This 12 day tour, starts and ends in Istanbul, Turkey. Enjoy the unique of snowflakes on fairy chimneys and escape the madness of the festive season as you Experience a Christmas with a difference, visiting all of Turkeys iconic sites and visiting the home of the original Saint Nic!
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore.
After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene) and the Hippodrome.
Cruise between two continents on the stretch of water that separates Europe from Asia in the afternoon with an optional 'Half day Bosphorous cruise'.
One of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, today we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, original trenches and tunnels.
Step back in time today as we visit Troy and its famed Trojan Horse, followed by a tour of the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre in its time.
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
After breakfast we head for the resort town of Antalya, stopping along the way to visit the ancient city of Demre (Myra in the bible). Here we will visit the best examples of Lycian tombs and visit the Church of St. Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus.
Once in Antalya we will take a walking tour of the old town area of Antalya known as "Kaleiçi". Amongst other things we'll visit Hadrian's Gate, the Ancient Harbour and Suna-Inan Kiraç Kaleiçi Museum which even has a Greek Orthdox Church in its garden!
Full day tour of the ancient ruins of Perge and Aspendos and Side. In Aspendos, you can see the Roman Theatre built in the 2nd century and seating 15,000 people. Side is one of the best classical sites in Turkey with its Temple of Apollo and ancient ruins.
Tonight we will have Christmas Dinner at a popular Traditional Turkish restaurant.
You will be transferred to Antalya airport for your flight to magical Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free time to explore.
Today we will visit Pigeon and Red Valley and then we visit Cavusin village and lastly Avanos town where we will learn about hand-made pottery
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, and explore the many levels of an underground city.
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Istanbul, arriving at approximately 10:30 am, and our tour concludes.
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