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DAY 1- Departure from USA
An overnight flight to Istanbul, complimentary drinks and meals will be served on board.
DAY 2- Istanbul
Upon arrival meet your FLO USA representatives at Istanbul Int. Airport and enjoy your welcome orientation tour of the city before transfering to your hotel. After welcome cocktails (non-alcoholic beverages) your tour guide will go over the details of your tour. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul.
DAY 3- Istanbul
After breakfast we’ll depart for a full-day tour of Istanbul. Our first stop will be the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period; St.Sophia Museum -the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th AD, following visit is the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet) famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior blue tiles. Then we’ll continue to the Underground Cistern and the Topkapi Palace; the residence of Ottoman Sultans housing richness of 700 years. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
DAY 4- Istanbul , Bursa
This morning we drive across to Bosphorus Bridge to Asia Minor going to Bursa, which was first capital of the Ottoman Empire. We will be visiting the fascinating architect from the Ottoman period time, Green Mosque and Green Tomb. Now enjoy your stroll through Bursa’s colorful bazaar, where you can shop silk and famous Turkish towels. Transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight at Almira Hotel~5* in Bursa (B,D)
DAY 5- Bursa ,Gordion ,Ankara
Early morning finds us departing for Gordian, where Alexander The Great cut the “Gordion Knot” and then conquered Asia. Gordion was the city of King Midas, as well as being the capital of Phyrigians. We continue our drive to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. (B,D)
DAY 6- Ankara , Cappadocia
Today we will be discovering Ankara; this city was once a Hittite town, then a Roman city, and now days the capital of Turkey. This morning starts with visit of The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Ataturk - the founder of modern Turkey. On the way to Cappadocia, see the Salt Lake and we will visit the Agzikarahan Caravaserai (Old Wayside Inn Hotel) which was built 13th AD is an important inn from the medieval times. (B,D)
DAY 7- Cappadocia
A full day to tour the riches of this incredible "moonscape" of Cappadocia including the Goreme open-air Museum, with its dozens of painted cave-churches. The surrealistic geological formation of Cappadocia is one of the wonders of the world. It is the result of the natural forces during the intense volcanic activity. Later on we will visit Zelve where you will see the most intensive chimney rocks formed in the volcanic tufas. After lunch, we will continue to the pottery making village of Avanos where you watch clay turning into a form of artwork. Our next stop will be The Pigeon Valley where you will see thousands of pigeon nests that have been carved into the soft tufa since the ancient times. Later on visit a world famous Turkish hand-made carpet work shop.
After dinner , get ready for an unforgettable dance show of “Whirling Dervishes”- this seven-centuries-old ritual is that it unites the three fundamental components of human nature: the mind (as knowledge and thought), the heart (through the expression of feelings, poetry and music) and the body (by activating life, by the turning). (B,D)
DAY 8- Cappadocia
Today we visit the Kaymakli Underground City, a place early Christians hid from persecutors. Another highlight of today will be the Soganli Village, a remote community famous for dolls and housing some more rock churches. We will have our lunch at the village and spend some time with the villagers. You may ride a donkey on the narrow streets of the village or may experience a traditional wedding ceremony. Then we will visit a regional handicraft work shop where you will see the beautiful gemstone jewelry. You will also have time to taste wines at a local vineyard in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Cappadocia.(B,D)
DAY 9 – Cappadocia , Konya , Perge , Antalya
Early morning departure from hotel and drive to Konya - an important Roman city, and later the Capital of the Seljuk Turkish Empire . Upon arrival at Konya, visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world famous whirling dervishes’ monastery. Then drive to Konya through mountains and lakes. We will visit Perge which was the capital of the then Pamphylia region. (B,D)
