"Turkish Delights: Unveiling the Charms of Turkey"
Welcome to Turkey, a captivating blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. Explore the architectural marvels of Istanbul, where East meets West at the crossroads of civilizations. Discover the fairy-tale-like landscapes of Cappadocia, with its surreal rock formations and hot air balloon rides. Immerse yourself in the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the tranquil beauty of Pamukkale’s terraces, and the pristine beaches along the turquoise coast. Indulge in the flavors of Turkish cuisine, experience traditional hospitality, and witness the rich tapestry of traditions that make Turkey a truly unique destination. Get ready to be enchanted by the wonders of this remarkable country.
Trip Highlights
- Sultanahmet, Topkapi Palace, the Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia
- WW1 Battles at Gallipoli, Trojan wooden horse, Ancient Troy of Homer’s Iliad
- Acropolis of Pergamon, Ancient city of Ephesus, House of Mary
- Ancient Roman city of Hierapolis, Mevlana Museum, Sultanhani caravanserai
- Göreme Valley Outdoor Museum, Pasabagi Monks Valley, Avanos village pottery center
- Anatolian Civilizations, private cruise on the Bosphorus
Trip Itinerary
Arrive at Istanbul Airport. Meet AVOTUR’s local guide or representative and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and short rest. (Please note check-in time at most hotels is 14:00 but we will do our best to arrange early check-in if necessary.) Departure for half day city tour with a visit to the main historical centre of Istanbul, Sultanahmet with its
Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. Lunch at a local or Indian restaurant. The monuments to be visited are the Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace with its Treasury and Sacred Trust sections.
Transfer from the hotel to the historical centre Sultanahmet. Walking tour starts with the Roman Hippodrome and the monuments lined up along the spine of the original hippodrome built by Emperor Septimus Severus in 203 AD. Obelisk of Theodosius, walled column, serpentine column from Delphi and the German Fountain, gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II to the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamit II will be viewed. Continue with the Blue Mosque built by Sultan Ahmet I in 1616, locally called Sultanahmet Mosque but known by its blue Iznik tiles and also famous for its unique 6 minarets. Modest attire recommended. Plastic bag for shoes will be provided as you will have to remove your shoes before entering the mosque.
One of the highlights of the tour is the Hagia Sophia. Church of the Holy Wisdom of God from the 6th century built by Justinian between 532 - 537 at the site of the previous two churches by the same name. Following the conquest of the city by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, Ayasofya was converted to a mosque and eventually after the foundation of the Republic of Turkey it has become a museum. Continue with the Topkapi Palace. Until finally being abandoned to more modern palaces in the middle of the 19th century the palace served as the residence of the Ottoman Sultans as well as the centre of administration for 4 centuries.
On entering through the Imperial Gate the first monument to be seen is the majestic fountain of Sultan Ahmet III followed by the first courtyard housing the Church of St Eirene as well as the Imperial Mint and the Archaeological Museum of Istanbul. Through the Gate of Salutation we enter the grounds of the Palace and view the various exhibitions including the imperial kitchens with its rich collection of Japanese and Chinese Ming porcelain as well as the Imperial Council (Kubbealti) and the Tower of Justice. The Treasury, housing such exquisite masterpieces as the Topkapi dagger and the Spoonmaker’s diamond will be visited.
They recently renovated Holy Relics section houses a collection of the prophet Mohammed’s and his caliphs’ relics. Return to the hotel after the tour. Dinner at the hotel or at an Indian restaurant.
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Canakkale famous for the WW1 Battles at Gallipoli. A brief visit of the Gallipoli War Memorials including the Lone Pine Cemetery and Anzac Cove. Lunch at a local restaurant. Cross the Strait of Dardanelles by ferry and reach the Asian port city of Canakkale.
After viewing the Hollywood production Trojan wooden horse proceed to a visit to the ruins of ancient Troy of Homer’s Iliad. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Canakkale.
Breakfast at the hotel. Continue to Bergama. Visit the Acropolis of Pergamon with its breathtaking amphitheatre. A cable- car ride is used to reach the summit. Lunch at a local restaurant. Depart for Izmir, Turkey’s largest export harbour and 3rd biggest city.
A short panoramic tour including the seaside promenade called Kordon and the historical market area of Kemeralti dating from the 1580s. Panoramic tour and continue to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Kusadasi.
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the ancient city of Ephesus. Highlights will be the Odeon, Celsus Library, Hadrian’s Temple,Trajan’s Fountain, the Agora, the Scolasticia Baths, the Marble Street, the theatre with its 25.000 seating capacity and the Arcadian Way leading down to the port which is now silted up.
