Turkish Delights from Istanbul to Bodrum
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Call: 0844 3350 197 Full Itinerary TURKISH DELIGHTS SAILING FROM ISTANBUL TO BODRUM. TALK TO OUR WELL TRAVELLED TEAM OF EXPERTS 0844 3350 197 Monday to Friday 09:00 - 18:00 GMT JOURNEY SNAPSHOT ACTIVITY LEVEL: FLIGHT INFORMATION: Return economy flights from London Heathrow Level 2 Airport [LHR] to Istanbul Airport [IST] on Day 1 DESTINATION: and to depart on Day 12 Turkish Delights PICKUP LOCATION: Sailing from Istanbul to Bodrum. Istanbul Airport [IST] DURATION: 12 days / 11 nights © The Big Journey Company2020 - 2021.All rights reserved. Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite, Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282. Call: 0844 3350 197 OVERVIEW Choose your own departure date for your group Cruise the Aegean Sea in the wake of ancient civilisations, walk in the footsteps of Sultans exploring the Turkish Delights of Istanbul and Bodrum Cruising on the Mediterranean Sea is a holiday like no other- here you will find some of the most beautiful locations in the world. Turkey is the ideal lauch point for an exploration of city, coast and countryside; from the bustling city of Istanbul, across the glittering blue Aegean sea to Cosmopolitan, ancient Bodrum. Standing as the bridge between European culture to the West and Asian culture to the East, Turkey is a unique destination. Discovering Istanbul is like walking through a time tunnel, where history and tradition live alongside the modern world in perfect harmony. Cruise the Mediterranean sea, among the islands of the Aegean on this Big Journey Company escorted tour. There will be time to swim and relax, to walk and discover more of the history and beauty of these ancient trading islands before our final disembarkation in the cosmopolitan, modern city of Bodrum. With Bodrum's amazing weather and seafront location, there is time to explore the contrast with the ancient city of Ephesus before flying back to Istanbul. Visit the Imperial Residences of the Sultans, cruise across glittering blue seas to explore archaeological wonders of the classical age on a traditional Turkish gulet. Enjoy the local cuisine and hospitality in the company of your own local guide. There is no better way to explore the cultural melting pot of vast history, different religions and the mix of cuisines that is very uniquely Turkey. ITINERARY SUMMARY DAY 1 - Welcome to Istanbul - Gateway to the East DAY 2 - Exploring Istanbul DAY 3 - Imperial Istanbul - Galata & The Imperial Residences DAY 4 - Flight to Dalaman & Embark Gulet Cruise DAY 5 - Cruising to the ancient ruins of Lydae DAY 6 - Exploring Ekincik Cove, Dalyan and the ancient city of Kaunos DAY 7 - Modern Marmaris DAY 8 - Cruising to Bozburun & Loryma DAY 9 - Historic Knidos & Time to Relax DAY 10 - Bodrum & Wonders of the Ancient World DAY 11 - Ephesus & Flight to Istanbul DAY 12 - Farewell to Turkey © The Big Journey Company2020 - 2021.All rights reserved. Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite, Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282. Call: 0844 3350 197 FULL ITINERARY DAY 1 - WELCOME TO ISTANBUL - GATEWAY TO THE EAST Upon arrival in Istanbul Airport, your Big Journey Company representative willl be waiting for you outside the Arrivals Terminal, holding a sign with your name on it. They will help you with the transfer to our hotel and check in. We will enjoy a welcome dinner together this evening, to spend some time discussing the rest of your holiday with you Big Journey Comany Tour Director and to spend a little time in meeting the rest of your tour group. Included meals: Dinner Accommodation: Istanbul DAY 2 - EXPLORING ISTANBUL Today we enjoy a city tour of Istanbul, taking in some of the most spectacular sites the ancient city has to offer. We will see the Hippodrome, once the social center of Constantinople, as it was once known. Built by the Romans in the 3rd Century AD, only fragments are left of this once grand stadium. It held 100,000 spectators for public meetings, chariot races and executions. We also visit the Blue Mosque - one of the most important temples in the world. Named for the blue Iznik tile work that decorates its interior, the Blue Mosque can be seen from all over the Sultanahmet district. Lunch today is an opportunity to experience the best examples of the Ottoman cuisine, before continuing to explore Istanbul. We visit the dramatic and beautiful Basilica Cistern, built in the 6th Century as a secure water reservoir for the city and then explore the famous Grand Bazaar where you will be able to practice your haggling skills! This evening we dine together to experience traditional Turkish mezze, a selection of dishes according to the season. