p. 1

[close]

p. 2

terms conditions terms conditions terms conditions terms c why book with us first hand local company prices the fastest team to tailor itineraries 100 flexibility the best information the best prices on internet design your own itinerary our specialty at atb holidays is our design your own itinerary feature it s the easiest way to create your own vacation package just fill in our design form online with your travel details and one of our travel specialists will respond to you by e-mail with a prepared program and price for you if needed you can fine tune the program by adding or changing details with assistance and advice from your own personal travel professional when the itinerary is finalized you simply book online and your reservations are made and secured packages programs atb holidays offer a variety of packages programs ranging from guided group and private tours to personalised itineraries which are flexible and allow the traveler freedom to choose the direction of their journey and explore on their own you may choose one of our tours or programs from the brochure or you are most welcome to contact one of our travel specialists and they can prepare a customised itinerary exclusively for you accommodation choice of hotel accommodation ranges from 2 ­ 5 star and deluxe whatever your budget you have the option to choose centrally located hotels in the town centres beach/sea side locations or secluded areas for those who want to get away from the tourist bustle our experienced travel agents carefully select hotels based on the best quality location and value for money our travel specialists our agents here at atb holidays are specialised and specifically trained in greece turkey and egypt travel and have years of experience in creating programs when you contact atb holidays one of our travel specialists will respond to you he/she will be your personal travel specialist they will be able to advise you on the best and most efficient way to travel prepare your program and make the necessary arrangements we have offices in istanbul turkey athens greece and cairo egypt when you are traveling as our guest we are never more than a local phone call away 24 hours 7 days a week.

[close]

p. 3

table of contents turkey country information daily excursions turkey packages religious programs blue voyages 2-3 4-5 6 21 22 23 24 25 greece country information daily excursions mainland tours island hopping programs honeymoon programs 26 27 28 29 30 33 34 40 41 45 egypt country information daily excursions package programs nile cruises 46 47 48 49 50 53 54 55 welcome to the world of atb holidays from the cool taste of greece s famous ouzo to the tempting smells wafting from an outdoor cafe in istanbul all of your senses will be rewarded by the vibrant cultures that flourish in greece turkey and egypt it seems that no matter which country you visit old world splendor blends with modern life to create pure vacation magic of course with so many interesting places to choose from and so many great experiences available it can be difficult to decide which destination is inviting for you fortunately atb holidays is ready to help with tastefully designed vacation packages including everything from accommodations tranfers transporation rental cars sightseeing tours and special group discounts we offer it all at the best values in the industry and we have over ten years of experience making vacation dreams come true when you make your bookings with atb holidays you can look forward to being offered the widest range of vacation opportunities a vacation without compromise that truly reflects your personal interests are you the independent type or do you love escorted tours do you prefer tucked-away villages or bustling cities luxury hotels or something more privileged why travel with us because our real purpose is simply to create a longed-for get away that s as individual and unique as you are cruises cruise information greece turkey louis cruises greece turkey variety cruises greece land cruise programs 56 57 58 60 61 64 65 68 combinations greece turkey greece italy greece dubai greece egypt greece prague turkey egypt turkey dubai egypt jordan egypt israel 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 atb holidays where the world s at hand.

[close]

p. 4

country information turkey banks monday-friday 8:30am 12am 1:30pm 5pm saturday-sunday closed shops monday-satuday 9:30am 1pm 2pm 7pm sunday closed grand bazaar monday-saturday 8am 7pm sunday closed capital ankara population 76 805 524 currency tl turkish lira major languages turkish calling code 90 primary religions muslim sunni local time gmt 3 hours april-september gmt 2 hours october-march climate although turkey is situated in a geographical location where climatic conditions are quite temperate the diverse nature of the landscape in particular the mountains that run parallel to the coasts cause significant differences in the climatic conditions between regions while the coastal areas enjoy milder climates the inland anatolian plateau experiences extremes of hot summers and cold winters with limited rainfall general tourist health safety there are no severe health risks in travel to turkey nor are vaccinations required food poisoning and diarrhea are probably the most prevalent illnesses associated with travel to turkey although water from the tap is chlorinated and generally safe to drink even the locals drink bottled water in the event that you become ill drink plenty of bottled water and remember that diarrhea usually dissipates on its own pepto bismol bismuth subsalicylate can often prevent symptoms but if the problem becomes truly inconvenient pharmacists are generally sympathetic and bilingual and will be able to provide an effective remedy ercefuryl is an option if you get sick away from home any local consulate can provide a list of area doctors who speak english if you do get sick you may want to ask the concierge at your hotel to recommend a local doctor local doctors advertise their services through discreet signs near their offices and most speak english if you can t find a doctor who can help you right away try the emergency room of one of the private hospitals or to call for a private ambulance in istanbul inter important service numbers 155 police 110 fire 112 medical emergency 161 turkish postal service information ptt 118 unknown numbers information working hours government offices monday-friday 8:30am -12:30am 1:30pm 5pm saturday-sunday closed during summer months the government offices and many other establishments in the aegean and mediterranean regions are closed in the afternoons these fixed summer hours are determined by the governing bodies of the provinces 2 www.iexploreturkey.com

