ITINERARY FOR TURKEY TRIP
June 15-29, 2008
June 15, 2008 (Sunday)
Depart the U.S.
June 16, 2008 (Monday)
Arrive in Ankara. Dinner at Begendik Caféteria. Visit Kocatepe Mosque. Overnight in Ankara (D)
June 17 2008 (Tuesday)
After visiting the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which there are numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others visit Ataturk Mausoleum. Lunch break at Armada or CE-PA or AnkaMall. Free Afternoon. Overnight in Ankara (B).
June 18, 2008 (Wednesday)
Depart to Cappadocia. Full day excursion in Cappadocia with Kaymakli Underground City, Open Air Museum in Goreme, natural fortress in Uchisar, Zelve region and Avanos and shopping facilities. Overnight in Cappadocia
(B, L, D).
June 19, 2008 (Thursday)
Visit more sites in Cappadocia including carpet and pottery factories. Overnight in Cappadocia (B, L, D).
June 20, 2008 (Friday)
Departure early morning from the hotel and arrive in Hattusas that was the capital of the Hittites for a long time. Before visiting the main capital proceed to Yazilikaya to see the open air sanctuary as the sun light comes on the bas-reliefs direct in the morning. Then lunch in a small restaurant in the town nearby. After lunch visit to the capital of Hattusas with the Lion’s Gate, the Tunnel, the King’s Gate, the Citadel and the Grand Temple. Then continue on to Amasya to visit the Royal Tombs. Overnight Amasya (B, L, D).
June 21. 2008 (Saturday)
In the morning visit Archaeological Museum which also houses some Mongol mummies and then long but a picturesque ride on to Trabzon along the evergreen Black Sea Coast with its charming little port towns as Unye; Ordu, where legend has it that Jason and the Argonauts landed on their quest for the Golden Fleece; Giresun, whose island is said to have once belonged to Amazons. Arrive in Trabzon, the major city of the Black Sea region that was founded by the Miletian colonists. Overnight Trabzon (B, L, D).
June 22. 2008 (Sunday)
Morning visit to the Sumela Monastery, perched high on a cliff face 270 meters above a gorge - its setting makes it look more Tibetan than Turkish. Surrounded by the ruins of the monks’ quarter, is a church covered inside and out with brilliant frescoes. After lunch continue along the Black Sea coast with tea plantation areas and drive inland to see wonderful Uzungol. Overnight in Uzungol (B, L, D).
June 23. 2008 (Monday)
Departure early morning and after a quick visit to Camlihemsin with its picturesque arched stone bridges, and wonderful mountain plateaux of Ayder drive to Kars through Artvin. Overnight Kars (B, L, D).
June 24, 2008 (Tuesday)
Early morning drive and visit Ani ruins near the Armenian border, the centre of the Armenian Kingdom until the 11th century Byzantine conquest. Natural disasters and invasions by Tamerlane of Mongols destroyed much of Ani. Then return to Kars for lunch. Thereafter drive to Dogu Beyazit near Mount Ararat to visit the 16th century Ishak Pasha Palace before proceeding to the hotel for dinner and overnight (B, L, D).
June 25, 2008 (Wednesday)
Early departure to Erzurum, visit Three Tombs and the Grand Mosque. Fly to Istanbul on TK665 at 18.00 via Ankara. On arrival to Istanbul transfer to the hotel (B, L)
June 26, 2008 (Thursday)
A full day tour with St. Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a basilica in 536 by Emperor Justinian; Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its more than 20.000 blue Iznik tiles and unique with its 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet in the 17th century, one of the best examples of classical Turkish art; Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations, and political activities of the old city where one can also see today the “Obelisk of Theodosius” from Egypt, “Serpentine Column” from Delphi, the “German Fountain of Wilhelm II” and the “Colossus”. After the visit to Grand Covered Bazaar, the most attractive shopping center in the world with nearly 4000 shops, time for lunch at Pudding Shop. In the afternoon, proceed to Topkapi Palace - Harem section is excluded -, built in 1468 by Mehmet the Conqueror, the imperial residence of Ottoman sultans housing the souvenirs of 600 years and exhibiting imperial treasury, Chinese porcelains, weapons, calligraphy section, etc. The last visit will be to the Suleymaniye Mosque, masterpiece of Sinan, the chief architect of the Ottoman Empire, built in the name of the Sultan Suleyman, the Magnificent, during the 16th. century, considered as the best amongst the imperial mosques. Return to the hotel. *Turkish night with dinner in Istanbul – Optional, $75 fee is required for the Turkish night (B, L, D).
June 27, 2008 (Friday)
A full day tour to visit the aromatic Spice Bazaar from 1663 with its domed and vaulted shops selling spices and herbs along with a wide variety of commodities, also known as Egyptian Bazaar as it was once endowed with the Cairo imposts. Then proceed to the pier so as to embark the public boat. Sailing through the waterway separating the two continents - Asia and Europe - with a possibility to take pictures of the marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials. During this trip Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges as well as Rumelian Fortress, historical armament built by the Conqueror in 1452 to control and protect Bosphorus, will be visible from the sea. Leaving the boat and getting into the coach to proceed to a restaurant at the lunch time.Thereafter, cross to the Asian side to visit the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans, with its original furniture and magnificent gardens. Then proceed to Camlica Hill (or Nakkastepe) to observe one of the lovely panoramic views of Istanbul. Time permitting; visit Bedesten. Drive back to the hotel (B, L).
June 28, 2008 (Saturday)
Free day in Istanbul
June 29, 2008 (Sunday)
Fly back to the U.S.