TURKEY TOUR #7 - 6 DAYS, 6
NIGHTS Gay friendly
tours by experienced gay owned travel agency of Turkey
GALLIPOLI, TROY,
EPHESUS, PAMUKKALE, ANTALYA TOUR FROM ISTANBUL
ATTENTION:
This package tour is available starting everyday of the year.
We organize these tours in cooperation with other non-gay
tour operators. Remember that there is no such a big potential for
such gay exclusive
tours that will be organized everyday in Turkey. Consequently, it is
just a coincidence if there will be other gay or lesbian clients at
the same time you reserve this tour. The other clients who join
these tours are mainly American or European tourists. Also note
that we are a disclosed gay company, and we only cooperate
with real gay friendly companies, tour operators, guides and hotels.
DAY
1 : ISTANBUL – GALLIPOLI – CANAKKALE
PS: Mentioned times can change slightly from season to season.
Exact times will be informed after reservation process is completed.
Trojan horse from the movie "Troy"
starring Brad Pitt is now in Canakkale
Istanbul-Canakkale morning bus
Pick up from Istanbul hotel in the morning at around 06:30 am
Arrival to Canakkale by bus at around 12:00 noon time.
(Non-smoking new model long distance coaches with air-condition)
Gallipoli tour including transfers, entrance fees, guide
and lunch box.
(Visiting - Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian
Memorial, Johnston's Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and
tunnels), The Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial)
Transfer to hotel
Dinner at hotel included
Optional: You can also watch below movie shows free for the tour participants
at Anzac House hostel today in the evening or the next day in the
afternoon.
19.30 Fatal Shore documentary movie of Australian ABC TV
21.30 Gallipoli movie starring Mel Gibson
Hotel accommodation in Canakkale. Private rooms with air condition
and bath/WC
Canakkale
which is the major city center near Gallipoli and Troy.
Possible hotels are Helen Hotel or
Buyuk Truva Hotel. If they are not available similar quality
and location hotels will be reserved. Hotel Upgrade is possible upon
request.
GALLIPOLI:
This area is known for the war cemeteries and memorials for the
Turkish and foreign soldiers killed during the Canakkale Sea and
shore battles in 1915. There are sunken ships, trenches, castles,
towers and hundreds of remains of the war. In total, there are
graves and memorials of around 250,000 Turkish soldiers, and 250,000
from Australia, New Zealand, England and France. Thousands of people
visit the war cemeteries every year, and it is one of the most
famous sites in Turkey.
Excavations at Troy ancient city
Memorial for Turkish soldiers
Gallipoli harbor
DAY 2 : CANAKKALE – KUSADASI/SELJUK
Kusadasi is also a major base for
visiting many neighborhood ancient sights.
Breakfast at hotel included Half day morning Troy Tour at 08:45, including transfers,
entrance fees, guide and lunch
12.:00 Return to hotel.
Free time in the afternoon
Or Optional: Movie shows free for tour participants
13:30 Fatal Shore documentary
15.00 Gallipoli movie
Evening Bus from Canakkale- to Selcuk or Kusadasi, arriving late at night.
(Departure at around 19:00 o'clock) 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.
TROY: Ancient city of Troia (Troy), which was immortalized in
Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey epics. According to archaeologists, Troy
is only one of nine cities which were built on top of each other,
the oldest of which dates back to 3000 BC. Its history covers an
area beginning from the north side of the Edremit gulf, and reaches
the southern shores of the Marmara Sea. To the south is Kazdagi (Ida
Mountain), an attractive area to visit 30 km. away from Canakkale,
in Hisarlık. Archeological excavations revealed the different time
periods of various settlement areas, city ramparts, house basis, a
temple and a theater. A symbolic horse made up of wood reminds the
big Trojan war. Historical port, Alexandria - Troas was constructed
during 3rd century B. C. St. Paul had visited here two times, and
his third missioner voyage to Assos was started from here.
