Land of Ancient Classics

Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul

City tour (Europe-Asia).

The attraction of this eternal city is the color of historical monuments, combined with the high pace of modern life. In this city, everything is in the plural, a mixture of everyone and everything, people, colors, shapes, smells, sounds. In a word, Istanbul can be compared to an open-air museum.

Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel, dinner, acquaintance with the guide, discussion of the travel program, free time.

Overnight in Istanbul (1).

Day 2 - Heart of Istanbul

Breakfast. Meeting with the guide. Departure for an excursion.

Visits:

Topkapi Sultan's Palace

Located on a hill between the Sea of ​​Marmara and the Bosphorus, which for 400 years was the political center and palace of the Ottoman sultans

"St. Sofia"

Sophia Cathedral, built during the time of Emperor Justinian. The building is an example of an architectural masterpiece, the ceilings of which are decorated with mosaics and panels depicting Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

«Blue Mosque» The Sultanahmet Mosque, which is the symbol of Istanbul, with six towers, lined with blue tiles.

 «Hippodrome» Known since the time of the Byzantine Empire, chariot competitions held here. Nearby, two columns with ancient inscriptions were erected.

Return to the hotel, dinner, free time.

Overnight in Istanbul (2).

Day 3 - Istanbul - Canakkale

Breakfast. Departure from the hotel. Departure to Canakkale.

Visit in Istanbul:

Dolmabahce Palace

Sultan's palace of the 19th century, built in the styles of Baroque, Rococo and Oriental combination. In the palace there are Bohemian crystal chandeliers, the largest weighing 4.5 tons. A whole art gallery and paintings by Aivazovsky. Silver clock weighing 60 kg, a gift from Nicholas II, Hereke carpets, which were woven on the territory of the palace during its construction, the largest, measuring 126 sq.m. The palace was built by the architect Serkis Balyan in 6 years. Ataturk died in this palace. Located on the Bosphorus.

Arrival in Canakkale.

Visits:

Monuments of Gelibolu (Galipoli) "The place where a whole generation sank..." The Battle of Çanakkale... The place that became the arena where the Allies went on the offensive in 1915, using a gigantic fleet and army, similar to which until that time did not know the history of wars. At the same time, world history also did not know the style of bloody, but brilliant defense, as a result of which this offensive was suspended.

Bridge 1915 across the Dardanelles

Canakkale Bridge 1915, also known as the Dardanelles Bridge. Automobile suspension bridge in Canakkale province in northwestern Turkey. Located south of the cities of Lapseki and Gelibolu, the bridge crosses the Dardanelles about 10 km south of the Sea of ​​Marble.

Canakkale city center. Trojan horse from the movie "Troy"

The horse built for the movie Troy was made of steel piles and fiberglass. It had a height of 11.4 meters and weighed 11 tons. For transportation, the horse was disassembled into parts and then reassembled. This horse has traveled a lot around the world and found its home in Turkey, becoming a popular attraction for tourists.

Day 4 - Canakkale - Izmir

Breakfast. Departure from the hotel. Departure to Izmir.

Visits along the way:

«Troy»

This mythical city is located in the north of the Aegean coast of Turkey - on the banks of the Dardanelles. It was here that the events of the Trojan War, described in Homer's poem "The Iliad", took place. There is also a Trojan horse here, which was built for the shooting of the Hollywood film "TROYA", with Brad Pitt, it was presented to the city after filming was completed.

Acropolis of Pergamon.

Here was also the famous Altar of Zeus, built in the II BC. and the ancient Asclepius Hospital Under the Attalids in Pergamum, the second largest (after Alexandria) library of the ancient world was collected, which at one time numbered 200 000 books. According to the legend transmitted by Pliny Varra, the invention of parchment took place in Pergamon as a result of the Egyptian Ptolemies' ban on the export of papyrus.

Arrival at the hotel, dinner, free time.

Overnight in Izmir.

Day 5 - Izmir - Kusadasi

Breakfast. Departure from the hotel. Departure to Kusadasi.

On the way visit:

Ancient City of Ephesus

House of the Virgin Mary

Church "St. Yoanna"

Ephesus is a magnificent marble city, to which belongs the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world of the ancient world.

