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Turkey & Egypt 2020Turkey & Egypt 2020
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A 17-day adventure by Roland Read more
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  • TravelerTurkey & Egypt 2020
    Day 3

    Istanbul

    March 7, 2020 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Istanbul City Tour

    Following breakfast this morning we were picked up from the hotel and visited Topkapi Palace, the great palace of Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries, which houses an exquisite collection of crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain Robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, the Holy Mantle, and enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed were also featured.

    Next, we saw the Sultan Ahmet Imperial Mosque, built in the 16th century known as the Blue Mosque, due to its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Afterwards we went to the ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. We had some free time so at the suggestion of our guide we walked down to the river and Jan, Silvana and Roland had an apple tea overlooking the city and the Golden Horn River. We then walked to a really nice lunch place and had 3 to 4 courses of local food including a whole fish. It was fabulous. After lunch we went to the Spice Bazaar. The air here was filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron and many more conceivable herb and spice. We were given Turkish coffee and Turkish delights to try. Being a Saturday afternoon and there were a lot of people there, we were too tired to stay on. We went back to hotel. Some of the group went to the river cruise and didn't get back after midnight.

    Ramada Hotel & Suites Istanbul Golden Horn

    ABOUT
    Istanbul, the city which divides Asia and Europe, is the only city in the world which is situated on two continents. This city of (officially) 13 million inhabitants - the largest city in Turkey - celebrates a unique culture which fuses eastern and western influences and a history stretching back as far as 5500 BC. It's a city which can easily compete with the most beautiful cities in Europe or even the world and walking around its historic streets and along mosques and bridges, you will soon see why. Be sure to spend at least 3 or 4 days here, as there is a lot to explore, especially on the European side, though don't forget to pay a visit to the lesser known Asian    Read more

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  • TravelerTurkey & Egypt 2020
    Day 4

    Canakkale

    March 8, 2020 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Gallipoli Tour - Canakkale

    Today we travelled 315km southwest to visit the battlefields of Gallipoli. A totally moving experience that was. We visited Kabatepe Museum, Ari Burnu Cemetery, Anzac Cove, Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugge’s Plateau. We felt very special to see all the sites of the battlefields and those very young innocent lads who gave their lives for our country. The last stop had a huge crowd and many many buses of Muslim woman for International woman's day celebration. We caught a ferry from Europe to Asia side for the remainder of the trip. When we arrived at the hotel, we were given a very smelly room that we later exchanged Buffet dinner with floor-show that evening being The International women's day.

    Troia Tusan Hotel Canakkale

    CANAKKALE
    Canakkale is a city in northwestern Turkey in the Marmara region, on the Dardanelles Strait. It’s a gateway to the Gallipoli WWI battlefields, north of the narrow strait. On the grounds of the 15th-century Çimenlik Castle, Çanakkale Naval Museum Command contains historical artillery. The archaeological site at Troy, including an ancient theater, is southwest of the city.
    Çanakkale Archaeological Museum, in the south of the city, contains headstones, tablets and other artifacts uncovered at the many archaeological sites in the region. Near the waterfront, the Çanakkale City Museum and Archive focuses on local cultural life during and since Ottoman times. The nearby 5-story clock tower anchors the central neighborhood of cobblestoned streets. Along the waterfront, a modern wooden Trojan Horse, from the 2004 movie “Troy,” commemorates the area’s mythological history.    Read more

  • TravelerTurkey & Egypt 2020
    Day 5

    Pergamon

    March 9, 2020 in Turkey ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Canakkale - Troy Tour - Pergamon Tour - Kusadasi (approx. 400km day)

    Today we visited the famous archaeological site of Troy, known for the Trojan Horse and story of Helen of Troy. We found many dogs and puppies with a very protective mum. Lunch at Pergamon and went on a tour of the acropolis of Pergamon - its impressive temples and library made it a cultural and political centre at the time. The cable car was not working so we took taxis up to the sites. Pergamon is famous for its jewellery, stones and silver. A long drive and arrived in Kusadasi this evening in time for dinner.