KUSADASI:
Kusadasi is a resort town in the province of Aydin on the Aegean
coast of Turkey, 90 km (56 mi) south of Izmir, and 71 km (44 mi)
from the inland provincial capital of Aydin.
Besides being a summer resort with many neighborhood beaches and
small islands, the town is also a tourism base for visiting ancient
city of Ephesus and to other places of interest including Miletus,
Dydima and Pamukkale, and a short distance across from Kusadasi lies
the island of Samos connected to Kusadasi with regular ferryboats in
Summer. The town is a popular holiday destination for local tourists
as well and has a considerable night life.
DAY
3 : EPHESUS
Breakfast at hotel included 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. What you see along the way: From Kusadasi, you travel north
to St. John’s 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
Dinner at hotel included Hotel accommodation in Kusadasi or Selcuk. Private rooms with
air condition and bath/WC
Library of Celcus
Ephesus
At the south of
Izmir, the town of Seljuk is a major tourist destination mainly as
a base to visit the famous ruins of Ephesus a few kilometers away.
The ancient classical city is one of the best preserved in the
eastern Mediterranean and is a great example of Roman architecture.
When the Romans made Ephesus their provincial capital, it became a
busy town with great commercial, trading and political importance, A
significant Christian community grew, and the city was visited by St
John the Evangelist in the 1st century, then by St Paul, who was
there between 51-53 AD and wrote some of his epistles. It was also
the venue of two Ecumenical Councils. House of Virgin Mary: This house, where the Virgin Mary is
supposed to have lived during her last days, and to have died with
Johanna at her side, is situated 7 km south of the antique city of
Ephesus in Izmir. The miraculous discovery of the house is as
exciting as the place itself. The German Nun Katharine Emmerich (1774-1824)
had described the surroundings of the house from her dream, who had
never been there. The authenticity of the house as a holly place was
also confirm by visits of two previous Popes in 1967 and 1979, and
the latest Pope Benedict in 2006.
DAY
4 : EPHESUS – PAMUKKALE – ANTALYA
This package will not be complete without Pamukkale; another amazing
point of interest within Turkey
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.
Bathing in pools is no more
allowed
Pamukkale
(Hierapolis)
Pamukkale 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.
DAY
5 : 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
6 : 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 Pullman 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. ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH:
Saint Nicholas giving its name to the church in Demre (Myra) is said
to be the original Santa Claus. 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 make the Island one of
the most visited destination of the region.
Modern Antalya is built over
high cliffs
A street in old city
Harbor of Kaleici (old city) of
Antalya
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.
TOUR PRICE
Tour Price:
530
Euro per
personin single room (1 pax) 465 Euro
per person in double room (2 pax) 435 Euro
per person in triple room(3 pax)
% 7
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.
5 nights 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 buses
with Pullman seats.
All connecting transfers in between the tour period.
Customize this tour package:
Flights
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)
Replace: Either one or both Ephesus and Pamukkale tours can be replaced
by Pergamum, Sardis or Priene + Miletus + Didyma tours:
http://www.turkey-gay-travel.com/dailytours2.htmlFor
Pergamum tour, extra 15 Euro pp required.
Add-ons Airport transfers from/to hotels in Istanbul
for your international flights - 30 Euro - one way for 1-3 pax
3 star hotel in Istanbul before or after the tour: 50 Euro
single, 30 Euro double pp, 25 Euro triple pp.
Istanbul tours:
http://www.turkey-gay-travel.com/dailytours1.html
Extra 3 star hotel accommodation in Canakkale, Kusadasi (or Selcuk)
and Antalya: 45 Euro single,
25 Euro double pp, 20 Euro triple pp.
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:
We will request 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 payments we accept Maestro, Visa and Master credit cards besides
bank transfers. We also accept American express, but in that case we
will have to reflect the 7% commission to you, which we have to pay
ourselves.
Although not recommended to avoid last minute inconveniences, it is
also possible to make an open-end reservation without sending
your card information and making an advance payment if you are able
to make the payment minimum 2 days before the date of
departure in Istanbul