Pilgrimage in Turkey

Pilgrimage in Turkey Duration: 10 days / 9 nights Departure: Bucharest Group: 10 people Transport: minibus Estimated price: 800 euros/person Pilgrimage Program Day 1 – Bucharest – Çanakkale Departure in the morning from Bucharest on the route Giurgiu – Ruse – Veliko Tarnovo – Edirne – Çanakkale. Periodic stops will be organized along the way for rest and meals. Arrival in Çanakkale, room assignment and accommodation. Accommodation in Çanakkale. Day 2 – Çanakkale – Troy – Pergamum – Kuşadası Breakfast and departure towards Kuşadası. The first stop will be at Troy, a place associated with the events described in the Homeric epics. The program continues towards Pergamum, an important center of the ancient world. Depending on available time, the following can be visited: the archaeological site of Troy; the Acropolis of Pergamum; the ruins of temples and the ancient theater; the area of the ancient medical center Asklepion. Continuation of the route towards Kuşadası. Arrival, accommodation and dinner. Accommodation in Kuşadası. Day 3 – Ephesus – Church of Saint John – House of the Virgin Mary Breakfast and departure towards Selçuk. The day is dedicated to the main religious and historical sites in the area of ancient Ephesus. The program includes: the archaeological site of Ephesus; the Church and Tomb of Saint John the Evangelist; the Meryem Ana complex – the House of the Virgin Mary; a stop at the area of the Temple of Artemis, depending on available time. Visits will be carried out with a local guide. Return to Kuşadası, dinner and accommodation. Day 4 – Kuşadası – Hierapolis – Pamukkale Breakfast and departure towards Pamukkale. Visits include: the ancient city of Hierapolis; the area of former baths and temples; the ancient necropolis; the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale. After the visits, accommodation in Pamukkale or Denizli and dinner. Accommodation in the Pamukkale area. Day 5 – Pamukkale – Cappadocia Breakfast and departure towards Cappadocia. The journey will take up most of the day, with stops for rest and meals. Arrival in the Nevşehir or Ürgüp area, room assignment and dinner. Accommodation in Cappadocia. Day 6 – Göreme and the rock-cut churches of Cappadocia Breakfast and a tour of the Cappadocia region, accompanied by a local guide. The program may include: the Göreme Open Air Museum; the Christian churches and chapels carved into the rock; Pigeon Valley; panoramic viewpoints over the volcanic formations; the towns of Ürgüp and Uçhisar; traditional pottery or carpet workshops. Optionally, early in the morning a balloon flight can be organized, depending on weather conditions and availability. Return to the hotel, dinner and accommodation. Day 7 – Cappadocia – Istanbul Breakfast and departure towards Istanbul. Travel with periodic stops along the route. Arrival in the evening, room assignment and free time. Accommodation in Istanbul. Day 8 – Christian Constantinople and the historic center Breakfast and a tour of the city with a local guide. The program includes: Hagia Sophia; Sultanahmet Square; Blue Mosque; Hippodrome of Constantinople; Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople; Church of St. George in the Fener district; historic area of the Balat district. Return to hotel and accommodation. Day 9 – Churches of Blachernae and Topkapi Palace Breakfast. Depending on the day of the week and the church schedule, it is possible to attend the Divine Liturgy at one of the Orthodox churches in Istanbul. The program continues with: Church of Blachernae, associated with the feast of the Protection of the Mother of God; Topkapi Palace; Grand Bazaar; free time in the city center. Optionally, a Bosphorus cruise can be organized in the evening. Accommodation in Istanbul. Day 10 – Istanbul – Bucharest Breakfast and check-out. Departure to Romania on the route Istanbul – Edirne – Veliko Tarnovo – Ruse – Giurgiu – Bucharest. Arrival in Bucharest and end of the pilgrimage. Included services transport by minibus for the group of 10 people; fuel costs related to the route; highway, bridge, and ferry tolls as per the program; accommodation; 9 breakfasts; local guide for visits in Ephesus; local guide for visits in Pamukkale; local guide for the tour of the Cappadocia region; local guide for the program in Istanbul; excursions and transfers mentioned in the program; group escort throughout the entire tour; organization and coordination of the program. Excluded services meals not mentioned in the program; hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia; Bosphorus cruise; medical and cancellation insurance; any local taxes requested by hotels; public transport used during free time; personal expenses; optional services and activities.