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The General Tours World Traveler Advantage
HOTEL INFORMATION:  Marmara AntalyaHotel Class: Deluxe the Marmara Antalya is a modern resort hotel comprising a high-rise building with magnificent views and a unique 'Revolving Loft'. This 15-floor hotel features 238 air-conditioned guestrooms decorated by the famed French designer Christian Allart with bright, contemporary decor and furnishings. All come equipped with cable television, direct-dial phones with voicemail, complimentary high-speed Internet connections, safes, and minibars. After enjoying a buffet breakfast at the hotel, guests can wander down to the private beach or take a dip in the outdoor pool with a separate pool for children. The sauna, steam room and massage treatment room help guests unwind, while guests keen to party can join the lively beachside nightclub. Business guests will benefit from the business centre and meeting room facilities, and those arriving by car will find a complimentary valet parking service. The hotel has a choice of dining options including Tuti, which serves Mediterranean dishes in a relaxed atmosphere and opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the Summer and Beach bars which serve Turkish pizzas and snacks. Guests wishing to venture out of Atalya will find the Aspendos Antic Theatre 35 kilometres away and Koprulu Canyon, which is popular for rafting, 90 kilometres from the hotel. The nearest airport is Antalya Airport which is 15 kilometres away and takes around 15 minutes by car.  Ritz Carlton IstanbulHotel Class: Deluxe Located at the crossroads of two continents, The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul hotel stands in the center of this flavorful city, epitomizing its welcoming spirit and the harmonic convergence between East and West, and past and present. The 244 guest rooms are decorated in Turkish-inspired decor with oversidez marble bathrooms, internet access, in-room safe and flat-screen television. Four restaurants and bars are available to guests, as well as an on-site spa that includes indoor pool, sauna, steam room, Turkish Hamam, and fitness center. SwissotelHotel Class: Deluxe
Day 1 - Istanbul
Check-in to the luxurious Ritz Carlton Istanbul, offering 21st century comfort and Ottoman-inspired splendor in the heart of the city Day 2 - Istanbul / Cappadocia Your personal car, driver, and guide await this morning to escort you to the airport for your flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and escorted by private car to your extraordinary accommodations at the Anatolian Houses Goreme. This luxury boutique hotel has been designed and carved in the tradition of the ancient Cappadocian cave houses that surround the property - with niches, barrel vaults and domes! Cappadocia#WHS# is a unique and historic region where, for centuries, inhabitants carved the soft volcanic rock to create underground dwellings and early Christians carved elaborate churches out of the porous rock. This afternoon, your privately-guided sightseeing includes the Goreme Open Air Museum, a complex of medieval painted cave churches. Dating back nearly 1,000 years, the Byzantine murals have been remarkably preserved. You also visit Avanos, a small town on the Red River which has been renowned for centuries for the great skill of its pottery artisans. This evening, witness a ceremony by Whirling Dervishes, a religious group known for its ritual dance and haunting music. Meals B,L Day 3 - Explore Cappadocia Early risers might wish to join an available hot-air balloon ride over the captivating, lunar-like landscapes of Cappadocia. After breakfast, join your private guide to explore Kaymakli Underground City, with cave dwellings that date back thousands of years. Experience the timeless rhythms and rich traditions of Turkish life here in the heart of Turkey when you visit a local village to have lunch with a resident family. The afternoon is at leisure; explore at your own pace or join an available excursion like a guided walk or wine tasting. Meals B,L Day 4 - Cappadocia / Ankara / Antalya En route to Ankara, the capital, you’ll visit a 13th century Caravanserai, once an important stop for medieval merchants. Fly to Antalya where you’ll be greeted by your guide for a private car transfer to the luxurious Marmara Antalya Beach Resort. Settle-in to your graciously-appointed guestroom overlooking the Mediterranean and enjoy dinner here at your resort hotel. Meals B,D Day 5 - Excursion to Perge and Aspendos Join your personal guide this morning to visit two renowned sites of antiquity. See the imposing Roman stadium in Perge before touring the theater in Aspendos, built in the 2nd century and considered to be the best-preserved Roman theater. The acoustics of the structure are still near-perfect and even today concerts and plays are staged in this ancient 15,000-seat theater without microphones or amplifiers. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy your seaside resort. Meals B,D Day 6 - Antalya / Pamukkale / Hierapolis / Izmir Journey by private car to Pamukkale#WHS#, famous for its remarkable ‘Cotton Castle’, an amazing white limestone formation of seemingly frozen waterfalls, shaped over thousands of years by mineral rich geothermal waters cascading down the mountainside. Then visit the impressive ruins at Hierapolis#WHS#, a city founded in 190 B.C. that grew to become an important Roman thermal bath resort during the 2nd century. Arrive in Izmir and check-in to the Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir, a deluxe retreat surrounded by landscaped grounds in the heart of the city. Meals B Day 7 - Excursion to Pergamum Enjoy a private-car excursion along the coast to the ancient city of Pergamum for a personally-guided tour of its impressive ruins from the days of Alexander the Great. Ascend the Acropolis and see the graceful Temple of Athena. Return to Izmir and enjoy dinner in this charming Aegean coastal city. Meals B,D Day 8 - Izmir / Ephesus / Istanbul Your privately-guided exploration of Ephesus reveals one of the greatest cities of antiquity. Stroll along the wide marble avenues lined with once-great buildings and see ancient mosaic floors, amazingly preserved. Marvel at the imposing façade of the Library of Celsus, constructed in the second century A.D., and see the Roman amphitheater and Temple of Hadrian. Then visit the house where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent the last days of her life. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul where you’ll be met and escorted by private car back to the luxurious Ritz Carlton Istanbul. Meals B Day 9 - Explore Istanbul Renowned throughout the ages – first as Byzantium, then as Constantinople and today as Istanbul#WHS# - this is a marvelous city of stunning beauty and contrasts, and the only city in the world to sit astride two continents – Europe and Asia. Your full-day privately-guided sightseeing includes the Blue Mosque; St. Sophia, built in the 6th century and still one of the largest Church buildings in the world; and the Topkapi Palace, where you’ll see breathtaking crown jewels and Sultans’ treasures. We’ve also arranged for a delightful lunch at the famed Pandeli Restaurant, an Istanbul landmark for more than a century. Meals B,L Day 10 - FreeStyle Day in Istanbul Customize your stay in this fascinating city with the included excursion of your choice: Grand Bazaar: With thousands of shops selling everything from leather and jewelry to rugs and ceramics, the bustling Grand Bazaar can seem overwhelming. Join our expert guide and discover the best bargains. Antique Shops of Cukurcuma: Explore this enchanting city district, home to some of Istanbul’s best antique shops. Turkish Arts: Visit a glass blowing atelier or join a hands-on workshop to learn calligraphy or marbling. Turkish Hammam: The traditional Turkish bath experience is both rejuvenating and relaxing. This evening, we’ve arranged for a wonderful dinner at water’s edge overlooking the Bosphorus. Meals B,D Day 11 - Istanbul Your tour with us ends this morning after breakfast. Or you can explore more of the world with our affordable and flexible FreeStyle Add-ons. Meals B
The General Tours World Traveler Advantage
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Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.
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