|
Itinerary: |
|
This
is a light program for the senior citizens. Take the advantage of
the health coming from underground! Get the essential minerals by
your skin, recharge the battery of your life. Soothe your tired
bones with 10000 bubbles from the magic recipe of the spring water
and explore the cradle of civilization at the same time. Don’t rush!
Just relax and see the light..
DAY
1 ISTANBUL
Welcome to
Istanbul. The capital of all
empires, Deren Koray Tourism staff will be waiting for your transfer
to your hotel situated in the heart of Istanbul. It will be pleasure
to remind you that you’ll gain your health from the secret power of
underground. A brief information, some dos and don’ts will be given
at the lobby. Please take your time and rest. The perfunctory
exploration around hotel is at your leisure. [B]
DAY
2 ISTANBUL
Today is dedicated
to find out the landmarks of
Istanbul. We’ll start with the magnificent
Blue Mosque famous for blue
and white Iznik tiles built between 1609-1616. We’ll proceed for the
ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the center of
Byzantine civic life, stood in the open space.
Hagia Sophia, one of the
finest buildings of all time built by Justinianus the Great
exploring the majestic serenity and the fine Byzantine mosaics of
the building. Lunch at Konyali one of the well-known restaurants in
Istanbul. Time to visit Topkapi
Palace having the galleries exhibiting the imperial collections
of gorgeous crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain in Ottoman era.
Visit Harem, the secluded quarters of the wives, concubines and
children of the sultan, charms visitors, an exhibition of imperial
costumes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels
of the treasury and a priceless collection of miniatures from
medieval manuscripts. Finally we’ll depart for gorgeous
Grand Bazaar having
over 4000 shops inside. Ready to get lost? Go on then. Late at night
we’ll join informative light & sound show in the front of Blue
Mosque. For those willing to have the real experience of the
Traditional Turkish Bath, we’ll have a special arrangements at
Cagaloglu Hamami. [B] [L] [D]
DAY
3 YALOVA
This morning after
breakfast we’ll pass thru the Bosphorus Bridge linking two
continents. You’ll be in the Eurosia. Later we’ll arrive at Darica
for car-ferry in order to reach
Yalova. These thermal springs are situated 11 km southwest of
Yalova with a bed capacity of 600- 800 in hotels and guest houses.
The thermal waters contain sulfur, sodium and calcium (55-60’C) and
are suitable for drinking and bathing cures. Beneficial for
rheumatic, gynecologic, urinary and nervous complaints and
controlling cholesterol and lipid level. Get the advantage of the
chemical composition of the thermal water. [B] [L] [D]
DAY
4 YALOVA
In the morning
we’ll visit The Ataturk Mansion, now a museum, built in 1929,
Ataturk's former summer residence displays original furnishings from
the early 20th century. Later we’ll have a half day excursion to
Cinarcik has lovely beaches and modern holiday complexes. En route
Karaca Arboretum where you can observe different type of plants. A
city tour and return to Yalova hot springs, one of best places in
Turkey. Enjoy the curative thermal bath waters. By the way there's a
wonderful panoramic view of the entire thermal district center from
the top of a hill overlooking the city. [B] [L] [D]
DAY
5 BURSA
Today we’ll arrive
in Green Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire having many
important Ottoman buildings remain.
Bursa was, and is still, famous for its silk trade, towel
manufacture and thermal springs. Check-in at the hotel desk, and
after lunch (famous regional dish doner kebab consist of dish of
bread, tomato sauce, strips of grilled meat, melted butter and
yogurt) at Kebapci Iskender who is professional about his cooking
style since 1867. Then we’ll have city tour. Yesil Turbe the Green
Tomb, Emir Sultan Hazretleri, proceed to the covered bazaar area,
with its narrow streets caravanserais, bedesten and silk products
then we’ll visit Ulu Mosque where 3 religious perfectly blended onto
building. Later we’ll be served traditional charcoal semaver tea at
Yildiz Park. At night after dinner, you’ll relax at Traditional
Turkish Bath in a very healthy way since the chemical composition of
the water is something so special for your body. Here is a small
tip. Get one of the masseurs in the bath for a deep massage. [B] [L]
[D]
DAY 6
BURSA
Today you’ll feel
yourself healthy. We’ll take you to the Teferruc for Ulu Mountain.
You’ll admire the scenery from the cable car.
Uludag is the largest winter-sports
center in Turkey and offers a variety of activities, accommodation
and entertainment 36 kilometers from Bursa. Uludag is also a
national park is well worth a visit at any time of the year for the
lovely views and wonderful fresh air. At lunch we’ll have a barbecue
in Sarialan. The fresh food and air will make your day trip pleasant
one. It’ll be your life’s barbecue in Mountain Olympos. Late in the
afternoon we’ll turn back to the hotel for your thermal treatment
and dinner. The rest of the night is at your leisure. [B] [L] [D]
DAY
7 IZMIR
In the morning
we’ll depart for Izmir one of the important thermal sites in Turkey.
