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Itinerary
for Western Turkey Tour - March 2011 |
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner |
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| 05.03.11 |
Depart
Brisbane at 11:20pm on MH 140, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 5:45am
the next morning. |
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| 06.03.11 |
Depart Sydney at 3:40pm on MH 122,
arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 8:50pm.
Depart Melbourne at 4:00pm on MH 148, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at
9:10pm.
All flights will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in
central Kuala Lumpur. |
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07.03.11
(B/L) |
Kuala Lumpur
This morning there will be a Kuala Lumpur City tour followed by lunch.
Visit the National Mosque or in Malay the Masjid Negara, which is the
most distinguished mosque in Kuala Lumpur. Another must see is the Tugu
Negara or War Memorial, where we honour those who perished in the war.
Chinatown, located in Petaling Street is full of good bargains and
deals, food of sorts and rich Chinese culture. You will also pass the
Moorish-styled Federal Court, the old Railway station which is a
striking piece of Mohammedan architecture, the Tudor-styled Cricket
Club and the King's Palace. Visit the Thean Hou temple situated in
Robson Heights, which is the home to patron Goddess Thean Hou of the
Hainanese community, This striking six tiered temple is regarded as one
of the biggest Chinese Temples in South East Asia. |
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08.03.11
(B/D) |
Kuala Lumpur - Istanbul
Morning free in Kuala Lumpur. Early afternoon departure for the Royal
Selangor Pewter Factory & Showroom. Then we depart for Kampung Tour
and Firefly Watching. Kuala Selangor is only 1 1/2 hours drive from
Kuala Lumpur and yet it has much to offer, especially to those who wish
to take a peek at Malaysian rural life. Fishing and farming are main
occupations here, although a large part of the area has also been
cultivated with both palm oil and rubber. Upon arrival you will visit
Bukit Melawati, an ideal site for monitoring shipping in the Straits of
Melaka, Bukit Melawati once contained two forts. continue your tour to
Taman Alam Kuala Selangor. With almost 150 sighted species of birds,
makes this an ideal nature park for bird watching. This is followed by
a sumptuous local seafood dinner, after which you will be treated to
the highlight of the evening - firefly watching. You will be rowed
upstream to watch thousands of fireflies flickering like Christmas
lights in mangrove trees which line the banks of the river. After this
tour, you will be driven back to the airport. |
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09.03.11
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Istanbul
Depart Kuala Lumpur at 12:30am on MH 30, arriving in Istanbul at
6:15am. After passport and visa procedure, you will be met and taken to
your hotel for a welcome briefing. |
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10.03.11
(B)
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Istanbul
Istanbul, once called Byzantium in the 7th century B.C. was named
Contantinople in 326 A.D. by Constantine the Great when he moved the
capital of the Roman Empire to what is now Istanbul. The city received
its current name from Mehmet II in 1453 and is the only city in the
world that spans two continents. It was the capital to three major
empires (Rome, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires). Here, we will visit
several of Turkey's most famous museums and mosques. Topkapi Palace
(excluding harem) was first built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453 and
was the home of the sultan until the 19th century. St Sophia was built
by Roman Emperor Justinian and was completed in 537 A.D. It was the
greatest Christian church in the world for more than 1000 years. The
Blue Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet in 1616 and was
constructed with the deliberate intention of rivaling the St.
Sophia. |
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11.03.11
(B) |
Istanbul
We will visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque with its exceptional
tiles and the spice market in the morning. We will take a morning
Bosphorus cruise on a private boat. In the afternoon, we will visit the
Taksim Square and stroll around Istiklal Street (art and fashion centre
of Turkey). Among the many things we will do in Istanbul is visit the
Military Museum and enjoy a live performance of the Military Band
(Mehter).
In the afternoon we will visit the Grand Bazaar and explore this world
wide known historical market of the city. |
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12.03.11
(B/D) |
Ankara
Morning departure to Ankara and after a five hour drive to
Ankara, the capital of Turkey since 1923, we will visit the magnificent
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is also known as Hittite
museum. This museum presents relics from Catal Hoyuk, one of the
earliest known human communities that existed through the Hittite and
the Roman Classical period. We will also pay a visit to the Mausoleum
of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. |
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13.03.11
(B/D) |
Cappadocia
Morning departure to Cappadocia, we will take a morning
four-hour drive to Cappadocia. We drive along the Salt Lake. Optional
Whirling Dervishes performance is held in 13th century Caravansary.
