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NEW ZEALAND – SINGAPORE (transit Singapore)
Day 1: Departing New Zealand today on Singapore Airlines, our first port o’ call on this great adventure is Singapore, where we’ll stay for one night before continuing to our grand destination Turkey!
SINGAPORE – ISTANBUL – CAPPADOCIA (three nights Cappadocia)
Day 2: This is a region that words just cannot do justice to. Dotted with fairy chimneys, underground dwellings and monasteries carved out of hillsides. Entire cities exist underground, some as deep as 12 floors down!
Day 3: Today we’ll explore the underground dwellings and the quaint local towns of Urgup and Gorome.
Day 4: For those who have elected to, we start the day early with an incredible flight over the sparse plains and fairy chimneys of the Urgup/Goreme region in our Hot Air Balloon. Following champagne to celebrate and a good breakfast we then have time to wander through the marvellous dwellings of the Goreme Open Air Museum, complete with well preserved frescos and evidence of early civilization in true ‘Tuff’ construction.
CAPPADOCIA – KONYA (one night Konya)
Day 5: Today we travel across the Anatolian Plain stopping at one of the many Caravanserai on this road. The Caravanserai marks the route the camel caravans took on the ancient Silk Road. We’ll also see how silk is transformed from the raw material into carpets. We climb the Taurus Mountains and view some of the prettiest scenery in Turkey. Our destination is Konya, origin of the “Whirling Dervishes” of Mevlana.
KONYA – ANTAYLA (two nights Antalya)
Day 6: We make our way to the sea and one of Turkey’s most archaeologically significant cities, Antalya. Excavations near this area uncovered artefacts dating back as far as 1900 BC. It was also from Antalya that the Knights of St John set sail to Palestine during the Crusades. Day 7: A day at leisure today. Explore more of Antalya by foot, lay by the pool for a while or perhaps make your way down to the beautiful blue Mediterranean for a refreshing swim. Our hotel is perfectly positioned to make the most of this tremendous coastal location.
ANTAYLA – PAMUKKALE (two nights Pamukkale)
Day 8: We cross the Taurus Mountains and pass pine forests today. A highlight of the day is Aphrodisias, home to a magnificent theatre, the temple of Aphrodite and one of the best preserved examples of an early stadium you’ll find.
Day 9: This morning we visit the ancient Hierapolis to see the famous travertine terraces and pools. After bathing our feet in the soothing thermal springs there is ample time to visit the Agora, the magnificent Theatre and the Martyrium of St Philip one of the twelve apostles who was killed here in 87AD. For those interested in old bones and ornate crypts this afternoon you will be fascinated when we visit the elaborate Necropolis.
PAMUKKALE – EPHESUS – IZMIR (one night Izmir)
Day 10: Today we visit the stunning archaeological sight of Ephesus entering the city via the ancient Agora. We walk the famous Marble Road, see the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Herakles Gate and the magnificent Stadium. We’ll stop for lunch in a quaint country restaurant before travelling on to the Aegean port of Izmir.
IZMIR – CANAKKALE (via TROY) (one night)
Cannakkale Day 11: Travelling via good roads through farm lands and fig plantations where, time permitting, we will stop and give you the opportunity to purchase some of the wonderful produce. Despite popular belief there is more to Troy than just the Trojan horse. Learn about the multitude of cities built one upon the other.
CANAKKALE – ISTANBUL (three nights Istanbul)
Day 12: We cross the Dardanelle straight by ferry to begin our tour at ANZAC cove before continuing up the hill to Lone Pine Cemetery and of particular importance to New Zealanders, Chanuk Bair, where many of our soldiers from that ill fated campaign are remembered. The area itself is 18kms long and 5 kms wide. Our day concludes in the vibrant city of Istanbul.
Days 13-14: Over the next few days we’ll show you the highlights of this wonderful city, including the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, Cistern Basilica, Grand Bazaar, Egyptian Spice Market and more. We’ll also have the pleasure of an afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus after an included lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 15: After a leisurely morning for souvenir shopping we will be taken to the port to join our cruise ship…. destination Greek Islands, at times even touching back briefly on Turkish soil.
CRUISING the mediterranean
Day 16: ISTANBUL – You may wish to spend a leisurely morning onboard the ship or perhaps go ashore and wander through the Egyptian Bazaar & Spice Market. Take the Funicular to Taxim Square to do some last minute shopping. Either way the day is yours to relax and enjoy this beautiful city.
Day 17: MYKONOS – Time to explore this wonderful Mediterranean Island. There are many opportunities for photographs, the locals are renowned for their friendliness, and the Island is a vibrant blend of art and culture.
Day 18: We arrive in PATMOS this morning, burial place of St John. Taken by taxi to the Grotto where he wrote the ‘Book of Revelations’ and onto the spectacular monastery, a treasure house of gold, silver and religious artefacts, visitors are afforded great views and photo opportunities. If you prefer, a leisurely wander through the picturesque streets is a great way to see Patmos. In the afternoon we’re back on Turkish soil in KUSADASI. This is the last chance to change your remaining Lira to Euro however there are many shops and markets where the locals will be only too happy for you to contribute to the Turkish economy. Walk over to Pigeon Island and wonder the Ottoman fortifications that once protected the old port from attack by Pirates.
Day 19: RHODES – Famed as the island of sun, sea and sand, Rhodes is the third largest Greek island and (unofficially) the sunniest place in Europe. Rhodes, built by the knights of St John as a stopover point on his way to the crusades, combines the cosmopolitan character of a contemporary city with the picturesque character of a medieval town. It’s a wonderful place to explore by foot at a quiet pace, and that’s what we recommend.
Day 20: CRETE – Agios Nicholaos, the capital of Lassithi, is a picturesque town in the eastern part of the island built on the northwest side of the peaceful bay of Mirabello. It is named after the charming 7th century Byzantine chapel of St Nikolas, erected on the spot called “Nissi” during the 7th century AD, with its bell tower, drum and dome. In the afternoon we set sail for SANTORINI – there’s no need to take an optional shore excursion here. Thira on the cliff top typifies everything we imagine of a Greek Island. Narrow streets and whitewashed houses, many with the customary blue roofs. Take the cable car or donkeys up the hill and shop, explore or simply sit in a taverna and watch the locals and tourists alike as they go about their business.
ATHENS (Three nights)
Day 21: This morning we arrive at the port of Piraeus early, and upon disembarking the cruise ship will be met by our tour coach and guide. They’ll show us some of the highlights of this famous Olympic city including the original Olympic Stadium, the Acropolis and Temple of Nike plus many points of interest along the way. This evening to get into the Greek theme we’re going out to dinner where we will be entertained by local singers and musicians
Day 22: It’s off to Delphi! Rich in mythology and Greek legend, Delphi sits amongst the rock and forests of holy Mt Parnassus. Although debate rages as to the exact date of Delphi, it is now widely accepted that it could have existed as early as 1500 BC.
Day 23: Today is yours at leisure to explore on foot, shop, or sit back with an espresso in the Plaka area and just generally enjoy the world going by in this fabulous Olympic City.
ATHENS – SINGAPORE (one night Singapore)
Day 24 – Day 26: This morning we farewell this ancient city and transfer to the airport for our afternoon departure to Singapore. With a leisurely two day stay there’s an opportunity to shop, sightsee or simply relax before our final flight to New Zealand. singapore – new zealand
Day 27: We arrive home today, full of memories of time spent with new found friends, experiences beyond expectation and a greater appreciation for this wonderful part of the world.
