BYZANTIUM, PHILADELPHIA & PETRA

• 3-night accommodation in Istanbul.
• Tour through Inland Turkey with local English-speaking guides on half board basis.
• 2-night accommodation in Cappadocia in 4* or 5* hotels.
• 1-night accommodation in Pamukkale in 4* or 5* hotels.
• 1-night accommodation in Izmir in 4* or 5* hotels.
• 4 nights of accommodation in Amman, on half board basis.
• 2 nights of accommodation in Petra, on half board basis.
• Full-day Istanbul city tour with an official English-speaking guide and lunch.
• Entrance fees included to the sites visited.
• 2-hour tour in a 4×4 Jeep in Wadi Rum.
• All necessary transfers, as mentioned in this itinerary.
• Air ticket Istanbul-Cappadocia (15 kg + 8 kg).
• Air ticket Izmir-Istanbul (15 kg + 8 kg).
• Air tickey Istanbul – Amman.
• All transfers as mentioned in this itinerary.
• 24/7 emergency phone line.
• Daily breakfast.
• Local taxes.

Important:

• Please note that the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is closed on Sundays.
• From 01/01/2023 the “Blue Mosque” will remain closedfor repairs, so we will visit its gardens and have the opportunity to see the exterior of this magnificent monument.
• It is mandatory, at the time of entering your reservation, to send us a copy of your passport, in order to manage the free visa, otherwise you must pay it at destination. Passengers with Colombian, Cuban or Belizean citizenship must request their visa at their consulates or submit the visa application one month before the start of the program.
• The Departure is guaranteed with a minimum of 02 participants, in case you travel in Single and there are no more participants, you must pay the Mandatory Solo Traveler supplement.

DAY 1

No visit to Turkey would be complete without immersing yourself in the enchanting allure of Istanbul. As you step into this vibrant metropolis, prepare to be captivated by its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture.

Upon your arrival in the captivating city formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, our English-speaking assistant will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in a private vehicle.

He will assist with check-in, provide trip details, offer insights about the city, and answer your questions. The rest of the day is yours, free to relax and explore.

Alternatively, you can choose to join a Night Cruise on the Bosphorus or indulge in an hour of pampering at the Hamam Cimberlitas.

DAY 2

After you’ve fueled up with breakfast, we’ll swing by your hotel or the nearest meeting spot to kick off a full-day adventure exploring Istanbul, an incredible city.

Get ready for an epic experience with our friendly English-speaking guide, all-inclusive tickets, a scrumptious lunch at a fantastic central city restaurant, and visits to the most awe-inspiring landmarks passed down by the Ottoman, Byzantine, and Roman empires.

Also, brace yourself for the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, the thrilling Constantinople Racecourse, the stunning Blue Mosque, the majestic Topkapi Palace, and the bustling Grand Bazaar, where you’ll find a whopping 4,000+ stores to explore.

Once the tour concludes, you’re welcome to soak up the enchanting ambiance of the old city a little longer, savoring every moment. When you’re ready, you can make your way back to your hotel.

DAY 3

In the morning, your friendly English-speaking assistant will pick you up and transfer you to Istanbul airport for your flight to Ankara, the capital of Turkey.

In Ankara, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the renowned Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which showcases the fascinating history and culture of the Anatolian region.

You’ll also explore the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, honoring the nation’s revered founding father and first president.

Afterward, you’ll embark on a picturesque journey toward the enchanting region of Cappadocia, known for its surreal landscapes and captivating cave architecture.

Along the way to your hotel, you’ll make a stop at one of the region’s largest underground cities, marveling at its intricate tunnels and chambers.

Upon arriving at your hotel, you can settle in, enjoy a delicious dinner, and relax, preparing for the adventures that await you in Cappadocia.

DAY 4

On this day, you will focus on exploring the beautiful region of Cappadocia. After a satisfying breakfast, your first stop will be the Göreme Valley. Here, you can visit the open-air museum and witness the ancient villages where cave dwellers lived in prehistoric times. You will also have the opportunity to explore the underground cities.

The Göreme Valley holds historical significance as it is where St. Basil the Great and his Christian brothers brought together the ideas of Christianity. You can explore the various churches, chapels, and monasteries in the area, which feature ancient frescoes painted on their walls.

Next, you will head to the Troglodyte Village of Uçhisar and the Avcilar Valley, which offer breathtaking landscapes. The unique rock formations in these areas will leave you in awe.

Continuing your journey, you will pass through the Devrent Valley, also known as the Imaginary Valley. Here, you will encounter peculiar rock formations that resemble mushrooms and other animal shapes.

To complete your day, you will visit local artisan workshops, including carpet-making and jewelry shops that specialize in translucent onyx stones, which are highly sought after.

After a fulfilling day of exploration, you will return to your hotel, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner and spend the night.

DAY 5

In the early morning, following a delightful breakfast, we will commence our journey to Pamukkale, which translates to ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish.

En route, we will make a stop at the Old Palace and Medieval Fort of Caravanserai, located along the historic trade route leading to Persia. This remarkable site served as a haven for merchants, providing them with an opportunity to rest, replenish their supplies, and connect with fellow travelers.