[close]

p. 5

national hospital ambulance tel 0212/663-3000 istanbul health services european side tel 0212/247-0781 asian side tel 0216/302-1515 in ankara call bayindir hospital ambulance tel 0312/287-9000 or call Özel ambulans servisi tel 0312/425-1565 tipping at various establishments like hotels restaurants turkish baths barbers and hairdressers tipping at a rate of 5-15 of the total is common taxi and dolmus drivers on the other hand do not expect tips or even rounded fares tourist guides and drivers on tour expect to be tipped we recommend per person 5 usd per day for guides and 3 usd per day for drivers and crew if you are traveling alone or as a couple with a private guide and driver we suggest doubling this amount transportation travel information coaches and mini buses used by atb holidays are air-conditioned and non smoking these vehicles vary in size from 15 25 and 40 seats coaches do not have toilet facilities on board flights from istanbul to other major cities in turkey such as izmir and kayseri cappadocia are a convenient way to travel the country direct flights between cities other than istanbul are few and where direct flights are not available you will need to fly via stanbul visiting a mosque five times a day the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer in the mosque before entering a mosque muslims wash themselves and take off their shoes foreign visitors should also remove their shoes and show the respect they would any other house of worship and avoid visiting the mosque at prayer time women should cover ther heads and arms and not wear miniskirts men should not wear shorts drugstores or pharmacies are sterile-looking well-lit stores with the word eczane on the facade is a pharmacy and will cater to most of your emergency drug needs pharmacists are also capable of diagnosing and addressing minor injuries and illnesses you can even ask for a product by its brand name for example bayer aspirin has a corner on the turkish headache market pharmacies are open monday through saturday from 9am to 7pm but not to worry there is at least one open in every district at night and on sundays the location of which is posted in the window of every other drugstore in the neighborhood in turkish have your hotel send someone over to pick up whatever you need most first-time travelers to turkey are somewhat apprehensive about safety issues the western media hasn t exactly painted a rosy picture of turkey or of muslims for that matter the first thing to realize is that turkey is the model for democratic secularism in the middle east and although predominantly muslim is merely fanatic about maintaining a separation of church and state so business goes on as usual with turks drinking alcohol or not going to mosque or not and living life pretty much the same as you and me transfers airport transfers are made by airconditioned vehicles you will be met at the airport by your transferman as you exit the baggage and duty free area he/she will be holding a sign with your or the travel group s name for any cash balance which is due to be paid upon arrival the transferman will be ready to collect this and have a receipt at hand bedding configurations bedding configurations for a standard double room are twin beds double or matrimonial beds can be requested however they are subject to availability and is at the descretion of the hotel non-smoking rooms can also be requested but are not guaranteed tours our programs are a combination of guided group and independent touring guided tours are normally conducted by a professional certified guide who takes care of all services from beginning to end of the tour this may or may not include istanbul the tours normally include flights hotels transportation transfers to the airport/hotel most meals and sightseeing guided tours are typically conducted by motorcoach they can be fast-paced with no more than 2 nights spent in each location for independent programs we arrange your transfers accommodation transportation and tours any tours included are conducted locally with certified guide at each destination and will be in a group private tours can be arranged at an extra cost www.iexploreturkey.com 3

[close]

p. 6

daily turkey turkey excursions turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey istanbul imperial tour half day from 9am to 1pm available everyday during the year pick up from your hotel and begin the day touring the old city of istanbul sultanahmet we visit the hippodrome the sporting and social centre of constantinople the capital of the byzantine empire it is also home to an egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from delphi which still survives today continue to the blue mosque which owes it s name to the exquisite tiles adorning it s interior the magnificent hagia sofia which was a former orthodox basilica later a mosque and now a museum famous in particular for its massive dome it was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 a.d our last stop is the exciting grand bazaar one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world after the visits you will be returned to your hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included saint sophia is closed on mondays visit chora church instead grand bazaar is closed on sundays sine including a delicious array of appetizers known as meze the turks are justly proud of their food they are equally proud of their traditional music and after dinner folk musicians from different regions of anatolia will perform for us of course no night out in istanbul would be complete without turkish belly dancers you will be returned to your hotel around midnight pick up drop off at your hotel is included old city tour full day from 9am to 5:30pm available everyday during the year enjoy a full day tour of the sultanahmet district the heart of old istanbul firstly we visit the magnificent hagia sofia a former orthodox basilica later a mosque and now a museum famous in particular for its massive dome it was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 a.d the hippodrome the stadium of ancient byzantium where an egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from delphi still survive we then continue to the blue mosque which owes it s name to the exquisite tiles adorning it s interior and the famous grand bazaar one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world after lunch we visit the amazing topkapi palace which from the 15th to the 19th century was the principle residence of the ottoman sultans for 400 years of their 600-year reign from 1465 to 1856 after the tour transfer to your hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included hagia sophia is closed on mondays topkapi palace is closed on tuesdays grand bazaar is closed on sundays of spices nuts dried fruits seeds and lokum turkish delight located in eminönü it is the second largest covered shopping complex after the grand bazaar we then embark on our ferry for a breathtaking cruise along the bosphorus the beautiful strait that divides europe from asia after lunch we drive across the first bosphorus bridge and head for the summit of camlica hill which reveals fantastic panoramic views of istanbul from here a short drive brings us to the palace of beylerbeyi on the shore of the bosphorus short visit after the tour we transfer you back to the hotel pick up and drop off at your hotel is included pick up drop off at your hotel is included beylerbeyi palace is closed on mondays thursdays spice bazaar is closed in sundays ephesus tour by flight istanbul-izmir ephesus istanbul by flight available everyday during the year depart early morning from your hotel for istanbul airport to take your flight to izmir upon arrival your guide will meet you and transfer you by a/c non smoking vehicle to ephesus here you will visit the ruins of the temple of artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world we then proceed to the ancient city of ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theatres fountains and buildings in the world ephesus was one of the twelve cities of the ionian league during the classical greek era in the roman period it was for many years the second largest city of the roman empire ranking behind rome a definite must while in turkey not to be forgotten is the house of the virgin mary on top of bulbul mountain a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations according to belief mary may have spent her last days here indeed she may have come in the area together with saint john who spent several years here spreading the christian faith lunch is included at the end of the tour you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to istanbul and transferred to your hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included bosphorus cruise half day morning half day from 9am to1pm available everyday during the year pick up from your hotel in the morning after a brief visit to the 17th century spice bazaar one of the oldest bazaars in the city full of spices nuts dried fruits seeds and lokum turkish delight located in eminonu it is the second largest covered shopping complex after the grand bazaar we then embark on a breathtaking cruise along the bosphorus the beautiful strait that divides europe from asia after the cruise you will be transfered to you hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included spice bazaar is closed on sundays princess islands tour full day from 9am to 5:30pm if you feel the need to escape from the bustle of istanbul for a day nothing could be easier you simply join us aboard a ferry bound for the charming princes islands our destination is buyukada the largest of the island chain but we will pass by four other islands on the way all are famous for their mild climates lush vegetation and ornate ottoman houses and on all of them cars are banned the preferred means of transportation is the charming horse-drawn carriage known as the phaeton which we will use on our circular tour of buyukada passing elegant mansions draped in brilliant purple bougainvillea you will feel as though you have stepped back into a more leisured and gracious age almost expecting grand 19th century ladies and gentlemen to come strolling down to the waterfront on an afternoon promenade lunch will be at one of the many excellent traditional fish restaurants on the waterfront gazing across the water at the asian shore of istanbul so close though it feels worlds away pick up and drop off at your hotel is included pick up drop off at your hotel is included ottoman splendours tour half day from 1:30pm to 5:30pm available everyday during the year pick up from your hotel and arrive at topkapi palace for an intriguing half day tour from the 15th to the 19th century topkapi palace was the principle residence of the ottoman sultans for 400 years of their 600-year reign from 1465 to 1856 the palace is full of examples of ottoman style architecture and also owns large collections of porcelain robes weapons shields armour ottoman miniatures islamic calligraphic manuscripts and mural decorations as well as a display of accumulated ottoman treasures and jewelry topkapi palace is a major tourist attraction today at the tours end you will be transferred back to the hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included topkapi palace is closed on tuesdays cappadocia tour by flight istanbul-kayseri cappadocia istanbul by flight available everyday during the year early pick up from your hotel and transfer to istanbul airport to catch a morning flight to kayseri meet with your guide and driver at the airport on this full day tour you will visit devrent valley and zelve open air museum which was once home to one of the largest communities in the region an amazing cave town honeycombed with dwellings religious and secular chambers we continue with monk s valley pasabagi where you will find the world famous fairy chimneys break for lunch in avanos and then explore the goreme open air museum a complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by orthodox monks depart for a panoramic view of goreme from esentepe and then on to uchisar a natural rock castle after the tour transfer to kayseri airport to catch the evening flight back to istanbul arrive in istanbul meet at the airport and transfer back to your hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included 1001 nights folk dances-belly dances-live music shows from 8:30pm to 12am pick up from your hotel for an entertaining evening at an exclusive nightclub where you will enjoy authentic turkish cui bosphorus and 2 continents full day from 9am to 5:30pm available everyday during the year in the morning we take a brief visit to the fascinating 17th century spice bazaar which is one of the oldest bazaars in the city full 4 www.iexploreturkey.com