    Suhan 360 Hotel & Spa

    ABOUT

    Archaeological Site of Troy
    Troy, with its 4,000 years of history, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The first excavations at the site were undertaken by the famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in 1870. In scientific terms, its extensive remains are the most significant demonstration of the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world. Moreover, the siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece in the 13th or 12th century B.C., immortalized by Homer in the Iliad, has inspired great creative artists throughout the world ever since.

    Pergamon, or Pergamum, sometimes referred to by the modern Greek form Pergamos, was a rich and powerful ancient Greek city in Mysia. It is located 26 kilometres from the modern coastline of the Aegean Sea on a promontory on the north side of the river Caicus and northwest of the modern city of Bergama, Turkey..    Read more

  • TravelerTurkey & Egypt 2020
    Day 6

    Ephesus

    March 10, 2020 in Turkey ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    First up this morning we visited a place which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet weaving centre. Had lunch at this fabulous restaurant with Mother's home cooking ,a beautiful Turkish feast. After lunch, we had a guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world. Visit the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, Roman baths, Celsus Library, Grand Theatre and the House of the Virgin Mary.

    Afterwards enjoy a tour of the Turkish village of Sirince - a pretty village that mostly dates back to the 19th century with original white painted houses. A group of teenagers wanted to have a photo taken. Spend time with some of our group in town for ATM and shopping. Taxi back to hotel and later massage for Jan and us.

    ABOUT

    Ephesus
    Located within what was once the estuary of the River Kaystros, Ephesus comprises successive Hellenistic and Roman settlements founded on new locations, which followed the coastline as it retreated westward. Excavations have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Little remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” which drew pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean. Since the 5th century, the House of the Virgin Mary, a domed cruciform chapel seven kilometres from Ephesus, became a major place of Christian pilgrimage. The Ancient City of Ephesus is an outstanding example of a Roman port city, with sea channel and harbour basin.    Read more

  • TravelerTurkey & Egypt 2020
    Day 7

    Pamukkale

    March 11, 2020 in Turkey ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Kusadasi - Pamukkale Tour (approx. 450km

    This morning we started at the local leather factory with a nice fashion show. It was too nice to pass up. Yes, I have to get one. Arrived at the hotel for lunch, after that we went to Pamukkale and visited the famous calcium terraces Pamukkale, literally means "cotton castle" in Turkish and is located in Denizli Province of Turkey. The formation of the so-called castle took place after several earthquake eruptions and the emergence hot springs, especially the ones rich with mineral. These springs have been used as spa since second century BC. The ancient city of Hierapolis is also located on the same hill. Hierapolis together with Pamukkale is recognized as a World Heritage Site. It is overwhelming seeing all these wonderful sites first hand. Came back to the hotel we tested the hot springs and had a swim. Buffet dinner with a lot of Chinese..

    Pam Thermal Hotel Pamukkale

    ABOUT

    Pamukkale is a town in western Turkey known for the mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces on a nearby hillside. It neighbors Hierapolis, an ancient Roman spa city founded around 190 B.C. Ruins there include a well-preserved theater and a necropolis with sarcophagi that stretch for 2km. The Antique Pool is famous for its submerged Roman columns, the result of an earthquake.    Read more

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  • TravelerTurkey & Egypt 2020
    Day 8

    Cappadocia

    March 12, 2020 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    After an early breakfast, we departed to Konya at 7:00am. After 2.5 hours enjoyed a break for coffee and some rest before getting back on the road, many stops along the way. Arrived Konya for lunch at 2:00pm. Tasted a wonderful dessert called "Saa Aradi". After lunch, we went to the imposing green - tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, or Rumi the mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). Arrived Cappadocia around 6:30pm. For our first time, we stayed in a Cave hotel.

