第一天: 伊斯坦堡:機場接送您到5星級皇宮改建的Ciragan Palace Kempinski飯店, 我们的首席導遊 Turkish Scholar Guide 將在飯店lobby接待您, 稍作休息後我们將提供您當地的美酒供您品嘗, 接著前往著名的大市集區逛逛, 我们會參觀巴洛克式建築的清真寺Nuruosmaniye, 同時也會逛逛Bajazet清真寺附近的二手書店市場, 並逛逛著名的香料市場, 晚上將可以到最美麗的博斯普魯斯海峽沿岸最受歡迎的DISCO 和精選的高級酒吧體驗伊斯坦堡奢華的夜生活, 住宿伊斯坦堡

 

DAY 1 ISTANBUL You will be transferred to your 5* Ciragan Palace Kempinski hotel. At 4.30 pm you will meet your guide at the lobby.  After a short briefing, you will be offered delicious local wines before taking a stroll in the Grand Bazaar area. At that point we will also visit a baroque style mosque, Nuruosmaniye. While wandering in the area we will also have a look for a famous second hand books market near Bajazet Mosque. Our next destination will be the Spice Market. In the night we will have the opportunity to go to some of the selected bars and popular discotheques along the Bosphorus. Overnight in Istanbul.

第二天: 伊斯坦堡—安卡拉: 早上8:45出發去參觀位於亞洲區蘇丹國王的夏宮"Beylerbeyi", 11:15我们從Kanlica出發航行於博斯普魯斯海峽沿岸亞洲區和歐洲區, 從歐洲區的Sariyer上岸參觀Yildiz Imperial花園和Yildiz Sale皇宮, 這裡土耳其政府使用為正式的國賓接待中心, 在美麗的花園散步穿越花草和樹林將會看到巴士接我们前往Dolmabahce皇宮參觀, 這個皇宮建於19世紀, 成為鄂圖曼大帝最主要的居住所一直到第一次世界大戰結束也就是鄂圖曼帝國的結束,這裡也叫黃金皇宮, 到處是鍍金的牆璧, 天花板和傢俱, 超過285個房間和43個大廳, 裝飾有當時最知名畫家的繪畫,令人讚嘆的水晶燈飾, Hereke的絲地毯, 這些都反映出當時鄂圖曼帝國奢華穨廢, 下午3點我們要趕到Military博物館去聽禁衛軍樂隊的表演, 接著參觀最大的鄂圖曼清真寺修道院叫做Suleimaniye清真寺, j我們將以參觀黃金角盡頭的Eyup區, 一個綜合的修道院聚集圍繞在Eyup陵廎附近, Eyup是先知默罕默德的軍隊中舉軍旗的聖者, 參觀完這個對回教徒來說非常神聖的地方後, 我們將穿越古老的墓園爬上博斯普魯斯海峽沿岸具悠久歷史的Pierre Loti咖啡屋, 享受咖啡的同時, 那裡可一覽黃金角的全景, 日落前乘車經過連接博斯普魯斯海峽兩岸的橋粱到達亞洲區, 搭乘夜車前往安卡拉

DAY 2 ISTANBUL - ANKARA Departure at 8.45 am. This morning we will visit a summer palace built for the Sultans, "Beylerbeyi" on the Asian side.  Our navigation between Asian and European continents along the Bosphorus strait starts from Kanlica at 11.15 am. Disembarking at Sariyer on the European side our next visit will be Yildiz Imperial Gardens and the Yildiz Sale palace used as an official guest house by the Turkish government. After a nice walk in this lovers garden through beautiful trees and flowers, we will reach our bus and drive to Dolmabahce Palace. After its construction in the 19th, century thispalace became the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans until the end of the first world war, which marked the end of the Ottoman Empire. A golden palace we should say with all the gold plated walls, ceilings, furniture and all the rest.  More than 285 rooms and 43 halls, with paintings of the most famous painters of the time, wonderful crystals everywhere and Hereke silk carpets reflecting the wealth of the Ottoman Empire at that period of its decadency.At 3.00 pm we must be at the Military Museum to listen to the performances of a Janissary Band. Suleimaniye Mosque the greatest sample of the monumental Ottoman mosques will be next. To terminate the day we will go to Eyup area consisting of an ensemble of monuments gathered around the Mausoleum of Eyup, who was the standard-bearer of the Army of prophet Muhammad. After our visit to this very sacred place for the Muslims, we will climb to the old cafe of Pierre Loti through the old cemetery. At Pierre Loti we will enjoy a wonderful panorama over the Golden Horn bay, which is an inlet of the Bosphorus strait. As the sun will set taking the highways of the Intercontinental Bridge built over the Bosphorus, we will reach Asia again to take our overnight train to Ankara. 

