TASTE of HISTORY (09 Days)

The ancient Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and the centre of Byzantine civic life, stands in the area that is now in front of the Blue Mosque, and now part of Sultanahmet.

Aphrodisias has been sacred to the Mother Goddess since 5800 B.C. The city was named Aphrodisias, for Aphrodite, in the second century B.C.E., and it remained a pagan stronghold long after Christianity came to the region.

White terraced pools of Pamukkale's hot springs, the result of thousands of years of deposits by the calcium rich hot springs.

Inside these rock cut tombs, the entrances of which generally face west, are klines or stone slabs on which the bodies were laid.

Duration: 09 Days / 08 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Cappadocia
Operates: All year-around / By flight & coach
Package Rate: Please fill the form and tell us your travel dates & choice of hotels
Optional Tours: Turkish Bath (Hamam), Hot Air Balloon, Turkish Night Show & Whirling Dervishes
Note: Taste of History tour is insuranced by TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)

DAY 01 – Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul, the city of two continents, you will be greeted by Veni Vidi Travel representative with Turkish hospitality & accompanied during your transfer to the hotel, where you will be briefed by your travel consultant with the remainder of day at leisure to relax &/or check out the city. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 02 – Garden of Emperors Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Your day will commence with a visit to the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where you will tour the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Fountain of Wilhelm II, the elegant Blue Mosque famous with its heavenly six minarets and the Hagia Sophia Museum, built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned down in the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. Then you will have a visit to the Underground Cistern, which known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, as there was a Stoa Basilica above the pre-existing one at the time. Lunch will be served at Topkapi Palace, in a restaurant with panoramic view of the Bosphorus, Asia & Europe. After lunch you will be guided to visit the residence and administrative center of the Ottoman Sultans. Historical tour of Istanbul will conclude with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets and passages housing more than 4,000 shops. After the tour you will be leaded back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 03 – Travel to Canakkale / Gallipoli Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Starting the day with an early check-out, you will be driven along the coast of the Sea of Marmara, through the small European part of Turkey known as Thrace. After lunch you will have a guided tour of the Gallipoli National Park which includes the Gallipoli Battlefields, Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, original tunnels and trenches at Johnston Jolly, the Nek Cemetery, Chunuk Bair New Zealander Memorial, Lone Pine Australian Memorial and Brighton Beach. You then cross the Dardanelles waterway by ferry from Europe into Asia where your hotel is located. Overnight in Canakkale.

DAY 04 – Troy, Pergamon Tour / Travel to Kusadasi (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Following an early breakfast and check-out, you will be touring ruins of Troy, one of the world's most important archaeological sites because of its place in literature and what it tells us about a critical early period in the development of European civilization. Your tour proceeds to Pergamum where you will be able to explore Athena and Trojan Temples, Temple of Zeus, Temple of Dionysos, Gymnasium of Youth, Odeon, Library, Agora, Great Theatre, Roman Bath and viewing Asclepion. At the conclusion of the tour, you will be taken to Kusadasi where your hotel is located. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 05 – Ancient City of Ephesus Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today your guide will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in the world, Ephesus. You will see the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the Library of Celsus and The Great Theatre. After lunch, you will continue to the house of the Virgin Mary, where she is believed to have spent her last days. On the way to Sirince Village you will stop at the Temple of Artemis, protectress of Ephesus which dates back to 1300 BC and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 06 – Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour / Travel to Cappadocia (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
After check-out your journey starts by heading inland to Aphrodisias, which has been sacred to the Mother Goddess since 5800 B.C. After sightseeing at the Temple of Aphrodite, the monumental Tetra Pylon Gateway, ancient Gladiator Stadium and Archaeological Museum, you will travel for an hour inland to visit Hierapolis and Pamukkale. Here, you will see the blisteringly white terraced pools of Pamukkale's hot springs, the result of thousands of years of deposits by the calcium rich hot springs and also visit the Ancient city of Hierapolis, a World Heritage Site. Travel onto Cappadocia with an overnight intercity coach. (Flights via Istanbul to Cappadocia is also available if you prefer to fly).

DAY 07 – North Cappadocia Tour with Goreme Museum (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
On arrival in Cappadocia, you will have some free time before the tour starts. Today you will visit Devrent Valley which is situated between Avanos, Zelve and Urgup. From here to you will travel to Pasabaglari Valley, formerly known as the "Monks' Valley". You will visit Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and view the ancient rock-hewn churches sculpted in the hillsides almost a thousand years ago. After lunch, continue on to the small town of Urgup, which has many carved dwellings that are still inhabited. Then you join a Discovery Series “Art of Pottery in Asia Minor” event this afternoon, offering you the opportunity to visit a cave pottery atelier. Your first day sightseeing of Cappadocia will end with visits to Uchisar and Piegon Valley. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 08 – South Cappadocia Tour with Ihlara Canyon / Flight to Istanbul (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Check-out of your hotel and start another full day tour visiting the famous Derinkuyu Underground City. Afterwards, a short hike through the green Ihlara Valley alongside the stream, stopping at some of the churches along the way. A stop in Belisirma for lunch and then on to Selime for a panoramic view of the Ihlara Canyon. A stop at the Agzikarahan Caravansarai is also included. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Kayseri Airport for the domestic flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 09 – Istanbul / Home (Meal: Breakfast)
After checked-out from your hotel, we will arrange for the transfer to Istanbul International Airport for your return or onward flight.

Please take note of the following:
* We aim to respond to all requests within 24 hrs. We are happy to modify the itinerary upon request
* Smoking is not permitted in our tours but all tours make frequent stops

What's Included:
* Hotel accommodations in choice of preferred class
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* Noted sightseeing tours on regular group or private guided basis
* Main entrance fees to sights mentioned by the itinerary
* Meals mentioned by the itinerary - Vegeterian meals available
* Required land transport including roundtrip airport transfers with A/C minivans
* Required internal flight & coach tickets
* Local taxes & handling services

What's NOT Included:
* International flights to/from Turkey and personal travel insurance, any other expenses not noted in the above included section or airport tax, visa for Turkey (if required), any tips to guide, driver or staff at hotels, items of a personal nature, hotel extras (minibar, telephone/internet usage, laundry, etc), drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast) and medical services.