TOUR
10- LANDS OF THE AEGEAN: HIGHLIGHTS OF
TURKEY
AND GREECE
16 DAYS
| Throughout history, the lands on both sides of the Aegean Sea have harbored some of the most famous civilizations on earth. This tour touches on that vast history, starting with some 10,000 years ago, bringing a better understanding of the ancient world as well as the influences and impacts of one civilization over another throughout the millennia. This is the tour for those who prefer to combine sightseeing in enchanted lands with a memorable learning experience. |
DAY 1: ANKARA Arrival in Ankara. Meeting and assistance at the airport
and transfer to the hotel. Welcome Cocktail and dinner at the hotel. (D)
DAY 2: CAPPADOCIA Morning: Sightseeing in Ankara including visits to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, and the Museum of Ancient Anatolian Civilizations. After lunch, drive to Cappadocia. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (B,L,D)
DAY 3: CAPPADOCIA Full-day tour in Cappadocia to see an underground city, rock churches, and quaint villages. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)
DAY 4: ANTALYA Early morning departure for the drive to Konya. En route, stop by a Seljuk Caravanserai. Lunch in Konya, with a brief visit to the Mausoleum and Museum of Mevlana, whose followers founded the Mevlevi sect (known as Whirling Dervishes). After lunch, drive to Antalya on the Mediterranean Coast. (B,L,D)
DAY 5: ANTALYA Full-day sightseeing in the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos. After lunch, visit the "Old Town" of Antalya. Overnight in Antalya. (B,L)
DAY 6: PAMUKKALE Departure from Antalya for Pamukkale. Arrival in the afternoon for a possible opportunity to relax in the thermal pools of the hotel. (B,L,D)
DAY 7: KUSADASI This morning, visit Hierapolis and the impressive marble ruins of Aphrodisias. In the afternoon, drive to Kusadasi for overnight stay. (B,L,D)
DAY 8: ISTANBUL One of the highlights of the entire tour is the visit to Ephesus, with its Grand Theater, the Library of Celsus, the great terraced houses, and marble streets. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for the short flight to Istanbul*. Upon arrival in Istanbul, transfer to the hotel for overnight stay on the European side of this sprawling metropolis. (B,L)
DAY 9: ISTANBUL Discover the "Old Town" section of Istanbul by visiting the St. Sophia Museum, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome Square and the Underground Cistern. After lunch, visit the Topkapi Palace and the Covered Bazaar. (B,L)
DAY 10: ISTANBUL Morning cruise on the Straits of Bosphorus, where Asia and Europe meet, enjoying the famous Istanbul skyline as back-drop. Lunch at a seafood restaurant. Afternoon at leisure. (B,L)
DAY 11: ATHENS Morning transfer to the airport for the flight* to Athens, Greece. Upon arrival in Athens, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit Sunion for an unforgettable view. (B)
DAY 12: ATHENS Full-day city tour of Athens to see the world-renowned Acropolis and the ruins of the Parthenon, the Erechteum and the Agora. Other highlights include the House of the Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Presidential Palace. Overnight in Athens. (B)
DAY 13: NAUPLIA Embark on a "classical tour" of Greece, by first driving along the Bay of Salamis and the Saronic Gulf, via Corinth, to Mycenae. Visit the Lion's Gate, Palace of Nycenae and the " Beehive Tombs". Proceed to the seaside town of Nauplia. In the afternoon, visit Epidaurus to see the famous theater, among other ruins. Overnight in Nauplia. (B,L,D)
DAY 14: OLYMPIA Drive on to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Visit the Temple and Altar of Zeus, Temple of Hera and the Olympic Stadium, as well as the Museum that houses some exquisite works of art. Overnight in Olympia. (B,L,D)
DAY 15: ATHENS Depart Olympia for Delphi, seat of the Oracle at the Temple of Apollo. Visit the Museum and admire the bronze statue of the Charioteer. Return to Athens in late afternoon. (B,L)
DAY 16: Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to your next destination.(B)
* Cost of airfare is not included in tour price.
California S.O.T. # 1006630-60
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