[close]

p. 7

turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey canakkale kusadasi cappadocia morning troy tour half day from 8:30am to 1pm available everyday during the year we depart for troy the ancient city in our air-conditioned `no smoking tour bus from anzac house the guide will explain the mythology surrounding troy the trojan horse and helen of troy as well as explaining the history and discoveries of the archeological diggings discovered by heinrich schliemann in the 1870 s to the present day and on going nine cities have been discovered built one on top of the other dating back to 3500 b.c pick up drop off at your hotel is included selcuk pamukkale ephesus and virgin mary s house full day from 9am to 5pm available everyday during the year depart from your hotel in the morning to visit the ruins of the temple of artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world there were previous temples on this site where evidence of a sanctuary dates back as early as the bronz age we then proceed to the ancient city of ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theatres fountains and buildings in the world ephesus was one of the twelve cities of the ionian league during the classical greek era in the roman period it was for many years the second largest city of the roman empire ranking behind rome a definite must while in turkey not to be forgotten is the house of the virgin mary on top of bulbul mountain a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations according to belief mary may have spent her last days here indeed she may have come in the area together with saint john who spent several years her spreading the christian faith lunch is included in the tour as well as transfer back to your hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included highlights of cappadocia full day from 9:30am to 5pm available everyday during the year depart from your hotel for a tour of one of the most amazing parts of cappadocia on this full day tour you will visit devrent valley and zelve open air museum which was once home to one of the largest communities in the region an amazing cave town honeycombed with dwellings religious and secular chambers we continue with monk s valley pasabagi where you will find the world famous fairy chimneys break for lunch in avanos and then explore the goreme open air museum a complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by orthodox monks depart for a panoramic view of goreme from esentepe and then on to uchisar a natural rock castle pick up and drop off at your hotel is included in the tour pick up drop off at your hotel is included afternoon gallipoli tour half day from 1:30pm to 5pm available everyday during the year pick up from your hotel at canakkale and drive to the gallipoli peninsula we visit kabatepe museum brighton beach anzac cove anzac commerative site ariburnu beach cemetery lone pine australian memorial johnston s jolly turkish and allied trenches and tunnels quinns post baby 700 the nek chunuk bair new zealand memorial after visits cross the dardanelles returning to canakkale and drop back at your hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included ihlara valley environments full day from 9:30am to 5pm available everyday during the year depart from your hotel for a tour to visit the famous derinkuyu underground city which is the biggest and deepest underground city in cappadocia there are eight floors that extend at a depth of approximately 85 metres afterwards hike through the green ihlara valley along the stream visiting some of the churches along the way it is believed that the valley housed more than four thousand dwellings and a hundred cave churches decorated with frescoes around eighty thousand people once lived in the ihlara valley stop in belisirma for lunch and then on to selime for a panoramic view of the area a stop at the agzikarahan caravansarai is also included which is the most beautiful and largest seljuk caravanserai situated on the konya-aksaray highway it was a very important place for the seljuk rulers of anatolia to trade they deveopled the old trade routes and built caravansaries along the way to act as shelters and provide protection to traders pick up and drop off at your hotel is included in the tour pick up drop off at your hotel is included priene miletos didyma depart for the ancient anatolian-greek city of priene in the forest overlooking the fertile meandros valley priene was an ancient greek holy city and the home of an important temple of athena continue to miletus one of the most important commercial and governmental cities from 700 bc to 700 ad among all the ancient ionians cities last but not least we arrive in didyma here you will find the largest ionic temple in the world that of apollo also in didyma lies the huge cracked head of medusa which long ago fell from the frieze lunch is included in the tour as well as transfer back to your hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included pergamon tour troy gallipoli tour full day from 9am to 6pm available everyday during the year we depart for troy the ancient city in our air-conditioned `no smoking tour bus from anzac house the guide will explain the mythology surrounding troy the trojan horse and helen of troy as well as explaining the history and discoveries of the archeological diggings discovered by heinrich schliemann in the 1870 s to the present day and on going nine cities have been discovered built one on top of the other dating back to 3500 b.c in the afternoon we continue to visit the gallipoli battlefields our visits include the kabatepe museum brighton beach anzac cove anzac commerative site ariburnu beach cemetery lone pine australian memorial johnston s jolly turkish and allied trenches and tunnels quinns post baby 700 the nek chunuk bair new zealand memorial after visits cross the dardanelles returning to canakkale and drop back at your hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included full day from 8:30am to 6pm available everyday during the year depart from your hotel in the morning and travel to the ancient site of pergamon that became the capital of the kingdom of pergamon during the hellenistic period the most spectacular structure is certainly the theatre a remarkable piece of engineering built into the steep hillside lunch is included in the tour as well as transfer back to your hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included hot air balloon over cappadocia without doubt the most exciting way to view the dramatic scenery of this unique area is from a hot air balloon you will be transferred from your hotel just before sunrise to the the take-off site to watch the preparations for the departure the flight itself lasts for at least 1 hour during which time you will fly at varying heights allowing you a panoramic view of the landscape spread out beneath you as well as a close-up view of the area from above after landing you can celebrate this unique experience with a drink before returning to your hotel for a late breakfast pick up drop off at your hotel is included pamukkale and hierapolis full day from 8:30am to 6pm available everyday during the year depart from your hotel in the morning to pamukkale on arrival you will see the cotton cliffs one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts we will also visit the ancient ruins of the city of hierapolis the sacred city with its bascilica theatre and roman baths it was famed for its sacred hot springs it s vapours were associated with pluto the god of the underworld lunch is included in the tour as well as transfer back to your hotel pick up drop off at your hotel is included www.iexploreturkey.com 5