    CCR Cave Hotel Cappadocia

    ABOUT

    Cappadocia, a semi-arid region in central Turkey, is known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, Göreme and elsewhere. Other notables sites include Bronze Age homes carved into valley walls by troglodytes (cave dwellers) and later used as refuges by early Christians. The 100m-deep Ihlara Canyon houses numerous rock-face churches.    Read more

  • TravelerTurkey & Egypt 2020
    Day 9

    Cappadocia

    March 13, 2020 in Turkey ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    Hot Air Ballooning was not possible today due to high wind condition. Maybe tomorrow. Today we drove to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the area’s best-preserved underground cities, and then visit Uchisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia. Next, we visited Goreme Open Air Museum, famous for its 16th century frescoes, which depict the life of Jesus Christ and monks. After lunch, visit a pottery work shop and see how pottery is made. Then, visit Pasabagi where you can see three headed fairy chimneys. Afterwards visit another workshop to see handwoven carpets and kilims alley, where you can see natural rock formations. Then you will have some time for shopping at a Handicrafts Centre. The last stop is the Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia. After the tour transfer back to hotel.Read more

  • TravelerTurkey & Egypt 2020
    Day 10

    Cappadocia - Istanbul - Cairo

    March 14, 2020 in Egypt ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Woke at 2am, checked internet till bus pick up for Hot Air Ballooning at 4.30am. 28 people in one big basket. Rose to 2,000 ft. Absolutely stunning scenery. About 100 balloons went up this morning. (Normally 150) A perfect landing. Then after breakfast we departed for Kayseri Airport for a domestic flight to Istanbul and took an international flight to Cairo.

    ABOUT

    Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River. At its heart is Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC. In Gezira Island’s leafy Zamalek district, 187m Cairo Tower affords panoramic city views.    Read more

  • TravelerTurkey & Egypt 2020
    Day 11

    Cairo

    March 15, 2020 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Our Egyptian odyssey begins at the amazing Great Pyramids of Giza and the nearby Sphinx. At 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is breathtaking man-made structure, built from enormous stone blocks with a white limestone covering. Together with the smaller pyramids, the sight of these huge structures is unforgettable. Had lunch at nearby restaurant overlooking the Pyramids. Afterwards, visit the ancient capital of Memphis and the famous Step Pyramid of Sakkara. Just found out that Jordan has closed its borders and that part of the journey has cancelled. Our TAD will continue the Egypt portion of the trip and all Australian will be asked to return to Oz. Not happy! At this point we were given conflicting information regarding continuation for foreigners to complete the tour before they get home and closure of Cairo airport next Thursday from midday. We were advised by The Tour guy that we should continue on our tour but we fly out of Cairo to Luxor the next morning.

    Letter from TAD

    TripADeal has been following the developments of your tour very closely and we thank you for your patience while we make arrangements to resolve this unprecedented situation. According to the latest updates on Smartraveller and the Jordan Tourism Board, as Australian citizens, you are still allowed to enter the country of Jordan by air. However, based on the experience of a previous tour group being denied boarding to their flight to Jordan, we have reluctantly decided to organise a flight home for you at the end of the Egypt portion of your tour. We view this is the best approach as we don’t want anyone stuck in a foreign country and unable to get home. This scenario has played out on many other tours around the world, with some groups finding it extremely difficult to organise return travel to Australia. You can choose to proceed but there is a very strong chance you may not be able to get home in a timely manner.    Read more

  • TravelerTurkey & Egypt 2020
    Day 12

    Giza - Luxor - Nile Cruise

    March 16, 2020 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We went to Cairo Airport for our internal flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, we explored the fascinating Karnak Temple, dedicated to the Pharaoh Amun, and once linked to the Luxor Temple by the three-kilometer-long Avenue of Sphinxes. In the afternoon we went to the Luxor cruise port to embark a four-night Nile River cruise. We found out that we had no internet available, nowhere to get sim cards. Uncertainty of our outcome with limited info. Very frustrating. We were asked to paid for new airfare to get out of Cairo on 22 March by midday. We have to pay
    $1900.00/person extra. That afternoon we did some shopping along the Nile.

    About

    Luxor is a city on the east bank of the Nile River in southern Egypt. It's on the site of ancient Thebes, the pharaohs’ capital at the height of their power, during the 16th–11th centuries B.C. Today's city surrounds 2 huge, surviving ancient monuments: graceful Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, a mile north. The royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens are on the river’s west bank    Read more

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