12D9N Remarkable Turkey (Nov 2022 – Mar 2023)

HIGHLIGHTS

TURKEY

ISTANBUL

• Blue Mosque
• Hagia Sophia
• Hippodrome
• Topkapi Palace
• Grand Bazaar

BURSA

• Green Tomb
• Green Mosque

SAFRANBOLU

• Hidirlik Hill
• Old Town
• Cinci Han
• Yoruk Village
• Kaymakamlar Museum

CAPPADOCIA

• Pigeon Valley
• Uchisar Castle
• Goreme Open-Air Museum
• Monks Valley (Pasabag)
• Kaymakli Underground City
• Belly Dance Show

KONYA

• Caravanserai
• Mevlana Museum

PAMUKKALE

• Hierapolis
• Travertine Terraces

SELÇUK

• Ephesus Ancient City
• House of the Virgin Mary

TROY

• Trojan Horse

MEAL PLANS:

• 9 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 9 Dinners

SPECIAL MEALS:

HOTELS
5★ HOTELS

• BURSA Euro Park
• SAFRANBOLU Kahveciler Konagi
• CAPPADOCIA Doubletree by Hilton
• PAMUKKALE Pam Hotel
• KUSADASI Le Bleu
• CANAKKALE Kolin
• ISTANBUL Crown Plaza Old Town

Note:

• Hotels subject to final confirmation. Should there be changes, customers will be offered similar accommodations as stated in this list.
• During major events, accommodation may be re-located to outside of the city or in another city without prior notice.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – HOME – ISTANBUL (MEALS ON BOARD)

Assemble at the airport and depart for Istanbul, a unique city that’s built on two continents, Asia and Europe.

DAY 2 – ISTANBUL – BURSA (TURKISH GRILLED FISH LUNCH, HOTEL DINNER)

Upon arriving, your Mediterranean adventure begins with a tour of historic Istanbul. You’ll drive past to see the magnificent Valens Aqueduct before boarding a ferry to cross the Sea of Marmara to reach Bursa. We shall then embark on a tour to explore the Green Tomb and the Green Mosque.

DAY 3 – BURSA – SAFRANBOLU (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, HOTEL DINNER)

After breakfast, depart for Safranbolu to explore its perfectly preserved Ottoman town. Enjoy unique displays of late Ottoman urban architecture containing over 1,000 registered artefacts from the 17th to 19th centuries. Head up to the highest point of Hidirlik Hill, which overlooks the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Safranbolu Old Town, for a picturesque view. Then, visit historical sites like the Old Town, Cinci Han, Yoruk Village and Kaymakamlar Museum.

DAY 4 – SAFRANBOLU – ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, HOTEL DINNER)

Today, we will drive to Ankara to visit the Ataturk Mausoleum. It is an important site that showcases the history of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk – ‘the Founding Father of modern Turkey’. Thereafter, we will stop for some photos at the second largest lake in Turkey, Lake Tuz. The saline lake is one of the world’s largest and surrounded by plateaus. Stay the night in Cappadocia.

DAY 5 – CAPPADOCIA (BREAKFAST, LUNCH – POTTERY KEBAB, HOTEL DINNER)

This morning, you may consider going for a famous Turkey experience – a Hot Air Balloon Ride over the most extraordinary landscapes or a Jeep Safari Tour, at your own expense (subject to weather conditions). Then, kick-start your full day tour of Cappadocia with photos stops to gaze at Pigeon Valley and Uchisar Castle. Next, visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a World Heritage Site with fascinating cave churches and biblical frescoes. Then, stop by Monks Valley (Pasabag) for some memorable photos at one of the most picturesque spots of Cappadocia. We will enjoy the local specialty, Pottery Kebab, for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the valley. After lunch, continue to Kaymakli Underground City, once a hiding place for early Christians escaping Arabic persecutors. Last but not least, visit a Jewellery Centre where you can admire some handcrafted natural stones. As night falls, adjourn to a Cave Restaurant for a traditional Turkish Belly Dance Show with unlimited drinks service.