Upon reaching Pamukkale, you will have ample free time to explore the city and uncover its treasures. Be sure not to miss the chance to visit the awe-inspiring travertine terraces, where you can witness the breathtaking white calcium cascades created by the hot thermal springs in the vicinity. The natural beauty of Pamukkale is truly mesmerizing.

After a day filled with exploration, we will indulge in a delicious dinner and retire to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.

DAY 6

Breakfast at your hotel and, at the agreed time, you will visit the archaeological site of Ephesus, the vast and beautiful Greco-Roman city, a vibrant metropolis.

In Ephesus, you will visit the ruins of the Odeon, a small roofed theatre for plays and concerts, the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, which once held nearly 12,000 scrolls, the Greco-Roman theater as well as the Agora and the Basilica of Saint John, built during the reign of the emperor Justinian in the 6th century.

A major tourist attraction is Maryemana, a house that is believed to be the last resting place of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Afterward, you will stop at a leather production center, where you can pick the ‘silk leather’ item that you like at much-reduced prices. You will continue to Izmir, have dinner, and then rest.

DAY 7

After enjoying a satisfying breakfast at your hotel, we will arrange a seamless transfer for you to either Izmir Airport for your flight to Istanbul or to the charming port of Kusadasi, where you can embark on an unforgettable cruise in the Aegean Sea.

Upon your arrival in Istanbul, we will ensure a comfortable and hassle-free transfer to your hotel, providing you with the perfect opportunity to unwind and recharge.

DAY 8

After a delicious breakfast and at the indicated time, one of our vehicles will accompany you to the Istanbul International Airport to check in your luggage and, if necessary, process any tax refund on “tax free” products that you have purchased.

After their arrival to, what was the capital of the Iron Age kingdom of Ammon, later it became a Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine city, in the heart of the Umayyad province of “Al-Balqa”, a field of ruins Abandoned and an Ottoman village from the late 19th century. Today it is the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and known as the city of Amman.

DAY 9

After a tasty breakfast you will make a panoramic visit to the modern and ancient city of Amman, the capital of Jordan and the commercial, industrial and administrative center of the country. You will visit the center of the modern area and enjoy the views from the Citadel.

Next you will visit the Roman Theater, built in the 2nd century and with a capacity for 6,000 people, the Traditional Markets, a place where you can find anything you can imagine, churches, mosques, and residential neighborhoods.

Next you will go to Jerash, one of the best preserved cities of the Roman Empire outside of Italy where you will travel back in time through its streets, theaters, temples and squares. Among its monuments, the Great Colonnade, the Arc de Triomphe, the Oval Square and the Temples of Zeus and Artemis stand out.

Return to Amman for overnight stay and dinner.

DAY 10

After an exquisite breakfast you will go to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea and the Moab desert, the first natural spa in the world. the world´s fisrt natural spa known for the concentration of salt, You will have free time to take a bath in its healing waters, an inexplicable experience.

Return to Amman to stay and have dinner at the hotel.

DAY 11

After a fabulous breakfast you will depart for Madaba the “City of Mosaics”, you will visit the Orthodox Church of Saint George whose floor is covered by the map of the Holy Land made in the year 571 AD. You will continue to the top of Mount Nebo (817 meters), the place where Moses died and from where you will see an unforgettable view of the Jordan Valley.

Then you will go through the Way of the Kings (trade route that linked the Nile with the Euphrates) towards the fortresses of Karak and Shobak, very well preserved and built by the Templars between the 11th and 12th centuries AD. at the time of the crusades, which were later conquered by the Muslims, more precisely by Saladin.

Your final destination will be Petra, where you will have dinner and stay.

DAY 12

After a tasty breakfast at the hotel you will begin the full day visit to the city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the seven wonders of the modern world and the setting for the famous movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”. Created on pink rock more than 2000 years ago and rediscovered to the world in 1812. you will go from the main entrance to the narrow gorge, and from there to the Treasury (the most famous building in Petra). You will visit the Theater, the Royal Tombs, the Altar of the Sacrifice and the Street of the Columns.

Finally and on your own, that is to say without a guide, you can go up to the monastery.

After the excursion you will return to the hotel to stay and have dinner.

DAY 13

After a nutritious breakfast you will visit the Wadi Rum desert, one of the most incredible places in the Middle East, a desert valley of red sand, located in a mountainous region made up of granite and sandstone. It has been the scene of films such as “Lawrence of Arabia” or “Episode IX of Star Wars”.

You will then take a two-hour 4×4 tour through these dreamy landscapes that you will never forget, after which you will go to Aqaba, the southernmost city in Jordan and its only port for a panoramic tour with free time in the city or on the beach. (Remember that the beaches in Áqaba are private and the entrance is not included in the excursion. It is worth mentioning that there is only one public beach with basic services).

Return to Amman for overnight stay and dinner.

DAY 14

You will enjoy the breakfast and, at the indicated time, transfer to the Amman airport to board your departure flight.

From Greca we hope to see you again to enjoy some wonderful moments that will remain forever in your memory.

Good trip!, or as you will say: “neesiá tova”