Itinerary for May Trip
Travelers have three choices for the May trip:
Option 1 (17 days):
Day 1
Depart from DFW airport
Day 2
Arrive in Ankara. Dinner at Begendik Caféteria. Visit Kocatepe.Mosque. Overnight
in Ankara at Hotel Dedeman. (D)
Day 3
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 at Begendik Cafeteria. Free
Afternoon (Visit Kizilay area and explore shopping at Samanpazari). Overnight in
Ankara at Hotel Dedeman. (B, L)
Day 4
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, D).
Day 5
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, D).
Day 6
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 Rize (B,
D).
Day 7
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, D).
Day 8
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 Bayazit near Mount Ararat to
visit the 16th century Ishak Pasha Palace before proceeding to the hotel for
dinner and overnight (B, D).
Day 9
After breakfast drive to to Van, the capital of the Urartu Kingdom that had
dominated this region from the 13th to 7th centuries BC. On arrival to Van visit
to the Van Castle. In the afternoon half day boat trip to visit the 10th century
Armenian Church on the Akdamar Island. Dinner and overnight in Van at Akdamar
Hotel. (B, D).
Day 10
Early morning drive to Diyarbakir via Tatvan, located on the western shore of
magnificent Lake Van, the largest lake of Turkey. Visit the Malabadi Bridge
before arriving to Diyarbakir. On arrival to the city visit the Grand Mosque and
the celebrated city walls. Dinner and overnight in Diyarbakir (B, D).
Day 11
Drive to Mardin to visit the ancient town with its famous monastery. In the
afternoon proceed to Sanliurfa to visit Harran, lying on the Mesopotamian plain
and one of the oldest continually inhabited places on earth, and visit the
beehive-shaped mud-brick houses dating back to biblical times and a form of
architecture which has not changed since then. The prophet Abraham lived here
for some time. The ruins of the world’s largest ancient Islamic University will
also be seen here. Then drive back to Sanliurfa, the birth place of Abraham, and
overnight (B, D) Dinner at a restaurant outside the hotel).
Day 12
In the morning visit to the ancient town with the Bazaar and Fish Lake. After an
early lunch drive to Adiyaman via the huge Ataturk Dam. Late afternoon climb up
the Nemrut Mountain to view the stupendous colossal statues, lions and eagles on
top of the Nemrut Mountain (2.150 metres) at sunset. Antiochus I, the Kommagene
king, believed himself to be descendant of Apollo, so he built a colossal statue
of himself along with those of other Gods like Zeus and Apollo. Dinner and
overnight in Adiyaman or Kahta (B, D).
Day 13
Drive to Gaziantep. Visit to Gaziantep Museum and Zeugma from the 2nd and 3rd
centuries A.D., provided barracks for the Roman Legions along the quiet banks of
the Euphrates River. Overnight in Gaziantep (B, D)
Day 14
Optional day trip to
Syria (Allepo)
as per following program ($200
p.p.). Those who will not sign up for this optional tour will drive south
through the mountains to Antakya, ancient Antioch, declared as a holy site by
Vatican in 1983.
05.30 Pick up from the hotel in Gaziantep and depart for Kilis Oncupinar to get
through the customs
07.00 Arrive in Syria border
08.00 Meet the Syrian guide at the border and depatrure for Allepo (60 kms)
09.15 Breakfast at Allepo
10.30 Panoramic Allepo tour followed by Ummayad Mosque and an Armenian church.
12.00 2 hours free time for shopping at the Grand Bazaar dating from Ottomans
14.30 Lunch
16.30 Visit to the Allepo Castle from the Romans
17.00 1 hour free time at Allepo Market
18.00 Sightseeing in the new city to see the differences between the two sides
19.00 Dinner
20.30 Departure for Antakya
22.30 Arrive in back to Turkey
23.45 Get to the hotel in Antakya
Day 15
Visit the Antakya Mosaic Museum which houses one of the best collections of
roman mosaics in the world; St. Peter’s Grotto, the earliest Christian church
ever built. Drive on Adana Airport to fly to Istanbul. On arrival to Istanbul
transfer to the hotel (B, D).
Optional Turkish night with dinner in Istanbul ($105 is required to
cover the cost of admission, food, drinks and transportation)
Day 16
A morning 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 boat. Starting the cruise from the
Golden Horn and 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 cruise Çırağan Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace,
Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges will be visioned. Leaving the boat in
Tarabya or Sarıyer and getting into the coach to proceed to the Rumelian
Fortress, historical armament built by the Conqueror in 1452 to control and
protect Bosphorus. After the visit to this unique example of military
architecture transfer to the hotel and end of services. After lunch proceed to
Topkapi Palace - 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.(B, L).
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 17
Transfer to the airport for the departure flight to the USA.
Option 2 (12 Days):
----- The same as far as 17 May 2010
18 May 2010 (Tuesday)
Transfer to the Sanliurfa airport for TK2247 departing at 09:40 to arrive in Istanbul at 11:30. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to the hotel (B)
19 May 2010 (Wednesday)
Transfer to the airport (Istanbul extension can be added at an extra cost) (B)
Option 3 (10 Days):
----- The same as far as 15 May 2010
16 May 2010 (Sunday)
Early morning drive to Diyarbakir via Tatvan, located on the western shore of magnificent Lake Van, the largest lake of Turkey. Visit the Malabadi Bridge before arriving to Diyarbakir. On arrival to the city visit the Grand Mosque and the celebrated city walls. Transfer to Diyarbakir airport for TK2611 departing at 21:50 to arrive in Istanbul at 23:50. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to the hotel (B)
17 May 2010 (Monday)
Transfer to the airport (Istanbul extension can be added at an extra cost) (B)
For a general idea about the trip route, see the following map. The map is not for scale