DAY 6 – CAPPADOCIA – KONYA – PAMUKKALE (BREAKFAST, LUNCH – ETLI EKMEK, HOTEL DINNER)

After breakfast, visit a Turkish carpet showroom before leaving Cappadocia. En route, stop at an old caravanserai that dates back to the 13th century. You will soon reach Konya to visit the Mevlana Museum, which is the best place to learn about the sect of the whirling dervishes. Then, proceed to Pamukkale where you will end your day with a relaxing soak in a hot thermal pool.

DAY 7 – PAMUKKALE – SELÇUK – KUSADASI (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, HOTEL DINNER)

Today, we will explore Pamukkale, also known as the ‘Cotton Castle’ due to the white, cottony appearance of the mineral bath spas that abound the calcium-rich province. See landmarks such as the Hierapolis ruins and the iconic white Travertine Terraces before taking a dip in the mineral-rich hot springs. Thereafter, leave for Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city of Asia Minor. Admire the impressive ruins of the Library of Celsus, one of the most photographed highlight of Ephesus. Continue to visit the House of Virgin Mary, a place believed to be where Virgin Mary spent the last years of her life. Next, travel to Kusadasi, a popular coastal town on Turkey’s Aegean coast, and make a pit stop at the Turkish Delight and Apple Tea Outlet before we settle for the night.

DAY 8 – KUSADASI – BERGAMA – CANAKKALE (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, HOTEL DINNER)

Begin the day with a visit to a Turkish Leather showroom. After which, travel to the ancient city of Pergamon to see the impressive Acropolis, which is dramatically situated atop a hill to the northeast of town. Enjoy a cable car ride up the hill as you relish in the sight of impressive temples, the library, theatre and arsenals. We will next make our way to Troy to see the famous Trojan Horse – a huge, hollow wooden construction by the Greeks to gain entrance into Troy during the Trojan War. Finally, sit back and relax as we embark on a leisure drive along the coast to Canakkale. Note: Cable car rides are subject to weather conditions.

DAY 9 – CANAKKALE – ISTANBUL (BREAKFAST, LUNCH – CHICKEN SHISH, CHINESE DINNER)

Depart Canakkale via the longest suspension bridge in the world. The 1915 Canakkale Bridge has reached completion in Turkey with a span of 2,023 metres, becoming the longest suspension bridge in the world. We will start with a visit to Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Wind down with a walk around the world’s largest canopied market – the Grand Bazaar as you partake in some haggling for bargains at some 4,000 stalls hawking jewellery, pottery, spices, carpet, leather and more.

DAY 10 – ISTANBUL (BREAKFAST, LUNCH – GRILLED FISH, CHINESE DINNER)

We shall continue our sightseeing tour of the ‘imperial city’ by visiting the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia – magnificent monuments dedicated to two major religions of the world peacefully standing side by side. Next, view the remaining structures of the Hippodrome of Constantinople, which comprises 3 monumental columns and one fountain. Note: Blue Mosque is closed until 2.30pm during Friday prayers.

DAY 11 – ISTANBUL – HOME (BREAKFAST)

Today spend the day at your leisure, you may consider an optional visit to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar and a cruise along the European and Asian shores of the Bosporus. Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.

DAY 12 – HOME SWEET HOME

We hope you enjoyed your trip with our company and we look forward to seeing you again for your next trip.

REMARKS

• Prices shown are just guideline and are not guaranteed until purchase is completed.
• Price shown are in SGD
• Prices based on twin sharing, and does not include airport taxes and fuel surcharges, optional tours and gratitude for local guides, drivers and tour leaders, if applicable
• All tours subject to group size for confirmation
• Land arrangement excludes flight arrangements, optional tours and gratitude for local guides, drivers and tour leaders, if applicable
• Tour fare does not include visa charges. Passengers have to ensure that they hold a valid visa to enter their destination country. Please refer to http://cibtvisas.sg for visa requirement and charges