WINE
& CULINARY TOUR
Day 1:
ARRIVE Istanbul
Arrive at Istanbul Ataturk
airport. Meet your escort and transfer to your hotel. Dinner in a traditional
Ottoman house with great choices from world famous Turkish Cuisine accompanied
by local wine and deserts as final. (D)
Day 2: Istanbul
After breakfast visit the Highlights of
Istanbul: The Hagia Sophia Church, built in the 6th century AD by Justinian
and became the largest church in the world for many centuries until its
conversion into a mosque by the Ottoman Sultan where you can admire beautiful
mosaics of Byzantine art. The Byzantine Hippodrome where horses and
chariots raced once upon a time and ten thousands of people cheered for them.
The Blue Mosque, famous for its tiles and interior decorations, the most
important mosque of the city. Topkapi Palace, the residence of
the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years. Lunch will be in the Palace having a
unique view over the Bosphorus and offering delicious Doner
Kebab. The Grand Bazaar for a leisure afternoon with more than 4,000
shops. Dinner in Kumkapi district
famous for its fresh seafood and tens of restaurants full of local people
enjoying their fish with mezes. (B-L-D)
Day 3: Istanbul
After breakfast
drive to Mürefte (2.5 hours from Istanbul) to visit the Doluca Winery and taste different brands of
wines produced at this facility. Doluca
Winery produces a wide selection of white and red wines such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Moscado and so on. Return to the
hotel late in the afternoon. Dinner along the shores of the Bosphorus Strait viewing this
great place at nighttime as well. (B-L-D)
Day 4: Istanbul - Ankara
After breakfast transfer to the airport
for a short flight (1 hour) to Ankara. On arrival visit the Kavaklidere Winery close to the airport. Following a briefing on their production taste the famous Turkish
wine Kalecik Karasi.
Then visit the Anatolian Civilizations
Museum in the Old Citadel, one of the best Archaeological museums in
Turkey, housing an extensive display of ancient settlers in Asia Minor starting
from Stone Age and especially dating back to Neolithic and Bronze Ages such as Catalhoyuk and the Hittites. Lunch in a traditional Ottoman
house overlooking the city and taste some local food from Central Anatolian
region. Also see the Mausoleum of Ataturk where
the founder of the Turkish Republic rests in peace. Overnight in Ankara. (B-L-D)
Day 5: Ankara / Hattusas / Tokat
Early departure
for Tokat. En route
stop at Hattusas (Bogazkoy),
former capitol of the great Hittite civilization. Here you’ll
visit Alacahoyuk and Yazilikaya
to view daily and religious life of the Hittites and admire this great people
of faith and war. After lunch proceed to Tokat and
overnight and dine in the hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 6: Tokat - Cappadocia
Following breakfast in the hotel visit the Diren Winery and taste their locally produced
wines. On the way to Cappadocia lunch en route. After a
scenic drive arrive to Nevsehir and check-in to your
hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B-L-D)
Day 7: Cappadocia
After
breakfast you’ll explore and enjoy this unique region. . Visit Kaymakli or Derinkuyu
underground city carved like a maze by early Christians escaping from Roman persecutions. The Goreme Valley, famous for its rock churches with
incredible Byzantine frescoes. During lunch you’ll have great examples of
food in this area, especially prepared with lamb, beef and potatoes. The Pasabag Valley reminding a lunar
surface with its panorama and typical formations of “fairy
chimneys”.
Uchisar, a natural citadel in the region, a great opportunity of picturing
these unusual formations. Avanos, which has the longest river of Turkey passing from it and
thus making this small town an attraction for its pottery and other
handicrafts. At the end of the day return to your hotel. Dinner
and overnight. (B-L-D)
Day 8: Cappadocia / Salt Lake / Ankara / Izmir
After breakfast visit the Turasan
Winery where they produce and store their wines under the ground to get the
perfect temperature for the production faze.
They’ve also won several national and international awards for their
wines. You’ll be briefed and offered to taste Turasan
wines. Then visit the Agzikarahan
Caravanserai, which was a sort of motel of our days, built in the 13th
century to accommodate caravans traveling along Silk Route. En route to Ankara lunch in the
restaurant and view the Salt Lake, second largest lake of Turkey and major
resource of salt for the country. Arrive at Ankara airport to catch
a short flight to Izmir. On arrival
you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Dinner and
overnight. (B-L-D)
Day 9: Izmir / Ephesus / Izmir
Following
breakfast a short drive (45 min.) to Selcuk town to
visit Ephesus, ancient capitol of Asia Minor with its magnificent theater, library, agoras, temples and baths. The
city was the largest port-city in Asia Minor and today is
one of the most attractive archaeological sites in Turkey. The Temple of Artemis nearby was one
of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, dedicated to goddess Artemis, known
as Diana in Rome. After lunch, visit the House of Virgin Marywhich
is a place of pilgrimage for Christians where there is a small church as
well. It’s believed that Mary spent last years of her life there, and
it’s recognized as a shrine by Vatican. Then visit the old Greek village of Sirince in a lovely setting on the mountains where you can taste local
production of their cherry, apple, strawberry and peach wines made by the
villagers. Short drive back to Izmir and dinner and overnight. (B-L-D)
Day 10: Izmir / Pergamon / Istanbul
After breakfast
drive to Pergamon to visit a great civilization dating back to the 4th
century B.C. The Acropolis has a great view over the
valleys and the temple of Trajan is the most impressive
building on top of a very steep theater. The Aesclepion
was an important healing center/hospital dedicated to Aesclepius,
god of medicine. Especially mentally ill people tried to get a cure here while
it became the second most famous hospital after the one on the island of Cos. After lunch
drive back to Izmir airport for a
short flight (1 hour) back to Istanbul. Arrive at Istanbul and transfer to
your hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B-L-D)
Day 11: DEPART Istanbul
Breakfast in the
morning and transfer to the airport. End of services. (B)
PLEASE NOTE: This tour is run in Group basis only,
with minimum 25 participants. Cost of the tour depends on the number of people
you have in your party. Please contact us for
pricing if you already have a group.
Included: 10 nights accommodation in hotels, all meals described
in the itinerary as B-L-D, all transfers, private car/van/bus depending on the
number of participants, licensed tour guide during excursions and transfers,
visits and briefings in wineries, a glass of wine per person during meals,
entrance fees to museums described in the itinerary.
Not included: International flights, domestic flights in Turkey,
beverages during meals other then a glass of wine, visas, gratuities for guide
and driver, personal expenses, all other services not mentioned in the Included
section.
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