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HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY
 Day 1: New York / Istanbul
We take our overnight flight from JFK-New York to Istanbul. Meals and beverages served on board.
 Day 2: Istanbul
Arrival in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. After clearing the customs, we meet our tour guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Istanbul. (D)
 Day 3: Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, we will start our full day Istanbul tour. Istanbul is the only city in the world that bridges Europe and Asia, and we will explore some of Istanbul's many treasures that bridge the past and present. Our first stop will be the ancient Hippodrome, where chariot races and athletic events took place during the Roman Period. Next, visit Istanbul's most famous treasure - the Blue Mosque, named for the beautiful Iznik tiles which give the mosque its interior color, and the Museum of
Hagia Sophia, a Christian cathedral built in 536 AD. Later, to the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans. After lunch, we will visit the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, built at the peak of the Ottoman Empire and decorated with baroque paintings. At the end of the tour we will have an opportunity to shop in the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered market places in the world. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)(L)(D)
 Day 4: Istanbul / Gallipoli / Canakkale
After early breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Gallipoli. We will visit Kabatepe Museum, Brighton Beach, ANZAC Cove, ANZAC Commerative Site, Ariburnu and Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), Quinns Post, Baby 700, The Nek, Chunk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Overnight in Canakkale. (B)(L)(D)
 Day 5: Canakkale / Troy / Kusadasi
After breakfast we will drive to Troy. Troy, with its 4,000 years of history, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Nine cities have been discovered built one on top of the other dating back to 3500 BC. The first excavations at the site were undertaken by the famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in 1870. In scientific terms, its extensive remains are the most significant demonstration of the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world. Moreover, the siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece in the 13th or 12th century BC, immortalized by Homer in the Iliad, has inspired great creative artists throughout the world ever since. We will visit the famous archeological and mythological site of Troy, home of the Trojan horse and Helen of Troy.
After that, we will drive to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B)(L)(D)
 Day 6: Kusadasi / Ephesus / Kusadasi
Drive through the colorful town of Kusadasi to reach Mt. Koressos. Situated in a small valley, it is here where we will visit the humble chapel which lies on the site of the little house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days.. Continue on to Ancient Ephesus and walk through the Magnesian Gate which is the entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus. See the Odeon (concert hall), the fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastica, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the library of Celsus and The Great Theatre, where the St. Paul preached, which is the largest theater in antiquity having a capacity of 25,000 people is still in use today for concerts. Then visit the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the World). Our last stop here is to visit the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th century AD by the Emperor Justinian. Drive to Kusadasi for Overnight. (B)(L)(D)
 Day 7: Kusadasi / Hierapolis / Pamukkale
After breakfast, we will drive to Pamukkale; to see the beautiful snow-white "frozen waterfalls" and the Roman thermal baths. We will visit the ancient city of Hierepolis, the Apollo Temple, theater, main streets
and gates and Necropolis. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B)(L)(D)
 Day 8:
Pamukkale / Cappadocia
Today after early breakfast at the hotel we will drive
to Cappadocia and our first stop will be Dervent Valley, where the elements have eroded the stone into peaks, cones and obelisks called fairy chimneys. Pasabagi, the three-capped chimney in the middle of valley was the retreat to the monk Simeon. Visit Avanos and experience pottery making. After Lunch, we will drive to Goreme National Park an open-air museum with its Byzantine churches carved into cliffs with its colorful frescoes dating back to the 7th century. Today our last stop will be the Citadel of Uchisar
and Pigeon Valley. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B)(L)(D)
 Day 9: Cappadocia
Full day in tour Cappadocia. Today our first stop is Derinkuyu. This is an underground city carved into soft rocks resembling a huge labyrinth of tunnels, rooms, kitchens, wine cellars and passageways. A huge chimney ventilates this 8-levelled dwelling, which was used by early Christians to hide from Roman and Byzantine persecutors. Continue to Kizilcukur Valley and Cavusin. After lunch, visit the Ortahisar Valley. We will transfer to Kayseri for a flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)(L)(D)
 Day 10: Istanbul
This morning we will take a Cruise on the Bosporus the winding strait that separates Europe from Asia. Enjoy the view of the old wooden villas, marble palaces and the ancient fortresses. You will have
a chance to explore the city on your own for the rest of the day. Farewell dinner at the hotel. (B)(L)(D)
 Day 11: Istanbul / New York
Today after breakfast in the hotel we transport to the airport and begin our journey home. We take with us new friendships, memories and inspiration to last a lifetime. (B)
Tour Includes:
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10 Nights in 4/5 star hotels
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9 Dinners,
8 Lunches and 9 Breakfasts
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Ground transportation by A/C buses or
minivans depending on the size of the group
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Site seeing as indicated in the
itinerary with English speaking guide throughout the tour
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All entrance fees to museums
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Hotel taxes, service charges, and
baggage handling
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International airfare from New York to
Istanbul
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Bilingual Elegant Adventure tour leader
throughout the tour
Price:
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Double occupancy per person price: $2,950. Airport taxes
$200-$450 not included in the price.
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