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Description

See the highlights of Turkey from the ruins of Ephesus, Kusadasi, the calcium terraces of Pamukkale to Cappadocia for Christmas. Cappadocia is a must for any one visiting turkey and during the Christmas period it is absolutely exquisite. The snow covered chimney tops of underground cities and cave hotels, experience the best Turkish nights entertainment in the country and the traditional Turkish Baths that make this the perfect place for anybody looking for a Christmas before flying to Istanbul to take in the New Year in the Streets of the Old city.

    
DAY 1 - Istanbul  (D) 19 December 2008

Welcome to Turkey, arrival into Istanbul. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Tonight we have a Welcome Dinner, you will meet our friendly crew while enjoying traditional Turkish Food and enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night. Overnight in Istanbul!!

DAY 2 - Istanbul City Tour 20 December 2008

Breakfast Included
We depart at 09:00 for the Istanbul city tour. TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Lunch break and then we head to the SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar) the air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy Istanbul. Over night in Istanbul.

DAY 3 - Istanbul to Izmir / Kusadasi 21 December 2008

Free Day until the afternoon for your domestic flight to Izmir. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel in Kusadasi. Over Night in Kusadasi

DAY 4 - Ephesus Tour 22 December 2008

A fully Guided Ephesus Tour starts at 09:00, one of the best preserved ancient ruins in the world. A visit to Ephesus - once the commercial centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The tour of the ruins also includes a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. Overnight in Kusadasi/Ephesus

DAY 5 - Pamukkale Tour 23 December 2008

Day trip to Pamukkale and we depart at 09:30 on our tour of Pamukkale travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis. You will visit Domitian Gate, Colonnaded Gate, and Cathedral, Red waters of Karahayit, Lunch, Pamukkale Museum, and The Travertines of Pamukkale. Overnight in Kusadasi/Ephesus

DAY 6 - Shopping Tour - 24 December 2008

Breakfast and Dinner Included
Christmas Eve and it's a chance for some last minute Christmas gifts, or even to treat yourself. We will make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like carpet weaving, leather manufacturing and jewellery. As this will be a guided tour, you will avoid being hassled which will enable you enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. After lunch we are going to visit a traditional Turkish Village, Sirince and you will have the chance to meet the locals and taste their local produce. Sirince is one of the Governments Protected Areas (G. R. A) of Izmir and so most of its original authentic buildings are well preserved, especially the two Churches in the village Centre. Tonight enjoy a big xmas feast of rich Turkish cuisine and party the night away with your new friends. Over Night in Kusadasi

DAY 7 - Kusadasi/ Sirince Turkish Village 25 December 2008

Merry Christmas!  We start our morning with a Hamam, that's the word for the Turkish bath and is surely an unforgettable part of your holiday and the best way to start Christmas day. Receive a pummeling from head to toe, let the expert scrub off all those dead cells, relax and drift away. Late afternoon we start our Christmas celebrations, and yes Santa will visit you at the Hotel, the festive atmosphere is in the air. You will definitely have a Christmas night to remember. Enjoy a big Christmas feast of rich Turkish cuisine and party the night away with your new friends with Turkish live music. Over Night in Kusadasi

DAY 8 - Izmir - Kayseri Airport- Cappadocia 26 December 2008

After breakfast, we depart for Izmir Airport for our domestic flight to Cappadocia. Transfer from Kayseri airport to your Cave hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore Cappadocia. Overnight in Cave Hotel in Cappadocia

DAY 9 - Cappadocia Tour 27 December 2008

After breakfast we shall start our Cappadocia tour including Göreme Open Air Museum, Dervent Valley, and Pasabag Valley. After lunch, we will make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like carpet weaving, leather manufacturing and jewellery. As this will be a guided tour, you will avoid being hassled which will enable you enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Free evening. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Before the tour there is an option to go hot air ballooning:
The Hot Air Balloon descends at sunrise and the ride lasts for approximately 45 minutes; in which we will float through valleys, between fairy chimneys and caves. The balloon will rise approximately 1000 feet in which you will experience the extraordinary views Cappadocia has to offer. On landing, champagne will be served to toast arrival. It is a fantastic journey made by the eccentric landscapes and the rising sun.

DAY 10 - Cappadocia Tour- Istanbul (B/D) 28 December 2008

After breakfast we head to one of the most interesting sites of Cappadocia: Kaymakli Underground City. The Christians hid from the armies of Rome and the raids of hostile tribes in these self sufficient cities in which there were halls for stocks of crop, barns, rooms, kitchens & ventilation channels. The second part of our Cappadocia Tour will include Uçhisar Castle, Avcilar, and Pidgeon Valley. After the tour we will rest at the hotel and have a free afternoon until transfers to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul. After Cappadocia depart for Kayseri Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night. Over night in Istanbul

DAY 11 - 1001 Night Show in Istanbul (With Dinner) 29 December 2008

Evening Show Starts: 20:30pm and end about 23:45pm with dinner.
Enjoy the night life in Istanbul: We have dinner in a first class restaurant "ORIENT HOUSE RESTAURANT", with half a bottle of wine or a soft drink and will be watching a spectacular floor show of famous belly-dancers with full night, traditional live 1001 NIGHTS Anatolian Folklore Groups featuring popular musical instruments and Turkish singers with surprises. Around midnight we will transfer you to hotel where you stay.

DAY 12 - Shopping – Bosphorous Cruise 30 December 2008

SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar)
The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
BEDESTEN exhibits the traditional silk weaving courses carpet weaving courses authorised by the Ministry of National Education. Possibility to see jewellery, handicrafts center and leather ware show. Free time provided for shopping.
BOSPHORUS ON BOAT A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Çiragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortaköy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortaköy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosphorous. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.
BEYLERBEYI PALAS The summer residence of Ottoman sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another ( Europe)
CAMLICA HILL the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorous from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style.

DAY 13 - New Years Eve 31 December 2008

The day is yours to relax and enjoy Istanbul before your New years eve celebrations start.  The whole of Istanbul is electric on this night and everyone is out to celebrate.  At 19:00 we will meet in the foyer of the Hotel and taken out to one of our Favorite restaurants in Istanbul. You will enjoy traditional Turkish food and free local drinks between 9-11.30pm while you are entertained by the live Music.  We will celebrate into the New Year until 2am, when you can keep partying or be taken back to the Hotel with your guide.  This will truly be a night to remember.

DAY 14 - New years Day 01 January 2009

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2009! After breakfast check out from the hotel. We drive you back to the airport. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future

Tour Price Includes:

Domestic flights from Istanbul to Izmir - Izmir to Cappadocia and Cappadocia to Istanbul
13 Breakfast and 13 Dinners
5 nights accommodation in Istanbul with Breakfast & Diner
5 nights accommodation in Kusadasi with Breakfast & Dinner
3 Night accommodation in Cappadocia with Breakfast & Dinner
1 Full Day Istanbul City Tour
1 Full Day Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise
1 Full Day Ephesus Tour
1 Full Day Pamukkale Tour
2 Full Day Cappadocia Tour
Christmas celebrations
New Years Eve Party
Turkish Village Tour
Turkish Bath
Air-conditioned busses
Professional English speaking tour guide
All entrance fees mentioned in the Itinerary
Return airport transfers

Tour Price Excludes:

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Air and departure taxes,
Bottled beverages or alcohol,
Travel insurance,
Visas, laundry, and personal items.

Price FROM:
£966.00 Per Person (based on Double Share)
£1216.00 Single Room/Traveller

Set Departure Dates:

19th Dec till the 01st Jan