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| Day 1 |
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DEPART US
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Depart the U.S for Turkey.
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| Day 2 |
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ARRIVE ISTANBUL
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Arrive in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople and Byzantium), the cultural capital of Turkey. Meet guide and transfer to your hotel. Welcome dinner. D
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| Day 3 |
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ISTANBUL
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Sightseeing visits: Aya Sofya (Haghia Sophia)*, built by the Emperor Justinian in 537 AD as a Christian church, converted to an Islamic mosque in 1453; the Blue Mosque*; the Roman Hippodrome*; the 6th c. Yerebatan Saray (Cistern Basilica), constructed as a Byzantine underground water cistern, using massive pillars from ancient buildings to support the ceiling; Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market and Sadberk Hanim Museum.
Tour magnificent Topkapi Palace, built by Mehmet II in the 15th c. Wonder at the Treasury with the 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond and the emerald-encrusted Topkapi Dagger. Cruise up the Bosphorus. B/L |
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| Day 4 |
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ISTANBUL
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Sightseeing visits: Aya Sofya (Haghia Sophia)*, built by the Emperor Justinian in 537 AD as a Christian church, converted to an Islamic mosque in 1453; the Blue Mosque*; the Roman Hippodrome*; the 6th c. Yerebatan Saray (Cistern Basilica), constructed as a Byzantine underground water cistern, using massive pillars from ancient buildings to support the ceiling; Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market and Sadberk Hanim Museum. Tour magnificent Topkapi Palace, built by Mehmet II in the 15th c. Wonder at the Treasury with the 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond and the emerald-encrusted Topkapi Dagger. Cruise up the Bosphorus. B/L |
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| Day 5 |
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ISTANBUL - KAYSERI - CAPPADOCIA
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Morning flight to Kayseri; drive on to Cappadocia. The Cappadocia region,* important for its geological, as well as its cultural and historical significance. Visit Derinkuyu Underground City. B/D
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| Day 6 |
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CAPPADOCIA
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Tour the Goreme Open Air Museum*, in a valley with hidden monasteries and churches carved into ancient volcanic rock. Visit the underground towns of Uchisar, Urgup, Avanos, Dervent Valley and Pasabag dug to provide shelter and protection, especially during the early days of Christianity. B/L
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| Day 7 |
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CAPPADOCIA – KONYA - PAMUKKALE
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Depart Cappodocia for Konya. En route, stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai, an ancient fortified way station on the silk route. In Konya to visit the Tomb of Mevlana, founder of the Whirling Dervishes and Karatay Medrese. Continue to Pamukkale,* a "natural wonder," since ancient times. B/D |
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| Day 8 |
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PAMUKKALE – KUSADASI
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Experience the calcium travertines (“waterfalls of calcium”) and mineral springs. Visit the archaeological site of Hieropolis,* a Roman spa town. Travel to Kusadasi, stopping en route to visit 2,500-year-old Aphrodisias, famous in the ancient world as a stone-carving center. Arrive at Kusadasi on the Aegean Sea. B/L |
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| Day 9 |
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KUSADASI -EPHESUS – KUSADASI
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Visit the ancient city of Ephesus. Follow in the footsteps of St. Paul and St. John on the marble-paved road of this 3,000 year-old city, passing ruins of the Temple of Hadrian, a theater, Roman baths, houses and the marvelous Library of Celsus. Visit the Basilica of St. John, with the tomb of St. John (who accompanied the Virgin Mary to Ephesus). At Mt. Bulbul see the house where the Virgin Mary is reputed to have spent her last days. Return to Kusadasi. B/D
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| Day 10 |
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KUSADASI – BODRUM
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Travel along the Turkish coast and walk among the ruins of the renowned 3,500-year-old Ionian seaside towns of Priene, Miletus and Didyma. Continue on to Bodrum. B/L
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| Day 11 |
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BODRUM – EMBARK GULLET
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Visit the Castle of St. Peter, built by the knights of St. John of Rhodes, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with ancient objects excavated from local shipwrecks, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (tomb of King Mausolus, ruler of the ancient Kingdom of Caria, from whose name the word Mausoleum derived).
Embark a privately chartered, modern version of the traditional two-masted wooden sailing vessel or “gullet” which used to trade along the coast of Turkey. Anchor overnight during cruise B/D |
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| Day 12 |
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GULLET CRUISE
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Cruise along the spectacular coast known as the Turkish Riviera. Relax with stops at Cokertme, Karaada, and Orak Island. Swim in the clear water. B/L/D |
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| Day 13 |
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GULLET
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Cruise along the spectacular coast known as the Turkish Riviera. Relax with stops at Cokertme, Karaada, and Orak Island. Swim in the clear water. B/L/D |
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| Day 14 |
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BODRUM – ISTANBUL
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Disembark; transfer to the Bodrum Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Visit the 11th c. Kariye (Chora) Church, with Byzantine paintings. Tour the Sulemaniye Complex* of Suleyman the Magnificent. A Farewell Dinner at Kervansaray Restaurant with live entertainment B/D |
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| Day 15 |
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DEPART ISTANBUL
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Board your return flights to the U. S. B
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