15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS
Plan
DAY 01: ISTANBUL
Arrival at Ataturk airport. The historic areas of Istanbul were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for their important monuments and historical remains. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 02: ISTANBUL – TROY – CANAKKALE
Breakfast in the morning, departure by bus through the European Zone and crossing the Dardanelles Strait towards Canakkale, located in the Asian Zone. Lunch and then to Troy, a famous ancient city that alone evokes another poetic name, Homer's Iliad. Visit of the Trojan Horse which, according to legend, served to hide the warriors. Continuation to Canakkale, the second Turkish province that, together with Istanbul, has territory on two continents, Europe and Asia. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 03: CANAKKALE – PERGAMO – IZMIR
Breakfast. Departure to the ancient city of Pergamon, one of the cultural, commercial and medical centers of the past. Visit to the Temple of Asciepion. Lunch. Continuation to Izmir (or Izmir). Panoramic tour of this important city, the second most important port after Istanbul. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 04: IZMIR – EPHESUS – PAMUKKALE
Breakfast. Departure to Ephesus, the oldest and best preserved city in Asia Minor and which during the 1st and 2nd centuries had a population of 250,000 inhabitants, monopolized the wealth of the Middle East. We will visit the Temple of Hadrian, the Roman Baths, the Library, The Odeon, the Theater, etc. Lunch, then we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, supposedly the last resting place of the Mother of Jesus. Continuation to Pamukkale to visit the ancient Hierapolis and Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of gigantic white waterfalls, stalactites and natural pools formed over the centuries, by the passage of calcareous salt waters from thermal springs. During the journey there will be a stop at a leather factory. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 05: PAMUKKALE – CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast. Departure to the Anatolia region to visit en route a “Kervansaray”, an old caravan inn, the largest from the Seljuk era, a complex with bedrooms, stables, etc. used by merchants. Lunch and continuation to the ancient region of Capadoccia in Central Anatolia, declared a World Heritage Site, fascinating for its unique geological formation in the world, of lunar landscapes formed over centuries on the thick and soft layers of lava from the Erciyes and Erciyes volcanoes. Hasan. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 06: CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast. Full day tour in the Cappadocia region which is currently located between three cities in Turkey: Kirsehir, Nidge and Katseri. We will visit the Goreme Valley, an incredible Byzantine monastic complex made up of churches excavated in the rock with beautiful frescoes, the troglodyte villages of Uçhisar (a Natural Fortress) Zelve, Ortahisar, the Fairy Chimneys of Ürgüp and Avanos potters' village. Lunch and then visit to the underground city of Ozkonk, which has grain deposits and ventilation shafts and was used as a refuge by Christians of the time, some up to 7 stories deep that housed up to 5,000 Christians. Visit a carpet workshop to see how Turkish carpets are woven by hand. Dinner and accommodation. This day (optional) through the Cappadocia region. The landscape and climate make Cappadocia a very special place to enjoy a balloon ride, it is a unique experience.
DAY 07: CAPPADOCIA- ANKARA
Breakfast. Departure via the Salt Lake, Turkey's second lake in the central Nantolia region, to Ankara, capital of the Turkish Republic. Arrival and in the afternoon visit of the city and the Mausoleum of Ataturk. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 08: ANKARA- ISTANBUL
Breakfast. We will leave the capital of Turkey and passing through Bolu, a small city famous for its ski centers and mountain landscapes, we will continue along the Istanbul highway towards the largest city in Turkey, the historical and cultural center of the country. Arrival, dinner and accommodation
DAY 09: ISTANBUL
In the morning visit of this city located between two continents: Europe and Asia. We will visit the Hagia Sophia Palace, which contains one of the richest museums in the world, the Blue Mosque, lined inside with Iznik tiles and the only one with six minarets, the Roman hippodrome, etc. Free afternoon to shop in the Grand Bazaar, the city's shopping center with more than 4,000 stores, where some famous stores offer connoisseurs Turkish, Persian, Caucasian tapestries, etc. Its price depends on its quality and size. The smallest are the tapestries used for prayer. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 10: ISTANBUL-DUBAI
Breakfast. Free time until transfer to Ataturk airport to take your flight (not included) to Dubai. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.
DAY 11: ISTANBUL-DUBAI
Breakfast. Visit of the city, visiting the Bastakia area with its old merchants' houses, visit of the Dubai Museum to learn about life in Dubai in pre-oil times. Afterwards, we board an “Abra” (water taxi) to cross the Creek while enjoying the spectacular views. We will continue towards the exotic and aromatic Souk of spices and the gold bazaars. Transfer to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest Tower in the world at 828 meters (climb included). Lunch at Al Dawaar revolving restaurant. Departure to Sharjah to visit the Emirates with the following points of interest: the Blue Souk, known for the sale of handicrafts, we will pass by the Faisal mosque, the traditional “Al Arsah” Souk, the Museum of Civilization where there is a sample of unique Islamic works. Return to Dubai. Accommodation.
DAY 12: DUBAI- ABU DHABI- DUBAI
Breakfast. Departure to Abu Dhabi. We will pass through Jebel Ali and its free zone, the largest artificial port in the world. Upon arrival, visit the Shikh Zayed Mosque, the third largest in the world with capacity for 40,000 people. Next, visit the modern Al Bateen area with its fabulous royal palaces. Continuation to the promenade, “the corniche”, from which you can take photos of the artificial island of “Lulu”. We continue along the “Breakwater”, a panoramic view of the Emirates Palace hotel, the most luxurious in the world with 7*, the residence palace of the current Shikh. Lunch in a typical restaurant. To finish, we pass through Manarat al Saadiyat, which offers an interesting sample of the program in full development of the new museums of the cultural district, and Yas Island, where you can take photos of the Ferrari World theme park and take some souvenirs from its store (entrance to the park Not included) Return to Dubai. Accommodation.
DAY 13: DUBAI
Breakfast. Free morning. You can take the opportunity to make purchases in some of the countless malls, the largest being the “Dubai Mall”, where one of the largest indoor ski slopes in the world is located. At night we will transfer (English driver) to a traditional Arab boat, the Dhow, for a cruise through the Dubai Marina, where you can enjoy a dinner of traditional international Arab food, while the Dhow glides gently through the water with spectacular views of the city's souks, palaces and skyscrapers. At the end of the cruise, return to the hotel and accommodation.
DAY 15: ISTANBUL-DUBAI
Breakfast. Transfer with an English-speaking driver to the airport to take the flight back to your city of origin.
INCLUDES
- All visits mentioned in the program.
- All transportation mentioned.
- All meals mentioned.
- Spanish speaking guide
NOT INCLUDED
- Dubai Visa
- All personal expenses
- Hotel taxes in Dubai
- Tip 5 dollars per day throughout the program
PLANNED OR SIMILAR HOTELS
- Ninova Thermal Hotel Pamukkale 4* or Similar
- Ramada Encore Istanbul 4* or Similar
- Moustafa de Cappadocia 4* or Similar
- Windsor Istanbul 5* or Similar
DUBAI
- Majestic Hotel Tower 4* or similar
- Ramada jumeirah 4* or similar
- Hilton 5* or similar
- Radisson Blu Hotel 5* or similar
- The Carlton Tower 4* or similar
- Atana Hotel 4* or similar