第三天: 安卡拉—卡巴多起亞: 經過火車行駛500公里後一早我們可以到達安卡拉, 參觀土耳其的首都和叫Zeybeks的城市, 這個城市是Dionysiacs自由解放者, Dionysiacs是一種只為榮譽而活的自由主義, Zeybeks這個字源於Iobakkhi, 羅馬字酒神的意思, 在安卡拉我們將參觀安那托利亞人文博物館, 在那裡你可以看到整個土耳其的歷史, 從Paleolithic時期開始, 所有古代土耳其人類史上重要的時期都記述在這個博物館, 所有的物件, 描繪, 和壁畫都是原始真品, 包括Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and early bronze age sections 各時期是令人印相深刻的參觀高潮, 接著再參觀Assyrian貿易殖民時期,  Hittite 時期和Phrigian時期, Urartian時期, 看完博物館我们將參觀土耳其之父凱末爾的陵廎, 他於1923年建立土耳其共合國, 接著啟程前往車程5小時的卡巴多起亞, 夜宿卡巴多起亞的小鎮

 

DAY 3 ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA After our trip of over 500 kilometers by train we will step on Ankara land in early morning. Visit the capital of Turkey. The city of Zeybeks, of those emancipated Dionysiacs who live only for their honor. Clearly the word Zeybek derives from Iobakkhi, Io Bakkhus the Roman name of the God of Vine Dionysus. In Ankara we will visit the museum of Anatolian Civilizations where you will have a chance to see the summary of the history of Turkey. Starting from the Paleolithic age, all important periods of the human being living in  ancient Turkey are described in that museum. Objects, descriptions, pictures and frescoes, all of them are original. Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and early bronze age sections, are the first highlights to impress the visitor. Continuing forward we will also see Assyrian trading colonies period, Hittite period, Phrigian period, and Urartian periods. After the visit of the museum we will visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, who was the founder of the modern Turkish Republic in 1923 before we proceed towards Cappadocia which is approximately five hours of driving distance from Ankara. Tonight we will overnight by a small Cappadocian village.

 

第四天: 卡巴多起亞:今天整天將參觀卡巴多起亞, 這是最早期基督徒居住的地方, 早期許多基督徒被趕離耶路撒冷和附近的地區, 為了他们的安全他们移居卡巴多起亞, 山洞和地下城市, 西元第四世紀基督教被羅馬帝國承認為正式宗教, 他們開始藉由岩石挖掘的教堂璧畫散佈他们的教義, 接著前往Avcilar小鎮參觀”妖精煙 囪” 那是火山地形所形成其奇形怪狀像蘑姑的岩石, 再參觀Zelve峽谷及古代商旅休息的旅店Seljukian Caravanserai

 

DAY 4 CAPPADOCIA Full day visit of Cappadocia. The dwelling place of the first Christians. Many Christians who had been chased away from Jerusalem and the neighboring lands, immigrated to Cappadocia for their safety. In Cappadocia they dug caves and underground cities to protect themselves from the pagans. In the 4th century as Christianity became an official religion throughout the Roman Empire they started to spread the religion by means of  pictures they drew on the walls of their rock dug churches. Visit Avcilar village, the so called fairy chimneys which are strange looking rocks looking like chimneys or mushrooms, Zelve valley, and  a Seljukian Caravanserai.

