| This
package belongs to who enjoy freedom, independence and
affordable way to explore Turkey. Thistle Travel combined the
convenience and security of prearranged quality
accommodations, since you have the absolute vacations package
to suit your personal needs.
Day 1.
Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival check in
to the hotel where the remainder of the day is at your
leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. Get your fly&drive
information kid, left in your name to the reception.
Day 2.
Istanbul
Today take the morning to explore the historic sections of
the city on foot including the magnificent Topkapi Palace.
Once home to the great Sultans, it is filled with treasures
and antiquities including twelve thousand pieces of fine
Chinese porcelain. Visit the Hippodrome, and then on to the
domed Basilica of St. Sophia, which has inspired architects
and religious leaders for over fifteen hundred years.
Constructed in 326 by Constantine the Great, it has been a
cathedral, a mosque and now a museum. Pick up rental car and
spend the evening in Istanbul. (B)
Day 3.
Istanbul - Dardanelles
Today continue your coastal journey on route to Canakkale
(Dardanelles) the cradle of many ancient civilisations and
taking visitors back into the depth of history. After drive
approximately 63 Mile on express way, you will start to the
asphalt road that is approximately 140 Mile. Arriving Gelibolu
to cross the Canakkale Bosphorus by ferry. Continue the road
14 Mile to discover the Troy a symbolic wooden Trojan horse
commemorates the legendary war. Turn back to Canakkale for
overnight. (B, D)
Day 4.
Dardanelles - Ayvalik - Pergamum
 A
reasonable early start this morning will allow time to visit
and view the many wonders on your journey to Izmir (206 Mile).
Before arrive to Pergamum, a stop is made in coastal town of
Ayvalik. On route you will see how the agricultural plains and
plateaus are in scenic contrast to the Istanbul. Next stop is
ancient Pergamum, once ruled by Alexander the Great. Famous
for the invention of parchment paper, Pergamum had a library
containing two hundred thousand books. Discover the Acropolis,
the Alter of Zeus, and the ten thousand-seat amphitheatre.
Tour the marvellous Asclepieion, a fourth century B.C. shrine
to the healing God Asclepios. Continuing your day, travel via
E-87 asphalt way to beautiful Izmir. A short tour of
Kadifekale (Mt. Pagos) standing the impressive ruins of a
castle and its walls, which were, built by Lysimachus in the
reign of Alexander the Great. The castle offers an excellent
vantagepoint to enjoy a magnificent view of ttie Gulf of Izmir.
Overnight in Izmir. (B, D)
Day 5.
Izmir - Ephesus - Kusadasi
Today the high way provides travellers with a scenic route
74 Mile to Selcuk. We recommend taking your time to drink
Ayran in there. Afterwards, arrive to Ephesus once populated
with three hundred thousand people, it has an enormous
Amphitheatre, which can still hold twenty four thousand
spectators. A leisurely pace will allow you time to visit the
marble covered streets, you see gymnasiums, baths houses,
public latrines, the library of Celsus, and The Temple of
Artemis- One of the Seven Wonders of the World. In the
afternoon, visit the sixth century Church of St. John and The
House of Virgin Mary. A relaxing southbound journey will get
you to the seaside town of Kusadasi where we spend two nights.
(B, D)
Day 6.
Kusadasi: Priene - Miletus - Didyma
Marvels, this morning, are the major sites of Priene,
Miletus, and Didyma in today. Built in 334 B.C. on the slopes
of Mount Mycale, Priene is a spectacular site. Discover the
Temple of Athena, the five thousand seat Hellenistic Theater,
and gaze out to the sea from a top the Acropolis. Stops are
made to Miletus and Didyma to see the theatres, agoras, baths,
and The Temple of Apollo- The Third Largest Temple of the
ancient Greek world. (B, D)
Day 7.
Kusadasi - Aphrodisias - Hierapolis
Depart today, via the E-87 way to Aphrodisias, the Goddess
of love, the city was an important centre of the arts. The
Sculpture School of Aphrodisias enjoyed great fame and is
evident by the fine marble statues and architectural relief
scattered throughout the side.
|
Later, find
out The Largest (30000 seats) and Best-Preserved Stadium of
the classical world. In the Afternoon, we recommend taking
your time to enjoy the way (45 Mile) and magnificent scenery,
numerous picnic sites may be found to arrive at Pamukkale (Hierapolis),
a magnificent natural formation unique in whole the world.