Ephesus was the last residence of the Virgin Mary and the Apostle John.

Sculptures, ancient temples, and huge amphitheaters that amaze the imagination testify to the former greatness.

Arrival in Kusadasi and accommodation at the hotel, dinner, free time.

Overnight at the hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 6 - Kusadasi-Pamukkale

Breakfast. Departure from the hotel. Departure to Pamukkale.

On the way to visit:

Textile center

The ancient city of Hierapolis

Hierapolis was an important center during the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Became the Center of Christianity from the 4th century AD, due to the murder of one of the disciples of Jesus Christ - St. Philip in 80 AD.

Terraces of Pamukkale

This is a miracle of nature, which was formed thanks to thermal springs, rich in calcium and leaving a precipitate in the form of white cascades during evaporation.

The thermal springs in Pamukkale attract a lot of people from all over the world who come to take advantage of the magical effect of the minerals found in the warm waters of Pamukkale.

Swimming in the ancient thermal pool (extra charge).

Part of the film "Odyssey" by Kanchalovsky was filmed here.

Wine degustation

Arrival and accommodation at the hotel, dinner, free time.

Day 7 - Pamukkale-Cappadocia

Breakfast. Departure from the hotel. Departure to Cappadocia.

Visits along the way:

The city of Konya was the capital of the state, where it was full of thinkers, scientists, people of culture and art, and the city itself was a repository of works of art. It was the heyday of the Seljuk dynasty and Alyaeddin Kekubat sat on the throne.

Museum «Mevlana» (dervishev).

Mevlana Jalaleddin Rumi - philosopher, poet, founder of the order of Sufi dervishes. These verses made him a world philosopher:

Go, go whoever you are!

Be an unbeliever or a fire worshiper,

Even if you broke your vow a thousand times,

Go! Our abode is not the abode of hopelessness,

Come to us, come!

The year 2007 was declared by UNESCO as the year of MEVLYAN. His grave is located here.

Caravanserai "Sultankhan" The Seljuks adorned the whole of Anatolia with mosques, madrasahs and caravanserai. Monuments of the Seljuk culture of the 11th-13th centuries are works of art.

Lunch (for an additional fee).

Arrival in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia is a wonder of nature!

It was formed after volcanic eruptions, under the influence of climatic conditions, over several million years and is the most extraordinary place in the world. The first settlers of Cappadocia lived in caves carved into the rocks. With the advent of Christianity here, chapels, churches, and monasteries began to appear in the rocks. In the areas of Kaymakli, Derinkuyu, Mazy, Ozkonak, entire cities were built in the rocks and underground, which were used then, but they still serve the population today. Fortress "Uchisar" This is a one of a kind rock settlement, absolutely original in its appearance with towers, spiers of white tuff, fully perforated windows and doors of cave dwellings, grouped around the central peak on which the fortress rises.

Visit to the workshop of red and white clay.

Stop at the panoramic platform - «Valley of Pigeons», which is one of the most unusual places. Its history is rooted in the distant past. An acute shortage of fertile soils led to the creation of numerous dovecotes. After all, it was from pigeons that they received the best fertilizer necessary for the successful growth of vineyards. The valley served as a home for birds. In its rocks you can see numerous tunnels and windows in which pigeons nested.

Photo break in the valley - "Three Beauties". These bizarre rock sculptures - three amazing giant mushrooms, seem to have grown out of the ground. Their shape is so interesting and peculiar that it is impossible to pass or pass by without stopping near them. There are many legends about this extraordinary composition created by nature. Someone says that the Greek goddesses Aphrodite, Hera and Athena are forever frozen in these stones. Another legend speaks of the love of a poor man and a rich girl who had a child, but the girl's angry father longed for reprisals against the young man. The girl began to ask for help from higher powers, so that they would help them stay together forever. And then all three turned to stone. "Three Beauties" are considered a symbol of Cappadocia. Their photos can be seen in every corner of Turkey.

Arrival at the hotel, dinner, free time.

A trip to the evening program "Turkish Night" (for an additional fee).

