Gay friendly
Turkey package tours from very experienced gay & lesbian owned travel agency of Turkey
This package tour is available departing from Istanbul everyday.
Attention ! We cooperate with the
most gay & lesbian friendly hotels, guides, tour operators transportation
companies as much as possible and where available. Please
kindly remember that there is no such a big potential for
such gay exclusive
tours to be organized everyday in Turkey. Consequently, it is a
coincidence if there will be other gay or lesbian clients at
the same time you reserve this tour package.
CAPPADOCIA, EPHESUS, PAMUKKALE, ANTALYA TOUR FROM
ISTANBUL
ITINERARY
DAY
1 : ISTANBUL CAPPADOCIA
This tour package will start with an overnight bus ride to
Cappadocia by luxury, air-conditioned coach. Bus ride is especially
recommended for people who also want to see the great land panorama
of Turkey on the way. Besides this will save you from the cost of 1
night hotel accommodation. Tour buses have flexible seats and you can
sleep comfortably. There will be several stop-over points at some
highway cafe-restaurants during the journey for those who like to
eat or drink a cup of coffee
Departure at around 19.30
o'clock from a point near our office
in Sultanahmet
The departure time may change slightly depending on season but you
will be informed of exact departure time after you make your
reservation.
DAY
2 : CAPPADOCIA
Cappadocia balloon flights make
you feel like flying over the moon
Your bus will
arrive to Cappadocia next day early in the morning.
You will be transferred to your hotel. After you settle up at your
hotel and rest a little you will be picked up from your hotel for
the below tour: Full day Northern Cappadocia tour including transfers, guide
and entrance fee. This tour will cover the most famous parts of the
region such as Goreme Open Air Museum, Zelve, Urgup and Dervent
Valley. Lunch will be served during the tour in a nice Turkish
Restaurant.
Transfer back to hotel. Dinner at your hotel included. Hotel accommodation
in Cappadocia. Private rooms with air condition and bath/WC.
Possible hotels are Dedeli Cave or Hisarevi hotels in
Urgup. If they are not available similar quality and location hotels
will be reserved.
Cappadocia
region is the place where nature and history come together most
beautifully within the world. While geographic events are forming
Peribacalari (fairy chimneys), during the historical period, humans
had carried the signs of thousand years old civilizations with
carving houses and churches within these earth pillars and
decorating them with frisks.
DAY
3 : CAPPADOCIA-EPHESUS
One
day is never enough to see the wonders of the vast Cappadocia
region. You have so many things more to see on your second day that
will keep your eyes wide open with amazement.
The second day's itinerary will be like this:
Breakfast in your hotel included Full day Southern Cappadocia Tour
including transfers, entrance fees,
guide This tour will cover Underground city of Derinkuyu or
Kaymakli, wonderful Ihlara Valley as well as a
caravanserai of Seljuk period, which is the great Turkish Empire
before Ottomans. Lunch included in a typical Turkish Restaurant during the day
tour.
Transfer to bus station Overnight bus
to Kusadasi or Selcuk. (Non-smoking new model long distance coaches
with air-condition and flexible seats suitable for sleeping)
DAY
4 : EPHESUS
Get ready to visit the city which held one of the seven wonders of
ancient times.
Today's program will be as below:.
Arrival to Kusadasi or Selcuk early in the morning and check
in to your hotel You will have enough time to settle up and rest
before the tour. Breakfast at Hotel Full day tour of Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary, including
transfers, entrance fees, guide. Lunch during the tour is included. Where you visit: Ephesus - Enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow,
downhill walk with your guide into the ruins of this Roman
provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeum, the Celsus
Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great
Theater. The Theater had seating for 25,000, was the site where St.
Paul preached to the Ephesians, and is used today for a local spring
festival. House of the Virgin Mary - The Vatican has recognized this
small house in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of
the Virgin Mary. A small shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when
the ruins of the house were first discovered.
Besides being a popular summer
resort, Kusadasi is also a major base for visiting many
neighborhood ancient sights.
What you see along the way: From Kusadasi, you travel north
to St. Johns Basilica, passing the Byzantine fortress at Selcuk and
the ruins of the Temple of Artemis. Continue to Ephesus Open Museum
then up to the House of Virgin Mary located in Bulbul Mountain.
After the visit head for the upper gate of Ephesus. By the end of
touring Ephesus, return to Kusadasi. Special notes: Ephesus requires walking long distances over
uneven surfaces
Transfer back to hotel after the tour. Dinner at your hotel included. Hotel accommodation
in Kusadasi (or Selcuk). Private rooms with air condition and
bath/WC. Possible hotels are Atinc
Hotel or
Polat Beach Hotel in Kusadasi,
Cenka Hotel in Selcuk. If they are not available similar quality
and location hotels will be reserved. Hotel Upgrade is possible upon
request.
