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Day 1: NEW ZEALAND – SINGAPORE one night in Singapore
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 Istanbul!
Day 2: SINGAPORE – ISTANBUL
Day 3: ISTANBUL three nights in Istanbul
Early this morning we arrive in Istanbul. There is time to relax at our hotel before taking an afternoon stroll to one of Istanbul’s most famous and colourful attractions the Grand Bazaar.
Day 4-5: Over the next two days we’ll show you the highlights of this wonderful city, including the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia museum, Cistern Basilica, Egyptian Spice Market and more. We’ll also have the pleasure of an afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus after and included lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 6: ISTANBUL - CANAKKALE one night Canakkale
A fairly early start this morning as we have some ground to cover heading towards Gallipoli. Arriving around midday we 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. We then cross the Dardanelle straight by ferry and will reach our hotel by late afternoon.
Day 7: CANAKKAKE-IZMIR (via TROY) one night Izmir
A short trip to start the day today as we head firstly to Troy. Despite popular belief there is more to Troy than just the Trojan horse. Learn about the multitude of cities built one upon the other.
Next stop is Pergamon, 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. Pergamon is located on fertile plains, punctuated by steep hills and the seemingly inaccessible fortress better known as the Acropolis. Rich in archaeological sites and steeped in history there is much to see. From here it is a fairly quiet ride to our overnight stay at Izmir.
Day 8: IZMIR-EPHESUS- PAMUKKALE two nights Pamukkale
Today we visit two stunning sights. Travelling predominantly across fertile farmland we skirt the ancient city of Ephesus and make our first stop at the House of the Virgin Mary. It is believed St John brought Mary to Ephesus after the crucifixion where she spent her remaining years. We continue on to the archaeological sight of Ephesus itself 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 embarking on our next highlight of the day Aphrodisias, home to a magnificent theatre, the temple of Aphrodite and one of the best preserved examples of an early stadium you’ll find. We continue on to Pamukkale arriving late afternoon. Time to enjoy a massage or relax and take-in the wonderful facilities on offer at our thermal spa resort before dinner.
Day 9: PAMUKKALE
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 87A.D. For those interested in old bones and ornate crypts this afternoon you will be fascinated when we visit the elaborate Necropolis (cemetery).
Day 10: PAMUKKALE- ANTALYA two nights in Antalya
As we cross the Taurus Mountains and pass pine forests today, 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 11: A day at leisure today. Explore more of Antalya by foot, lay be 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.
Day 12: ANTALYA- KONYA one night in Konya
We climb the Taurus Mountains again today and view some of the prettiest scenery in Turkey. Our destination is Konya, origin of the “Whirling Dervishes” of Mevlana.
Day 13: KONYA – CAPPADOCIA two nights in Cappadocia
Today we travel across the Anatolian Plain heading towards Cappadocia, along the way 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 arrive in Cappadocia by midday. 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 14: 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 fresco’s and evidence of early civilization in true ‘Tuff’ construction.
Day 15: KAYSERI – ISTANBUL (Flight)
We make the most of our last opportunity to take photographs and video of this incredible landscape. Maybe wander into the town centre only 300m from our hotel, and play some backgammon with the locals, or relax with a genuine rich Turkish coffee and watch the world go by. Early afternoon we depart for Kayseri, (a journey of approx 90km’s) and our onward flight to Istanbul.
On arrival we will be met by our coach and taken to the port to join our cruise ship….destination Greek Islands, at times even touching back briefly on Turkish soil.
Day 16: ISTANBUL – You may wish to spend a leisurely morning onboard the ship before going ashore. Perhaps there’s some shopping you just didn’t quite get time to complete before. Alternatively you may prefer to take part in one of the optional tours provided by the Cruise line, 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 the Baptist. Taken by taxi up the hill to a 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 and the many street vendors will be only too happy for you to contribute your remaining Lira to the Turkish economy. Take a walk over to Pigeon Island to see the fortifications built by the Ottomans to protect the old port from attack by Pirates or relax in one of the many seaside cafes and watch time go by.
Day 19: RHODES famed as the island of sun, sea and sand, it 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 AD century, 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.
Days 21-24: ATHENS three nights in Athens
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, Delphisits 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 this fabulous Olympic City. Walk, shop, sit back with an espresso in the Plaka the choice is yours. We recommend you visit the fantastic Acropolis Museum located at the foot of the Acropolis and only a 5 minute walk from our hotel. This evening we host a farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant in Piraeus.
Day 24: This morning we farewell this ancient city and transfer to the airport for our afternoon departure to Singapore.
ATHENS-SINGAPORE one night in Singapore
Day 25: Upon arriving in Singapore this morning we will be transferred to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 26: SINGAPORE- CHRISTCHURCH
Time for some last minute shopping and sightseeing or relax beside the pool . Late afternoon we’ll be transferred to the airport for our flight to Christchurch
Options are available for add-on trips to Koh Samui, Phuket, Bangkok or the Maldives. Please talk to us if you would like to extend your travel further.
Day 27: We arrive in Christchurch this morning , full of memories of time spent with new found friends, experiences beyond expectation and a greater appreciation for this wonderful part of the world.