 

第五天: 卡巴多起亞: 在飯店內早餐後參觀Derinkuyu地下城市, 這個地下城市深85公尺, 可容納2000個家庭, 10,000人,我们 接著繼續探索這個令人讚嘆地方…..Kizilvadi 教堂, 修道院和Göreme山谷, 大部分最美麗的岩石教堂璧畫都在Göreme山谷, 早期基督教修士住在這裡, 並在這個山谷中釀造美酒, 在卡巴多起亞我們不能錯過參觀當地的手工藝品工廠, 觀賞旋轉舞蹈, 及民俗舞蹈的表演並與他們共舞…..等等具特色的餘性興節目

 

DAY 5 CAPPADOCIA After having breakfast at the hotel visit the underground city of Derinkuyu which having a depth of 85 meters, could accommodate 2’000 families, roughly 10’000 people. Continue to discover this amazing region. Kizilvadi, churches, monasteries and the Göreme Valley. Most of the rock dug churches with beautiful frescoes are located in the Göreme valley. Christian monks living here were able to produce good wine from vineyards in the valley. In Cappadocia we won't miss the opportunities to visit local handicraft workshops,  to see whirling dervishes, folklore dances in a rock dug cabaret place where we will also have chances for dancing on our own.

 

第六天: 卡巴多起亞—肯亞: 今天將前往肯亞, 途中可拜訪Ihlara山谷, 經過 Aksaray道達肯亞之前可參觀美麗無比, 叫做Guzelyurt小鎮, 肯亞是古代Seljuk王朝的首都, 是第一個建立在小亞細亞的王朝, 在肯亞我们將參觀從13世紀建立的Mevlana修到院, Mevlana( 1207-73_是詩人,學者,和哲學家,也是創立whirling dervishes的人, 這是一種表演舞蹈, 不停的自我旋轉以達到冥想和更接近神,具神秘色彩,  夜宿肯亞

 

DAY 6 CAPPADOCIA - KONYA Depart for Konya. Visit Ihlara Valley which will be on our way. A valley of unparalleled beauty and a wonderful small town called Guzelyurt before reaching Konya via Aksaray. Konya was the ancient capital of the Seljuk Empire, the first Turkish empire founded in Asia Minor. In Konya we will visit the monastery of Mevlana from the 13 th century. Mevlana 1207-73 was a poet, scholar, and philosopher and the founder of the order of whirling dervishes who, while performing their dance consisting of turning around themselves, were getting closer to God. Overnight in Konya.

 

第七天:肯亞---棉堡(PAMUKKALE):在我們離開肯亞之前我们將參觀Seljuks時代古老的大學Karatay Medrese, 離開肯亞後我们前往棉堡, 到了棉堡我们可以在神期的熱溫泉中放鬆的游泳, 然後參觀水瀑布和Hierapolis廢墟,  棉堡過夜

 

DAY 7 KONYA - PAMUKKALE Before we leave Konya we will go the Karatay Medrese which is an ancient university dating from the times of Seljuks. Leave Konya to proceed to Pamukkale. Arrive at Pamukkale and relax swimming in the hot thermal waters of this very magic place. Visit water cascades and the ruins of Hierapolis above. Overnight in Pamukkale.

 

第八天:棉堡(PAMUKKALE)-- APHRODISIAS - TERMESSOS – 安大利亞(ANTALYA): 一早check out 前往Aphrodisias參觀愛的女神廟, 這是為女神Aphrodite而建的古老城市, 這裡各種放蕩行為都可以被立法者接受, 這裡可參觀劇院和壯麗的露天運動場, 這是土耳其境內保存最完整的露天運動場, 接著繼續深入Taurus綿延的山區, 在這土耳其稱湖行政區的美麗區域仍然住著遊牧民族, 最後我們將在遊牧民族的小村子停留, 經過Korkuteli小鎮後我们將開始爬彎曲的路帶我们到山的另一邊Termessos, 這個獨特的遺蹟位於1050公尺高的山上, 可以從Taurus山眺望地中海, 景色迷人並可看到野生山羊悠遊在山間, 夜宿安大利亞

 

DAY 8 PAMUKKALE - APHRODISIAS - TERMESSOS - ANTALYA Early check out in the morning to go to Aphrodisias. Visit the temple of the Goddess of love, Aphrodite. This ancient city dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite where any kind of obscenities were tolerated by legislators so much to offer us. See the odeon and a magnificent stadium which is the best preserved in all of Turkey. We will continue our way penetrating in to the mountain chain Taurus. In this beautiful region of Turkey which is called “region of lakes” still live nomads and today we will eventually make a stop by a nomadic village. After having passed the small town of Korkuteli we will start climbing a snaky road which will take us to an extraordinary site in the mountains, Termessos. This antique site situated at a height of 1050 meters has a wonderful view on the Mediterranean through the Taurus mountains. Watch out for the wild goats around. Overnight in Antalya.

