Aegean Turkey

This 9-day Private tour shows you the top sights of western Turkey--Istanbul, Troy, Pergamon, Izmir, Ephesus, Kusadasi-- the cradle of classical civilizations.

Aegean Turkey, Honeymoon in Turkey
Compare with the 7-day Version . Add Crete . Add Egypt

DAY 1 - ISTANBUL- This is a private Tour, you may choose your own date.
We suggest Saturdays - Weekly - Year Round

Our staff meets your plane and escorts you to your hotel. , Five stars : Hilton, Conrad, Hyatt or similar

DAY 2 - ISTANBUL- Sunday (BL)

We tour historic Istanbul, including the Hippodrome, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Süleymaniye Mosque, and the 4000-shop Grand Bazaar. Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3 - ISTANBUL - Monday (BL)

After a visit to the aromatic Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar on the Golden Horn, we board a ferryboat and cruise northward along the Bosphorus, the strait which separates Europe and Asia. Sipping Turkish coffee or tea, we pass waterside palaces, mansions, forests and parks. Disembarking at a fishing village, we have a seafood lunch at a local restaurant, then drive south to tour fabled Topkapi Palace, where we will stroll through the palace gardens to see the Treasury and Chinese porcelains. Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4 - DARDANELLES & TROY - Tuesday (BL)

We drive through Thrace (European Turkey) to Gallipoli, scene of famous battles in WWI. After lunch we cross the Dardanelles (Hellespont) and drive to legendary Troy to see the famous walls and a replica of the Trojan Horse before settling in at our hotel in Çanakkale. Breakfast , Lunch

DAY 5 - PERGAMON & IZMIR- Wednesday (BL)

Driving south through the fields and olive groves along the Aegean shore, we come to Bergama, ancient Pergamon. Ascending its lofty acropolis, we see the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the remains of the 200,000-volume library which was surpassed only by Alexandria's. A few miles away, we tour the asclepion, the early medical center where Galen was a physician, before continuing to Izmir for the night. Breakfast , Lunch

DAY 6 - EPHESUS & KUSADASI- Thursday (BL)

In the morning light we ascend Kadifekale, Izmir's hill crowned by a fortress built by Alexander the Great. Then it's off to biblical Ephesus to see the Basilica of St John the Evangelist, who came here with the Virgin Mary. Passing the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, we reach Ephesus, the most impressive ancient city on the Mediterranean. After our tour, we continue to the fine Ephesus Museum and the hilltop House of the Virgin Mary, said to be her last home on earth. We spend the night in the Aegean resort of Kusadasi. Breakfast , Lunch

DAY 7 - PRIENE, MILETUS & DIDYMA- Friday (BL)

A short drive brings us to the well-preserved ruins of Priene, a very ancient city perched above the aptly-named Meander River. We next tour Miletus, where the philosopher Thales was born. Finally, we tour the gigantic oracular temple at Didyma, which challenged the primacy of Delphi . Breakfast , Lunch

DAY 8- Kusadasi- Saturday (B)

We spend one more day in the Aegean resort of Kusadasi at leisure, juts to relax or join one of our optional tours. Breakfast

DAY 9 - DEPARTURE - Sunday (B)

We escort you to the airport Izmir for your flight home. (Breakfast )

Rates per person- Deluxe Hotels

In Triple occupancy	US$ 2990
In Double occupancy	US$ 3040
In Single occupancy	US$ 3780

Rates are per person and include:

Airfares within Turkey in economy class , tax included
All transfers within Turkey, always in a private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur
All guided sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees
Pre -set Meals as listed including breakfast daily .
Accommodations in comfortable five star -class hotels are included.

What's not included.

Turkish Visa Fee payable in cash upon arrival at the airport in Istanbul, or contact any of the Turkish Consulates near you .
Any shore excursion while cruising/sailing.
Travel Insurance. Please ask us for the flyer
Gratuities (at your discretion)

International airfare from to your home country

Extend your stay in Turkey on board a comfortable Gulet

Amusing airplane/train/bus or end-of-the-day reading? Turkey: Bright
Sun, Strong Tea, my humorous travel memoir:
http://www.brightsunstrongtea.com/