DAY
5 : EPHESUS PAMUKKALE - ANTALYA
This package will not be complete without Pamukkale; another amazing
point of interest within Turkey
Hot spring pools of Pamukkale are
created by nature in thousands of years
Breakfast at
hotel included Pamukkale & Hierapolis tour including transfers, entrance
fees, guide. Lunch during the tour is included. (Visiting the amazing white colored travertines, hot spring
pools and water terraces have been created by nature in millions of
years on the mountain slopes of Pamukkale and the ancient city of
Hierapolis which has the biggest ancient Necropolis in present
Turkey with 1200 gravestones) Transfer to bus station. Evening bus to Antalya, arriving late in the evening.
(Approximately 4 hours ride, with non-smoking new model long
distance coaches with air-condition Hotel accommodation
in Antalya. Private rooms with air condition and bath/WC.
Possible hotels are Lara Hotel or Benna Hotel. If they
are not available similar quality and location hotels will be
reserved. Hotel Upgrade is possible upon request.
DAY
6 : ANTALYA
Antalya is one of the best of Turkish cities perfectly combining
historical, natural beauties also known as Turkish Riviera with many
neighborhood sandy beaches and vivid night life. There are many well
preserved significant ancient sights around the city which you must
definitely see if you happen to visit Turkey.
Breakfast at hotel included Full day tour of Perge, Aspendos,
Side and Manavgat, including
transfers, entrance fees, guide. Lunch during the tour is included. Dinner at your hotel included. Hotel accommodation
in Antalya. Private rooms with air condition and bath/WC.
Possible hotels are Lara Hotel or Benna
Hotel. If they are not available
similar quality and location hotels will be reserved. Hotel Upgrade
is possible upon request.
Antalya Aspendos Theater
Perge Hellenistic Gate
Roman columns in Side
PERGE: Situated 18
km east of Antalya, Perge is in the city limits of Aksu Bucagi.
Because of its location on the Cilicia - Pisidia road, it was a
vital part of the province of Pamphylia, and was founded around the
same time as the other cities in the area (7th century BC). It was
an important city for Christians of Perge who had worshipped the
mother goddess Artemis. St. Paul and Barnabas visited the city and
wealthy benefactors like Magna Plancia had a number of important
memorials built here.
ASPENDOS: This antique city established in the Early age is
48km east of Antalya. Its most important feature is its theatre. The
theatre and its stage are the best preserved of the Roman theatres
in Anatolia still being used for music concerts and opera shows
during festivals. The most popular of these festivals are the
Aspendos International Opera and Ballet festival. 15000
spectators can sit in the theatre. It was built during the reign of
Emperor Antonius Pius (134 - 164) by architect Zenon.
SIDE: In the ancient town of Side, there are inscriptions,
weapon embossing from Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Periods,
sculptures which are Roman Period copies of Greek originals, torsos,
temples, tomb steles, portraits, ostotecs and column pedestals on
exhibition in the museum.
MANAVGAT: The River Manavgat flows 90 km from the eastern
slopes of the western Toros (Taurus) mountains, passes over hard
conglomerated strata, forms the Manavgat Falls and then enters the
coastal plain to empty into the Mediterranean Sea
DAY
7 : ANTALYA ISTANBUL
There are many other world wide famous places of interest near
Antalya which you must not miss after coming all the way. The second
day's tour covers the most important ones:
Full day tour of Myra, St.
Nicolas Church, Kekova including
transfers, entrance fees, guide. Lunch during the tour is included.
Transfer to bus station. Overnight bus
to Istanbul. (Non-smoking new model long distance coaches with
air-condition and Flexable seats suitable for sleeping) End of our service with your arrival to the main bus station
in Istanbul, next day at around 07:30 am Extra transfer from bus station to your hotel in Istanbul,
will cost 30 Euro. (1-3 pax)
Rock tombs in Myra
St. Nicholas Church
Simena across Kekova Island
MYRA: It is now calledDemre it was one of the most
important cities of the Lycian civilization. 25km west of Finike and
48km east of Kas, Demre was a place of settlement from the 5th
century BC. The city was deserted in 9 AD after the invasions of the
Arabs. Rock tombs, theatres and the Church of St. Nicholas (said to
be the original Santa Claus) are the most interesting sites in the
town today.
KEKOVA ISLAND: It is by the cost of Antalya province between
Kas-Demre towns. It is an ancient city submerged and now partly
under sea water, but can be seen from outside.
ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH:
Saint Nicholas giving its name to the church in Demre (Myra) is said
to be the original Santa Claus
TOUR PRICE
Tour Price: 595 Euro per personin single room (1 pax) 520 Euro
per person in double room (2 pax) 490 Euro
per person in triple room(3 pax)
% 5 winter discount from November 01-March 31, except
Christmas period (December 23-January 03)
Ask for group discount for participants over 7 pax
Above tour prices include:
All taxes.
4 Night accommodation in private rooms at 3 star or equal quality
special class hotels.