[close]

p. 8

turkey packages turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey 4 days day 1 istanbul arrival no meals istanbul stop over arrive at istanbul airport meet with your host and transfer to your hotel stay overnight in istanbul day 2 full day old city tour enjoy a full day tour of the sultanahmet district the heart of old istanbul firstly we visit the magnificent hagia sofia the church of the holy wisdom universally acknowledged as one of the great buildings of the world it was built in the 4th century by constantine the great constantine was the first christian emperor and the founder of the city of from delphi still survive we then continue on to the blue mosque which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior and the world famous grand bazaar where you will explore some of its 92 streets the grand bazaar is the largest and oldest covered bazaar in turkey with more than 4,000 shops a variety of turkish handicrafts oriental carpets rare jewels and inexpensive souvenirs are all sold in its small shops after lunch we visit the amazing topkapi palace which was the principle residence of the ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th century it commands an impressive view of the golden horn the bosphorus and the sea of marmara once 4,000 ­ 5 000 people lived here visit the general exhibitions and the treasury section displaying the priceless pieces of jewelry that once belonged to the ottoman sultans stay overnight in istanbul the city we will also take a short drive to the 19th century summer palace of the sultans in the bosphorus village of beylerbeyi the palace was completed in 1865 ad an has twenty four rooms and six large halls after the tour we will transfer you back to your hotel stay overnight in istanbul breakfast lunch beylerbeyi palace is closed on mondays thursdays day 4 departure according to your departure time you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight end of our services breakfast included services · 3 nights accommodation in 4 star hotel including breakfast · arrival departure airport transfers · all admission fees to the visited sites · all meals mentioned in the itinerary · all sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary · all domestic fees taxes there is no hidden cost · professional english speaking guide · transportation by air-conditioned non smoking vehicle breakfast lunch topkapi palace is closed on tuesdays saint sophia is closed on mondays visit chora church instead grand bazaar is closed on sundays day 3 full day bosphorus cruise after breakfast at the hotel we take a brief visit to the spice bazaar which is the second largest covered market in the city the small shops inside the bazaar sell various products such as spices dried fruit souvenirs and lokum turkish delight we then embark on a breathtaking cruise along the bosphorus the beautiful strait that divides europe from asia it´s really the only way to see the true beauty of the bosphorus which includes dolmabahce palace rumeli fortress beylerbeyi palace the bosphorus bridge magnificent mansions and much more we disembark at the mouth of the black sea and after lunch enjoy a visit to camlica hill the highest point in istanbul commanding a panoramic view of prices per person starting from departures everyday low season triple room double room single room constantinople which he called the new rome the hagia sophia was one of several great churches he built in important cities throughout his empire next the hippodrome and the stadium of ancient byzantium where an egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents 299 299 347 prices are a guide only season supplements may apply latest prices are available on our website departs everyday throughout the year 6 www.iexploreturkey.com

