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Exotic Turkey And The Greek Cruise

  • Vasco Travel - Exotic Turkey And The Greek Cruise - April 11, 2023 - 15 Days

Day 1

A unique Country, set at the crossroads of Continents, Turkey offers the exotic allure of the Orient, enhanced by the luxurious comforts of the West. A potent blend of ancient and modern, Turkey's history stretches back 9000 years, almost to the beginning of time itself. Home to many of our best-loved myths and legends, a visit to Turkey will bring to life such evocative names as Halicarnassus and Constantinople. Yet Turkey is a young dynamic Country, cosmopolitan and eclectic with stylish hotels, state of the art technology and sophisticated restaurants

Highlights

Hagia Sofia and the Bosphorus Cruise

Topkapi  Palace  and  Blue  Mosque

Grand  Bazaar  and  Spice  Market

Cappadocia with its fairy chimneys and Cave Hotel

Pamukkale with its Cotton Castles

Visits to the House of Virgin Mary and Rumi Mausoleum

3 Night All inclusive Greek Cruise with Santorini Excursion and Mykanos Shuttle


Arrive Istanbul . - At the crossroads of Europe and Asia 

Meet and Assist Transfer to Hotel - Remainder of the day at leisure to catch up on jetlag

Day 2

Visit to Topkapi  Palace

am -

       Soak up the opulence of Topkapi Palace The Topkapi Palace (Turkish:Ṭopḳapu Sarāyı), in Istanbul, is one of the oldest historical palaces in the world. It served as the main place of residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly four centuries ( between the 15th and 19th ) It was turned into a museum in 1924. The jeweled turban crests, silken caftans , priceless Chinese porcelains of the palace and approximately 300.000 archive documents, bear witness to the grandeur of a bygone era. Topkapi Palace is an interesting attraction point for tourists from all around the world with a huge impact on visitors who want to discover the history of Ottoman Empire


pm -

Visit to the World Famous 15th century Grand Bazaar

End the day at the Grand Bazaar, in the Old City, a favorite place for shopping. You can wander the labyrinth of streets and passages with more than 4,000 shops displaying jewelery, leather goods, carpets and more. Enjoy the art of bargaining and shop to your heart's content

Evening -  Dinner at a Restaurant in Kumkapi   Overnight Istanbul

 

Day 3

Full Day Sightseeing Tour of Istanbul

 am - Blue Mosque , Hagia Sophia 

The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, was completed in 1617 just prior to the untimely death of its then 27-year old eponymous patron, Sultan Ahmet I. The architect Mehmet dedicated the mosque to Sultan Ahmet 111. The Mosque dominates Istanbu;s majestic skyline with its elegant composition of ascending domes, six slender soaring minarets and 21,043 pieces of blue tiles The Hagia Sophia, whose name means “holy wisdom,” was built by Justinian. It is a domed monument originally built as a Cathedral in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in the sixth century A.D. It contains two floors centered on a giant nave that has a great dome ceiling, along with smaller domes, towering above. The magnificent St. Sophia, with its massive dome was a daring engineering feat in the 6th century - architects still marvel at the buildings many innovations, once considered the greatest church in Christendom. It was proclaimed a Mosque soon after the conquest of the city by the Ottomans in 1453, that later was converted to a Museum You can witness Christian Mosaics with Islamic Scrolls throughout.

pm - Enjoy Cruising the Bosphorus

In the afternoon, take a relaxing cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. View humble fishing villages, wooden Ottoman villas and contrasting suspension bridges set against the dramatic outline of the Strait Shopping at Spice Market Afterward, visit the lively Spice Market with its unforgettable aromas and shop till you drop ( for nuts, herbs ,Turkish Delight etc)


Dinner at a Restaurant in Gallata
Overnight Istanbul

Day 4

Istanbul to Canakkale


Drive and Board the ferry to cross the Strait of Dardanelles.
Dinner and Overnight Canakkale

Day 5

Post breakfast drive to Kusadasi .Sightseeing en route


Highlights - Troy City

Visit, Troy or Ilion was an ancient city, known as the setting for the Greek myth of the Trojan War. It was located at Hisarlik in present-day Turkey, Visit Pergemum on Cable Car to see the magnificent Acropolis ,a former political powerhouse. Time permitting, we will visit the ancient medical centre Asclepion 

Evening Dinner and Overnight Kusadasi

 

Day 6

Sightseeing Tour of Kusadasi


Highlights Visit to the Cottage of Virgin Mary and Ephesus 


St. Mary, mother of Jesus, supposedly spent the last years of her life in Ephesus. According to this tradition, Mary arrived at Ephesus together with St. John and lived there until her Assumption (according to the Catholic doctrine) or Dormition (according to the Orthodox beliefs). The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi in Turkish) which can still be visited today. It is a place where, according to the beliefs of many people, Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent the last years of her life.