DAY 10 – Antalya , Aspendos , Pamukkale
Departure for sightseeing of Antalya starts with the Antalya Archeological Museum which houses a collection of Greco-Roman and near eastern antiques. Then continue to the well preserved theater ruins of Aspendos. After lunch continue to Pamukkale which means “Cotton Castle” and refers to the spectacular white lime cascades formed by its hot springs. After arriving Pamukkale, we will visit fascinating archeological site of Hierapolis, the thermal resort founded by Pergamene King in 190 BC and greatly enlarged and embellished by the Romans. (B,D)
DAY 11- Pamukkale , Ephesus , Kusadasi
After departure from the hotel we’ll drive to Kusadasi, visiting Ephesus; home of the Greek Philosopher Heraclitus where you will see the Amphi-theaters, the Marble Road, Library of Celcius, Temple of Hadrian, the Odeon. Continue to visit the House of Virgin Mary, supposedly where she spent her last days at. (B,D)
DAY 12- Kusadasi , Pergamum , Canakkale
After breakfast we will depart for Canakkale. First we’ll visit the Asclepium, ancient medical center built in the name of Asclepios- god of medicine. Following lunch, continue to Pergamon Acropolis, where the temple of Athena, Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysos, Library, Agora, Great Theater and the Roman Baths will be seen. Dinner and overnight at Kolin Hotel- 5* in Canakkale. (B,D)
DAY 13- Canakkale , Troy, Istanbul
After breakfast continue to visit Troy where the legendary Trojan War took place in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna, a site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years. This afternoon we will cross the Dardanelles (Hellespoint) by ferryboat to Gallipoli. After lunch continue to drive to Istanbul. (B)
DAY 14- Istanbul
After breakfast, our first stop will be the famous Spice Market also known as the “Egyptian Bazaar” and “Misir Carsisi” in Turkish. It is one of the oldest bazaars in the city. Various spices from the Orient were offered here in the past, Egyptian Bazaar was so named because the spices used to be imported from Egypt. On the other hand, in the Byzantine period, the site of the Spice Bazaar was the centre of corn trade. And the word misir has a double meaning in Turkish: "Egypt" and "corn". Later on we will be browsing the “Grand Bazaar” which is one of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets and 4,000 shops. In the afternoon you will have a chance to inspect some of our hotels in Istanbul. We will have a farewell dinner on our last night in Istanbul. (B,D)
DAY 15- Depart for USA
Departure transfers with FLO USA representatives to the Istanbul Int. Airport for flight back to the USA.(B)
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Read the review from Bob Watson -Publisher of Fam News
DEPARTURE DATES:
- Oct 6, 2010 (Return :Oct 20)
- Mar 23, 2011 (Return: Apr 6)
- Sep 21, 2011 (Return:Oct 5)
HOTELS:
- Istanbul: Crown Plaza Old City Hotel (5*) or similar
- Bursa: Almira Hotel (5*) or similar
- Ankara: Dedeman Hotel (5*) or similar
- Cappadocia: Dinler Hotel (5*) or similar
- Antalya: The Marmara Antalya (5*) or similar
- Pamukkale: Colossea Hotel (5*) or similar
- Kusadasi: Korumar Hotel (5*) or similar
- Canakkale: Kolin Hotel (5*) or similar
PRICES:
- LAND ONLY : $ 1,795
- AIRFARE FROM JFK: $375 (+ tax)
- SINGLE SUPPLEMENT : $ 550
- SPOUSE / COMPANION : $ 550 + Agent Fare
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
INCLUDED FEATURES:
- All transfers per program itinerary.
- 13 nights Superior First-class hotel accommodations
- Buffet breakfasts daily and 10 dinners.
- Sightseeing as specified in the day by day itinerary.
- Whirling Derwishes show in Cappadocia
- Wine tasting in Cappadocia
- Service of an English speaking tour guide who is licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism, and an expert in Turkey’s history, art, and culture.
- Local transportation by deluxe A / C motor coach depending on group size.
- FLO USA Travel Protection Plan ($200 savings)
- Baggage handling and portage per program itinerary.
- All admission fees and service charges.
- Travel documents kit
EXCLUDED FEATURES:
- Airport taxes
- Visa fee ($20 for Americans and can be purchased at Istanbul Airport upon arrival)
- Extra drinks with meals
- Tips for your tour guide and driver
- Personal expenses
- Arrival and departure transfers and orientation tour are not included for "land only" agents unless they are on our scheduled flight
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Turkey