[close]

p. 9

turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey 4 days pearls of the aegean day 2 ephesus this morning we depart from our hotel and set out for the ancient city of ephesus and it s surrounding environments firstly we visit the house of the virgin mary on top of bulbul mountain an important pilgrimage site for people of all denominations according to predominant christian tradition mary was brought to ephesus by the apostle john after the resurrection of christ and lived out her days there it is believed to be the last residence of the virgin mary archaeologists who have examined the building identified the foundations of the house of the virgin date from the 1st century ad the time of mary proceed to the ancient city of ephesus and walk down curetes street exploring the best preserved theatres fountains temples and library in the world visit the temple of artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world a definite must while in turkey after lunch we will make a stop at the basilica of st john it was a great church of ephesus buit by emperor justinian over the believed burial site of st john who is identified as an apostle evengelist and prophet stay overnight in kusadasi breakfast lunch dinner istanbul day 1 istanbul ­ izmir flight pergamon kusadasi pick up from your hotel in istanbul and transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to izmir after an hour flight you will arrive in izmir and meet with your guide at the airport drive to pergamon where you will be delighted to visit the asclepion a popular health centre during the periods of the greek romans as you make your way to the acropolis the red basilica originally a temple of serapis can be viewed pergamon was built on a conical hill 1,000 feet from the pergamon izmir ephesus kusadasi day 4 izmir ­ istanbul flight departure after breakfast we check out from the hotel and drive to izmir airport for your return flight to istanbul arrive at istanbul airport ready for your international departure flight end of our services breakfast included services · 3 nights accommodation in 4 star hotel including breakfast · departure airport transfer · all admission fees to the visited sites · all meals mentioned in the itinerary · all sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary · all domestic fees taxes there is no hidden cost · domestic flight tickets from istanbul to izmir return · professional english speaking tour guide throughout the package · transportation by air-conditioned non smoking vehicle day 3 pamukkale hierapolis surrounding valley we will visit the temple of athena zeus altar and the library which once held 200,000 books made of parchment the most spectacular structure is certainly the theatre a remarkable piece of engineering built into the steep hillside pergamon is listed among the top 100 historical sites of the mediterranean lunch is included and after the tour we will drive you to your hotel in kusadasi dinner and stay overnight lunch dinner after breakfast we depart for pamukkale upon your arrival you will see the cotton cliffs one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts we then proceed to the ancient tourist resort of asia minor hierapolis situated above the snow-white terrace basins of pamukkale we will see its bascilica theatre and roman baths and necropolis after the tour we return to our hotel in kusadasi for dinner and stay overnight breakfast lunch dinner prices per person starting from departures everyday low season triple room double room single room 527 527 550 prices are a guide only season supplements may apply latest prices are available on our website departs everyday throughout the year www.iexploreturkey.com 7

[close]

p. 10

turkey packages turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey 4 days western turkey day 3 gallipoli ­ istanbul after breakfast we head to istanbul by crossing the dardanelles by ferry with a stop at gallipoli famous for being the site of many battles particularly in world war i involving the allied forces including australians and new zealanders at the gallipoli site we visit kabatepe war museum brighton beach and anzac cove where the dawn service is held each anzac day we will also visit the lone pine australian memorial johnston s jolly and chunk bair new zealand memorial and kilitbahir fortress arrive in istanbul and transfer to your hotel overnight in stanbul breakfast lunch istanbul gallipoli canakkale pergamon izmir ephesus day 1 istanbul ­ izmir flight ephesus pick up from your hotel in istanbul and transfer to ataturk airport to take your one hour flight to izmir arrive in izmir meet at the airport and depart to explore the ancient city of ephesus and it s surrounding environments firstly we visit the house of the virgin mary on top of bulbul mountain an important pilgrimage site for people of all denominations according to predominant christian tradition mary was brought to ephesus by the apostle john after the resurrection of christ and lived out her days there it is believed to be the last residence of the virgin mary archaeologists who have examined the building identified the foundations of the house of the virgin date from the 1st century ad the time of mary proceed to the ancient city of ephesus and walk down curetes street exploring the best preserved theatres fountains temples and library in the world visit the temple of artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world a definite must while in turkey after lunch we will make a stop at the basilica of st john it was a great church of ephesus buit by emperor justinian over the believed burial site of st john who is identified as an apostle evengelist and prophet stay overnight in kusadasi lunch dinner included services · 3 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels including breakfast · departure airport transfer · all admission fees to the visited sites · all meals mentioned in the itinerary · all sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary · all domestic fees taxes there is no hidden cost · domestic flight tickets from istanbul to izmir · professional english speaking tour guide throughout the package · transportation by air-conditioned non smoking vehicle prices per person starting from departures thursdays triple room double room single room low season day 4 departure after breakfast transfer to istanbul airport for your international departure flight end of our services breakfast 359 359 408 prices are a guide only season supplements may apply latest prices are available on our website departs every thursday throughout the year day 2 pergamon troy canakkale today the tour will depart for pergamon built on a conical hill 1,000 feet from the surrounding valley you will view the asclepion a popular health centre during the period of the greeks and the romans as you make your way to the acropolis the red basilica originally a temple of serapis can be viewed the most spectacular structure of the acropolis is certainly the theatre a remarkable piece of engineering built into the steep hillside pergamon is listed among the top 100 historical sites of the mediterranean after our visits to the sites and lunch we depart for canakkale visit the famous ancient city of troy troy is a legendary city and center of the trojan war as described in the epic cycle and especially in the iliad one of the two epic poems attributed to homer drive to canakkale and check into the hotel dinner will be served at the hotel stay overnight in canakkale breakfast lunch dinner 8 www.iexploreturkey.com