This festive folk extravaganza will give you a sea of ​​joyful emotions and leave the most colorful impressions in your memory for a lifetime! From the very beginning of this festive performance, you will be in a great mood for the whole evening. A joyful atmosphere of general fun will be created by incendiary performances of professional artists and masters of oriental dance.

Overnight in Cappadocia (1).

Day 8 - Cappadocia - the country of beautiful horses

You can enjoy Cappadocia - the "Land of Beautiful Horses" - not only from the ground, but also rising high into the sky. Incredible beauty that opens before your eyes, will not leave you indifferent.

Balloons Cappadocia

You can make such a trip in a hot air balloon! The amazing scenery, dozens of hot air balloons rising into the sky in the rays of the rising sun and the amazing picture of the awakening of Cappadocia will undoubtedly leave the most vivid impression. An hour-long flight will allow you to enjoy the fabulous valleys and see places that are inaccessible to walking.

Breakfast, departure for the excursion.

Goreme Open Museum

In the very center of Cappadocia is Göreme and its valley, the most famous and most studied. St. Paul found Goreme the most suitable place for the education of preachers. Dwellings were knocked out right in the rocks, and when the first Christians appeared here, churches and monasteries began to be built in the rocks. From the 6th to the end of the 9th century, Goreme was the largest Christian center and there were more than 400 churches in its vicinity.

Devrent and Pashabaglar valleys.

Stop - panorama "Devrent" - one of the most stunning valleys of Cappadocia. "Valley Devrent" is known as the "Valley of Imagination" - one of the must see places in Cappadocia. Located on the way to Avanos, about 15 minutes from Goreme.

There are no churches, no fortresses, no Roman burials in the valley, and no one lived there. Of interest are unusual rock formations, many of which resemble animals. The most famous and easily recognizable are the camel, lizard, dolphin and fur seal. You can also see the Virgin Mary, Napoleon's hat and much more, you just need to give free rein to your imagination.

Next, we will admire the beautiful views of the "Valley of Love".

It is located in the heart of Cappadocia, between the cities of Goreme and Uchisar. The length of this valley is about four kilometers. Its name "Valley of Love" was due to the phallic shape of stone formations resembling reproductive organs.

A trip to the evening program (for an additional fee). The Dervish Ceremonial Dance is a magical atmosphere, traditional Turkish music and costumes, where you completely forget the time and lose the sense of space.

Dervishes are Muslim monks with an extremely interesting life story and rituals. The dance of whirling dervishes is called “Sema” or “Mevleviian joys”. This dance has been practiced for years. The dance of the dervishes is not just a dance, here every movement has a special secret meaning within the framework of Sufism.

Return to the hotel, dinner, free time.

Overnight in Cappadocia (2).

Day 9 - Cappadocia - Mersin / Kyzkalesi

Breakfast, check out from the hotel. Departure to Mersin/Kizkalesi.

On the way to visit:

Underground city​ «Kaymakli» -

it is one of the largest underground cities in Turkey. Located in Cappadocia, 18 kilometers from the provincial capital of Nevsehir. The underground city is a system of corridors and rooms hollowed out in soft volcanic rock. Translated from Turkish, "Kaymakli" means "Creamy" - this is the color of the volcanic tuff in which the underground city was dug.The first level of Kaymakli was built by the Hittites. Later, during the period of persecution of Christians, the area of ​​man-made caves increased, reaching the size of an entire city. Underground cities were shelter from prying eyes, well-organized, safe and self-sustaining residential complexes. Kaymakli, one of the 40 underground cities discovered in Cappadocia, is the largest and most interesting, it consists of 8 floors and could shelter about 15 thousand people. We are confident that you will be delighted with the dungeons of Cappadocia!

Our next visit is the Gumusler Monastery, located about 10 kilometers from the city of Niide in the South of Cappadocia, it is carved into a large rock. Its stone church boasts impressive frescoes that rival even the famous church paintings in Göreme. The frescoes date back to the 7th - 11th centuries, and among their subjects are the Annunciation and the smiling Mother of God with the Child, surrounded by the archangels Gabriel and Michael. In addition to the frescoes, there is an interesting labyrinth of tunnels to explore, recently restored and open to tourists.

Stop in the city of Niide. Lunch (extra charge).