 

第九天:安大利亞(ANTALYA) - PERGE - ASPENDOS - GULLETTE: 乘車前往Aspendos, 參觀世界上保存最完整的劇院,然後前往Perge, 這是另一個擁有它自己獨特氣質而有趣的古蹟, 它的水路網非常著名, 提供當地居民新鮮的空氣,  接著參觀Lara海邊的瀑布, 我們將看到奇異的景象, 這裡的瀑布都叫做"Karpuzkaldiran" 是西瓜起重機的意思, 下一站將參觀Antalya的考古博物館, 美麗的雕塑和房子在那裡被挖掘發現, 參觀完博物館我们將前往碼頭上船,  從Turquoise海岸開始長途海上之旅, 在船上我们將供應一切, 首先我们會在Phaselis停留, 在那裡佈滿的松樹林下可看到古Pamphylian區迷人的景觀,  (滑鼠點這裡可以看見航海圖click here to see a map of this voyage)

 

DAY 9 ANTALYA - PERGE - ASPENDOS - GULLETTE Drive to Aspendos, visit the best preserved theater of the  antique world. Proceed to Perge another very interesting ancient site  having a charisma of its own. Famous with its waterways to provide fresh air to its inhabitants. Proceed to the water falls on the road of Lara beach. The view of the waterfalls at that area called Karpuzkaldiran meaning "watermelon lifter" is wonderful. Visit the museum of Antalya which holds the most beautiful statues and objects found during the archaeological excavations carried out in the area. After the visit of the museum we will proceed to the pier where we will embark our gulette to start an Odyssey on the Turquoise coast. With all our provisions on board. Our first stop will be Phaselis, a marvellous antique site on the ancient Pamphylian region hidden under the pin trees. click here to see a map of this voyage

 

第十天: PHASELIS - OLYMPUS - PORTO CENEVIZ GULLETTE:啟航前往Mt. Tahtali (Mt. Olympos)南邊的古代城市, 夾竹桃和月桂樹叢使得Olympos山谷涼蔭無比, 在海拔300公尺高的Yanartas附近, 根據關於Lycian的英雄Bellerophon的神話傳說, 他騎在有翅膀的馬上旋轉著噴火怪物, 當時的這裡瀰漫著瓦斯氣體燃燒照亮了整個夜空, 拜占廷時代認為這是個神聖的地方, 傍晚我们將到達Phaselis, 這是坐落在古代Phaselis行政區的城市, 它隱藏在松樹林中, 是個不可思議的歷史古蹟, 晚上停泊在Geneviz碼頭過夜

 

DAY 10 PHASELIS - OLYMPUS - PORTO CENEVIZ GULLETTE Pulling anchor and heading towards the ancient city of Olympos, on the southern side of Mt. Tahtali (Mt. Olympos). Oleander and laurel bushes shade the Olympos Valley, which we will be able to approach by sea. Nearby at Yanartas (at a height of 300 meters), according to mythology the Lycian hero Bellerophon, mounted on his winged horse Pegasus slew the fire-breathing monster, Chimaera. At this location gas seeps from the earth and burns brightly at night. The Byzantines considered this place a sacred place. Tonight we will drop anchor at Porto Geneviz.

