15 DAYS TURKEY AND GEORGIA CULTURAL TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Istanbul - Arrival Day
Meet with TravelShop Turkey staff at Istanbul International Ataturk airport and
transfer to your hotel. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day
is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour
(Breakfast included)
We depart at 09:00 for the Istanbul city tour. We will begin with ancient
Hippodrome, which was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments: the
Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of
Constantine. We will then continue with Sultanahmet Mosque across from St.
Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet. It is also known as
the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik
tiles we then arrive to our last stop, which is the famous Hagia Sophia. This
ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and
reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural
marvels of all time. After the tour you have the option to experience The
Bosphorus Cruise. You will have the chance to enjoy magnificent views of
Bosphorus, which is connecting Asia to Europe. The rest of the evening is your
to enjoy Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Gallipoli Battlefields
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Depart early morning from Istanbul for afternoon tour of Gallipoli. The World
War I battlefields of Gallipoli are now a serene site. Visit the Lone Pine
Australian Memorial and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, ANZAC Cove, Johnston's
Jolly and Gallipoli Museum. Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 4 - Troy - Acropolis of Pergamon
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
This morning, step back in time as we visit Troy, home of the famed Trojan
Horse. Then we tour the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive
temples and Library made Pergamum a renowned cultural and political centre in
its time. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5 - Ephesus - Kusadasi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to
the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and
theatre. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey. At the carpet village we
learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6 - Pamukkale - Hierapolis
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before
heading towards the the magnificent white calcium terraces of Pamukkale where we
will tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip in the hot springs that
were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 7 - Istanbul
(Breakfast included)
Today you head back to Istanbul, passing through rural Turkey and ancient Bursa
to visit the famous Green Mosque and explore the Silk Bazaar. Upon arrival in
Istanbul we will transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 8 - Istanbul - Tbilisi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and depart by international flight to
Georgian. Upon arrival Tbilisi, meet with our local representative and you will
be escorted to your hotel room which is protected for immediate occupancy and
rest up for your first day of adventure. After a short break, we shall start our
tour. Georgian Art Museum - The Museum houses the best-known samples of Georgian
artwork. Different collections of the Museum preserve approximately sixty
thousand objects. The Museum is distinguished for its Georgian goldsmith pieces
dated back to the VIII-XIX Centuries. The most significant exhibits are the icon
of Zarzma Monastery, the Chalice of Bedia, Anchistkhati and Khakhuli Triptychs,
Processional Liturgical Crosses etc. Overview of the city, excursions in the old
part of Tbilisi; the 4th century Narikala Fortress, an ancient citadel on a
steep hill overlooking the city; Metekhi Church (13th c.) - the grave of St.
Shushanik the Christian martyr is within the church. Sioni - the cathedral of
the 6th-7th cc; sulphur baths - a favorite place of Tbilisi citizens and foreign
guests At the end of the tour, transfer back to your hotel. If you want, you can
try sulphur bath with massage. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 9 - Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Bakuriani
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Early in the morning our tour to the regions of Georgia begins. Mtskheta was the
capital of the Georgian kingdom of Iberia during the 4th century BC - 5th
century AD. Here Georgians accepted Christianity and the town still remains the
center of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. Visit to Svetitskhoveli
Cathedral (XI c.) - the largest ecclesiastical construction extant in the
country; Jvari Monastery (VI c) - a symbol of Mtskheta; Then we will go to Gori
where is Stalin's native city to visit the Stalin Museum. The museum has three
sections, all located in the town's central square. It was officially dedicated
to Stalin in 1957. With the downfall of the Soviet Union and independence
movement of Georgia, the museum closed in 1989, but has since been reopened, and
is a popular tourist attraction. On our way to Bakuriani, we will have a stop in
Uplistsikhe, it is the cave town is situated seven km (4.3 miles) southeast of
Gori on the left bank of river Mtkvari and still amazes the visitors by its
dimensions, extraordinary position, refined forms and the beauty of decors. You
will find huge echoing halls, long meandering corridor-streets, chambers for
pagan worship and even the remains of Georgia's oldest theatre there, and will
be impressed by the skill, knowledge, experience and physical and spiritual
power of all those, who created this unique monument. Afterwards, we will head
to drive to Bakuriani where is a popular winter and summer resort in the Borjomi
district located on the northern slope of the Trialeti Range at 1 700 meters
above the sea level. The region is covered by coniferous forests. Upon arrival,
check in to your hotel and you will be given your room key. Overnight in
Bakuriani.
Day 10 - Bakuriani - Varzia - Borjomi - Bakuriani
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Early in the morning Murti's Tour will have an excursion to Vardzia with you.
Vardzia is a cave monastery where founded by Queen Tamar in 1185. The monastery
was constructed as protection from the Mongols. and consisted of over six
thousand apartments in a thirteen story complex. The city included a church, a
throne room, and a complex irrigation system watering terraced farmlands. Also
we will have a visit to Khertvisi fortress, it is one of the oldest fortresses
in Georgia and was functional throughout the Georgian feudal period. It is
situated inThe fortress was first build in the 2nd century BC. On our way back
to Bakuriani, we will have a stop in Borjomi to visit Kharagauli National Park.
It is a protected area in central Georgia. It also is one of the largest
national parks in Europe, it includes six administrative districts stretching
from the resort of Borjomi to the town of Kharagauli. Its particular uniqueness
is diversity of geographical and ecological zones, landscapes, historical
monuments and rich flora and fauna. The park has rapidly developing tourist
infrastructure. Afterwards we will drive back to Bakuriani and transfer you back
to hotel. Overnight in Bakuriani.
