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Archaelogy
& Art |
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Turkey Highlights Tour
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Morning departure from Istanbul. Continue to Iznik,
ancient Nicea, with its ancient walls and four great
gates still largely intact. Visit St. Sophia Museum
from the 4th century B.C., the Green Mosque with its
harmonious proportions. Iznik was the ceramic centre
of the Ottoman Empire during the 16th and 17th
centuries, and most of the imperial mosques in
Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye
Mosque were ornamented with exquisite tiles made in
Iznik. Continue onto Bursa, the first capital of the
Ottoman Empire in the 14th century, and a major spa
centre. After lunch visit Koza Han, the silk cocoon
caravanserai, with shops selling beautiful silks and
brocades. Visit the Ottoman complex to see the Grand
Mosque, the Green Mosque, considered to be one of the
finest examples of early Ottoman architecture, and the
Green Mausoleum, the tomb of Sultan Mehmet I. This is
Bursa' s loveliest building, with its spectacular tile
work. Bursa is also famous for its textile industry
and top quality textile products are exported to many
countries all around the world. Overnight in Bursa (B, L,
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In the morning visit to Anatolian Civilizations Museum
(It is closed on Mondays) at which there are numerous
remnants from different periods. Then visit to the
Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national
hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Lunch.
After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake arrive in
Cappadocia and overnight (B, L, D).
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Full day excursion in Cappadocia with Kaymakli
Underground City, Open Air Museum in Goreme, natural
fortress in Uchisar, Zelve region and Avanos and
shopping facilities. Overnight in Cappadocia (B, L,
D).
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Early departure for Pamukkale. On the way visit to the
13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan
Caravanserai and arrival in Konya. Lunch. After
visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide
famous mystic, proceed to Karatay Theological School
in which beautiful tiles are on display. Drive to
Pamukkale and overnight (B, L, D).
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In the morning visit to the ancient Hierapolis with
the Theatre, Apollo Temple and magnificent Necropolis,
the graveyard. Then drive to Aphrodisias and lunch.
Later visit to the ruins and the museum. Drive to
Kusadasi and overnight (B, L, D)
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Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique
City (Hillside Houses are excluded), Virgin Mary’s
House, Selcuk Ephesus Museum and St. John Church.
Lunch in Selcuk and drive back to the hotel.
Overnight in Kusadasi (B, L, D).
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Early departure for Bergama and visit to the Asclepion
and Acropol with the well preserved remains. Lunch and
drive to Assos for a short visit to the village.
Overnight in a simple hotel in Canakkale or at a
simple but cosy hotel in Assos (B, L, D).
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After breakfast drive to Troy, the place where the
legendary Trojan War took place in the historical
work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site
with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of
3000 years, drive to Canakkale and lunch. Thereafter
sail to the other side of Dardanelles by a ferryboat
and drive to Istanbul with visit to Gallipoli,
historically famous for being the site of many
battles - particularly involving the Allied Forces
including Australians and New Zealanders during
World War I. Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to the
hotel (B, L, D).
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We begin our tour of the Sultanahmet district, the
heart of old Istanbul, at Saint Sophia. Built by
Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church
is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its
massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul.
It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering
portraits of emperors and empresses. Next we visit
the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the
exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from
the 17th century, it is the only imperial mosque
with six minarets. The Museum of Turkish and Islamic
Arts in the palace of İbrahim Pasha, grand vezir to
Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, houses exhibits
from many eras, but is most famous for its
collection of Ottoman carpets. The Hippodrome, the
stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000
spectators and featured objects from all corners of
the empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a
bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from
Delphi survive. proceed to Topkapı Palace*, which,
from the 15th to the 19th century, was the principle
residence of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the
fabolous Imperial Treasury and the Baghdad Kiosk.
Topkapı Palace is now a museum and has unrivalled
collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker’s
Diamond, the 3rd largest in the world, Ottoman court
costumes and ceramics, notably one of the world’s
finest collection of early Chinese ceramics, much of
it gifts from other rulers. Interestingly, some of
the ceramics have a special glaze that was said to
change color in the presence of poison. We also
visit the Imperial Armory, displaying centuries of
Ottoman weaponry. But perhaps the loveliest features
of Topkapı Palace are its courtyards with their
ancient trees, and it is easy to imagine the sultan
strolling here far from the cares of state and
empire. The Süleymaniye Mosque is the largest and
grandest of Istanbul’s imperial mosques. It dates
from the 16th century heyday of the Ottoman Empire,
and was designed by Sinan, the greatest architect of
his day and originator of the Classical Ottoman
style of architecture. Of the 2,000 structures Sinan
designed, Süleymaniye Mosque and its complex of
charitable institutions rank among the most
important. The Grand Bazaar, was the commercial
heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops are full
of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks,
jewelry, ceramics, icons, and leather goods.
Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some
shopping, Ottoman style (B,L,D).
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After breakfast transfer to airport for final
departure to home...(B).
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