|
|
Tours in Turkey
Topkapi Palace: The largest and oldest palace in the world, Topkapi is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. With its harem (additional cost), treasury and exotic buildings overlooking the Golden Horn, your visit to Topkapi promises to be a truly fascinating experience. (closed on Tuesday) Grand Bazaar: In operation since the 14th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world's largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. The bazaar is specially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets. (closed on Sunday additional time will be spent at the other locations)
A visit to Gallipoli is a moving experience for all visitors to Turkey, particularly for those from the ANZAC nations of Australia and New Zealand. If you are short on time but do not want to miss out on visiting this famous part of the country, a day trip from Istanbul is the perfect option for you. Depart Istanbul in the early morning for the drive to Gallipoli (approx. 5 hours). On the way your English speaking guide will tell you the history of the ANZACs and prepare you to make the most of your time during your visit. Visit ANZAC Cove, the site of the famous battle between Allied and Turkish troops where heavy casualties were suffered on both sides. See the Turkish and Allied Trenches at Johnston's Jolly. See The Nek, a narrow stretch of ridge in the battlefield on the Gallipoli peninsula and the New Zealand Memorial at Chunuk Bair, site of one of New Zealand's epic stands on the Gallipoli peninsula in August 1915. There will also be a visit to Lone Pine Cemetery and Memorial named after the solitary pine tree that grew here. The beautiful landscape and quiet atmosphere of the site hides its horrific past. On the memorial you will find the names of 4221 Australian and 709 New Zealand soldiers who have no known grave.
Succumb to the spectacular sight of Pamukkale, a unique natural wonder with dazzling white petrified lime cascades. At the ancient city of Hierapolis explore its Theater, a 2nd century AD building in Roman style. You'll also see the exceptional Necropolis, the largest ancient cemetery in Anatolia. In the morning you will leave Izmir behind and drive to Pamukkale. This amazing place is a beautiful and spectacular natural site, unique in the world with its fairylike, dazzling white, petrified lime cascades. There you will see the thermal spring water laden with calcareous salt, plunging down the mountain side which has created this natural formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. The thermal water has been used since the Roman period for its therapeutic powers. Next you will visit the Roman city of Hierapolis, which is not located not on earth or rock, but on solid limestone layers formed by limestone water that flowed for centuries over this raised level plateau. The name means sacred city, and according to Stephanus of Byzantium the city was given this name because of the large number of temples it contained. While here you will visit the Apollo Temple competing with Delphi, Monumental Nympheum (a 4th century Basilica) and the Theatre. After visiting the best preserved Necropolis, return to Izmir.
A half day city sightseeing tour is the perfect introduction to Antalya on the Mediterranean Sea, an area known as the Turquoise Coast. The highlights on this four-hour tour include a visit to Hadrianus Gate, Clock Tower, Republican Square and finally Antalya Archaeological Museum. The tour includes Hadrianus Gate from the time of Roman Emperor, Hadrian, Clock Tower, Palm Street, Old Town with Marina, Republican Square and finally Antalya Archaeological Museum. This is where Antalya's several thousand years of history is laid out before you in chronological order. The tour concludes with shopping facilities where you can purchase local goods and services.
Explore the best preserved ancient city in Turkey on a Full Day Tour to Ephesus. The Commercial, Religious and Social Center of Antiquity, Ephesus is full of spectacular ruins such as Fountains of Trojan, Polio, The Temples of Hadrian and Domition, Library of Celsius, Bouloterion and the Great Theatre. Visit Ephesus which is known to be Commercial, the Religious and Social Center of Antiquity, and one of the highlights of any visit in Turkey. With the mythological stories and spectacular ruins you will feel the life in ancient Ephesus. You will visit the Fountains of Trojan, Polio, The Temples of Hadrian and Domition, Private House, the Library of Celsius, Various and Scholastic Baths, Bouloterion and the Great Theatre with capacity of 24.000 spectators. After enjoying the Turkish cuisine at lunch, you will visit the House of Virgin Mary, where she spent last days of her life. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus before returning to Kusadasi where you tour concludes.
Breathe in the heady mix of spices and herbs in the Egyptian Bazaar, then take an invigorating cruise on the Bosphorus for superb views of the magical city of Istanbul. You'll cruise past the famous Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces, and see the historic European and Asian shores. Afterwards you can visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum or the 15th-century Rumelihisar Fortress. You begin your adventure with a visit to the 17th-century Spice Bazaar one of Istanbul's most colorful and bustling attractions. Breathe in the heady mix of spices and herbs in the Egyptian Bazaar, Next you'll take an invigorating cruise on the Bosphorus for superb views of the magical city of Istanbul. You'll cruise past the famous Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces, and see the historic European and Asian shores, you can also admire the mosques, fortresses, 19th-century masions and Sultan's fanciful gingerbread palaces and hunting lodges. After your cruise you'll have the chance to visit the 15th-century Rumelihisar Fortress. Egyptian Bazaar: Built in 1660 with the taxes collected from the trade of Egyptian herbs and spices, the exotically domed bazaar is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint and thyme. Browse the stalls and compare the prices. Rumelihisar Fortress: Built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452, the castle was built at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus in order to isolate the city of Istanbul, prior to its invasion in 1453. Following the fall of Istanbul, the north tower was used as a prison.