Overnight in Cappadocia. |
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14.03.11
(B/D) |
Cappadocia
Optional balloon tour can be done in the morning, flying
over volcanic valleys and rock formations (fairy chimneys). After
breakfast, we visit Goreme, Pasabagi, Uchisar, Kaymakli or Ozkonak
underground city. While in Cappadocia, we will enjoy the unique
landscapes of wind and rain eroded volcanic formations. Carved directly
into stone, Cappadocia's amazing subterranean cities include ancient
underground churches and cities hand-hewn from solid rock by early
Christians. We will visit a local pottery workshop and see traditional
Hittite ways of shaping red clay. |
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15.03.11
(B/D) |
Konya
Today we will travel from Cappadocia to Konya. We visit
Mevlana Mausoleum and Musem, explore the city of Konya which was a
capital of Anatolian Seljuk. Overnight in Konya.
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16.03.11 &
17.03.11
(B/D)
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Antalya
Today we drive to Antalya and see the Toros Mountains. Antalya is a
beautiful and historic city snuggled between the Mediterranean Sea and
the Toros Mountains. During our stay in Antalya, we will tour the city
as well as visit the ruined sites of Aspendos and Perge. Aspendos dates
back to the time of the Hittites, yet the only visible remains are from
the Roman Period. The restored theater at Aspendos is said to be the
best in all of Turkey. Perge reached its height under the Romans and
Alexander the Great. Today, what remains are the ruins of a great
theater, a stadium and the colonnaded main street. Afternoon we will
visit the excellent Antalya Archeology Museum and old city in the
harbour. |
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18.03.11
(B/D)
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Aphoridisia
- Pamukkale
We will depart Antalya early and drive to Aphrodisias, the city of art
dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite. Octavian once said that "of all the
cities in the world, Aphrodisias is my favourite". The marble theatre
here is beautiful and the stadium that seats over 35,000 is immense. It
is also the largest in the world and the best preserved. Aphrodisias
was a center to cultivate the finest sculptors, whose works are found
all over the Roman Empire. After Aphrodisias we will continue to
Pamukkale. |
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19.03.11
(B/D)
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Kusadasi
Morning departure to Kusadasi, we will visit another Greco-Roman city
"Hierapolis". It has an incredible necropolis (city of the dead) and we
will see many sarcophagi (burial monuments). We will visit the
snow-like travertine of calcium for which Pamukkale is famous.
Pamukkale is one of the natural wonders of the world, beautiful mineral
springs, clinging to the hillsides that willl amaze you. Afternoon we
will arrive to Kusadasi.
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20.03.11
(B/D)
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Ephesus
- Kusadasi
Full day tour starts visiting the incredible city of Ephesus and its
colossal Greco-Roman Theater where St. Paul preached. This particular
theater is still used for performances today. The Marble Road, the
Celsus Library and the Temple of Diana are just a few of the sites we
will visit. We will also visit the house where St. Mary liver her final
days. (After the crucifixion of Jesus, St. John brought her to Ephesus). |
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21.03.11
(B/D)
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Peragmum
- Troy - Canakkale
During a scenic three-hour drive up the Aegean Coast, we will stop in
Pergamon to see the Asklepion, an ancient hospital complex. Then, we
will drive three-hours to Canakkale, where we will visit the legendary
city of Troy. Here, we will have the opportunity to see a replica of
the Trojan horse. To date nine different Troy's have been discovered,
all built one on top of the other. While in Canakkale we will stay at
the hotel which overlooks the Dardanelles and Gallipoli across the
Straits. |
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22.03.11
(B)
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Dardanelles
- Gallipoli - Istanbul
Morning departure to Gallipoli and across the Dardenlle visit Anzac
Cove, Chunuk Bair, Lone pine cemetery and Gallipoli War Museum. We will
drive to Istanbul in the afternoon. Overnight is in Istanbul. |
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23.03.11
(B) |
Istanbul - Kuala Lumpur
Morning free in Istanbul. Transfer to Istanbul International Airport,
departing at 3.00pm on MH 31, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 7.05am on
(24.03.11).
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| 24.03.11 |
Kuala
Lumpur - Australia
Brisbane passengers transfer to the Concorde Inn for an
overnight stay.
Sydney passengers depart Kuala Lumpur at 9:00am on MH
141, arriving in Sydney at 7:55pm.
Melbourne passengers depart Kuala Lumpur at 9.55am on MH 129, arriving
in Melbourne at 8:35pm. |
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| 25.03.11 |
Brisbane passengers transfer
back to the airport for flight MH135 departing Kuala Lumpur at 9.40am
arriving back into Brisbane at 7.55pm |
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| Note: |
Due to Malaysian Airlines flight
schedule, Brisbane passengers will require an additional night's
accommodation at Kuala Lumpur airport. The additional cost will
be $55 per person twin share and $110 single room. This price
includes accommodation, breakfast and transfers. |