En route we’ll give a lunch break and pop-in Akhisar (Thyatira) one
of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Thru
Manisa that having splendid
examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture, we’ll arrive
Izmir. Check-in at hotel and
relax till dusk in your special thermal pool as ancient people did.
At night we’ll take you to very special fish restaurant. Late at
night enjoy your entertainment program at hotel. [B] [L] [D]
DAY
8 IZMIR –
EPHESUS
In the morning
we’ll depart for Ephesus where
St. Paul Preached, Heracletes Gate, Curates Street, Scholastic Baths,
Celcus Library, Marble Road, Great Theater, Arcadian way, (Harbor
Street), The Basilica of St. John,
Virgin Mary’s House.
After Ephesus, we’ll depart for Selcuk and typical Turkish Village
Sirince. Taste the vine & gozleme cooked in wooden stove. We’ll
drive to Kusadasi, or Bird
Island is a lovely port built along the shores of a glittering bay
with amazing shopping, jewelry, leather and souvenir facilities,
visiting the castle at Guvercin ada, having a traditional Turkish
coffee under the authentic Turkish marquee, shopping from grand
bazaar. Late at night we’ll turn back to the hotel. Just rest at
your thermal pool since your body needs this. [B] [L] [D]
DAY
9 IZMIR – CITY TOUR
Today we’ll explore
the pearl of Aegean Region.
Starting to visit Velvet Castle & Agora, watch the spectacular view
from here for Izmir Bay. Time to visit
Bayrakli where the original city
was established in the 3rd millennium B.C. and one of the Seven
Churches mentioned as Smyrna in the book of Revelation. Proceed for
ancient Konak Mosque, Izmir clock
tower which is the symbol of Izmir, walking towards to
Ethnography Museum in Varyant, visiting the museum and Kemeralti
Grand Bazaar, Kizlararagasi Hani where the traditional “Tiredness
Coffee” will be served, and Hisaronu. Get ready your life’s night
out! At night we’ll invite you to a dinner in a very traditional way
at Authentic Middle Asia Restaurant in Kemalpasa & Turkish night,
explore the real culture of the Turks. [B] [L] [D]
DAY 10 PAMUKKALE
Today we’ll depart
for Denizli en route the ruins of ancient Sart (Sardis), once the
capital of the Lydian realm of Croesus, lie on the Sart Cayi (Pactole
River). Here the first coins were minted. For lunch we'll offer
regional meatballs cooked by wooden fire in Salihli. Time to pop-in
Buldan & drink natural mineral water, examine the embroidery center
of Aegean Region, Arrive at
Pamukkale, magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the
world, that declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, Here is a
fairyland of dazzling white, petrified castles. Thermal spring
waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau's edge
have created this fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and
basins. The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their
therapeutic powers. Now she waits you. [B] [L] [D]
DAY
11 PAMUKKALE
Today we’ll visit
Hierapolis with its best-preserved baths. The Basilica (dated back
6th Century AD), The temple of Apollo, the well preserved theater
that can cater 14.000 spectator at a time. The church was devoted to
St. Philip and the Domitian Arch, the Necropolis, Because of the
healthy water of Pamukkale this city once was called as a Sacred
city. Time to have lunch and rest a bit. Yörük restaurant is the
best place for your entertainment and animation with delicious
Turkish food. After lunch, we’ll enter Aphrodisias, one of the
important religious sites dated back to 2800 BC. The temple of
Aphrodisias, the city walls, The ruins of Sebasteion; the theater
established in late Hellenistic period; the sculptures (mostly
displayed in the museum), the ruins of the baths (not for swimming
for today, sorry!), the gymnasium, the Byzantium Stavropolis are the
major sights. Along the Acropolis we’ll examine the baths with
carved gates devoted both Aphrodite and Hadrian; the big pool which
was excavated by the archaeologists in the recent years, the most
beautiful marble construction the Odeon. The Temple of Aphrodite,
the Bishop’s church, the two columned Tetraphylon and well-preserved
stadium for 30000 spectator. Later we’ll turn back to hotel. We know
you’re anxious about swimming in the thermal baths of Pamukkale.
[B] [L] [D]
DAY 12 END OF
OUR SERVICE
Today
we’ll provide all your transfers. In the morning we’ll depart for
Izmir Adnan Menderes airport for Istanbul. Time to have your present
in order to make this trip memorial. It’ll be pleasure to host you
in Turkey again as there are so many things to see. Thanks for
choosing the right agency. [B] (An overnight stay may be arranged
in Izmir or
Istanbul)
By
D&K, what you see is what you get Enjoy your stay ! |
