Turkey / North Cyprus Two Centre Holiday

EasternTurkeyTours
Turkey / North Cyprus
Two Centre Holiday
Exceed your expectations Email: [email protected]
The Blue Mosque, Istanbul
The Adventure begins
This spectacular 14 day holiday takes you from the stunning metropolis of Istanbul to the golden sands of the Mediterranean. The tour
will take you back in time from Istanbul, the Imperial capital of three
empires to modern Ankara and through early Christian settlements
in central Anatolia to the sun kissed shores of the Mediterranean
ending with pristine beaches of North Cyprus. The tour is fully inclusive, and the cost covers all domestic travel, guides, museum/site
entry, accommodation and all meals (some exceptions noted in tour
itinerary in Istanbul). Not included are costs of visa, international
travel, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
Days 1 & 2
Arrive in Istanbul - over two days sightseeing including the Topkapi
Palace, Aya Sofia, the Archaeological Museum, the Yerebetan Saray,
the Mosaic Museum, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome as well
as a cruise up the Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavagi, the last ferry stop
on the Asian side just where the channel joins the Black Sea. At
Anadolu Kavagi you may take the opportunity to enjoy a delicious
sea food meal at one of the many fish restaurants. Journey back
along the Asian side by coach to visit the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer palace of the last Ottoman Sultans. (B)
The Egyptian Bazaar, Istanbul
Rumeli Hisari, the Bosphorus
Day 2 (evening)
evening: Istanbul- See the Bosphorus by night on the ferry travelling
across to the Asian side to begin your Anatolian adventure. Dinner
and then depart from Istanbul's Haydarpasha station in your own
sleeper compartment on the night train to Ankara. (D)
Travel is by the new Turkish Rail sleeper service from Istanbul to
Ankara then on by road in fully air-conditioned coaches.
Railway sleeper carriage
Anit Kabir, main building
Day 3
After an early breakfast on board your train you arrive in Ankara at
8 o'clock. In the morning we will visit the tomb of Ataturk, the
founder of modern Turkey. Called Anit Kabir, Ataturk's mausoleum is
one of Ankara's major landmarks.
Completed in 1953 it is designed to capture the spirit of monumental architecture found in Anatolia from the Hittites and Romans
through to the Seljuk Turks. The final effect is both ancient and modern; a stark memorial for an impressive man.
In the afternoon the tour of Ankara takes in the Citadel and the
Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. Housed in a beautifully restored
covered bazaar built in 1471 by the Grand Vizier Mahmut Pasha,
and in an adjoining Han of the same period, this is one of the outstanding museums of Turkey. In a country that has such historical
riches this museum will give you a rich taste of what you will see on
your tour through Anatolia. (B, L, D)
Standing Guard
The “Fairy Chimneys” of Cappadocia
Day 4
After a leisurely breakfast we depart for Goreme, via the Great Salt
Lake and the Old Silk Road to the ancient Christian centres of
Anatolia. Overnight at Goreme. (B, L, D)
Ihlara Valley
Day 5
We spend the morning exploring the Ihlara valley- a deep gorge cut
by a river through the dusty plains and providing a beautiful, cool
and tranquil refuge from the heat above.
From Ihlara we go to the fascinating underground city of Derinkoyu;
a labyrinth of passages going down at least eight levels, Derinkoyu
was a fully self sufficient refuge in times of conflict and, it is
believed, connected by extensive tunnel systems to other underground cities many miles distant. Overnight in Goreme. (B, L, D)
Derinkuyu, underground city
Statues at the Tumulus on the summit of Nemrut
Day 6
Early start for the journey to Mt. Nemrut in Adiyaman to see the
summit and the magnificent funerary monument built by King
Antiochus III. Lost for nearly 2000 years and only rediscovered by
accident in the 1890s this monument is an enigmatic memorial to a
long lost king.
We will stay at the summit to witness the setting of the sun and to
enjoy this unforgettable experience.
Return to your hotel for dinner and refreshments. (B, L, D)
Mt. Nemrut
Alexander the Great?
Day 7
Depart for Gaziantep. En route we will visit the Ataturk Dam, which
is part of the South eastern Anatolia Project (GAP). An impressive,
huge, hydro-electric and irrigation project on the upper reaches of
the Euphrates River. Well worth a visit not only as a great feat of
engineering masterpiece but also to see the unusual monument to
those who lost their lives whilst building the dam. Taking Turkish tea
will be part of the ritual!
Gaziantep is one of the several cities in the Middle East that claim
to be the oldest continuously inhabited places in the World. Today
it is known as the capital of Turkey's pistachio industry and this
makes it a particularly fine place to enjoy Baklava.
