TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel.
Welcome to Europe!!!. On arrival at the airport we shall be waiting to transfer you to the hotel. You can enjoy free time until your tour starts, information about the meeting place and start time can be found on the information boards in the hotel reception area.


IMPORTANT - IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS on arrival at the hotel you will have your booking made but the guide of your trip will normally not arrive until the start of the included activities. YOUR TIME BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS THEREFORE FREE. At your hotel they can help you with all the information you need.


NB: The schedules you will find in this itinerary are approximate. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the circuit, may adjust the schedules.

Istanbul.-

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Sighseeing tour. Topkapi Palace .Night transfer to Taksim.

09.00 hrs.- A sightseeing tour of the city. We find ourselves in a city built in two continents. On our tour, we will enter the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent (the largest in Istanbul). We will see the walls, the Golden Horn, the fishing district, and we will admire the exterior of Hagia Sofia. After the visit, we will offer tickets and a visit to the Top Kapi Palace, which was the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire, with its magnificent courtyards and its pavilions.


19.30 hrs.- At the end of the afternoon we will provide a transfer to the Taksim neighbourhood, the most commercialised and lively area of the city. There will be time to dine in one of its many restaurants, and you can also take the old tram that crosses the area or go to see the nearby Galata Tower.


Important: Services during the stay in Istanbul may change order by taking the boat ride on the Bosphorus on the first day and the panoramic visit on the second day.

Istanbul.-

Today we include a boat trip on the Bosphorus that will last about two hours. We will undertake the trip on a boat exclusively for Europamundo travellers. The Bosphorus is a strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of ??Marmara, which separates Istanbul into two parts: the European part and the Asian one. We will enjoy seeing the liveliness of the strait with its multitude of boats. We will pass under the two bridges that unite Europe and Asia and we will admire the palaces of the sultans, the typical wooden houses and the Ottoman villas.

Free time.

Istanbul- Ankara- Capadocia.-

Total distance covered: 750 km.

Scenery: Crossing over the suspension bridge spanning the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. Plateaus of Anatolia.


06.30 hrs.- Istanbul. We leave the hotel to go to the Istanbul-Pendikque train station. Today we travel by train departing at 08.55hrs (the schedule can be modified) from the station in the Asia district, we take the most modern and fast train in Turkey, a pleasant 4-hour trip through the Anatolian landscapes, perhaps having a coffee in the train café.


13.07 hrs (estimated) Arrival in ANKARA, the modern capital of Turkey. After a time to have lunch in the area of the station, With the coach, we take you to discover the immense museum-mausoleum of Ataturk, the "father of modern Turkey",


15.00 hrs. - Ankara - Mausoleum –Departure-. We continue by coach through the arid regions of Turkey´s interior that take us into Cappadocia. We travel past the salt lake. Brief stop en route to take some photos of the lake.


19.15 hrs.- Arrival at the end of the afternoon in AVANOS (CAPADOCIA) , pleasant town in the center of the region of Capadocia known for its pottery, its attractive old town with cobbled streets and its views over the river. Time to enjoy the hotel facilities or walk through the streets. Dinner is included.

Cappadocia

Distance covered: 75 km

Scenery: Scenery of spectacular forms and shapes; picturesque villages. Note: We recommend comfortable footwear for today’s visits. Sometimes the order of the visits may be changed by the guide to see the different points when they are less crowded.


In the early morning, there is the option of a balloon flight over the Cappadocia region. - A wonderful experience offered at dawn


09.30 hrs.- Avanos - Departure -. We leave for the GOREME VALLEY. We include tickets to see the fantastic open-air museum that houses more than 30 churches dug out of the rocks, some with very beautiful frescoes. After this we visit UCHISAR – A stroll in this village of Cappadocia; you can see its 60-metre rock full of houses in dugout caves. We continue to KAYMACLI. You will see this impressive underground city in Cappadocia. Its tunnels and catacombs can house up to thirty thousand people. Time for lunch.


