Turkey Sample Itinerary
Day
1: Arrive in Istanbul
Your driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in historic Sultanahmet. You'll have time to refresh with apple tea and a quick shower. This afternoon visit the magnificent Haghia Sophia, and then continue to the marvelous Topkapi palace, that served as the palace of the Ottoman Sultans between the 16th and 19th centuries.Visit the Treasury, where the extensive exhibits include priceless world-class collections of jewelry, porcelain, textiles and costumes of the Sultans, as well as to the Harem quarters, which is an absolute highlight. Have lunch in one of the special traditional restaurants in Topkapi. Then we continue to visit the famous Blue Mosque, the Byzantine Hippodrome and the incredible Underground Cistern. Rest of the day is at leisure. If you're in the market for a carpet we highly recommend our friend Cengiz at Galeri Cengiz. They are professionals with a great selection. Test your bargaining skills! A mention of Cartolina Tours may get you a discount.. This evening try one of the quaint little restaurants in the neighborhood around your hotel.
Day 2: Istanbul
Morning is at your leisure to sleep in – perhaps get a Turkish bath, or, at 9:30 a.m. go with one of our guides to carpet shop or to see a few other of Istanbul's sights. At 2:00 meet your guide for an excursion to the old area of Galata and Ortakoy.
Day 3: Istanbul
Today you'll take a tour specially designed to discover the hidden
treasures of many out of the way, spectacular, interesting and realistic
sights
of Istanbul. First you explore the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi), the
world's oldest "shopping mall", to look for treasures in
its 4000 shops. After then we will go to the Suleyman's Mosque complex,
the second largest but by far the finest and most magnificiant of the
imperial mosque complexes in the city. It is a fitting monument to
its founder, Suleyman the magnificent, and a master work of the greatest
of Ottoman architects, the incomparable Sinan.
After which we visit the most interesting Byzantine churches in the
city the Church of the Holy Savior of Chora, called in Turkish, Kariye
Camii. The mosaics and frescoes are by far the most important and extensive
series of Byzantine paintings in the city and among the best and most
beautiful in the world. After a break for lunch in a typical restaurant
along the Golden Horn our next stop will be the famous Pierre Loti
Café, where we will enjoy a traditional Turkish coffee, and
the amazing view on the Golden Horn.
Day 4: Istanbul
10:00 a.m. This morning tour and taste your way through
the
spice market – have a very light breakfast. Afternoon on your
own to shop or rest.
Day 5: Ephesus
Early morning transfer from the hotel to the airport to fly to Izmir. This afternoon we'll tour Ephesus, the best-preserved and restored ancient city in Turkey, which is known to be the Commercial, the Religious and the Social Center of Antiquity. We'll begin with a visit to The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Continue and explore the ancient city of Ephesus with its Great Theatre with a capacity of 24.000 spectators and Celsius Library, the Fountains of Trajan, the Temple of Hadrian and Domition, and Private Houses, the Basilica of St. John and the nearby Archaeological Museum. Then we shall visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent her final days.
Day 6: To your Gulet!
Morning transfer from Seluk to Fethiye Harbour. We will stop along the way and have a private guided tour of one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman stadiums in the world. This afternoon, board your Gulet, and have a briefing about the boat and your upcoming cruise. Tonight, dinner and a belly dancing performance in the town of Fethiye.
Day 7, 8, 9, 10, 11: Along the Gulf of Fethiye
Explore the towns and sites on the Gulf of Fethiye. There is plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, and shopping. Dinners will be on board.
Day 12: Back to Istanbul
Morning transfer from gulet to Dalaman airport, fly to Istanbul. Transfer to your hotel is included. Enjoy a special dinner on your last night in Istanbul.
Day 13: Depart Turkey
Leave Turkey with a new found appreciation for the country and its people.