While in Gaziantep we will visit the Mosaic Museum. The museum
houses the enormous collection of mosaics from the now sunken city
of Zeugma most of them in almost perfect condition and with a
sophistication and artistry that tells us that inhabitants of Zeugma
were people of considerable wealth and taste. . (B, L, D)
Monument at the Ataturk Dam
Baklava
Kizkalesi
Day 8
Travel to Mersin. This is a free day for shopping and sightseeing. Here you will find a bustling sea front with walkways, parks and statues, where the locals like to promenade and sit out in the cafés and patisseries of smart neighbourhoods such as Pozcu or Çamlıbel. These are established neighbourhoods where there are many well-known shops
and restaurants with years of experience serving a discerning clientele. The city centre is a maze of narrow streets and
arcades of little shops and cafes, with young people buzzing around on scooters. The old quarter near the fish market
is where you will find the stalls selling tantuni and grilled liver sandwiches. . (B, L, D)
Day 9
After a leisurely breakfast we will drive along the coast to Tasucu stopping to view the awesome coastal fortification
of Kizkalesi- Maiden's Castle. We will also have the opportunity to visit both “Heaven” and “Hell”; two caverns
formed by underground chemical erosion. The larger of the two, “Heaven” contains an ancient chapel dedicated to
the Virgin Mary.
Overnight in Tasucu. (BLD)
Day 10
Kyrenia Harbour from the Castle
Today we travel from Tasucu by high-speed hydrofoil to Girne in North Cyprus. Transfer time is two and a half hours
with arrival in Girne at 14.30. By five o'clock you can be on the beach or next to the pool at your hotel enjoying a
civilised “sundowner”.
North Cyprus
The island of Cyprus, at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea has a rich and varied historical and cultural heritage reflecting its unique position as a crossroads for some of the great civilisations of the world. Because of its location in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus provided a meeting point and a link with the great cultures of North Africa,
the Middle East, Anatolia and Europe. The island can be seen from both Turkey and the Levantine coast and it is this
fusion of cultures and influences that makes Cyprus unique today.
From the fortified Venetian port of Famagusta, the setting for Shakespeare's Othello, to the busy cosmopolitan harbour town of Kyrenia with its imposing Crusader castle. North Cyprus is full of gems for the traveller enthused by history and romance.
Bellapais Abbey, Bellapais
The most beautiful of Cyprus' many historical gems is the stunning
village and abbey at Bellapais; built in the 13th century and the
home of the author Laurence Durrell, Bellapais commands sweeping
views of the unspoilt North Cyprus coast. It is also the setting for
Durrell's novel “Bitter Lemons” and where you can relax in the
shade of the tree he named “the Tree of Idleness.”
From here you can travel across the jagged spine of North Cyprus to
visit Nicosia and the architectural curiosity that is the Selimiye
Mosque, originally a Catholic cathedral and converted to a Mosque
at the time of the Ottoman conquest in 1571.
The alternatives to touring come in a range of beach or sporting
activities that cater to all levels of fitness. The obvious first choice
leads you to the sea where snorkelling and diving provide a fabulous opportunity to experience the wonderful marine world around
Cyprus. For those who cannot dive but are keen to learn we can provide courses with fully PADI qualified instructors. As well as the
amazing marine life there are also wrecks that are safe to dive on
and we can organise marine expeditions will cover all these possibilities We can organise “pamper” days with a visit to the Turkish
Baths (Hamam) with beauty treatments and shopping to follow. For
the fit and active there is paragliding, mountain biking and horseback riding as well as jeep safaris through the mountains and along
the coast.
Selimiye Mosque, Nicosia
Korineum Golf Course, North Cyprus
For those who want to use their time in Cyprus to play golf we can organise packages from one day to four and
set up enjoyable and stimulating alternatives for those golfing widows. There are a number of choices of world class
golf courses in fabulous and stunning locations along the coast of North Cyprus.
We have a range of hotels from 3* up to 5* including:
Denizkizi
This family run 4* hotel, Denizkizi, is situated on a small hill overlooking the sea outside the village of Aslancak. It has a swimming
pool and a spa bath and a short walk will bring you to a private
cove and sandy beach.
Website: www.denizkizi.com
The Merit Crystal Cove Hotel
Situated 8 miles west of Kyrenia this 5* hotel is on a promontory
jutting out into the Mediterranean. The Merit Crystal Cove Hotel
has a private beach and has its own extensive gardens. There are a
wide range of in house recreational opportunities from the swimming pool and aquarium bar to top quality restaurant and casino.
Website: www.meritcrystalcove.com/eng/
Sempati
The Hotel Sempati is a 3* family hotel 10 miles west of Kyrenia
with beautiful views of the Mediterranean to the fore and the
jagged Five Finger Mountain Range behind. On offer is a fabulous
pool with PADI qualified diving instructors on hand for those who
want to learn how to scuba dive.
Website: www.hotelsempati.com
Onar Holiday Village
The Onar Holiday Village, 3*, offers a relaxing atmosphere with
traditional Cypriot hospitality. It is a complex of large and small villas, hotel rooms and self catering villas with a freshwater swimming pool and stunning coastal views.
Website: www.onarvillage.com
This is just a selection of what North Cyprus has to offer. In conjunction with our partners in North Cyprus we are able
to offer the widest range of hospitality, accommodation and activities. For more information, please contact us; it will
be our pleasure to provide for you the best that Cyprus and Turkey have to offer.
EasternTurkeyTours
Turkey / North Cyprus
Two Centre Holiday
Exceed your expectations Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.easternturkeytour.org