10D TURKIYE DELIGHT

• Assemble at Changi International Airport for your flight to Istanbul, the only city built on two continents, Asia, and Europe.
  

Meals On Board

• Upon arrival, head to Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), Turkey. (Note: During Tulip Festival, Basilica Cistern will be replaced with Emirgan Park/ Gulhane Park) Proceed to visit the Hippodrome Square, the center for sports and political activities of Constantinople (capital city of ancient Byzantine), and Turkey today. Be awed by the interior decoration and distinctive blue tiles at the Blue Mosque, one of the largest religious complexes in Istanbul. Then, make a stop at the famed museum and monument Hagia Sophia, one of the great architectural marvels of the ancient world. Thereafter, drive across the 1915 Canakkale Bridge, the World’s longest suspension bridge, to Çanakkale.
  

Lunch / Dinner

• After a good breakfast, visit the ruins of ancient Troy – a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, home to a reconstruction of the famous wooden Trojan horse. Continue your journey to the ancient city of Pergamon to visit Ancient Acropolis where there are some historic sites like the Altar of Zeus, the Sanctuary of Athena, the Library of Pergamum, the Roman theatre, Arsenals and The Asclepion – a famous ancient medical center. After that, proceed to Kuşadasi for the night.
  

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

• Start the day with a journey to Ephesus, an ancient Roman city and visit the Grand Theatre, the Library of Celsus and Marble Street. Next, we will make a short visit to check out some Leather Products that Turkey is famous for. En route, visit the House of the Virgin Mary – the place where she is believed to have spent her last few years. After exploring Ephesus, head towards Pamukkale, where you will get to visit the extensive ruins of Hierapolis. Here, you will also get to enter the unique Cotton Castle, a stunning World Heritage site made up of fascinating white terraces and pools created by calcareous hot spring water flowing down the mountain.
  

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

• This morning, travel to Cappadocia. Along the way, proceed to the blue-green domed Mevlana Museum, which was the original lodge of the Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes. (Note: Melvana Museum to be replaced by fruit picking in June and mid- September to mid-October) After this, we will proceed to Konya, the famous old capital city of the Seljuk Turks in the 12th and 13th centuries. Continue your journey towards Cappadocia. Make a stop at Sultan Han Caravanserai which was built like a fort with its high walls of local stone.
  

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

• Visit the Underground City of Kaymakli, one of the largest underground cities that is said to have existed since the Hittite period. Next, explore the rock-carved ancient cave churches and impressive biblical frescoes in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Stop for photos at:
  
• Pasabag (Monk’s Valley), famous for its mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys
• Devrent Valley (Imaginary Valley), known for its many animal-shaped rocks, which look like a sculpture zoo made by nature
• Thereafter, proceed to Uçhisar, an old village of small dwellings carved into massive rocks. En route, make a stop at the Carpet Factory as well as the Ceramic and Pottery Showroom. This evening, enjoy a Belly and Folklore Dance performance.

Breakfast / Pottery Kebab Lunch / Dinner

• This morning, drive to Ankara – the capital of Turkiye – via a majestic Salt Lake. Visit the magnificent Atatürk Mausoleum, the final resting place for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who is also known as the “Father of Modern Turkiye”. After this, continue your journey to the enchanting town of Bolu.
  

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

• Enjoy a leisurely drive to Istanbul. Upon arrival, make a stop at the covered Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets. (Note: Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and may be closed with or without notice on Turkish local holidays, religious holidays, or local events) Next, visit Topkapı Palace. Then, Taksim Square is where you will end your day. It is so named as it was laid out in the late 1800s near a Taksim (branching-point). Complete your evening with dinner at the popular Galata Tower Fish Restaurant.
  

Breakfast / Lunch / Grill Fish Dinner

• After breakfast, you can spend some free time exploring the city，or take an optional tour on a Bosphorus cruise (at your own expense) to enjoy the unique experience of cruising between the 2 continents of Asia and Europe, before your departure transfer for your flight back home.  We hope you have had an enjoyable and memorable time with SA Tours!

            (Note: Passengers joining SQ flight will stay one more night, depart for Singapore on the following day and arrive in Singapore on Day 11)

Meals On Board / Breakfast