 

第十一天: PORTO GENEVIZ - KEKOVA - KALKAN GULLETTE今天非常早起航前往Myra, 聖誕老人和聖誕之父St. Nicholas據說就是本地人, 他是在Myra 的Metropolitan教堂的大主教, 逝世於第四紀, 我們會上岸去參觀St. Nicholas 和 Myra的教堂, 接著我們的長途飄泊之旅將繼續延著Kekova島的海岸航行, 由於地震使得這裡的地面與古代的房子一起陷落在水晶般清澈的海底, 形成水底城市,這裡的神話故事傳說著海盜船的傳奇故事非常有趣, 然後我們將在提供四季作為天然碼頭的海灣巡航, 下午我们將到道達Kalkan, 傍晚將在Kalkan停泊, 這是個可愛的山頂小鎮, 可眺望小海灣, 狹窄彎曲的街道林立著紀念品店,迷人的步道彎延至山丘, 在享用清淡多樣的水果晚餐之前可悠閒的喝些飲料享受日落時分, 你一定會陶醉散步在這悠閒迷人的小鎮

 

DAY 11 PORTO GENEVIZ - KEKOVA - KALKAN GULLETTE Today we will set sail early in the morning and navigate towards Myra. St. Nicholas known also as Santa Claus or Father Christmas was a native of this land. He was the archbishop of the Metropolitan Church of St. Nicholas in Myra where he died in the 4th, century. We will step ashore for a while to visit the church of St. Nicholas and Myra. Our Odyssey will continue along the shores of Kekova Island. Earthquakes caused the land together with some of the ancient houses to sink under the crystal clear water, creating a sunken city. Mythological mysteries, and the legends told about the pirates are quite interesting to hear. Later on we will cruise around the bays providing natural harbors in every season. We will arrive to Kalkan in the afternoon. Kalkan, is a lovely small hilltop town that overlooks a tiny bay. Narrow, winding streets lined with souvenir shops lead up from charming marina to the hill. As the sun sets you can enjoy a relaxing drink before a light dinner with a variety of best fruits you wish to have. You certainly will enjoy a relaxing promenade in this charming small town.  

 

第十二天: KALKAN - GEMILER GULLETTE: 一早起航, 在遊艇上我們將會有非常美妙的一天, 有機會放鬆和游泳, 你甚至也許還會看到一些海豚,我們同時會有時間上岸參觀古代Lycian區的首都Xanthos, 傍晚我们將停泊在叫Gemiler的小島

 

DAY 12 KALKAN - GEMILER GULLETTE Pulling anchor early in the morning, we will set sail to have another wonderful day on board of our gullette. We will have opportunities for swimming and relaxing. You could possibly see some dolphins. Today we will also have time to step ashore and visit Xanthos, ancient capital of the Lycian region. In the evening we will moor by a small island called Gemiler.

 

 第十三天: GEMILER - FETHIYE - GOCEK GULLETTE: 今天我們將航行前往Gemiler並逛逛Fethiye海灣, 我們會稍作停留參觀海灣上迷人的小島, 也可以在這裡游泳, 這個藍綠色的海岸提供了優雅神奇的美, 水晶般清澈的海水由藍綠色轉變為深藍色, 海岸線上佈滿濃鬱的樹林和花叢, 這一天行程的最後我們將到達Gocek, 這是個座落在地中海岸佈滿美麗的松樹林, 風景如畫般的小鎮

DAY 13 GEMILER - FETHIYE - GOCEK GULLETTE Today we will sail towards Gocek and wonder in the gulf of Fethiye. We will make stops for swimming and visiting fascinating small islands in the Gulf. The Turquoise Coast is offering graciously its magic beauty and charm here. The crystal clear, deep waters change from the palest turquoise to the darkest blue, and the coastline is thickly wooded with trees, bushes and flowers everyone of which is a remedy for a disease. At the end of the day we will arrive to Gocek, which is a picturesque small village on the Mediterranean set in a beautiful pine forest.

第十四天: GOCEK - KAUNOS – BODRUM: 今天我们將停航上岸, 在海上航行這麼些天後¸上岸讓腳在次踏在地面上會是很棒的感覺, 我們的最後一站是Dalyan, 在這裡搭乘較小的船遊覽Dalaman 河, 探索這個區域的神秘. 參觀Kaunus和迷人的岩石, 這些岩石被切割成Lycian式的墓碑, 這個金色沙灘位於瀕臨絕種的紅海龜保護區的河口, 參觀這裡的時候我們另一個有趣的任務是看看能否在沙灘上找到小紅海龜, 今天的最後我们將前往古代的Halicarnassus Bodrum .

