9 DAYS MAGIC TURKEY AND GEORGIA TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Istanbul - Arrival Day
Welcome to Turkey Istanbul Airport. Meet with TravelShop Turkey staff and
transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour
(Breakfast included)
Pick up at 08:30am from your hotel for the a day tour of old Istanbul city.
Visit to ST. SOPHIA This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the
4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the
architectural marvels of all time. TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the
Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite
collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans
and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the
Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL
MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet,
is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of
blue Iznik tiles. HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races,
with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine
Column and the Column of Constantine. Murtis Tour will then take you to the
GRAND COVERED BAZAAR In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then
4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the
carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as hand painted ceramic plates,
hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and
meerschaum pipes. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Free Evening and
optional Istanbul Evening Shows or Bosphorus Dinner Cruise including traditional
Turkish entertainment and dinner. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour
(Breakfast included)
Pick up at 08:30am from the hotel and depart for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise
and Shopping Tour. Visit the SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar) The air here is
filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and
every other conceivable herb and spice.
BOSPHORUS BY BOAT a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating
Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble,
fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will see the
magnificent sights of the following attractions from your boat. See Dolmabahce
Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On
the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble
facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every
Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance
with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of
Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous
Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military
architecture anywhere in the world. BEYLERBEYI PALAS (PALACE) The summer
residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring
original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian
side of Istanbul. BOSPHORUS BRIDGE enjoy a unique chance to step from one
continent (Asia) to another (Europe). CAMLICA HILL the highest point in
Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of
Istanbul and the Bosporus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional
Turkish Ottoman style. SHOPPING TOUR (after cruise) Experience the traditional
silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by
The Ministry of National Education. You will get the opportunity to see
jewellery, handcrafts centre and a modern leatherwear show. Enjoy the experience
of shopping whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen, with Murtis
Tours local escort full of knowledge about how to haggle the streets of
Istanbul. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in
Istanbul.
Day 4 - Istanbul - Tbilisi - Arrival Day
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and depart by international flight to
Georgian. Upon arrival Tbilisi, meet with our local representative and you will
be escorted to your hotel room which is protected for immediate occupancy and
rest up for your first day of adventure. After a short break, we shall start our
tour. Georgian Art Museum - The Museum houses the best-known samples of Georgian
artwork. Different collections of the Museum preserve approximately sixty
thousand objects. The Museum is distinguished for its Georgian goldsmith pieces
dated back to the VIII-XIX Centuries. The most significant exhibits are the icon
of Zarzma Monastery, the Chalice of Bedia, Anchistkhati and Khakhuli Triptychs,
Processional Liturgical Crosses etc. Tbilisi Open Air Museum exposes 14
ethnographic zones. Each of them presents the particular historic-ethnographic
area of Georgia. Together with the architectural monuments the museum exposes
ethnographic materials - different kinds of tools, textile and ceramics. The
museum also exposes the V-VI c. basilica of Sioni, as well as a rich collection
of the gravestones in relief. Overview of the city, excursions in the old part
of Tbilisi; the 4th century Narikala Fortress, an ancient citadel on a steep
hill overlooking the city; Metekhi Church (13th c.) - the grave of St. Shushanik
the Christian martyr is within the church. Sioni - the cathedral of the 6th-7th
cc; sulphur baths - a favorite place of Tbilisi citizens and foreign guests. At
the end of the tour, transfer back to your hotel. If you want, you can try
sulphur bath with massage for relax yourself. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 5 - Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Kazbegi - Gudauri
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and we shall start our tour today.
Firstly we will visit to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XI c.) where is the largest
ecclesiastical construction extant in the country; Jvari Monastery (VI c) is a
symbol of Mtskheta; and we will visit to Ananuri Fortress. Through Military
Highway arrival to Kazbegi. Walk up (1.30 hour trekking) Gergeti Sameba (Trynity)
Church, enjoy a pleasant view of Mount Kazbeg (5000). For those who don't wish
to trek there will be waiting a car (4X4) to drive up the hill. At last we will
drive to Gudauri. Overnight in Gudauri.