[close]

p. 11

[close]

p. 12

turkey packages turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey 7 days turkey explorer no meals istanbul day 1 istanbul arrival arrive at istanbul airport meet our host and transfer to your hotel stay overnight in istanbul day 2 full day old city tour enjoy a full day tour of the sultanahmet district the heart of old istanbul firstly we visit the magnificent hagia sofia the church of the holy wisdom universally acknowledged as one of the great buildings of the world it was built in the 4th century by constantine the great constantine was the first christian emperor and the founder of the city of constantinople which he called the new rome the hagia sophia was one of several great churches he built in important cities throughout his empire next the hippodrome and the stadium of ancient byzantium where an egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from delphi still survive we then continue on to the blue mosque which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior and the world famous grand bazaar where you will explore some of its 92 streets the grand bazaar is the largest and oldest covered bazaar in turkey with more than 4,000 shops a variety of turkish handicrafts oriental carpets rare jewels and inexpensive souvenirs are all sold in its small shops after lunch we visit the amazing topkapi palace which was the principle residence of the ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th century it commands an impressive view of the golden horn the bosphorus and the sea of marmara once 4,000 ­ 5 000 people lived here visit the general exhibitions and the treasury section displaying the priceless pieces of jewelry that once belonged to the ottoman sultans stay overnight in istanbul breakfast lunch settlements of the region and monk s valley pasabagi to see the world famous fairy chimneys after a break for lunch in avanos we then continue to the goreme open air museum where you will visit the early christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the bible goreme open air museum has been listed as a unesco world heritage site since 1984 depart for a panoramic view of goreme from esentepe and then to uchisar a natural rock castle return to your hotel and stay overnight in cappadocia breakfast lunch izmir ephesus kusadasi pamukkale cappadocia kayseri optional excursion ­ hot air ballooning without doubt the most exciting way to view the dramatic scenery of this unique area is from a hot air balloon you will be transferred from your hotel just before sunrise to the the take-off site to observe the preparations for the departure the flight itself lasts for at least 1 hour during which time you will fly at varying heights allowing you a panoramic view of the landscape spread out beneath you as well as a close-up views of the area from above after landing you can celebrate this unique experience with a drink before returning to your hotel for a late breakfast christian tradition mary was brought to ephesus by the apostle john after the resurrection of christ and lived out her days there it is believed to be the last residence of the virgin mary archaeologists who have examined the building identified the foundations of the house of the virgin to date from the 1st century ad the time of mary after the tour transfer to your hotel stay overnight in kusadasi breakfast lunch dinner day 6 pamukkale hierapolis after breakfast at the hotel we depart for pamukkale to see the cotton cliffs an extraordinary natural wonder the calceus waters rise from the ground at a temperature of 35 degrees and tumble down the mountain from a height of 100 metres forming a myriad of pools cream colored stalactites are formed as the water overflows from the pools creating a breathtaking sight unequalled in the world we also visit the ancient ruins of the city of hierapolis with its basilica theatre roman bath and necropolis after the tour you will return to kusadasi and visit the locomotive museum before arriving at your hotel stay overnight in kusadasi breakfast lunch dinner day 7 izmir ­ istanbul flight departure today you will be transferred to izmir airport for your flight to istanbul arrive at istanbul airport ready for your international departure flight end of our services breakfast day 3 half day bosphorus cruise istanbul ­ kayseri flight after breakfast at the hotel we take a brief visit to the spice bazaar which is the second largest covered market in the city the small shops inside the bazaar sell various products such as spices dried fruit souvenirs lokum turkish delight we then embark on a breathtaking cruise along the bosphorus the beautiful strait that divides europe from asia it´s really the only way to see the true beauty of the bosphorus which includes dolmabahce palace rumeli fortress beylerbeyi palace the bosphorus bridge magnificent mansions and much more after the cruise transfer to airport to take flight to kayseri arrive in kayseri and transfer to your hotel in cappadoccia stay overnight in capadoccia breakfast included services · 6 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels including breakfast · arrival departure airport transfers · all admission fees to the visited sites · all meals mentioned in the itinerary · all sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary · professional english speaking tour guide throughout the package · all domestic fees taxes there is no hidden cost · domestic flight tickets istanbul to kayseri kayseri to izmir izmir to istanbul · transportation by air-conditioned non smoking vehicle day 5 kayseri ­ izmir flight ephesus today you will be transferred to the airport to take an early morning flight to izmir shortly after your arrival you will depart for ephesus the virgin mary s house firstly visit the ruins of the temple of artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world proceed to the ancient city of ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theatres fountains and buildings in the world a definite must while in turkey not to be forgotten is the house of the virgin mary on the top of the mountain a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations according to predominant day 4 cappadocia today you will have the opportunity to experience one of the most amazing parts of cappadocia on this full day tour you will visit devrent valley which is also known as the imaginary valley because of many different animal-shaped rock formations which look like a sculpture zoo made by nature continue with the zelve open air museum the earliest inhabited monastic prices per person starting from departures everyday low season triple room double room single room 954 954 1066 prices are a guide only season supplements may apply latest prices are available on our website departs everyday throughout the year 10 www.iexploreturkey.com

[close]