 

DAY 14 GOCEK - KAUNOS - BODRUM Today is the day we disembark. It will be nice to touch foot to the ground after all that time spent on the seas. Our last stop will be at Dalyan, where we will take a smaller boat excursion on the Dalaman river for a remote discovery of the area. We will see Kaunus, and the fascinating rock carved Lycian style tombs. The golden sand beach which is at the mouth of the river is an endangered loggerhead turtle conservation area. During this visit our mission will be to collect litters which might be found on the beach. In the end of the day we will proceed to Bodrum ancient Halicarnassus. Overnight in Bodrum.

 

第十五天: BODRUM : 今天早上我們將參觀保存完整的Mausolus陵廎, Mausoleum是世界七大奇景之一, 在Hellenistic時期由他的遺孀Artemisia建造完成, 接著前往耶路撒冷的聖約翰爵士的碉堡, 那些房子是現今土耳其唯一的地下水道考古學博物館, 而碉堡塔台可以眺望美麗的城市和海景, 黃昏時候我們可以在Bodrum街上漫步,  Bodrum是可以唱歌跳舞,游泳, 瀰漫著地中海氣息的城市, 居住著許多藝術家,名人和知識份子, 晚上在此過夜

 

DAY 15 BODRUM  This morning we will visit the remains of the tomb of King Mausolus. The Mausoleum which was one of the seven wonders of the world was built by his widow Artemisia. After this visit we will proceed to the fortress of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, which houses today the unique underwater archaeological museum of Turkey. The towers of this fortress offer a wonderful view of the town and the sea. This evening we will have a promenade in the streets of Bodrum. This singing, dancing, swinging town with its Mediterranean ambience is a dwelling place of artists, celebrities and intellectuals of Turkey. Overnight in Bodrum.

 

 第十六天: BODRUM - MILETUS - PRIENE - 艾菲索斯(EPHESUS) :一早前往參觀古老的Priene和Miletus, 這是歷史之父Heredotes所提到的兩個怪異的愛奧尼亞人古城, Miletus是愛奧尼亞區輝煌的中心城市,同時也是數學和哲學的發源地, 譬如Thales, Anaximenes, Anaximander, Hippodamus, 在Priene您將看到經歷羅馬和其它時期沒被改建過, 世上保存最好原始希臘建築式劇院, 下午將繼續前往艾菲索斯並將參觀參觀坐落在山上頂的聖母瑪利亞的房子, 艾菲索斯過夜

 

DAY 16 BODRUM - MILETUS - PRIENE - EPHESUS Early Departure to visit Priene and Miletus, two fantastic Ionian cities mentioned by the father of history, Heredotes. which was a brilliant metropolis of the Ionian region was also the cradle of philosophers and mathematicians like Thales, Anaximenes, Anaximander, Hippodamus etc. In Priene we will see a Greek style theatre which is known as the best preserved original Greek style architecture theatre of the world as during the following Roman and other eras has not been modified much. In the afternoon we will continue towards Ephesus and we will visit the house of the Virgin Mary situated at the heights of a mountain. Overnight in Ephesus.

 

第十七天: 艾菲索斯(EPHESUS)  - SARDIS - THYATIRA – 白加孟(PERGAMON): 一早參觀美麗至極的古城艾菲索斯歷史廢墟, 它以Artemis廟著名, 是Hellenistic時期世界七大奇景之一, 參觀耶穌知名的信徒聖約翰的陵廎古羅馬長方形會堂引人注目的歷史廢墟和逛逛艾菲索斯的市區博物館, Apostle Paul 就是在這裡的巨大劇院發表著名的演說

 