Day 11 - Bakuriani - Gudauri
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Today we will drive through Georgian Military Highway by crossing the Main
Caucasian Range at Jvari Pass (2395m.) and we drive to Gudauri. While we driving
to Gudauri, we will have a stop at Ananuri Fortress. Ananuri located in the
valley of the river Aragvi (north Tbilisi), along the Georgian Military Highway,
is a typical feudal fortress complex dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Upon arrival Gudauri where is located on the southern slopes of The Greater
Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. We will transfer you to your hotel and check
in. Overnight in Gudauri.
Day 12 - Gudauri - Kazbegi - Tbilisi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Today we will back to Tbilisi through Kazbegi. We will tthrough Military Highway
arrival to Kazbegi. Walk up (1.30 hour trekking) Gergeti Sameba (Trynity)
Church, enjoy a pleasant view of Mount Kazbeg (5000). For those who don't wish
to trek there will be waiting a car (4X4) to drive up the hill. Afterwards, we
will continue drive back to Tbilisi. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your
hotel. The rest of the evening is leisure. If you want you can join the
excursion to attend the folk theatre "Nabadi" which is completely different and
almost unique with its essence presents new style performance. The long history
of Georgia, the country being a crossroad between Europe and Asia is shown in
traditional and modern forms of expression, sense of rhythm, folk dances and
songs. During the performance you will be treated with a glass of wine and
sweets made of grape juice and nuts (Churchxela, Tatara). Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 13 - Tbilisi - David Gareja - Signagi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After enjoy your breakfast at hotel, TravelShop Turkey will pick you up and we
proceed to visit David Gareja Monastery, the cave town complex (the cradle of
Georgian Christian activity of early and medieval period), where monks live and
work. It is situated deep in semi-desert about 75 km south-east of Tbilisi. The
Monasteries were founded in the 6th century by the Christian Father St. David.
Walk up to Udabno to explore some of the fine frescos of the 8th-13th c. and
cave architecture. The complex includes hundreds of cells, churches, chapels,
refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock face. The area is also
home to protected animal species and evidence of some of the oldest human
habitations in the region. Then we will head to visit Ikalto Academy (XII - XIII
cc) and Tsinandali. A visit to Chavchvadze's Palace, the residence of the poet
and public figure, Kakhetian prince of the 18th c. A. Chavchavadze, English park
and the wine cellar (XIXc.) where you will taste wines. Afterwards, we will
depart for Signagi. It is one of the country's smallest towns with a population
of 2,146 as of the 2002 census. Sighnaghi's economy is dominated by production
of wine and traditional carpets. The town and its environs are also known for
their landscapes and historical monuments. Sighnaghi has recently undergone a
fundamental reconstruction program and has become an important centre of
Georgia's tourist industry. In Signagi you are invited to have a dinner and
taste Georgian wines, learn about old Georgian wine making traditions and listen
to Georgian folk songs. Overnight in Signagi.
Day 14 - Signagi - Tbilisi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After your breakfast in hotel, we will pick you up and drive back to Tbilis.
Upon arrival Tbilis, we will visit Tbilisi Open Air Museum where exposes 14
ethnographic zones. Each of them presents the particular historic-ethnographic
area of Georgia. Together with the architectural monuments the museum exposes
ethnographic materials - different kinds of tools, textile and ceramics. The
museum also exposes the V-VI c. basilica of Sioni, as well as a rich collection
of the gravestones in relief. Afterwards, transfer you back to your hotel and
check in. The rest of the day is free for you, walk along the city or do little
shopping. Enjoy your last night in Georgia. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 15 - Tbilisi - End of the Tour
(Breakfast included)
Today is the end of the tour, it's time to say goodbye with you. Regarding your
flight departure time, we will arrange your transfer to airport for your
international flight back home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we
would like to see you in future in one of our tours again. Have a nice trip back
home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Turkey.
15 DAYS TURKEY AND GEORGIA CULTURAL TOUR INCLUDES:
- Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
- 3 nights hotel in Istanbul
- 1 night hotel in Canakkale
- 2 nights hotel in Kusadasi
- 1 night hotel in Pamukkale
- 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
- Guided Istanbul City tour
- Guided Gallipoli tour
- Guided Troy tour
- Guided Acropolis of Pergamum tour
- Guided Ephesus tour
- Guided Pamukkale and Hierapolis tour
- Guided Bursa tour
- Return transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
- Arrival airport transfer from airport in Tbilisi
- 3 nights hotel in Tbilis
- 2 nights hotel in Bakuriani
- 1 night hotel in Gudauri
- 1 night hotel in Signagi
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners during the tour
- 1 bottle of water per day per person
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
- Professional English-speaking tour guides
- Return airport transfer to airport in Tbilisi
15 DAYS TURKEY AND GEORGIA CULTURAL TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International flights
- Visas
Please Note: In Istanbul Hagia Sophia closed on mondays, Topkapi Palace closed on tuesdays, Grand Bazaar closed on sundays.
15 DAYS TURKEY AND GEORGIA CULTURAL TOUR PRICES IN EURO:
Per Person |
Shared Double |
Single |
|
€ 1619.00 |
€ 1895.00 |
|
€ 1959.00 |
€ 2379.00 |
|
€ 2559.00 |
€ 3239.00 |
Please click on the calendar icon to see our guaranteed departure dates (green).
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