Marmaris Holiday Planner. Tailor-made Holidays to Marmaris in Turkey

Day 1: Istanbul

Upon your arrival, you will be met by our representative before transfer to your Hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure .

After breakfast in your hotel, there is a full day guided tour which includes St. Sophia the cathedral built by Emperor Justinian in 537 which was the largest church in Christendom for a thousand years, the Byzantine Hippodrome with its various monuments including a 3500-year-old red granite obelisk brought from Egypt and erected here in 390 AD. The Ottoman Empire produced marvelous architecture and you'll see two of its finest works: Topkapi Palace, home of the sultans, and the famed Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I. After all these visits, you'll venture into the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar.Transfer back to your hotel for overnight.

Day 3: Istanbul

After breakfast you start the tour at the Spice Bazaar and it goes on with Bosphorus Cruise. The magical journey which covers both European and Asian shores will let you see the marvelous monuments and districts like: Maiden Tower (Kiz Kulesi), Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palaceand Ortakoy. Return to your hotel after the tour. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 4: Istanbul - Canakkale

Early this morning we travel to the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli. Here, we’ll embark upon a guided tour of the region, once the site of fierce fighting and today almost hauntingly beautiful, with its wooded landscape dotted with understated memorials to the war dead. Our guided tour of the region will take in sights such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian War Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Bair New Zealand War Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenches still clearly visible amongst the scrub after all these years. Crossing the Dardenelles by ferry we proceed to our hotel for a little rest and relaxation.

Day 5: Canakkale - Sirince

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to Kusadasi; crossing the legendary mountain Ida. En route to Kusadasi, we explore the ruins of Pergamum with it's impressive temples, library and medical facilities which made it a famous cultural and political centre of it's time. Continue to Sirince for overnight stay.

Day 6: Sirince

Today, we enjoy a guided tour of the legendary Roman ruins of Ephesus. Positively the best preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, Ephesus, under the Romans, was a vast city with a population nearing 250,000 and became the Roman Capital of Asia Minor. It revelled in it's prosperity from commerce and visiting pilgrims who came to see the great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders. We return to the village of Sirince. Afternoon at leisure.You may be able to do shopping and taste delicious wines of the village.

Day 7: Sirince - Pamukkale

Meandering through the sweeping plains and endless cotton farms we arrive at the ruins of Roman Hieropolis and the hot springs of Pamakkule. Admire this surreal landscape created by frequent earthquakes in the fault depression of the Menderes river basin. Marvel at the crystalline marble, quartzites and stalagtites, which shimmer in the sunlight.

Day 8: Pamukkale - Marmaris

Morning at leisure in Pamukkale to enjoy the thermal pools. Depart in the afternoon for Marmaris.

Day 9: Marmaris - Fethiye

Today we drive to Fethiye. En route we'll stop to explore the quaint Greek village of Kayakoy. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 10: Fethiye - Antalya

Today we visit the stunningly beautiful Saklikent Gorge, Turkey's longest and deepest canyon, after tracking along the canyon we will continue to Antalya crossing the Tauros mountains.

Day 11: Antalya - Cappadocia

Early departure for Konya, stopping enroute stop by Aspendos ancient Theater and at the scenic Tinaztepe sink hole and cave. Upon arrival to Konya, we tour the monastery of the Mervlana Whirling Dervishes. Then have an afternoon drive to Cappadocia via Seljuk-a fine example of an ancient Silk Road caravanserai.

Day 12: Cappadocia

Today we tour the stunning Cappadocia region - an extraordinary national treasure The utter improbability of the seemingly surreal landscapes have to be seen to be believed, where whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia. We visit the Kaymakli Underground City, Open Air Museum in Goreme. Return to your hotel and afternoon at leisure.

Day 13: Cappadocia

Rise early this morning to enjoy your hot air balloon ride, returning to the hotel approx. 8.30am. Drive to Ihlara, on the way, visit to Guzelyurt ancient name was Gelveri which is the town of one of the old church fathers of Cappadocia with the name Gregory of Nazianzus. Walking in Ihlara Canyon, a "mirage" in the Steps of Anatolia up to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema: "Valley of the Sky" along the Melendiz River. Lunch in Belisirma, a local restaurant by the river. Stop by Selime, a village with cave houses at the end of the canyon and a "star wars" like landscape.

Day 14: Cappadocia - Gulet cruise

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bodrum (via Istanbul). Upon arrival transfer to your gullet. Boarding starts at 15:30 from Bodrum Harbour. On the first day, our boat will remain anchored in Bodrum Port for dinner. Bodrum has a history that goes back to the 12th century B.C. The city was called 'Halicarnassus' and it was the birthplace of Herodotus; the 'Father of History' who lived in the 5th century B.C. Afternoon to explore.

Traditional gulet off the coast of Fethiye

Day 15: Gulet cruise

After your breakfast, you will be informed about the cruise itinerary and the boat. Then we will cruise to Orak Island. Here you will have the opportunity of swimming in the crystal-blue waters of Orak Island and enjoying lunch, we will then sail to Cokertme, a small and picturesque fishing town, for dinner and an overnight stay. If the weather conditions permit, it may be possible to use the sail on the way. Guests are welcome to take a short walk on the shore.

Day 16: Gulet cruise

Before breakfast in the early morning, we will cruise to Seven Islands. You will experience another excellent day in the Seven Islands Region. In this region which isfull of many small islands and coral reef; you can dive, swim, sleep and rest. You can also enjoy a walk in the forests which are filled with pine trees. Our first stop in Seven Islands Region will be Kufre Bay. Then we will be anchoring at Uzun Liman (Long Port). Aftrewards we will cruise to English Port for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 17: Gulet cruise

We will cruise to Sedir (Cedrae) Island. This unique island with its small beach and unbelievable clear water is like an open air museum. You can walk around the wrecks of pillars with antique writings on them or the ancient stones decorated with reliefs. Cleopatra Beach, located on this island, has a very special kind of sand that can only be found in the deserts of Northern Africa. Then our boat will sail to Karacasogut village for dinner and spend the night there. This lovely village is located at 25 km away from Marmaris. Therefore, it is possible to visit Marmaris via 'dolmus'(mini buses) if you wish.

Day 18: Gulet cruise

Morning swimming will soon become a part of your daily activities. For lunch, our captain will cruise to Longoz Bay; another place which is like paradise, sheltered with huge pine forests. After lunch, you can enjoy a short walk in the forest and take a rest in Ali Baba's local shed-like cafe. Afterwards the gulet will be anchoring at Tuzla Bay to enjoy a swimming break in the turquoise-blue waters. Dinner and overnight stay at Tuzla.

Day 19: Gulet cruise

We will be in Kargili Bay (Molla Ibrahim Bay) early in the morning. After lunch, we will be anchoring at Kisebuku (Alakisla Buku). Here you can see the ruins of Byzantines. We will spend the night in this lovely bay.

Day 20: Gulet cruise

We will sail to Pabucburnu after breakfast and enjoy lunch here. Tea will be served in Yaliciftlik Bay. An optional village tour can be arranged from this bay for those who are wishing to experience the local life. Then our boat will cruise back to Bodrum Port for the last day's dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 21: Gulet cruise

Today you disembark with precious memories by 10:30 after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. End of services.

		1 GBP = 2.95 TRY
		1 CAD = 1.85 TRY
		1 ZAR = 0.19 TRY
		1 AUD = 1.79 TRY
		1 EUR = 2.52 TRY
		1 USD = 1.88 TRY
		1 NZD = 1.51 TRY
last updated - 19 Jun 2013 4:02 PM

Marmaris Holidays

Sample Itinerary - REF TURKEY 344