6 guided day tours as mentioned.
Entrance fees for museums
All mentioned meals above in the itinerary
Transportation by non-smoking, air-conditioned long distance bus,
with flexible seats.
All connecting transfers in between the tour period.
Customize this tour package:
Flights
Instead of overnight bus ride on departure, transfers + 1 hour morning flight from Istanbul
to Cappadocia (via Kayseri Airport) next morning (70-100 Euro extra
cost depending on season and early reservation)
Instead of overnight bus on return, transfer to Antalya Airport +
Antalya-Istanbul evening flight (70-100 Euro extra cost depending on
season and early reservation)
In Summer season, Cappadocia-Kusadasi overnight bus can be replaced
with a rare direct flight. Additional day is required in this
case, because these flights depart in noon time. Ask for price and
available days.
Possible add-ons : Airport hotel transfers in Istanbul for your international
flights.
Hotel accommodation in Istanbul before or after the tour
with discounted rates.
Daily Istanbul Tours with discounted rates as a part of this
package.
Extra hotel accommodation in Cappadocia, Kusadasi or Antalya
with discounted rates.
Hotels:
Hotels can be upgraded to 4 or
5 star or equal quality special class boutique hotels, if you pay
the extra cost. You can tell us specific hotels you want to stay in
each destination.
Payment and reservation:
Depending on season we will request 20-30% of the total tour price
for guaranteed reservations. We will send you a detailed reservation
contract by e-mail after all details are confirmed mutually.
For advance payments we accept Visa and Master and American express
credit cards by mail order method or money transfer. After you
arrive in Istanbul the balance of payment can also be made in cash
in Euros or in other internationally accepted currencies from the
cross exchange rates valid on payment day.
EPHESUS
Library of Celcus
Temple of Hadrian
Virgin Mary's House
During both the Hellenistic and Roman periods Ephesus was the
most important port and cultural center of the eastern world. The
remains of the city are still spellbinding today. Of
all the ancient cities of Turkey, Ephesus is the best preserved and
most visited in all ages and is as popular as it was in ancient
times. This is due to the miraculous discovery of the House the
Virgin Mary. The city had splendid buildings and was dedicated
to the Goddess Artemis, whose temple was considered one of
the Seven Wonders of the World. The main monuments that we will see
during the visit of this fascinating city are: the street of
Arcadiane, the majestic theatre, marble road, library of Celsus,
market place street of the Curettes, baths of Scholastic state
agora, prytaneion, odeon. The town of Seljuk, is dominated by a
Byzantine citadel close to the basilica of St. John built in the 5th
century, on the site of tomb of the Apostle. Seljuk has also an
exceptionally fine archaeological museum.
PAMUKKALE-HIERAPOLIS
Bathing in pools is no more
allowed
Ancient graves
Agora entrance of the ancient
city
Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is one of the most enchanting and remarkable
sights in the whole of Turkey with the great dazzling white plateau,
almost 400 feet high, rising in a curtain of stalagmites and shallow
pools, giving one into another on hundreds of different levels, and
ancient city of Hierapolis located on this plateau. The great baths
were constructed in the second century and are so well-preserved
that they now serve as a museum. The impressive and recently
restored theatre, the Martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle of the 5th
century a colonnaded street erected by Domitian, a monumental gate
of the same period, another bath stretching on for over a Mile, the
necropolis with a fascinating variety of tombs and sarcophagus are
the famous monuments of this antique city.
ANTALYA
Modern Antalya is built over
high cliffs
A street in old city
Harbor of Kaleici (old city) of
Antalya
Situated on a cliff over the Mediterranean, Antalya is surrounded by
mountains. Developments in tourism, starting in the 1970s, have
transformed the city into an international resort. With its airport
and central location, Antalya is a gateway for the Turkish Riviera
and many historical sites. Antalya city corresponds to the lands of
ancient Pamphylia to the east and Lycia to the west. Antalya has
hotel accommodations, a hot climate and places to visit both in and
around the city, including traces of Lycian, Pamphylian,
Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman architecture and
cultures.
There are many antique cities in and around Antalya. Aspendos, Perga
and Termessos are some of the closest ones to the city centre. Other
than these historic places, Antalya is also famous with its beaches
like Konyaalti, Lara and Karpuzkaldiran. Antalya also has a
reputation as a city of waterfalls. Duden, Manavgat and Kursunlu
waterfalls are major attractions for both local and foreign
tourists. For winter sports, Beydağları and Saklikent are both
natural beauties of the city.
There are a large number of mosques, churches, madrasahs, masjids,
hans and hamams in the city. Kaleici, the harbor which the city
walls enclose is the oldest part of the city. In Kaleici, Yivli
Minare, Kesik Minare and historic houses are to be found. In
Kaleici, one can see the best examples of traditional Turkish
architecture which are striking for their harmony with the nature.
All these places are at a walk distance.