In the afternoon, we will go to PASABAG, known as the “Valley of fairies”, and we will stroll around this spectacular natural complex. We will also visit a traditional jewellery workshop with stones typical of the region of Cappadocia, Onyx and Turquoise, and we will see some examples of those used by the sultans during the Ottoman Empire.


At around 18 hrs. return to the hotel, where you can enjoy the swimming pool (in the summer months) or go for a stroll around the pleasant commercial town of Avanos. Dinner included.

Cappadocia- Ihlara- Konya

Total distance covered: 290 km.

Scenery: We continue amid the beautiful landscapes of Cappadocia. Subsequently arid and flat areas.
Notes: Today it is again necessary to wear comfortable shoes as we continue to explore Cappadocia. In Konya, we visit places considered "holy" for the Dervish sect: please wear appropriate clothing.

07:30 hrs - Nevsehir –Departure-. In the morning we go to small characterful towns mark the Ihlara Valley.
09:45 hrs - Ihlara Canyon –Arrival-. Refreshed by the cooler air by the river, we explore churches that are carved into the rock of the canyon.


11:45 hrs - Ihlara Canyon –Departure-.
13:00 hrs. - Sultanhan –Arrival-. Here one of the most beautiful caravanserai is preserved. This magnificent building reminds us of the great caravans of camels that, in the past, marked these lands. Time to explore and have lunch.


14.45 hrs - Sultanhan –Departure-. Landscapes with large herds and arid plains.
16.15 hrs - Konya –Arrival-. In the center of Konya, we explore the MEVLANA MAUSOLEUM, a holy place for Dervishes, the Muslim sect known for their whirling "trance" dancing. Admission to the exhibition is included. Later, we suggest a stroll through the bustling bazaar. Dinner included.
At night, we suggest that you attend the dance performance of the whirling dervishes in the cultural centre.

Konya- Egridir-Pamukkale.-

Total distance covered: 430 km.

Scenery: Varied: mountain areas and lakes. Fantastic "cotton mountain" at the end of the day.
Notes: We recommend that you also bring shoes that are easy to remove and carry in Pamukkale... and if you wish, bring your bathing costume to this place!


08.00 hrs. - Konya –Departure-. We continue our journey through Turkey´s interior.
11:15 hrs. -Egridir. Located on the shores of a lake with the same name, this is a picturesque town with its walls and mosques where we can walk and have lunch.


13:30 hrs. - Egridir –Departure-.
16:15 hrs. - Pamukkale –Arrival-. Admission included. At the "cotton mountain", our coach will drop passengers at the top of the mountain so that - having admired the ruins that date to the Roman era - you can descend on foot between the hot springs and the "baths". The colours at sunset are fantastic. Our coach will collect you at the area below. Finally you will have time in the hotel at which point you can enjoy its thermal pools. Dinner included.

Pamukkale- Ephesus- Kusadasi.-

Total distance covered: 225 km. Scenery: Various: proximity of the sea in region at the end of the stage.
Note: Again, for the Ephesus visit, it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes.


08.30 hrs. - Pamukkale –Departure-.
11:30 hrs. - Ephesus –Arrival-. We now visit a fantastic complex of Roman ruins. 2,000 years ago, this city had a quarter of a million inhabitants. We will discover with our guide the house of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of Saint John and the impressive ruins at Ephesus (tickets included). Time for lunch.


16.00 hrs- Ephesus departure. We continue on towards the Turquoise Coast, which has magnificent landscapes.


16.30 hrs.- Kusadasi.- Arrival to this popular coastal town with a lot of atmosphere, commercial life and a small castle. We will visit a gallery of leather articles where we will learn about the famous production of sheepskin garmets in this region. Free time to enjoy its bazaars and see its small castle. Dinner included.


NOTE : Due to the existing combinations in our circuits, some travellers have visited the city of Ephesus before. These travellers will be given the option of taking a direct transfer to Kusadasi (arrival around 12.30 hrs) having free time in this tourist enclave.