Visit to Ephesus, a stunning preserved ancient city followed by visit to the Temple of Artemis, which was then one of the seven wonders of the World Enjoy a display of latest leather fashion show
Dinner and Overnight Kusadasi

Day 7

 Post breakfast Drive to the legendary site of Pamukkale with its fascinating chalky terraces


Highlights - Visit to Hierapolis - Pamukkale Cotton Castles


Visit the old greco roman city of Hierapolis , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its famous Necropolis, the Theatre Agora , the Martyrium of St. Philip and last but not least the Pools of Cleopatra presented to her by her beloved Marc Anthony as a wedding gift. Sightseeing of the Cotton Castles continue -. Here spectacular natural hot springs with high calcium bicarbonate content cascade over the edge of the cliffs, leaving white terraces (the ‘cotton’). It;s been used as a spa since the 200 BC. Though you wont be able to bathe in these travertines, you can take a walk through them (after removing your shoes). 

Dinner and Overnight Pamukkale

 

Day 8

Post breakfast, drive to Konya


Highlights -  Visit to Mevlana Rumi Mausoleum

Konya, the old biblical city Iconium, where St. Pavlus stepped, was also the capital of Seljouk Kingdom. We arrive Konya after visiting the Caravanserai Sultanhani built on X111e century on Silk Road.When we arrive Konya, we visit the Monastery of Whirling derwishes and the Mausoleum of Mevlana Celalledin Rumi .He was a 13th-century Persian poet, an Islamic dervish and a Sufi mystic. He is regarded as one of the greatest spiritual masters and poetical intellects. Born in 1207 AD, he belonged to a family of learned theologians. He made use of everyday life's circumstances to describe the spiritual world. The Mevlevi Sufi order was founded to follow his teachings 


pm - After visit, drive to Cappadocia with en route visits to the Carpet Factory , Pottery and Textile Shops as well as a Jewellery shop. Dinner and Overnight Cappadocia

 

Day 9

Full day Cappadocia Sightseeing Tour , with its incredible fairy chimneys


am - Option Hot Air Balloon Ride over the fairy chimneys ( prior breakfast )


Highlights -  Fairy Chimney Rock Formations


Today, embark on a full day exploration of Cappadocia with its incredible fairy chimney rock formations. .Visit Gerome Valley, a magical little village set amid the surreal Cappadocia landscape with its open air Museum containing spectacular frescoes with vibrant colors still luminous after standing for centuries. Drive to the village of Avanos, famous for its beautiful old houses and onyx. Then proceed to the Pasabag Valley with its remarkable earth pillars in the midst of a vineyard also called Monks Valley. Continue sightseeing by visits to the Uchisar Castle and Urgup Town with wonderful views of the City Our journey continues with visit to the Rose and Red valley, Cavusin old cave village and the Basilica of St. John.We then explore the underground city of Kaymakli, where the early Christians escaped the presecution of the Romans by hiding in the intricate network of caves. Marvel at the ingenuity of the early settlers who hand-carved their homes into a volcanic rock


Evening - Dinner at Hotel followed by famous Turkish Folklore Show and Drinks Overnight Cappadocia

 

Day 10

Post breakfast checkout and board flight to Istanbul

pm -  Catch up on last minute shopping 


Dinner at a restaurant in Sultanahmet Overnight  Istanbul

 

Day 11

Post breakfast Depart for Airport to board your flight to Kusadasi
Dinner and Overnight Kusadasi

Day 12

Board your 3 Night Greek Cruise - Celestyal Olympia Iconic Aegean

Day 13

On Cruise

Day 14

De board Cruise

Fly to Istanbul for Dinner and Overnight

 

Day 15

Check out and head to the airport for inward journey

*Itineraries can change without notice. Please confirm your routing with yourtravel agent before reserving.

Inclusions

Welcome and Assistance at Airports

Well appointed Hotels and Transfers

Transportation in an Air-Conditioned Deluxe Vehicle

Services of Professional English Speaking Guide

Entrance fees as specified in the Itinerary

All  breakfasts  and  Lunch  OR  Dinner Daily

Supplementary details

Group minimum: 20 travelers

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