p. 13

turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey 8 days treasures of turkey tour apolis situated above the snow-white terrace basins of pamukkale we will see it s bascilica theatre and roman baths drive onto the famous ancient city of aphrodisias which is located in the ancient caria region southwest of asia minor remains of an ionic temple of aphrodite a stadium and portions of a bathhouse have long been evident beginning from 1961 further excavations revealed such structures as a theatre an odeon a basilica a market houses and baths a monumental gateway and a cult centre for worship of the roman emperor sulla and julius caesar favoured the city and the emperor augustus declared it the one city from all of asia that i have selected to be my own at the time of the roman empire the city was famed for its sculptors and sculptures rich quarries of excellent white and blue-gray marble lay about a mile east of the site arrive in kusadasi in the afternoon and check into our hotel dinner is served at the hotel stay overnight in kusadasi breakfast lunch dinner istanbul gallipoli canakkale pergamon cappadocia ephesus kusadasi pamukkale konya day 1 istanbul ­ cappadocia flight pick up from your hotel and transfer to the airport to take your flight to kayseri or nevsehir according to availability upon arrival to kayseri you will be met by our representative and transfered to cappadocia stay overnight in cappadocia dinner day 2 capadoccia after having breakfast at the hotel we depart to discover the lunar landscape of cappadocia at pigeon valley where you will see plenty of pigeon houses carved into the rock we then proceed to the goreme open air museum and visit the early christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the bible goreme open air museum has been listed as a unesco world heritage site since 1984 enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant and then visit the kaymakli underground city the location where early christians hid from their persecutors kaymakli is one of the largest and deepest of cappadocia s many such settlements our next stop is pasabagi valley where we will see the most beatiful formed fairy chimneys and listen to the song of fairies we then head to zelve open air museum the earliest inhabited monastic settlements of the region and avanos the terra cotta art center since 3000 bc overnight in cappadocia breakfast lunch dinner basilica originally a temple of serapis can be viewed the most spectacular structure of the acropolis is certainly the theatre a remarkable piece of engineering built into the steep hillside pergamon is listed among the top 100 historical sites of the mediterranean after our visits to the sites and lunch we depart for canakkale visit the famous ancient city of troy troy is a legendary city and center of the trojan war as described in the epic cycle and especially in the iliad one of the two epic poems attributed to homer drive to canakkale and check into the hotel dinner will be served at the hotel stay overnight in canakkale breakfast lunch dinner day 7 canakkale ­ gallipoli istanbul after breakfast we head to istanbul by crossing the dardanelles by ferry with a stop at gallipoli famous for being the site of many battles particularly in world war i involving the allied forces including australians and new zealanders at the gallipoli site we visit kabatepe war museum brighton beach and anzac cove where the dawn service is held each anzac day we will also visit the lone pine australian memorial johnston s jolly and chunk bair new zealand memorial and kilitbahir fortress arrive in istanbul and transfer to your hotel overnight in istanbul day 5 ephesus this morning we depart from our hotel and set out for the ancient city of ephesus and it s surrounding environments firstly we visit the house of the virgin mary on top of bulbul mountain an important pilgrimage site for people of all denominations according to predominant christian tradition mary was brought to ephesus by the apostle john after the resurrection of christ and lived out her days there it is believed to be the last residence of the virgin mary archaeologists who have examined the building identified the foundations of the house of the virgin date from the 1st century ad the time of mary proceed to the ancient city of ephesus and walk down curetes street exploring the best preserved theatres fountains temples and library in the world visit the temple of artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world a definite must while in turkey after lunch we will make a stop at the basilica of st john it was a great church of ephesus buit by emperor justinian over the believed burial site of st john who is identified as an apostle evengelist and prophet stay overnight in kusadasi breakfast lunch dinner breakfast lunch day 8 sunday departure after breakfast transfer to istanbul airport for your international departure flight end of our services breakfast day 3 konya ­ pamukkale early departure for pamukkale on the way visit a 13th century seljukian masterpiece sultanhan caravanserai arrive in konya after lunch we visit the mausoleum of mevlana the world-wide famous mystic poet and islamic spiritual leader who founded the sect of the whirling dervishes we then proceed to karatay theological school in which beautiful tiles are on display drive to pamukkale check in to your hotel enjoy the thermal facilities at the hotel and stay overnight in pamukkale breakfast lunch dinner included services · 7 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels including breakfast · departure airport transfer · all admission fees to the visited sites · all meals mentioned in the itinerary · all sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary · all domestic fee taxes there is no hidden cost · domestic flight tickets from istanbul to capadoccia · professional english speaking tour guide throughout the package · transportation by air-conditioned non smoking vehicle day 4 hierapolis aphrodisias kusadasi today we will explore the travertine terraces of pamukkale the natural wonder which was formed by the calceous waters rising from the ground at a temperature of 35 degrees and tumble down the mountain from a height of 100 meters we then proceed to the ancient tourist resort of asia minor hier prices per person starting from departures sundays low season day 6 pergamon troy canakkale today the tour will depart for pergamon built on a conical hill 1,000 feet from the surrounding valley you will view the asclepion a popular health centre during the period of the greeks and the romans as you make your way to the acropolis the red triple room double room single room 658 658 764 prices are a guide only season supplements may apply latest prices are available on our website departs every sunday throughout the year www.iexploreturkey.com 11

[close]