On Mount Nightingale, the House of Mary (Meryemana), a pilgrimage site where Mary is believed to have spent her last days, will be visited. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Pamukkale. In Pamukkale visit the travertines (terraces and basins formed by the calcium rich deposits of the thermal springs) of Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) and the surrounding ancient Roman city of Hierapolis with its Roman baths converted to early Christian churches, the amphitheatre, the Martyrium of St Philip and the extensive necropolis featuring the various architectural styles of ancient Asia Minor. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Pamukkale.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart for Konya where we visit the Mevlana Museum. The 13th century sufi leader was the founder
of the Mevlevi Order known for their Whirling Dervishes ceremony.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Before reaching Cappadocia visit the Sultanhani caravanserai.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.
Breakfast at the hotel. Our tour of Cappadocia includes Uchisar rock formation to have a panoramic view, Göreme Valley Outdoor Museum to view the frescoes of the famous churches known by the names Apple, Barbara, Sandal and Snake churches, the Pasabagi Monks Valley, an underground city and Ürgüp fairy Chimneys.
Lunch during the tour. Visit the Avanos village pottery centre located along the Kizilirmak (Red River, Turkey’s longest river). Afternoon spent at the various handicraft workshops of the region selling carpets and rugs, ceramics, onyx, jewellery and souvenirs. Continue to Ankara. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Ankara.
Breakfast at the hotel. City tour in Ankara with visits to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at the Citadel area and Anitkabir - the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (founder of the Republic of Turkey, 1881- 1938). A short drive will introduce you to the capital of Turkey with the panoramic Atakule tower, Presidential Palace at Cankaya, the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Ministries.
Lunch at the Bolu Mountains on the way back to Istanbul. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel or at an Indian restaurant.
Breakfast at the hotel. Halfday guided tour. A private cruise on the Bosphorus will introduce us to the rich cultural heritage of the palaces, fortresses, wooden Ottoman villas and lively little fishing villages and famous night spots of the city.Our tour today ends with the Spice Market located next to the New Mosque facing the Galata Bridge spanning across the Golden Horn.
A totally oriental experience with local herbs, spices, Turkish delight, assortments of sweets, dried fruits and souvenirs are on sale. Lunch at a local or Indian restaurant. Pick-up from the hotel and transfer to Istanbul Airport according to the departure time.
Costs
Includes
Excludes
COMMON DOCUMENTS:
ORIGINAL PASSPORT WITH ATLEAST 6 MONTHS VALIDITY AND 4 BLANK PAGES.
PHOTOGRAPH S 4 NOS (3.5 CM X 4.5 CM, WHITE BACKGROUND, 80% FACE).
6 MONTHS LATEST SAVINGS ACCOUNT BANK STATEMENT WITH SUFFICIENT BALANCE OF 01 LAKH PE PERSON ( WITH BANK SEAL & SIGNATURE ).
IF EMPLOYED:
6 MONTHS SALARY SLIPS.
LEAVE SANCTION LETTER ON COMPANY LETTER HEAD FROM THE EMPLOYER MENTIONING THE TOUR.
TAX PAYMENT RECIEPTS FOR 3 YEARS IF ANY.
FIXED DEPOSIT RECIEPTS IF ANY
COPIES OF ANY OTHER FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS.
IF BUSINESS MEN:
6 MONTHS BANK STATEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND PERSONAL.
INCOME TAX RETURNS FOR 3 YEARS (BOTH COMPANY & PERSONAL).
COPY OF REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE FIRM.
COVERING LETTER ON COMPANY LETTER HEAD.
FOR PARTNERSHIP FIRMS:
CONSENT LETTER FROM PARTNERS ON COMPANY LETTER HEAD.
COPY OF THE PARTNERSHIP DEED.
COVERING LETTER ON THE COMPANY LETTER HEAD.
IF RETIRED PERSON:
PENSION PAYEMENT ORDER COPY.
RETIREMENT DOCUMENTS COPY.
IF FOR STUDENTS:
LEAVE SANCTION LETTER FROM THE SCHOOL PERMITTING HIM/ HER FOR THE TOUR. ( BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE FROM SCHOOL ).
COPY OF THE IDENTITY CARD OF THE STUDENT.
IF PRIEST:
BISHOP’S LEAVE SANCTIONED.
PERSONAL COVERING LETTER ON CHURCH LETTER HEAD.
– Should you wish to cancel your booking you must notify Euro Midas Travel Solutions Ltd in
writing. Such notification will only be deemed to have been given on receipt of your letter, since
we can only act on receipt. Please state the reason for your cancellation as you may be covered by
your insurance policy. Claims must however be made direct to your insurance company.
– The following cancellation charges will apply. Where the cancellation charge is shown
as a percentage, this is calculated on the basis of the total cost payable by the Agent.
Days before departure Amount of cancellation charges
notification received. as a % of total tour cost
More than 56 days Deposit
56 to 29 40%
28 to 15 60%
14 to 08 75%
07 to 04 90%
03 to day of departure or later 100%
– No allowance or refund can be made for meals, rooms, excursions etc., included in
the price of your tour but not taken, nor can any refund be made for lost, mislaid
or destroyed travel tickets or vouchers. Part cancellation