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 around 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 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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