Arriving in Tarsus - one of the oldest cities in Turkey, it traces its history from the third millennium BC. Here Mark Antony met his fatal love - Queen Cleopatra, which is reminiscent of the carefully restored Cleopatra's Gate. The city will be of interest not only to lovers of history and antiquity, but also to Christian pilgrims. After all, it was in Tarsus that the Apostle Paul was born and lived. In the place where, according to legend, his house stood, now there is a well of St. Paul. According to legend, the water from it has healing powers. Under the glass roof is the foundation and parts of the walls of the house where the future saint was born and lived. And although there is no 100% evidence that this is exactly the house, pilgrims have been visiting this place for many centuries.

Arrival in Mersin/Kizkalesi, check-in at the hotel, dinner, free time.

Overnight at the hotel in Kyzkalesi.

Day 10 - Kyzkalesi-Narlykuyu-Selifke

Breakfast, departure for the excursion.

Visit to the Cave "Hell and Paradise"

A lot of stories familiar to us from childhood, like the myths and legends of Ancient Greece, took place on the territory of modern Turkey. Traveling around this country, you can literally touch those creations of nature that inspired admiration and awe of the ancient peoples. One of these natural formations is located very close to Mersin - the caves "Paradise" and "Hell".

Transfer to the city of Narlykuyu. Mosaic Museum "Three Graces", located in the complex of baths of the Roman Period. The floor of the bath is a mosaic. The mosaic depicts the Three Beauties: Aglaya, Euphrosyne and Thalia.

Visit to the church "Saint Thekla" in the town of Silifke. The underground church of St. Thekla is the ruins of a large church complex built in the Byzantine period. In the past it was a popular place of pilgrimage. And now both locals and tourists come here to see with their own eyes the cave where one of the first Christian saints named Thekla lived.

Thekla was a disciple and follower of the Apostle Paul. She was deeply revered in the Byzantine period. She lived in the vicinity of modern Silifke and died here.

Return to the hotel, lunch, dinner, free time.

Overnight in Mersin/Kizkalesi.

Day 11 - Kyzkalesi-Karaman

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for an excursion to the city of Karaman.

Visit to the monastery "Alakhan" - a religious complex, included in the list of World Cultural Heritage by UNESKO. The complex consists of two churches, monastic cells carved into the rocks, and burials surrounding the monastery. It was built around 440-442 on Mount Taurus, at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level. Church buildings are reminiscent of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul in their architecture, and the decorative elements amaze with the skill of stone processing. The monastery is one of the most valuable monuments of the first years of Christianity. In the Alakhan monastery, in addition to images of Saints Paul and Peter, there are also bas-reliefs of the six-winged Seraphim, Saint Michael slaying a monster, a roaring lion, an eagle and a bull, evangelical writings and floral ornaments are carved on the walls. The complex includes covered long and narrow passages where religious rituals are held, a gallery of arches, a colonnade, a baptistery - a room where baptism was held, a cruciform pool and tombs carved into the rocks.

Return to the hotel, lunch, dinner, free time.

Overnight at the hotel in Kyzkalesi.

Day 12 - Mersin / Kizkalesi - Antalya / Side

Breakfast in the hotel. Departure and departure to Antalya/Side.

On the way to the city of Anamur, we will visit the Mamure Fortress The Mamure Fortress (Mamure Kalesi) in Turkey is one of the well-preserved fortifications. The majestic castle appears to modern tourists almost unchanged in the form in which it existed during the Middle Ages.

Arrival in Alanya, stop with a panoramic view of the city. Due to its convenient position on a small peninsula on the Mediterranean coast, near the Taurus Range, Alanya was a local stronghold for many Mediterranean empires. Alanya acquired the greatest political importance in the Middle Ages, when it was under the rule of Ala ad-Din Kay-Kubad I. The result of his construction campaign were many of the city's attractions, such as Kyzyl Kule "Red Tower", Tersane shipyard and Alanya fortress.

Lunch (for an additional fee).

Visit to the cave "Damlatash". A stalactite cave, the temperature inside which is +23 degrees with a humidity of more than 90. The cave was formed 15 thousand years ago, it is not at all large in size. Stalactites and stalagmites were formed from limestone, looking like a thick thicket of stones. The air in the cave is very healing and helps to cure asthma.

