
Surfing in Alacati
Vanishing Arts
Sunset Paragliding
Bird Watching in Istanbul
Dive the Turkish Riviera
Hike and Glide Taurus Mountains
Myths & Heroes of Asia Minor
Yachting Turkey
Cycling Through The Aegean Jewels
Best Of Istanbul
Istanbul by Ferrari
Adventurer of the City
Crete - Palace of Knossos & Traditional Village of Arolithos
Footsteps of Dan Brown in Istanbul
Corfu - Corfu Panoramas