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Istanbul DAY 3 - IMPERIAL ISTANBUL - GALATA & THE IMPERIAL RESIDENCES Today we walk in the footsteps of Sultans, exploring the Topkapi Palace and it's exhibits from the Ottoman Empire, one of world history's mightiest and longest-lasting dynasties! This Islamic-run empire ruled large areas of the Middle East, Eastern Europe and North Africa for more than 600 years. We also visit Istanbul's famous Old Spice Market where you can find a vast diversity of spices, sacks of henna and, of course, the world’s very best Turkish delight. After lunch, we head to the Galata district for a walking tour of Istiklal Street, the most famous avenue in Istanbul and to Taksim Square with its more modern monument to the Turkish Republic. Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch Accommodation: Istanbul DAY 4 - FLIGHT TO DALAMAN & EMBARK GULET CRUISE This morning we transfer to the Istanbul Airport to fly to the coastal city of Dalaman, in the Asian part of Turkey [approx. 1hr15 flight]. A gulet is a traditional sailing vessel from the southwestern coast of Turkey, particularly built in the coastal towns of Bodrum and Marmaris. Upon arrival in Dalaman, we will be transferred to Fethiye where we will board a private gulet and begin our cruise. Lunch will be served on board to enable us to begin our cruise, to anchor in a secluded bay where you can look forward to enjoying swimming in the crystal waters of the Aegean Sea. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Gulet cruise © The Big Journey Company2020 - 2021.All rights reserved. Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite, Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282. Call: 0844 3350 197 DAY 5 - CRUISING TO THE ANCIENT RUINS OF LYDAE This morning, we enjoy breakfast on board our private gulet as we weigh anchor and head for Aga Limani Bay. Disembarkation will involve a dry landing on the rocky, gravel beach. Those who wish to explore further on foot can take a very rocky path leading steadily uphill for about 1 mile to a hilltop with the Roman and Byzantine ruins of ancient Lydae. Here, hikers will be rewarded for their efforts with a truly lovely view of the local coast before returning to the beach. [Approx. 45 mins’ hike each way]. We return to the boat for lunch aboard and for the opportunity for an afternoon swim at one of the nearby coves of Bedri Rahmi or Boynuz Buku. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Gulet cruise DAY 6 - EXPLORING EKINCIK COVE, DALYAN AND THE ANCIENT CITY OF KAUNOS This morning's anchorage is in Ekincik Cove, a popular and protected stopping place for yachts and gulets alike. We head ashore to explore the tiny town of Ekincik. Surronded by forested hills and family-run farms, this rustic piece of paradise is the ideal place to step ashore. We return to the gulet for lunch onboard before cruising to Dalyan. The Dalyan Delta is too shallow for our boat to enter, so local river boats will collect us to enjoy a boat cruise up the mouth of the Dalyan River to Kaunos. The ancient city of Kaunos was an important sea port and dates back to the 10 century BC! Access is on foot from the jetty, via a rocky but fairly level path going steadily upward. Our visit will take in the remains of the large theater, Roman baths and temples to various Greek and Roman deities. Once back aboard, we cruise to a nearby viewpoint to see the impressive Lycian tombs, carved into the cliff face above before we reach our overnight anchorage within sight of Dalyan. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Gulet cruise DAY 7 - MODERN MARMARIS Today we enjoy a shore excursion in Marmaris. Our gulets will dock directly in the marina, where we can get on and off by gangway. Marmaris a fairly large port town with a covered bazaar and lots of dockside cafes and restaurants. Spend your time at leisure in this Mediterranean idyll, strolling along the seafront promenade and through the vibrant town center. Return to the boat for the evening and dinner on board. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Gulet cruise DAY 8 - CRUISING TO BOZBURUN & LORYMA Today we have the opportunity to enjoy two shore excursions.