A division of the Atlas Travel Network
Cosmos Tours Authorized Representative
1-800-942-3301
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About This Tour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A country of many contrasts, Turkey is a unique crossroads between Europe and Asia. Begin in Istanbul and drive along the Sea of Marmara to Gallipoli on the European side of the Dardanelles. Visit the site of a bloody World War I battle, then ferry across to Asia Minor. Take time to visit the remains of Homer’s legendary Troy, then motor through forested countryside to Kusadasi, famous for the Ephesus archaelogical site. Continue through the “Greek Meander,” the most fertile region in Turkey. Via Denizli, head north to Pamukkale with the ancient site of Hierapolis. By way of Konya, stop at the great 13th-century Agzikarahan Caravanserai, then to Göreme for an included visit to the amazing Rock Chapels carved by early Christians. Arrive in Turkey’s capital of Ankara with a stop at Ataturk’s Mausoleum. From here, travel into the kingdom of Phrygia to Gordion. Visit King Midas’ tomb before continuing to Bursa, famous for its great mosque, covered bazaar, and silk market. The culmination of your journey is Istanbul, a vibrant city of mosques, markets, peddlers, and historic buildings of Byzanteum Constantinople fame. Be sure to catch the unforgettable backdrop of the Bosporus at dusk. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
City Highlights Visits to Gallipoli, Canakkale, Troy, Izmir, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Agzikarahan Caravanserai, Konya, Rock Chapels in Göreme, Ankara, King Midas’ Tomb in Gordion, Bursa Meals 12 buffet breakfasts (B); 8 dinners (D) Hotels: ISTANBUL Askoc (ST), CANAKKALE Tusan (ST), KUSADASI Grand Onder (F), DENIZLI AREA Herakles (ST) at Pamukkale, KONYA Balikcilar (F), CAPPADOCIA Irmak (ST), ANKARA Segmen (ST), BURSA Kervansaray (ST)
Day 1:
Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT. Day 2: Sun. ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY. Check into your hotel. In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers with a welcome drink, hosted by your Tour Director. Day 3: Mon. ISTANBUL-CANAKKALE. Drive along the Sea of Marmara to Gallipoli on the European side of the Dardanelles. Time to visit the Anzac Cemetery and the site of a bloody World War I battle. Then a short ferry crossing to Asia Minor. Overnight in Canakkale. (B,D) Day 4: Tue. CANAKKALE-KUSADASI. First, a visit to the remains of Homer’s legendary Troy. South to the lovely Bay of Edremit with distant views of the island of Lesbos. Through forests of pine, oak, and valonia, head for Izmir where an orientation drive includes the Karsiyaka District. From here it’s not far to your hotel in Kusadasi. (B,D) Day 5: Wed. AT LEISURE IN KUSADASI. Enjoy your charming modern resort located between ancient Ephesus and Priene, blessed with a delightful climate and white sandy beaches. Optional excursions to the Roman/Greek archaeological site of Ephesus and to the Virgin Mary House are available. (B) Day 6: Thu. KUSADASI-PAMUKKALE-DENIZLI AREA. Once past Aydin, you enter what is known as the “Greek Meander,” the most fertile region in Turkey. Make a first stop this morning for optional sightseeing of the ancient site of Aphrodisias scattered around the village of Geyre. From the town of Denizli drive north to view the extraordinary sight of Pamukkale with the ancient site of Hierapolis. Overnight in the Denizli area. (B,D) Day 7: Fri. DENIZLI AREA-KONYA. Eastwards to Dinar and then past Lake Acigoy surrounded by cherry gardens and opium fields. Later, splendid mountain scenery on the way to Konya. (B,D) Day 8: Sat. KONYA-CAPPADOCIA. Further eastward into the great central plateau which separates Konya from Cappadocia, taking a break at the great Agzikarahan caravanserai. After arrival in Göreme, an included afternoon excursion to the amazing Rock Chapels carved by early Christians. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D) Day 9: Sun. CAPPADOCIA. Optional sightseeing in the spectacular Cappadocia area. Admire the large natural amphitheater bounded by almost vertical cliffs into which have been hewn monastic buildings, churches, and underground retreats where early Christians sheltered from Roman persecution. (B,D) Day 10: Mon. CAPPADOCIA-ANKARA. North today by way of Aksaray to Ankara, the capital. Enjoy an orientation drive with a stop at Ataturk''s Mausoleum. Afternoon optional excursions are available to see some of the capital’s highlights. (B,D) Day 11: Tue. ANKARA-BURSA. From Ankara into the ancient kingdom of Phryge to Gordion where, according to legend, Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot. Visit King Midas’ tomb. On to historic Bursa in the shadow of the Olympus of Mysia and famous for its great Mosque, covered bazaar, and silk market. (B,D) Day 12: Wed. BURSA-ISTANBUL. A morning drive to the shores of the Sea of Marmara, then take a ferry across Bay of Izmit to Istanbul. This afternoon enjoy the included sightseeing with visits to the Roman Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. Tonight take advantage of the optional dinner outing in Istanbul. (B) Day 13: Thu. ISTANBUL. Markets, peddlers, and stalls selling almonds, pistachios, iced drinks, and black coffee—you’ll find this vigorous city irresistible. The view of the city at dusk with its 600 mosques and the Bosporus is unforgettable. Optional possibilities are a morning excursion by private boat to the Bosporus and in the afternoon the “Historical Tour of Istanbul.” (B) Day 14: Fri. HOMEBOUND FLIGHT. (B)
Visits to Gallipoli, Canakkale, Troy, Izmir, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Agzikarahan Caravanserai, Konya, Rock Chapels in Göreme, Ankara, King Midas’ Tomb in Gordion, Bursa
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.
© 2008 Atlas Cruises & Tours. A division of the Atlas travel network.
Site Map | Operators: Collette |Contiki |Cosmos |General Tours |Globus |Insight |Trafalgar