p. 14

turkey packages turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey 11 days best of turkey creations are exhibited in chronological order starting from the paleolithic age to the present time the mausoleum of ataturk the burial place of the turkish hero mustafa kemal atatürk leader of the turkish war of independence founder and first president of the republic of turkey we then make our departure for cappadocia with a stop for lunch along the way after a picturesque journey along the salt lake we visit the 13th century seljukian caravanserai agzikarahan take the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful examples of caravanserais in the region of cappadocia since it is an intersection east to west and south to north agzikarahan displays the most famous architecture from the seljuk turks arrival to the cappadocia region and stay overnight breakfast lunch dinner istanbul gallipoli canakkale pergamon ephesus kusadasi pamukkale cappadocia konya ankara day 1 arrival istanbul arrive at istanbul airport meet with your host and transfer to your hotel stay overnight in istanbul no meals day 2 full day old city tour enjoy a full day tour of the sultanahmet district the heart of old istanbul firstly we visit the magnificent hagia sofia the church of the holy wisdom universally acknowledged as one of the great buildings of the world it was built in the 4th century by constantine the great constantine was the first christian emperor and the founder of the city of constantinople which he called the new rome the hagia sophia was one of several great churches he built in important cities throughout his empire next the hippodrome and the stadium of ancient byzantium where an egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from delphi still survive we then continue on to the blue mosque which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior and the world famous grand bazaar where you will explore some of its 92 streets the grand bazaar is the largest and oldest covered bazaar in turkey with more than 4,000 shops a variety of turkish handicrafts oriental carpets rare jewels and inexpensive souvenirs are all sold in its small shops after lunch we visit the amazing topkapi palace which was the principle residence of the ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th century it commands an impressive view of the golden horn the bosphorus and the sea of marmara once 4,000 ­ 5 000 people lived here visit the general exhibitions and the treasury section displaying the priceless pieces of jewelry that once belonged to the ottoman sultans stay overnight in istanbul breakfast lunch the early christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the bible goreme open air museum has been a member of the unesco world heritage list since 1984 enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant and then visit the kaymakli underground city the location where early christians hid from their persecutors kaymakli is one of the largest and deepest of cappadocia s many such settlements our next stop is pasabagi valley where we will see the most beatiful formed fairy chimneys and listen to the song of fairies we then head to zelve open air museum the earliest inhabited monastic settlements of the region and avanos the terra cotta art center since 3000 bc overnight in cappadocia breakfast lunch dinner day 6 konya ­ pamukkale early departure for pamukkale on the way visit a 13th century seljukian masterpiece sultanhan caravanserai arrive in konya after lunch we visit the mausoleum of mevlana the world famous mystic poet and islamic spiritual leader who founded the sect of the whirling dervishes we then proceed to karatay theological school in which beautiful tiles are on display drive to pamukkale check-in to your hotel enjoy the thermal facilities at the hotel and stay overnight in pamukkale breakfast lunch dinner day 5 cappadocia after having breakfast at the hotel we depart to discover the lunar landscape of cappadocia at pigeon valley where you will see plenty of pigeon houses carved into the rock we then proceed to the goreme open air museum and visit day 3 half day bosphorus cruise istanbul ­ ankara flight after breakfast at the hotel we take a brief visit to the spice bazaar which is the second largest covered market in the city the small shops inside the bazaar sell various products such as spices dried fruit souvenirs and lokum turkish delight we then embark on a breathtaking cruise along the bosphorus the beautiful strait that divides europe from asia it´s really the only way to see the true beauty of the bosphorus which includes dolmabahce palace rumeli fortress beylerbeyi palace the bosphorus bridge magnificent mansions and much more after the cruise transfer to the airport to take your flight to ankara arrive in ankara and transfer to your hotel stay overnight in ankara breakfast day 4 ankara ­ cappadocia today your tour begins in the morning from your hotel with a visit to the world famous anatolian civilizations museum also known as the hittite museum the anatolian civilization museum is classed among the top museums of the world today for its original collections the anatolia archaeological 12 www.iexploreturkey.com

[close]

p. 15

turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey turkey day 7 hierapolois aphrodisias kusadasi today we will explore the travertine terraces of pamukkale the natural wonder which was formed by the calceous waters rising from the ground at a temperature of 35 degrees and tumble down the mountain from a height of 100 meters we then proceed to the ancient tourist resort of asia minor hierapolis situated above the snow-white terrace basins of pamukkale we will see it s bascilica theatre and roman baths drive onto the famous ancient city of aphrodisias which is located in the ancient caria region southwest of asia minor remains of an ionic temple of aphrodite a stadium and portions of a bathhouse have long been evident beginning from 1961 further excavations revealed such structures as a theatre an odeon a basilica a market houses and baths a monumental gateway and a cult centre for worship of the roman emperor sulla and julius caesar favoured the city and the emperor augustus declared it the one city from all of asia that i have selected to be my own at the time of the roman empire the city was famed for its sculptors and sculptures rich quarries of excellent white and blue-gray marble lay about a mile east of the site arrive in kusadasi in the afternoon and check into our hotel dinner is served at the hotel stay overnight in kusadasi breakfast lunch dinner dations of the house of the virgin date from the 1st century ad the time of mary proceed to the ancient city of ephesus and walk down curetes street exploring the best preserved theatres fountains temples and library in the world visit the temple of artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world a definite must while in turkey after lunch we will make a stop at the basilica of st john it was a great church of ephesus buit by emperor justinian over the believed burial site of st john who is identified as an apostle evengelist and prophet stay overnight in kusadasi breakfast lunch dinner mous ancient city of troy troy is a legendary city and center of the trojan war as described in the epic cycle and especially in the iliad one of the two epic poems attributed to homer drive to canakkale and check into the hotel dinner will be served at the hotel stay overnight in canakkale breakfast lunch dinner day 10 canakkale ­ gallipoli istanbul after breakfast we head to istanbul by crossing the dardanelles by ferry with a stop at gallipoli famous for being the site of many battles particularly in world war i involving the allied forces including australians and new zealanders at the gallipoli site we visit kabatepe war museum brighton beach and anzac cove where the dawn service is held each anzac day we will also visit the lone pine australian memorial johnston s jolly and chunk bair new zealand memorial and kilitbahir fortress arrive in istanbul and transfer to your hotel overnight in istanbul breakfast lunch day 8 ephesus this morning we depart from our hotel and set out for the ancient city of ephesus and it s surrounding environments firstly we visit the house of the virgin mary on top of bulbul mountain an important pilgrimage site for people of all denominations according to predominant christian tradition mary was brought to ephesus by the apostle john after the resurrection of christ and lived out her days there it is believed to be the last residence of the virgin mary archaeologists who have examined the building identified the foun day 9 pergamon troy canakkale today the tour will depart for pergamon built on a conical hill 1,000 feet from the surrounding valley you will view the asclepion a popular health centre during the period of the greeks and the romans as you make your way to the acropolis the red basilica originally a temple of serapis can be viewed the most spectacular structure of the acropolis is certainly the theatre a remarkable piece of engineering built into the steep hillside pergamon is listed among the top 100 historical sites of the mediterranean after our visits to the sites and lunch we depart for canakkale visit the fa day 11 sunday departure after breakfast transfer to istanbul airport for your international departure flight end of our services breakfast included services · 10 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels including breakfast · arrival departure airport transfers · all admission fees to the visited sites · all sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary · all domestic taxes fees there is no hidden cost · domestic flight tickets from istanbul to ankara · all meals mentioned in the itinerary · opportunity to see the pottery and carpet production centers in asia minor · transportation by air-conditioned non smoking vehicle · professional english speaking tour guide prices per person starting from departures thursdays low season triple room double room single room 935 935 1118 prices are a guide only season supplements may apply latest prices are available on our website departs every thursday throughout the year www.iexploreturkey.com 13

[close]