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         TURKEY PRIVATE ADVENTURE

TURKEY PRIVATE ADVENTURE ITINERARY:

DAY 1 ~ Arrive in Istanbul
Arrive at any time at the Istanbul Airport. A Mountain Travel Sobek representative will meet you and transfer you to the Arcadia Hotel or the Tashkonak Hotel in the old part of the town overlooking the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. Both are located near the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque and within walking distance of the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. The remainder of the day is free to rest and relax, or explore the city on your own.   Tashkonak Hotel or similar

DAY 2 ~ The Bosphoros
Morning scenic cruise on the Bosphorus, the strait connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. The ferry stops on both the Asian and European sides for several times during the one-hour cruise. Later, we visit the Rumeli Fortress, a waterfront Ottoman castle built in 1452 to prevent enemy naval reinforcements and protect the city (Mehmet the Conqueror succeeded in taking Istanbul in 1453). Today it is a museum. Return to old city by taxi to visit the spice market where all kind of herbs have been sold since the 15th century. In the late afternoon, you'll return to your hotel on foot through old streets and markets.   Breakfast, Lunch...Arcadia Hotel or Tashkonak Hotel (or similar)

DAY 3 ~ Highlights of Old Town
Today you'll discover the ancient monuments of Istanbul. You'll start with a tour of the Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years, with its fabulous collections of jewels and other artifacts. You will also visit the Harem section, which is another palace inside the Topkapi, where you will hear about the history of eunuchs and the high education of the concubines. After lunch, you will continue the tour with a visit to Hagia Sophia, originally built as a church by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and used as a mosque during the Ottoman era until 1935 (today it's a museum encompassing both Christianity and Islam). You'll also visit the Blue Mosque, famous for its beautiful blue tiles decorating the interior walls. It was built in the 17th century and both it and Hagia Sophia are considered masterpieces of their period. Next on the itinerary is the Basilica cistern, the best known and the largest of the closed cisterns built under the Justinian basilica in the 6th century. Later, we will discover the highlights of the ancient hippodrome, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and others. Breakfast, Lunch...Arcadia Hotel or Tashkonak Hotel (or similar)

DAY 4 ~ Art and Architecture of the Ottomans
Your day starts with a visit to the Islamic Art Museum, where we will see major pieces of Islamic art and ethnographic textiles gathered from all over the country. Later we will walk to the Covered Bazaar, a labyrinth of streets filled with all sorts of tempting items to purchase: harem bracelets, colorful carpets, hand-painted ceramics, and more (it's said there are 3,000 shops!). Afternoon walk through the old streets and trade areas to the mosque complex of Suleiman the Magnificent, the most famous piece of Islamic art of the Ottoman Renaissance and built by the great architect Sinan. After lunch, you'll visit the Jewish settlement of Ottoman Turkey from the 16th century on. The 14th-century Galata Tower will provide a perfect view of the Golden Horn and Sea of Marmara with part of the Bosphoros. We may also visit a couple of artisan workshops in the area.  Breakfast, Lunch...Arcadia Hotel or Tashkonak Hotel (or similar)

DAY 5 ~ Cappadocia
Transfer to the domestic terminal of Istanbul's airport and fly to Kayseri. Your guide will meet you upon arrival and begin your tour in the valley. This is surely one of the most beautiful and unusual spots in the world, with a moon-like landscape boasting a variety of weird but interesting natural formations, including pyramid-shaped rocks and sensuously carved fertile valleys that are volcanic in origin. We'll pass through the village of Taskin Pasa, and have lunch in an old Greek house in Sinasos. After checking into the hotel, you'll visit one of the local underground cities carved from the volcanic tufa to a depth of eight to ten stories (some of these cities were once populated by as many as 2,500 people), then drive to a couple of valleys for panoramic views and a wine tasting at a local cellar.  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...Serinn Hotel or Kayadam Hotel (or similar)

DAY 6 ~ Highlights of Cappadocia
The day starts with a visit to the Göreme Valley and its Open Air Museum, including reconstructed Dark Church with its preserved frescos. (This whole valley is the place where early Christianity flourished.) We'll also visit one of the underground clay pottery workshops to see how the pottery is produced just as was done in ancient times. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will walk up to Uchisar Castle with its panoramic views of the Cappadocia region, and walk in an area of pointed rock formations known as the Fairy Chimneys. Return to the hotel. (Note—By request and if space is available, we can arrange a hot-air balloon ride for you in the early morning at an additional cost of $250.)  Breakfast, Lunch...Serrin Hotel or Kayadam Hotel (or similar)

DAY 7 ~ Return to Istanbul
After breakfast, transfer to the Kayseri airport and fly to Istanbul (a 45-minute flight). A Mountain Travel Sobek representative will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to your hotel. If you should decide to return home from Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport at this time, please be sure to schedule your departure flight for after 12 noon. If you would like to stay in Istanbul to explore on your own, a Mountain Travel Sobek representative will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to the hotel of your choice (cost of hotel is additional and not included in the Land Cost of your trip).  Breakfast...

Stay a Little Longer
Prefer a Group Adventure?  Check out our Europe, or other individual travel on your own. We also offer the following great extensions!

Ephesus
Ephesus, the great city of antiquity, is one of the best archaeological sites in Turkey. On this two-day post-trip tour, you'll take an afternoon flight to Izmir from Istanbul and transfer to Seljuk. The next morning you'll meet your guide for a tour of the extensive ruins of this ancient city, including the archaeological museum, where the magnificent marble Artemis statues (also known as Cybele and Diana) and other antiquities from Ephesus can be seen, the Isabey Mosque (A.D. 1375), the only one with a walled open courtyard and transept dome, and the Basilica of St. John. At the end of the day you'll fly back to Istanbul. Tour cost is from $450 per person (2 guests), plus internal airfare of approximately $100 (subject to change). Please call us for the details.

Turquoise Coast Cruise
If you are traveling with a group of at least six people, you may wish to combine this trip with a scenic cruise along the Turquoise Coast by chartering your own private gulet (a traditional two-masted motorized yacht). The gulet is a floating oasis that allows you to explore some of the country's ruins best approached from the sea. You'll also swim and snorkel in warm, jewel-blue waters; feast on lavish spreads served on the open deck; and sleep peacefully at night while anchored in placid, pine-scented coves. We recommend reserving this extension at least 6-8 months in advance. Please call for details.
 
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