ITINERARY - 17 DAY GRAND SULTAN TOUR
Day 9, Dalyan - Göcek - Kas
Today we leave Dalyan and drive to the abandoned Greek village of Kayakoy that inspired the best selling novel "Birds Without Wings" by Louis de Berniere. In the afternoon, we continue via spectacular bays and fishing towns to the charming seaside town of Kaş. On the way, we visit the breath taking Saklikent Gorge where we have a late lunch. Remainder of the day and evening are free. Again dinner is not included to allow us to choose from the culinary delights this coastal town has to offer, including fresh seafood.
Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Kas (B/L)
Day 10, Kaş - Antalya
This morning, we drive the short distance to visit ancient Myra, home town of St Nicholas (Santa Clause) and St Nicholas�s Church. After this, we embark on a spectacular boat cruise, exploring the wonderful island studded bays, the sunken city of Kekova and the nearby Simena castle, with lunch at a seaside restaurant in the village of Simena. There will be time for a swim in some of the secluded bays during the cruise. In the afternoon, we travel along the coastal road to the cliff top city of Antalya. Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight in a restored boutique style hotel in the old city - Antalya. (B/L/D).
Day 11, In Antalya
Today we have a leisurely morning to explore the ancient city of Perge and the world�s best-preserved Roman amphitheatre at Aspendos. We then visit the spectacular Düden waterfalls where we have lunch before returning to Antalya. The rest of the day is free to do as you please. You may visit the archaeological museum housing artefacts from the city of Perge or explore the meandering streets and shops of the old city or just relax and enjoy the views and traditional restaurants in this vibrant and scenic city.
Overnight in, a restored boutique style hotel in the old city - Antalya. (B/L)
Day 12, Cappadocia
This morning, we leave the Mediterranean coast early and cross the soaring majesty of the Taurus Mountains. We arrive in Konya, the religious city and home of the Whirling Dervishes, where we have lunch. Here, we visit the Museum of Islamic Arts and the Mevlana Museum before departing for the eerie lunar landscapes of Cappadocia. We travel through the vast steppes of central Anatolia along the legendary 'Silk Road' dating from the Middle Ages. On the way, we visit the famous Sultanhani Caravanserai, one of the many �Luxury Motels of the 13th Century� along the ancient Silk Road.
Overnight in a special "Cave House" hotel - Cappadocia. (B/L/D)
Day 13, Cappadocia
Two full days to explore this fascinating troglodyte landscape with its amazing rock formations, cave churches and rock carved village homes. On the first day, we visit Uçhisar castle, Goreme Open Air Museum with frescoed churches and Devrent Valley. In the afternoon, we have a demonstration of traditional carpet making. You can learn all there is to know about hand-made carpets. Dinner is in a traditional local restaurant. Well, no trip to Cappadocia is complete without a spectacular hot air balloon flight over the deep canyons and lush fertile valleys of this fairyland. So, you will have the opportunity to do just that early this morning. (This is an optional extra with about 10% discount on the walk-in price, if booked prior to departure from your home country. We recommend the Classic flight which is dearer, but well worth the extra).
Overnight in a special Cave House hotel - Cappadocia. (B/D)
Day 14, Cappadocia
Today’s program includes visits to Kaymakli underground city dating back to the 6th Century, where Christians took refuge from the advancing Persians. We also see the Fairy Chimneys of Pasabag and other notable sites. Our organised activities finish by mid afternoon and the rest of the day and evening are free.
Overnight in Cappadocia. (B/D)
Day 15, Cappadocia - Ankara - Istanbul
Early departure for Ankara, the modern capital. Here we visit Ataturk’s Mausoleum with its excellent collection of Ataturk’s personal possessions and impressive audio-visual displays of battle scenes of Gallipoli and the National liberation wars. We then visit the award winning Museum of Anatolian Civilisations which contains the finest Hittite collections in the world. After an early dinner at a local restaurant, we set off to the airport to board our evening flight to Istanbul and transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in our boutique style hotel (B/L/D).
Day 16, In Istanbul
Our last organised visit is to the architectural marvel of St Sophia Museum, an ancient basilica with its immense dome rising 56.4 metres above the ground. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th Century as a potent symbol of the Eastern Roman Empire, it never ceases to amaze visitors.
The rest of the day is free in Istanbul. Go shopping in the Grand Bazaar with thousands of shops; visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts or The Archaeological Museum; see the magnificent Suleymaniye Mosque, the largest in Istanbul and the most notable creation of the famous Ottoman architect Sinan. Although a little further out, the Chora Church with its finest Byzantine mosaics and frescoes is also worth a visit. Alternatively, you may visit a Turkish bath or relax in one of numerous cafes and restaurants. In the evening, we have a special farewell dinner.
Overnight in boutique style hotel in the old part of Istanbul (B/D).
Day 17, Istanbul
Tour ends after breakfast. Those with late departures can spend the day in Istanbul as they please. Those with earlier departures will need to be ready to transfer to the airport at the appointed time. All departure transfers today are included in the price. Those with departures after today will need to make their own arrangements for departure transfers. Those participating in "Add-on Packages" will be advised of travel arrangements. (B)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tour price include:
- Accommodation in special category boutique style establishments and four-star hotels.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary plus a special dinner/show and a farewell dinner.
- Three half day cruises (Bosphorus, Dalyan River, Kekova Bay)
- Modern air-conditioned coach with plenty spare seats.
- Arrival transfers on Day 1 and departure transfers on Day 17.
- All entrance fees, all tips (including that to the guide and the driver) and other charges
- Services of bilingual Turkish born Australian tour leader who is with the group 24/7.
- Services of professional English speaking guide
- Drinking water on the coach
Tour price does NOT include:
- International and domestic airfares
- Departure taxes, levies and other charges
- Passport and visa fees
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, minibar, phone calls, etc.
- Beverages at meal times
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Tour prices are subject to change without notice until paid in full.
- Up to two domestic flights in Turkey are included in the international airfare if flying to and from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines on long haul flights. Otherwise you should allow approximately $195 per person for the domestic airfare from Ankara to Istanbul on Day 15.
- Shorter "Add-on" tours and other travel packages are available within Turkey, to Central Asia, to Ukraine and to other countries in the region. The Grand Sultan tour starting in Istanbul on 13 May 2008 is immediately preceded by our 12-Day Great Silk Road tour and it is followed immediately by the 10-Day Best of the Black Sea tour. Hence these two tours may be ideal "Add-ons" to the Grand Sultan tour. See other tours on this website, or the latest issue of our Newsletter "OzTours News" or contact us for details
- Where two or more tours are combined, then there will be a discount of 5% on the lower priced tour (or tours). When combined, the Best of the Black Sea and the Marvels of the East tours are regarded as a single tour. The combined tour price is $150 per person less than the sum of the prices for the two tours.
- We can make all your travel arrangements including flights with all airlines at competitive rates, travel insurance, third party package tours, etc through Timeless Tours (our travel agent partner in Sydney).
- This itinerary, which is current as at 02 December 2007, is subject to change without notice.