Day 6 - Gudauri - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Tbilisi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Today Murti's Tour will lead you to visit Stalin Museum. The museum has three
sections, all located in the town's central square. It was officially dedicated
to Stalin in 1957. With the downfall of the Soviet Union and independence
movement of Georgia, the museum closed in 1989, but has since been reopened, and
is a popular tourist attraction. On our way back to Tbilisi, we will have a stop
in Uplistsikhe, it is the cave town is situated seven km (4.3 miles) southeast
of Gori on the left bank of river Mtkvari and still amazes the visitors by its
dimensions, extraordinary position, refined forms and the beauty of decors. You
will find huge echoing halls, long meandering corridor-streets, chambers for
pagan worship and even the remains of Georgia's oldest theatre there, and will
be impressed by the skill, knowledge, experience and physical and spiritual
power of all those, who created this unique monument. Afterwards, we will
continue drive back to Tbilisi. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your
hotel. The rest of the evening is leisure. If you want you can attend the folk
theatre Nabadi which is completely different and almost unique with its essence
presents new style performance. The long history of Georgia, the country being a
crossroad between Europe and Asia is shown in traditional and modern forms of
expression, sense of rhythm, folk dances and songs. During the performance you
will be treated with a glass of wine and sweets made of grape juice and nuts (Churchxela,
Tatara). Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 7 - Tbilisi - David Gareja - Signagi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After enjoy your breakfast at hotel, TravelShop Turkey will pick you up and we
proceed to visit David Gareja Monastery, the cave town complex (the cradle of
Georgian Christian activity of early and medieval period), where monks live and
work. It is situated deep in semi-desert about 75 km south-east of Tbilisi. The
Monasteries were founded in the 6th century by the Christian Father St. David.
Walk up to Udabno to explore some of the fine frescos of the 8th-13th c. and
cave architecture. The complex includes hundreds of cells, churches, chapels,
refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock face. The area is also
home to protected animal species and evidence of some of the oldest human
habitations in the region. Then we will head to visit Ikalto Academy (XII - XIII
cc) and Tsinandali. A visit to Chavchvadze's Palace, the residence of the poet
and public figure, Kakhetian prince of the 18th c. A. Chavchavadze, English park
and the wine cellar (XIXc.) where you will taste wines. Afterwards, we will
depart for Signagi. It is one of the country's smallest towns with a population
of 2,146 as of the 2002 census. Sighnaghi's economy is dominated by production
of wine and traditional carpets. The town and its environs are also known for
their landscapes and historical monuments. Sighnaghi has recently undergone a
fundamental reconstruction program and has become an important centre of
Georgia's tourist industry. In Signagi you are invited to have a dinner and
taste Georgian wines, learn about old Georgian wine making traditions and listen
to Georgian folk songs. Overnight in Signagi.
Day 8 - Signagi - Tbilisi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Today before we drive back to Tbilisi, Murti's Tour would like to take to learn
about this places where is noted of its architecture of the 18th century and
beautiful landscape. The Alazani Valley and the Caucasus seen from here,
according sun shining, foggy and other factors of the weather constantly change
their colouring. The town is surrounded with 4-kilometer-long stonewall. Also we
will visit to Bodbe Monastery, where St. Nino is buried. Afterwards, we will
continue drive back to Tbilisi. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your
hotel. The rest of the evening is leisure. If you want you can join the
excursion to attend the folk theatre Nabadi which is completely different and
almost unique with its essence presents new style performance. The long history
of Georgia, the country being a crossroad between Europe and Asia is shown in
traditional and modern forms of expression, sense of rhythm, folk dances and
songs. During the performance you will be treated with a glass of wine and
sweets made of grape juice and nuts (Churchxela, Tatara). Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 9 - Tbilisi - End of the Tour
(Breakfast included)
Today is the end of the tour, it's time to say goodbye with you. Regarding your
flight departure time, we will arrange your transfer to airport for your
international flight back home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we
would like to see you in future in one of our tours again. Have a nice trip back
home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Turkey.
9 DAYS MAGIC TURKEY AND GEORGIA TOUR INCLUDES:
- Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
- 3 nights hotel in Istanbul
- 3 open buffet breakfasts
- Guided Istanbul city tour
- Guided Istanbul Bosphorus cruise and shopping tour
- Return transfer to Istanbul Ataturk airport
- Arrival airport transfer from airport in Tbilisi
- 3 nights hotel in Tbilisi
- 1 night hotel in Gudauri
- 1 night hotel in Signagi
- 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners
- 1 bottle of water per day per person
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
- Professional English-speaking tour guides
- Return airport transfer to airport in Tbilisi
9 DAYS MAGIC TURKEY AND GEORGIA TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International flights
- Visas
Please Note: In Istanbul Hagia Sophia closed on mondays, Topkapi Palace closed on tuesdays, Grand Bazaar closed on sundays.
9 DAYS MAGIC TURKEY AND GEORGIA TOUR PRICES IN EURO:
Per Person |
Shared Double |
Single |
|
€ 1,179.00 |
€ 1,439.00 |
|
€ 1,399.00 |
€ 1,749.00 |
|
€ 1,799.00 |
€ 2,319.00 |
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