Arrival at the hotel in Antalya/Side, dinner, free time.

Overnight in Antalya/Side.

Day 13 - Antalya-Side

Free time. Rest at the hotel.

For an additional fee, you can go on an excursion "PERGE ASPENDOS SIDE"

Visits:

Perge is a well-preserved ancient city, where, according to legend, the Apostle Paul founded one of the first Christian communities in Anatolia. The amphitheater, the Roman baths and the stadium give us an idea of ​​its size and ancient culture in the region.

Exhibits found during the excavations can be seen in the Archaeological Museum in Antalya.

Next, we will visit the Aspendos Antique Theatre.

It is located in the ancient city of Aspendos, on the slope of a small hill. The ancient theater is known throughout the Mediterranean world as one of the best preserved buildings with its stage. The gigantic theatre, which is one of the most outstanding works reflecting the architectural style of the Roman period, was built by Zeno. The theater, which welcomes its guests in a unique atmosphere where you can feel the golden age, the richness and splendor of the Roman era, has a capacity of about 20,000 people. Today, the Aspendos Antique Theater hosts many concerts, festivals and theatrical events, especially the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, which attracts art connoisseurs from all over the world.

Lunch (included).

Waterfall "Manavgat".

Manavgat Waterfall is one of the most beautiful and unusual waterfalls in Turkey. Manavgat is not a natural waterfall, but the threshold of the river of the same name, which appeared when a reservoir was built here. Its feature is only 2 meters high and as much as 40 meters wide. The Manavgat waterfall is located in the city of the same name.

Boat trip on the Manavgat River (1.5 hours). The Manavgat River, formerly known as Melas, originates in the Taurus Mountains and flows from Antalya to the Mediterranean Sea. The Manavgat River is about 93 kilometers long. And even in the midst of the heat, the water remains cold and refreshing.

On the shore of Side are the remains of the ancient Temple of Apollo. In the city of Side there is an ancient theater of the 2nd century AD. It can accommodate up to 15 thousand spectators. Nearby is the Side Antiquities Museum. It was built in the well-preserved cellars of the Roman baths built in the 5th century. Not far from the museum is another architectural and historical monument of the ancient period - the ruins of the Agora market. It was here that all the trade of the region took place in those days.

All these monuments give us an idea of ​​the magnitude of the ancient culture in the Pamphylia region.

Return to the hotel, dinner, free time.

Overnight in Side.

Day 14 - Final

Side-Antalya/Airport

This is our last morning in Side.

After breakfast, we will start packing, getting ready for departure, and making wishes...

After all, good dreams made in magical places have the ability to come true.

And Side is without a doubt one of those places!

By the appointed time, a comfortable transfer will pick you up from the hotel and bring you to the airport of departure.

As it is customary to say in Turkey "Göryushmek Yuzere"! or See you soon!

Important information

What is included in the price?

• Transfer by comfortable transport from

• airport/hotel/airport only for our group

• Transport maps and all transport along the route on a comfortable air-conditioned bus - only for our group.

• All excursions and entrance tickets according to the program.

• Assistance in the selection of air tickets

• Professional guide in Russian

• Accommodation in boutique hotels and 4 * / 5 * hotels, with breakfast and dinner.

***Price per person in a double room. For single occupancy, there will be a difference of EUR 150 per stay.

The price does not include:

• Flights from your city to Istanbul and back from Antalya

• Meals outside the program

• All drinks

• Medical insurance - highly recommended

• Additional Excursions

• Personal expenses

*** Tips for guides and drivers (5 people and less 10 €/person/day; 6-9 people 8 €/person/day; 10 people and more 5 €/person/day)

Additional services

Excursions for extra charge:

• Hot air balloon flight - 250 - 300 euros (per person)

• Bathing in Pamukkale in the ancient thermal pool - 10 euros (per person)

• Jeep safari - 55 euros (per person)

• Dervish dance - Sema - 25 euros (per person)

• Turkish night and belly dance - 45 euros (per person)

• Quad bike safari - 50 euros (per person)

• Horse riding - 40 euros (per person)

*** When the price changes, the announcement during the trip takes precedence.