Istanbul, Adana, Tarsus, Alanya, Antalya, Pamukkale Laodicea, Hierapolis, Ephesus,
Izmir, Philadelphia, Smyrna Thyateria, Pergamon, Troy, Gallipoli,
Tour (
11 Nights / 12 Days)
DAY 01 :
Arrival to Istanbul Airport and meet for transfer to hotel
Rest of the day at leisure (as per your flight arrival time)
Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 02 :
08:30 Meet in the hotel lobby for departure on the full day regular
group tour to visit
The Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Topkapi Palace (excluding extra entrance
to Harem room), Hippodrome & Obelisk
and the Grand Bazaar. At the end of the tour return transfer to
hotel with the evening at leisure
Overnight in Istanbul (B,L)
DAY 03 :
Breakfast at hotel, check out and meet for transfer on to Istanbul
Airport
08:20 Departure on the domestic flight from Istanbul to Adana
09:55 On arrival meet with your PRIVATE tour minibus with driver
and guide to begin the next few days touring. After check-in to
the hotel we move on to visit ancient Antioch, also known as Antakya,
(Biblical References: Acts 6:5, 11:19-20, 11:26, 13:1-3, 15:1-2,
22-25) which lies on the Orontes River in a fertile plain surrounded
by mountains. Once the capital of the Seleucid Kings, it was notorious
for its wealth and luxury. It featured prominently in early Christianity
and St. Barnabas, St.Paul and St. Peter all visited & preached
here. You’ll enter Antioch through the actual gate called Iron
Gate situated at the South of the church. In 1983 the St. Pierre
Church was declared a holy site by the Vatican. The day also includes
a visit to the Mosaic Museum that is considered one of the best
in world. Late return to Adana with dinner at the hotel, evening
at leisure
Overnight
in Adana (B,L,D)
DAY 04 :
(Biblical References for Tarsus: Acts: 9:11, 30, 11:25, 21:39,
22:3, 25-29)
In the morning we depart for Tarsus situated East of Mersin,
and known as the birthplace of St. Paul. Of ancient origin, the
city
was invaded and destroyed on several occasions and only a few
monuments of particular interest remain: The Cleopatra Gate through
which Mark Anthony and Cleopatra passed when they came to Tarsus
to meet, St Paul’s Church and the Ottoman Ulucami. You’ll get
the feel of bygone days by walking through narrow streets past
old houses to find St. Paul’s Well. En route to Tarsus we can
also make a stop at the Eski Gumus Monastery. After visting in
Tarsus proceed to Alanya. Along the way you'll see Korykos Island & the
Kizkulesi, the symbol of the Eastern Mediterranean. Arrival to
Alanya, check-in to hotel and evening at leisure (LONG DAY)
Overnight
in Alanya (B,L,D)
DAY 05 :
Today we drive from Alanya towards Antalya. Enroute we will visit
the famous Aspendos Theatre, the ruins of ancient Perge, the ancient
city of Side. Check-in, evening at leisure
Overnight in Antalya (B,L,D)
DAY 06 :
Today we depart for Pamukkale, declared a world heritage site
by UNESCO and where you will find the natural formation of the
travertens. Here you will also find the ruins of Hierapolis (Biblical
Ref: Colossians 2:18, 4:13) and visit Laodicea (Revelations 3:14-22),
one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelations.
Evening
at leisure.
Overnight in Pamukkale (B,L,D)DAY 07 :
Drive from Pamukkale on to Selcuk where we will start with a visit
to the Ancient City of Ephesus (Revelations 1:11, 2:1-7, Acts
18:19-28, 19:1-41, Ephesians). This city was once the commercial
center of the ancient world and is one of the most famous highlights
of Turkey. The 3rd Ecumenical Council was held in Ephesus under
Emperor Theodosius II (grandson of Theodosius the Great) at which
200 Bishops were present. Also during the day we will make visits
to the Basilica of St.
John, House of Virgin Mary’s & Artemis
Temple. After touring we make our way to Izmir for check-in to
the hotel.
Overnight
in Izmir (B,L,D)
DAY 8 :
Today visit Izmir City with the St Polycarp Church, Bayrakli
which was originally established in the 3rd Millenium BC, Alexander
the Great’s Velvet Castle & Agora
from whre you can have spectacular views of Izmir Bay, the Ethnography
Museum where you can find simply everything related to the Turkish
Culture as well as the culture of the Aegean people. Time also
for strolling through Kemeralti area and its bazaar with many
historical buildings such as churches, mosques, ancient shops,
fountains, etc.
Overnight in Izmir (B,L,D)
DAY 09 :
After breakfast and check out, depart to visit the ruins of Thyatira
(founded by the Lydians), Sardes (wealthy capital of the Lydian
Empire) and Philadelphia (important for the spreading of thought
patterns and activities of the Hellenistic civilisation and christian
faith). Our day will end on arrival to Bergama (Biblical References:
Thyatira Revelation: 2:18-29 Acts 16:14, Sardes Revelation: 3:1-6,
Philadelphia Revelation: 3:7-13)
Overnight in Bergama (B,L,D)
DAY 10 :
Today we'll depart for Canakkale after having visited the ruins
of Pergamum which include the Acropol, Asclepion and Theatre.
We’ll go via the coastal route and a stop at the “Seytan Sofrasi”
near Ayvalik can be included for some panoramic views over the
land and sea. Just before reaching Canakkale we will make a visit
to legendary Troy.
Overnight
in Canakkale (B,L,D)
DAY 11 :
Breakfast, check out and then cross the Dardanelles by car ferry
to visit the Battlefields and Memorials of Gallipoli. Arrival
to Istanbul in the late afternoon, evening at leisure
Overnight in Istanbul (B,L)
DAY 12 :
Breakfast, check out and as per your international flight time
transfer to Istanbul Airport
ITINERARY & PACKAGE RATE
INCLUDES:
Accommodation:
-03 nights in Istanbul 4* hotel with breakfast (historical city
centre)
-01 nights in Adana 4* hotel with breakfast and dinner
-01 nights in Alanya 4* hotel with breakfast and dinner
-01 nights in Antalya 4* hotel with breakfast and dinner
-01 nights in Pamukkale 4* hotel with breakfast and dinner
-02 nights in Izmir 4* hotel with breakfast and dinner
-01 nights in Pergamum 3* hotel with breakfast and dinner
-01 nights in Canakkale 4* hotel with breakfast and dinner
Sightseeing Tours:
-01 full day regular group Istanbul Sightseeing Tour which includes
guiding in english,
main entrance fees to sights, lunch at local restaurant (drinks extra), tour
transport
-09 days PRIVATE touring starting from arrival to Adana Airport ending on arrival
back to Istanbul from Canakkale and includes the following services:
*English speaking Professional guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
*A/C tour minibus with driver, fuel, road tolls and parking fees
*Main entrances to sights visited during the tour programme
*Lunch on each day at local restaurants (drinks extra)
*Guide and drivers accommodation, meals
(tips not included, for your own discretion)
Domestic Flight Tickets:
-One way flight from Istanbul to Adana using Turkish Airlines, economy class
incl taxes
Transfers:
-All required transfers between the hotel and airport in İstanbul
PACKAGE RATE:
2815Euro per person based on
02 adults during the private
touring section, valid for travel April 2009 till October 2009
2050Euro per person based on 04 adults during
the private
touring section, valid for travel April 2009 till October 2009
1785Euro per person based on 06 adults during
the private
touring section, valid for travel April 2009 till October 2009