ITINERARY
May 18, Thursday: Istanbul
Upon arrival to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
May 19, Friday: Istanbul
After breakfast, you start the tour at the Spice Bazaar and it goes on with Bosphorus Cruise. The magical journey which covers both European and Asian shores will let you see the marvelous monuments and districts like: Maiden Tower (Kiz Kulesi), Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy, Fethi Ahmet Pasa Mansion, Ortakoy Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kuleli Military School, Arnavutkoy, Bebek and more highlights of Istanbul located on both sides of the Bosphorus. We will also see the Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisari), which was built by Mehmet the Conquerer in 1452, for preparation of his planned siege of Byzantine Constantinople. Transfer back to your hotel.
After free time, it is time to start Final Four journey. Transfer to Sinan Erdem Dome to watch two semi-final games. After games, transfer back to your hotel. (B)
May 20, Saturday: Istanbul
After breakfast in your hotel, there is a full day guided tour which includes St. Sophia the cathedral built by Emperor Justinian in 537 which was the largest church in Christendom for a thousand years, the Byzantine Hippodrome with its various monuments including a 3500-year-old red granite obelisk brought from Egypt and erected here in 390 AD. The Ottoman Empire produced marvelous architecture and you'll see two of its finest works: Topkapi Palace, home of the sultans, and the famed Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I. After all these visits, you'll venture into the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar. Transfer back to your hotel for overnight. (B)
May 21, Sunday: Istanbul
Day at leisure until afternoon. Then transfer to Sinan Erdem Dome to be an eyewitness of this historical Final Four! After 3rd place and final games, transfer back to your hotel. (B)
May 22, Monday: Istanbul - Cappadocia
Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your morning flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, transfer to Cappadocia and join full day tour there. Full day excursion in Cappadocia including visits to the Kaymakli Underground City, Open Air Museum in Goreme and natural fortress in Uchisar. Lunch in a cave rest. to taste famous Pottery Kebap. Here, we will have the opportunity to discover and understand the rich history behind local handicrafts like hand-made carpets, Turkish tiles, onyx and potteries. Optional night tour with a Turkish show and dinner is avaliable tonight. Overnight stay in Cappadocia. (BL)
May 23 Tuesday: Cappadocia - Konya - Pamukkale
Early departure for Pamukkale. On the way, visit the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai before arrival in Konya. After visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana, we continue our drive to Pamukkale for an overnight stay. (BD)
May 24 Wednesday: Pamukkale - Izmir
After breakfast, visit the ancient Hierapolis with the magnificent Necropolis, graveyard and the lime cascade. Thereafter, we continue our drive to Selcuk to visit Temple of Artemis ''one of the seven wonders of the ancient world'' then continue to Izmir for overnight stay. (BD)
May 25 Thursday: Izmir - Ephesus - Sirince - Izmir
Morning drive to Ancient city of Ephesus where we will visit its magnificent library, theater and temples. Lunch in nomadic tent in Selcuk to taste Turkish Gozleme. Continue to marvelous village of Sirince where you be able to experience one of the most beautiful villages in Turkey. You can do shopping and taste delicious wines of the village. Return to Izmir for overnight stay. (BLD)
May 26 Friday: Izmir - Pergamum - Canakkale
Early departure for Bergama to visit the Asklepion with its well preserved remains before continuing to Troy; the site where the legendary Trojan War took place. Drive to Canakkale for an overnight stay. (BD)
May 27 Saturday: Canakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul
After breakfast, we will cross the Dardanelles then continue to Gallipoli to visit Anzac Cove, Nek, Conk Bair, Lone Pine and 57th Regiment Memorial. Arrival in Istanbul for an overnight stay. (B)
May 28 Sunday: Return
After breakfast transfer to the airport (Ataturk Airport ). End of our services. (B)