DAY 17 EPHESUS - SARDIS - THYATIRA - PERGAMON We will leave early in the morning for the visit of the ruins of Ephesus, a great ancient city of extraordinary beauty. Famous around the world for housing The Artemis Temple which was one of the seven wonders of the world in the Hellenistic period. Visit the Basilica of St. John built on the tomb of the renowned disciple of Jesus Christ. To complete the visit of Ephesus we will also see the Archaeological museum located in the nearby town of Selcuk. After these visits in Ephesus, we will drive to Sardis.  The ancient capital of the wealthy Lydian King Kroissos whose treasures are still being searched by treasure hunters. On the other hand one of the most picturesque areas of any of the seven churches is the site of Sardis. The spur of Mt. Tmolus (Bozdagi) protrudes from the base of the mountain like the prow of a ship and constitutes the high impregnable citadel of the once famous city. Beside the temple a small Byzantine church on one corner, and the Acropolis, recent excavations have uncovered a synagogue, the last several meters of the royal road from Susa to Sardis, a number of shops and a gymnasium. Drive to Thyateria or Akhisar, which was another one of the towns where Christianity spread quickly. It was the site for one of the Churhes of Revelation. Proceed to Bergama which holds actually the ruins of the capital of the ancient Pergamon Kingdom. Bergama is a provencal town of approximately 50,000 inhabitants. Overnight in Bergama.

 

參觀Acropolis 和 Asclepion, 那裡是古代醫生治療各種疾病的地方, 接著前往特洛伊參觀 Homers Illiad傳奇神話中的廢墟 , 在Dardanelle Strait附近過夜

 

DAY 18 PERGAMON - TROY - CANAKKALE This morning we will climb to the Acropolis of Pergamon where we will see the ancient city walls, the Hadrian and Apollo Temples, the remnants of the famous library which contained manuscripts made of Parchment paper, the unusual Greek style theater which resembles an eagle's nest, the little tiny temple of Dionysus located nearby, the promenade alley and the remnants of the Zeus Temple which was one of the seven wonders of the world during Hellenistic period and more. Later on we will proceed to the ancient medical center Aesculapion where patients were healed by natural methods and medicines. This visit to Aesculapion will make us understand how much the good morale and the natural medicines could be important and could save human lives. After this visit we will proceed again towards Ayvalik. Going northward we will see olive trees along the right side of the road and the Aegean sea on the left. That will be our main panorama all the way up to Troy located at the south of the Dardanelles. A strait which was a key point during World War I. After having listened to the stories of the Trojan war we will make our way to Canakkale. A charming quiet town situated on the Dardanelles. Overnight in Canakkale.

 

DAY 19 CANAKKALE - BURSA Today we will drive to Bursa. Following the Asian side of the Dardanelles and reaching the southern part of the Marmara sea we will be driving east to reach Bursa, the ancient capital of the Ottoman Empire. In Bursa we will visit the so called Green quarter which takes its name from the Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum dating from the beginning of the 15th century. Ulucami  “Great mosque” which has a unique architecture will be our next step. In that very area we will not miss the opportunity to see the old caravanserai in which there are several stores selling materials made of silk. Overnight in Bursa.

 

DAY 20 BURSA - IZNIK - PRINCESS ISLANDS - ISTANBUL - TRABZON Early departure towards Istanbul. We will leave Bursa behind us and drive to Nicea. Nicea was an ancient Byzantine town located by a beautiful lake. This small town is very important for the specialists of history of art because of its beautiful small tiny churches, buildings and constructions from the Byzantine times. The town has a particular importance for the Christian history as well. Because two important Ecumenical councils were held here. The first one in 325 convened by Constantine the Great Emperor of Rome and the second in 787 by Irene Empress of the East. After Nicea we will drive approximately 1 hour to arrive at Yalova. Leaving the tour bus, we will take a ship to Buyukada which is the biggest among the so called Princess Islands in the Marmara sea. An amazingly quiet and beautiful place where only horse carriages are permitted. Wooden villas are scattered on the shores and in the woods. After a walk on the Island, we will take a boat to Istanbul where our bus will be waiting for us. At the end of the day we will fly to Trabzon which is a major town located at the Eastern Black Sea coast.

