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ITINERARY
Day 1 Thu: Istanbul - Arrival
Arrival transfer. Welcome
briefing. Rest of the day free.
Day 2 Fri: Istanbul
Full day tour to include some of
the most famous tourist sites: the Topkapi Palace (excluding
harem), the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia
and the colorful Grand Bazaar.
Optional:
Dinner with belly dancing entertainment. (B)
Day 3 Sat: Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia
Morning flight to Ankara. There we visit the world famous Anatolian
Civilization Museum and the Ataturk Mausoleum, the burial place of the
Turkish hero. After a picturesque drive along Salt Lake, visit the 13th
century Agzikarahan caravanserai. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)
Day 4 Sun: Cappadocia
After breakfast, visit the Pigeon Valley near Uchisar, then proceed to the
open air museum of Goreme where you will see early Christian churches with
unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Visit Kaymakli -
underground city where early Christians hid from prosecutors. Chance for
shopping for handcrafts in the famous pottery making village, Avanos.
Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)
Day 5 Mon: Cappadocia - Tarsus - Adana
After breakfast, drive through Tarsus Mountains to Adana. En route we
visit St. Paul's house and well and Cleopatra's Triumphal Arc in the
famous city of St. Paul, Tarsus. Overnight in Adana. (B, D)
Day 6 Tue: Adana - Antakya
Today, we make our way to the lovely town of Antakya. In the afternoon we
visit the second largest Museum of Mosaics in the world. Visit the 1st
century AD Church of St. Peter. Overnight in Antakya. (B, D)
Day 7 Wed: Antakya - Kahta
After a scenic drive to Kahta, check-into the hotel and in the
afternoon, climb up to the mountain to see colossal statues of pagan gods
and goddesses. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset. (B, D)
Day 8 Thu: Kahta - Ataturk Dam - Harran - Sunliurfa
Today we travel to Ataturk Dam which is the 4th largest project
in the world. In the afternoon we continue to Harran, the place where God
talked to Abraham. Also we visit Sunliurfa Balikli Gol. (B, D)
Day 9 Fri: Sunliurfa - Mardin
Drive to Mardin and visit Deyr-ul Zaferan Monastery. We return to
Mardin for a walking tour, including Kadim Kirklar Monastery and the
famous Archeological and Ethnographical Open Air Museum under the
protection of UNESCO. (B, D)
Day 10 Sat: Mardin - Hagan Kehf - Akdamar Island - Van
In the morning we drive to Hasan Kehf. Then we take a small boat
trip to Akdamar Island in lake Van. There we visit Akdamar Church on which
facade is carved one of the most complete collection of Old Testament
scenes. Late afternoon tour of Van. (B, D)
Day 11 Sun: Van - Mt. Ararat - Kars - Van
Our first sightseeing is at Dogu Beyazit. We will observe the
beauty of Mt. Ararat from a distance. Then we continue to Ishak Pasa
Palace which is one of the oldest and most complete palace complexes in
the world. At sunset, enjoy the view of Van Lake from the prehistoric
Urartian Castle. We drive back to Van for a flight back to Istanbul. (B,
D)
PRICES Per person in US$ or Euro*
| 2007 Departure Dates |
per person in double |
Single Supplement |
| May 24; Sep 27; Oct 11 |
1625 |
294 |
* Euro rate varies depending on the exchange rate
Two domestic flights are included in the price
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