Over the last fourteen thousand years, calcium rich water from
an underground thermal spring has flowed over the mountainside
and slowly solidified, creating Shallow White Basins and
Twisted Stalagmites. Since antiquity, these thermal pools have
been used for their healing powers. Overnight in Pamukkale.
(B, D)
Day 8.
Hierapolis - Konya
This morning, drive
through the beautiful Anatolian countryside to Konya (235
Mile), one of Turkey's oldest cities. Stop to view the
shimmering beauty of the Egridir and Beysehir Lakes. Also we
recommend stopping at Kizildag National Park to picnic. After
arrive to Konya find out the Outdoor Museum and then the
Mevlana Museum to learn about the mystical religious sect
known as the Whirling Dervishes. They use music and dance to
induce themselves into a mystical state. As the ceremonial
music plays, they begin to whirl, and their long skirt billow
giving the impression that they are floating on air. Overnight
in Konya. (B, D)
Day 9.
Konya - Cappadocia
An enjoyable drive today will take you east of Nevsehir
(139 Mile). After drive 60 Mile, a stop is suggested at the
Seljuk Caravanserai of Sultan Ham, a mini fortress used to
protect merchants from bandits as they crossed the ancient
silk route. When you arrive in Cappadocia discover the
Underground City of Kaymakli. Around the sixth century the
Christian inhabitants of this region began to tunnel into the
soft volcanic rock of large hill. As deep as two hundred and
seventy five feet with eight different levels, several
thousand people lived in this subterranean city. Overnight in
Cappadocia. (B, D)
Day 10.
Cappadocia
Take a break from driving today to visit the fascinating
Goreme Valley. The lunar like landscape of this region is
eerie, yet beautiful. Over thousand of years, the rain has
eroded this landscape to give rise to strange rock formations
known as "Fairy Chimneys". Many of these have homes
and churches carved into them. Some of the grottos are
magnificently decorated with colourful frescoes depicting
biblical scenes. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)
Day 11.
Cappadocia - Ankara
Your destination today is Ankara (172 Mile), you will
follow the cost of Salt Lake and a stop is made along the way
at a caravansary. In Ankara, visit the world renowned Museum
of Anatolian Civilisation which contains priceless artefacts
from Palaeolithic to Roman times. Also visit the enormous
Citadel which overlooks the city; and Mausoleum of Mustafa
Kemal Atatiirk - the father of modern Turkey. Overnight in
Ankara. (B)
Day 12.
Ankara - Bolu - Abant Lake
After breakfast your route is Bolu one of the most
enchanting areas of Turkey located approximately halfway
between Ankara and Istanbul (130 Mile). Bolu is famous for its
dense forests and modern hot spring facilities. One of the
wonders of Bolu is the Yedigoller (Seven Lakes) National Park,
which has an appeal beyond words. We recommend you to go and
stay Lake Abant, is 34 Mile southwester of this province,
situated at an altitude of 1500 meters. The lake is a
magnificent with water lilies spread over, and the deep green
forest surrounding it. Overnight in Abant. (B, D)
Day 13.
Bolu - Istanbul
This morning continue the Istanbul express way to arrive
Istanbul (150 Mile). We recommend taking your time to enjoy
the highway and impressive scenery. After arriving Istanbul
check in to hotel and drop off rental car. In the afternoon,
visit the unique Blue Mosque built in 1609 by Sultan Ahmet.
The interior walls are covered with twenty thousand blue iznik
tiles. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 14.
Istanbul
After breakfast, venture into the Grand Covered Bazaar.
Built in 1457, it is famous for it's selection of goods and is
the largest bazaar in the world with over four thousand shops.
You continue on to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar where the scent
of hundreds of spices permeates the air. Then we recommend you
to embark on a scheduled cruise of the Bosphorus, along the
way, viewing the Dolmabahce Palace and the Beylerbeyi Palace,
a nineteenth century palace on the Asian side of Istanbul. At
the end of the day have a tea or Turkish coffee on the Pine
Hill with a remarkable view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus.
Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 15.
Istanbul - Departure
After a farewell breakfast, transfer to Istanbul airport
for flight home. (B) |
Today
take the morning to explore the historic sections of the city
on foot including the magnificent Topkapi Palace. Once home to
the great Sultans, it is filled with treasures and antiquities
including twelve thousand pieces of fine Chinese porcelain.
Visit the Hippodrome, and then on to the domed Basilica of St.
Sophia, which has inspired architects and religious leaders
for over fifteen hundred years. Constructed in 326 by
Constantine the Great, it has been a cathedral, a mosque and
now a museum. Spend the evening in Istanbul. (B)