Kusadasi- Bodrum- Marmaris.-

Total distance covered: 320 km.

Scenery: Various beautiful sights over the Aegean.



08.30 hrs.- Kusadasi- Departure.10.00 hrs- Lake Bafa- Stop to see the lake, its magnificent nature, history, mystical beauty and serenity is undoubtedly one of the natural wonders to be seen in Turkey.


10.30 hrs.- Bafa Lake, departure.
12.00 hrs.- Bodrum, free time in this beautiful fortified city of Greek origin. You can visit its castle, walk through its streets which are full of life and tourist activity or its leisure marina. Time for lunch.

15.00 hrs- Bodrum, departure.
17.30 hrs.- MARMARIS, arrival to another beautiful coastal tourist enclave, with its castle, its marina and its fountains. Dinner and accommodation.



NOTE: On some high difficulty dates (especially in summer ), some groups can be accommodated in a nearby town.

Marmaris- Rodhes.-

NOTE -Remember that we are entering to Greece. On the ferry you should carry your luggage and have your passport handy as it is requested for embarkation.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The ferries that link Marmaris with Rodhes undergo frequent changes in schedules and do not operate every day (except during summer months). The itinerary may be adapted based on the frequencies available during your trip. If the group is less than 10 people, the visits of Rhodes can be made in a regular service at a different schedule (sharing with other people from other companies).


07.30 HRS.- Early in the morning, at first light, we will leave the hotel. After border procedures we will board the boat for Greece.
09.15 hrs- Fast ferry, a cruise of approximately one hour.


10.15 hrs.- Border procedures to enter Greece. Rhodes, arrival. We will include a visit of the city, with its impressive walled citadel, its old town that shows the traces of the different cultures (Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Knights of Saint John, Ottomans, Italians, etc.) that inhabited it. The visit lasts about two hours and is done with a local guide. After the visit, transfer to the hotel.


Free afternoon.- We suggest you to enjoy on its beaches or stroll on your own in this beautiful city.-

Rodhes- Night on Board.-

Distance traveled (by road): 115 Km

Scenery: Mediterranean landscapes, picturesque views over the sea.
Note: Ferry schedules are often subject to change. Departure time indicated in this
itinerary is subject to changes. Journey to Athens could be made by plane.


09.00hrs.- Rhodes -departure-. Today an excursion to visit the island of Rhodes is included.
09.30 hrs.- Philerimos, on the top of the hill, among magnificent landscapes, you can
visit its small monastery sitting amid amazing landscapes.


10.15hrs.-Filerimos- Departure.
11.30hrs.-Lindos. Arrival to this city with a medieval fortress and Greek Acropolis overlooking the sea. With the coach we will take you to the bay of St. Paul, it is said that the apostle arrived here by sea in 51 AD to preach Christianity. The movie "The Guns of Navarone" was filmed here. Afterwards you will have free time, you can stroll through the white and commercial streets of the center, relax on the beaches or climb (by donkey if you wish) to the Acropolis.


15.00 hrs.- Lindos -departure-. Return to Rhodes.
16.00 hrs.- Rhodes. Arrival. At the port we board the modern ferry to Athens. Scheduled departure (July and August period not yet confirmed) from Rhodes at 17.00 hrs. Relax and enjoy the Mediterranean on board.

Accommodation in cabins with private bathrooms. Breakfast not included. Night on board.


Note: Depending on the number of passengers, your guide may not accompany you on the
ferry.

Ferry- Athens.-

Arrival first thing in the morning where a panoramic visit of Athens is included to know the Presidential Palace, the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first modern day olympic games were held), the national library, the busy downtown plazas, as well as the new suburbs which appeared at the time of the 2004 Olympic Games. We will wrap up the tour at the Acropolis (entrance not included). Free afternoon.

After breakfast, end of our services.