Visit the Bursa, the birthplace of modern Turkish culture and the first capital of the Ottoman empire, on this private day trip from Istanbul. Visit the Green Mosque (Yesil Camii) and the neighboring Green Tomb (Yesil Turbe), both world-renowned for their superb tile decoration, as well as the late 14th-century Great Mosque and the Koza Han, which for centuries was the center of the silk trade. Travel by ferry to Yalova before joining your coach to continue by road to Bursa. First stop is the early 15th-century Green Mosque (Yesil Camii) and the Green Tomb (Yesil Turbe), where Sultan Mehmet I was buried in 1421. Visit the imperial Great Mosque (Ulu Cami), with its 20 domes and 12 massive pillars built in the Seljuk style in 1399. After lunch at an elegant kebab restaurant, you will visit the Bazaar and the Koza Han where merchants from all over the world have met for centuries to trade silk cocoons. Travel by cable car to visit Uludag mountain where you can admire panoramic views of Bursa and the fertile plains below. Continue by coach to Cumalikizik Village's beautifully preserved early Ottoman private homes. Bursa city was known as the city of green in Turkey due to the numerous amounts of different tones of this color up on the legendary mountain of Olympos.
Discover Imperial Istanbul on this half-day sightseeing tour. Visit Hagia Sophia, which is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world, the Blue Mosque Hippodrome with its Egyptian Obelisk, a remarkable pink granite monument built 3,500 years ago by an Egyptian pharaoh. Last but not least, experience the Grand Bazar of Istanbul. Well recovered for over 1,500 years, Hagia Sophia is named as one of the most remarkable museums in the world. Two stories of ancient history confronts everyone in this well preserved structure. The next stop will be at the Blue Mosque Hippodrome just in the middle of the Sultan Ahmed area including the impressive ancient Egyptian Obelisk. After leaving the Blue Mosque Hippodrome, you will finally have the opportunity to do some haggling at the Grand Bazaar, with it's 4400 shops. Please note: The Grand Bazaar is not open on Sundays.
Istanbul by night means floodlit mosques, a fabulous Turkish dinner and a spectacular floorshow with bejeweled belly dancers. It's the ultimate Turkish experience.
Highlights
On your evening out in Istanbul you will be picked up from your hotel and privately transferred to a first-class restaurant for dinner. The fabulous four-course dinner includes a Turkish dessert, followed by an exotic floor show. You'll be entertained by belly dancers and an Anatolian cultural folklore group.
No trip to Turkey is complete without exploring the ancient ruins of Ephesus - the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. You will also visit the final resting place of the Virgin Mary on this day trip from Izmir. On your way to Ephesus, you will stop at St Johns Basilica atop Ayasuluk Hill built in honor of the Saint who wrote his gospel on this very hill. See the 4th-century tomb where his remains are said to be housed. The ancient city of Ephesus was an important center for early Christianity. In the book of Revelation, Ephesus was one of the seven churches addressed by Christ in a vision. It is here that you will find the Temple of Artemis, considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Your guide will also show you the Great Theatre, the Library of Celsus and many temples. After enjoying some authentic Turkish cuisine at lunch, you will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent the last days of her life. Authenticated by Pope Paul VI in 1967, the cottage is a place of pilgrimage for many believers.
Spend a day exploring the Jewish site in the ancient capital of Lydia, Sardis. You will visit the Marble Synagogue and Gymnasium, along with the Smyrna Market and the Archaeological Museum. Your tour will depart Izmir for Sardis, capital of ancient Lydia, where once the churches of St. John existed. Sardis is located at the foot of the Tumulus Mountains and overlooks the Hermus River plain. Tour the ruins of the Temple of Cybele and Diana, where a 4th century Basilica and later became a church. See the golden river Pactalos and the Royal Road. Visit the reconstructed Marble Synagogue, the Gymnasium, Archaeological Museum and see Mount Pagus. The Full Day Tour of Jewish Sites in Sardis includes lunch.
Visit Pergamum, an ancient city dating before the 4th century BC.
It's home to the second largest library in the ancient world, the
steepest Theatre of Anatolia, the monumental Altar of Zeus and the Roman
Medical Center ruins of Asklepion, work site of the great physician,
Galen. |
|
Istanbul
in One Day Sightseeing Tour
Gallipoli
Day Trip from Istanbul 
Pamukkale
and Hierapolis 
Antalya
City Sightseeing Tour 
Ephesus
Sightseeing Tour 
Bosphorus
Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar 
Private
Tour: Bursa Day Trip from Istanbul 
Imperial
Istanbul Half-day Tour: Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar 
Istanbul
by Night: Turkish Dinner and Show 
Ephesus
and St. Mary's House Day Trip from Izmir 
Jewish
Sites in Sardis 
Pergamum
and Asklepion