 

DAY 21 TRABZON - SUMELA - ERZURUM After breakfast we will have a drive of about one hour to Sumela Monastery. Built in the heights of the Golden Valley this monastery will be one of the most remarkable sites of your journey in Turkey. We will proceed then towards Erzurum which is a city founded at an altitude of 6233 feet above the sea level. This town which has so many beautiful architectural monuments of the Seljuk and Ottoman Empire periods will also be one of the unforgettable places of your journey. Overnight in Erzurum.

 

DAY 22 ERZURUM - ANI - IGDIR This morning we will visit the ancient school of Yakutiye, then Ulucami, one of the oldest mosques of Turkey, and the ancient Ince Minaret school to complete our visits in this town and make our way to Kars. Proceed to Ani. Continue to Igdir located on the outskirts of the Mountain Ararat. The highest mountain in Turkey mentioned in the Bible as the grounding place of the Noah’s Ark at the end of the deluge. Overnight in Igdir.

 

 

DAY 23 IGDIR-DOGUBEYAZIT - AKDAMAR - BITLIS Early departure in the morning for Dogubeyazit situated at another side of the Ararat mountain, close to the Iranian border. After Dogubeyazit we will climb approximately 4 miles towards the mountain to reach Ishakpasa Palace. This palace which bears the influences of the Iranian, Ottoman and Armenien architectures offers a magnificent view from the apartments of the section of concubines which looks to the valleys underneath... Continue towards the Lake Van,  the biggest Lake of Turkey. As we will pass the small town of Muradiye we will stop by the lake to take small boats to go to the Akdamar Island where we will see a church with beautiful wall carvings.  We will have some time to swim in the Lake before we make our way to Bitlis where we will stay

 

DAY 24 BITLIS - URFA - HARRAN - URFA Early departure for Urfa, ancient Edessa, the so called city of prophets. The prophet Abraham was born in a cave in Urfa and it is in the same town that he was thrown in to the fire by Pharaoh by means of a catapult built in between two columns which can be seen above on the hill overlooking the downtown and the holy carp pool. It is believed that when Abraham was thrown in that fire, the fire turned in to water and the burning wood pieces in to carps. This is why the carps of that widely spread pool are holy. After the visit of the holy carp pool we will visit the market place of Urfa. Walking in the streets of this old town which has a totally oriental ambience, will be a marvelous experience for you. In the afternoon we will drive to Harran. Harran is another Biblical archaeological site. It is the place where Jacob met his future wife Rachel nearby a well as he arrived to this holy city of her mother, Rebecca. The castle, an ancient university and the beehive houses are among the most interesting parts to see in Harran. After this visit we will be on the flat plateau road again built on the fertile agricultural plateau of Harran, irrigated by the Ataturk Dam at the north. Overnight in Urfa.

 

DAY 25 URFA - NEMRUT - GAZIANTEP Drive to Kahta. On the way we will visit the dam of Ataturk. From Kahta we will take mountain minibuses to go to the mound Nemrud where the tumulus of the Kommagene King Antiochus 1st is located. The visit of this monumental tomb at the top of a deserted mountain surrounded by the colossal statues of Anthiochus, Gods and divine beings, will be the last most impressive site of our tour... Proceed back to Kahta from the Arsemia road. On this way we will see the ruins of Arsemia, the Roman bridge of Cendere, and the tumulus tomb of Karakus... Continue to Gaziantep which is a well known South Eastern town especially famous for its good quality pistachios around the world. Overnight in Gaziantep.

 

DAY 26 GAZIANTEP - ISTANBUL Flight to Istanbul. Today we will visit the ancientByzantium and the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, underground cistern of Yerebatan, St. Sophia which is the masterpiece of Byzantine art, the Archaeological Museum,  Topkapi Palace. Our visit in the Topkapi will include the famous Harem of the Sultans. A nice view over Istanbul and a beverage will be available in the Palace. After the visit of Topkapi, we will drive to St. Saviour Church decorated withbeautiful mosaics. Overnight in 5* Four Seasons Hotel. 

DAY 27 ISTANBUL TRANSFERS AND END OF OUR SERVICES This will be the last day of our voyage. We will arrange your transfers and farewell you with a sad good bye hoping to see you again in another Fruitarian Tour or who knows maybe somewhere else.

Last Update: Sunday, March 30, 2008   Links