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| Turkey - World Heritage Package |
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DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL DAY 2 : ISTANBUL Historic Areas of Istanbul inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1985 : With its strategic location on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul has been associated with major political, religious and artistic events for more than 2,000 years. Its masterpieces include the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine, the 6th-century Hagia Sophia and the 16th-century Süleymaniye Mosque. Full day city tour - Blue Mosque which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior.
- St. 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. - Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium ,held 100,000 spectators and featured obcets from corners of the empire. Of these ,an Egyptian obelisk and bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive. - Topkapi Palace which ,from the 15th to the 19th century,was the principal residance of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the fabulous Imperial Treasory and the Baghdad Kiosk. Topkapi Palace is now a museum and has unrivalled collections of jewelry,including the Spoonmaker’s Dimand,Chinese ceramics. - The Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent is the largest and grandest of Istanbul’s imperial mosques . It - Grand Bazaar was the comerical heart of the old city and its 4000 shops are full of treasures-including carpets , kilims , silks , jewelry , ceramics , icons and leather goods. Return to the hotel and overnight. DAY 3 : ISTANBUL
DAY 05 : CAPPADOCIA Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1985. In a spectacular landscape, entirely sculpted by erosion, the Göreme valley and its surroundings contain rock-hewn sanctuaries that provide unique evidence of Byzantine art in the post-Iconoclastic period. Dwellings, troglodyte villages and underground towns – the remains of a traditional human habitat dating back to the 4th century – can also be seen there
This valley houses, the Goreme Open Air Museum with its churches hewn out of rock and the colorful frescoes which decorate them. The next stop is Zelve and the caves of this ancient village, the Underground City of Kaymakli which was carved as refuges from persecutors during the early Christian era. Lunch will be served enroute at a typical regional restaurant. Dinner and o/n will be at the hotel in Cappadocia.
DAY 06 : CAPPADOCIA / KONYA / PAMUKKALE Konya - A capital of Seljuk Civilization on the Tentative List in 2000 Departure will be early in the morning for Konya. Enroute there will be a stop to visit the 13Th century Caravansary of Sultanhan which is authentically kept. The next stop will be in Konya which was the Capital of the Selçuk Turks in the 13Th century. This city which hosts the Mevlana museum is also know for its theological school of whirling dervishes. Lunch will be served enroute. Arrival in Pamukkale will be late in the afternoon. Dinner and o/n will be at the hotel in Pamukkale.
Hierapolis - Pamukkale inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1988 -Deriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins. At the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. The ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site After breakfast at the hotel the visits will begin early in the morning with the ruins of the magnificent Lunch will be taken enroute at a typical restaurant and the afternoon will continue with the visit to Aphrodisias. This is one of the most recent discoveries in Turkey. This ancient city is dedicated to the goddess of love Aphrodite. The drive to Kusadasi will begin after this visit. Dinner and o/n will be at the hotel in Kusadasi.
DAY 08 : KUSADASI Ephesus submitted on the Tentative List in 1994
DAY 09 : KUSADASI / CANAKKALE Archaeological Site of Troy inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1998 - Troy, with its 4,000 years of history, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The first excavations at the site were undertaken by the famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in 1870. In scientific terms, its extensive remains are the most significant demonstration of the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world. Moreover, the siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece in the 13th or 12th century B.C., immortalized by Homer in the Iliad, has inspired great creative artists throughout the world ever since.
Lunch will be taken enroute and after lunch you will continue on to Troy. This is the legendary city of "Homeros" which has nine principal levels of occupation covering a period of 3000 years. It is rich in history to say the least. Dinner and o/n will be at the hotel in Canakkale otherwise known as the city in Dardanelles.
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| © 2008 WATA |
Dating from the 17th century , it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets , 
dates from 16th century heyday of the Otoman Empire and wes designed by Sinan the greatest architect of his day and originator of the Classical Otoman style of architecture. 
From our cruise boat we wiew the dramatic sights lining the Bosphorus wooded shores: mosques,a bridge that for a time was the world’s longest and the massive Rumeli Hisari, a fortress built by Fatih the Conqueror in just three months as he prepared to take Istanbul. Afternoon is free for shopping and leisure. Return to the hotel and overnight.
temple of Apollo, continuing with the breathtaking theater, the fascinating Necropolis and the last stop before lunch will be at the great baths of Hierapolis Antique City. 
most often visited of all sites in Turkey. It is dedicated to Artemis who is the virgin goddess of chase. The visits will continue with the House of Virgin Mary which is world famous and the interesting Selçuk Museum. Lunch will be served in Selçuk. Dinner and o/n will be at the hotel in Kusadasi. 