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| OPERATING DATES: July 4, 11, 18, 25 / August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 / Sept 5, 19, 26 / Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2009 |
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Itinerary |
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| Day 01 |
Arrival Istanbul (L,D) Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Meet by our representative and proceed to “Old City” for full day tour including the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles and unique with its six minarets built in the name of Sultan Ahmet I. Next we will have a look at the Hippodrome of Constantinople where horse and chariot races used to take place. Then visit the St. Sophia museum, which is one of the greatest religious and architectural marvels of all times. Finally the famous Topkapi Palace museum will be visited, which was built as the home of the Ottoman sultans and the World Famous Imperial Chinese Porcelain sections will be visited. Last stop will be Grand Bazaar. Following our return to the hotel dinner and overnight. |
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| Day 02 |
Istanbul / Canakkale (B,L,D) (B,L,D) After an early breakfast, we will begin our scenic drive down to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles during WWI. Following a lunch break, we will cross the second strategic waterway, the Dardanelles, and land in Asia and proceed to Troy. Referred to in Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey", Troy has in fact nine cities superimposed one upon another. Troy Vl pertains to the famous Trojan War of Homer where the legendary heroes included Agamemnon, Achilles, Ulysses and Nestor on the Greek side and, Priam, Hector and Paris on the Trojan side. We will check-in to our hotel in Canakkale for dinner and overnight. |
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| Day 03 | Canakkale / Kusadasi (B,L,D) Depart for Kusadasi, enroute we will have lunch in Bergama before visiting Pergamon to see the Acropolis, the Temple of Trajan and the theater both overlooking to the plain of Bergama with a picture break for one of the Seven Churches of Revelation in downtown Bergama. Then drive to Kusadası for dinner and overnight. |
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| Day 04 |
Kusadasi / Pamukkale (B,L,D) Following breakfast we drive to Selçuk to visit the House of Virgin Mary on top of Mt. Coressos. Then our memorable visit to Ephesus will begin as well as viewing one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, the Temple of Artemis (One of the Seven Wonders of Antiquity). Then continue to Pamukkale. You will tour the Antique City of Hierapolis where Calcareous hot springs descending over cliffs have created fascinating travertine in the form of white terrace and basins. After a picture break, dinner and overnight. |
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| Day 05 |
Pamukkale / Konya / Cappadocia (B,L,D) Following an early breakfast we will drive through an interesting landscape where peasants make their living, to have lunch enroute before arriving in Konya. Konya was the center of the Selcuk Empire as well as the city of Mevlana and his Whirling Dervishes. After visiting the Mevlana Museum we will continue to Cappadocia viewing the Sultanhani Caravanserai enroute. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. OPTIONAL: Belly Dance show at Cave Restaurant |
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| Day 06 |
Cappadocia / Ankara (B,L,D) Today we visit the incredible Underground City of Kaymakli where early Christians lived secretly in order to survive and keep their faith. Then picture steps will be given at the Pigeons Valley and at the foot of the Uchisar Castle. Then proceed to the Goreme Valley to visit the rock carved churches hollowed out of volcanic ash. Lunch will be at Avanos Village followed by the famous local pottery and carpet shows allowing ample time for shopping in the afternoon. Also time will be allocated for the local souvenir shopping before driving to Ankara. Dinner and overnight in Ankara. |
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| Day 07 |
Ankara / Istanbul (B,L,D) In the morning we visit the Ataturk Mausoleum (1881-1938) founding father of the Turkish Republic. Then we visit the well-known Museum of Ancient Anatolian Civilizations with its great Hittite Collection. A scenic drive to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. |
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| Day 08 |
Istanbul / Athens (B) Free until transfer time. Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport International Lines for flight to Athens. Arrival Athens then transfer to hotel for overnight |
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| Day 09 |
Athens Sightseeing Tour (B) After breakfast, proceed on Half day Athens tour. See Syntagma Square, (Constitution Square), the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones in their traditional costume. See the Athens Academy and the University. Visit the Pan Athenaic Olympic stadium, (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896). See the archaeological site of the Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. Visit the world famous site of the Acropolis and see the Propylaea and the Parthenon. Afternoon free then overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 10 | Day at Leisure (B) After breakfast, free at leisure to take full day optional tour. Overnight at the hotel. OPTIONAL FULLDAY SARONIC BAY CRUISE (L) After breakfast, pick up from the hotel and transfer to the port for the full day cruise to the 3 Saronic Island of Aegina, Poros, Hydra. Lunch served on board. See and visit all 3 islands, each different in character. Arrive back at the port in the evening and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Athens hotel. |
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| Day 11 |
Departure (B) After breakfast, last minute shopping before departure transfer to airport for flight back home. |
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*** End of tour *** |
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| Inclusions: |
| » Accommodations on Half-Twin Basis » Specified meals in the itineraries » Transportation in Air-Conditioned Motor coach » Services of English Speaking Guide and Driver » Sightseeing and Entrances in the itinerary |
| Not Included: |
| x Visa Fees / Airline /Airport taxes x Roundtrip Airline ticket, domestic air ticket (MNL/ATH/IST/MNL) x Tips for the Guide, Driver and Representative (approx $10pp/per day) x Personal expenses such as drinks during the meals, coffee, tea |
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[Rates are subject to change without prior notice.]