The Splendors of Istanbul, Anatolia, Jerusalem and the Levant (19 days)

Private Tour of Turkey – Israel – Palestine
Ultra Deluxe 19-Day Tour

Choose Your Own Date. Daily Arrival. Deluxe Category: Kempinski Palace Hotel in Istanbul. Best 5 stars hotels elsewhere. Private Touring. Private local guides and private chauffeur.

Come with us for an adventure to the top sights of Israel, Palestine and Turkey. We start with a private tour of Istanbul, Central Turkey, ancient Cappadocia and legendary Ephesus. Then go on to tour the Holy Land, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Tiberias covering the highlights of Israel and Palestine all in your own private air-conditioned vehicle and with private guides. Though small in size, Israel and Palestine loom large in the imagination of every traveler. See the very best of the Near East in this Ultra Deluxe escorted tour.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL – Daily Arrival – Year Round – Choose Your Own Date.
This is a private tour. Some sites are closed on different days of the week. We may slightly amend the itinerary to accommodate such required minor changes.

Land in Istanbul, after you clear passports and customs formalities, our local rep. meets you and escorts you to your hotel: The Kempinski Palace Hotel. Welcome fruit basket in your room with our compliments. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure or set out to explore this great historic city, as you like. ISTANBUL – Kempinski Hotel. Superior Bosphorus View Room.

Posted by Turkey.Home. Video courtesy of Turkish Airlines.

DAY 2: ISTANBUL – Morning At Leisure (B)
Breakfast is always included at your hotel, enjoy morning at leisure. Late afternoon walking tour of the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar followed by dinner at a charming local Turkish cuisine.

Day 3: Istanbul City Tour (BL)
Breakfast is included daily at the hotel. Pick up at 08:30 am for a private guided tour in the old city. You will visit: The Topkapi Palace (the Harem Pavilion Tour is included with extra entrance fee included in our rate), Basilica Cistern: this is the immense underground Roman water storage/reservoir, this hidden treasure is held up with 336 marble columns including the upside Medusa, then on to the Roman Hippodrome in the morning. We break for lunch (included), one large bottled water is included for each guest as well as tea or coffee. After lunch you will visit St. Sophia Museum (Aya Sophia Mosque), Blue Mosque. The treasury section at Topkapi Palace remains closed for maintenance.

Day 4: Private Bosphorus Cruise – Flight to Cappadocia (BD)
Breakfast is included daily at the hotel. Pick up time is about 08:30 am from the hotel. We will drive by the Golden Horn, Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) and then board a PRIVATE boat/yacht cruise on Bosphorus. Istanbul’s history was formed by the Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe and Asia, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. Now, as in ancient times, it is a maritime vital link between the countries bordering the Black Sea and those in the rest of the world. Today we take a leisurely cruise northward along this historic waterway. Along its shores are ranged palaces great and small — Topkapi, Dolmabahçe, Beylerbeyi, Küçüksu, Hünkar Iskelesi. Four great fortresses rise on the hills, reminding us that to control the Bosphorus was to control the destinies of nations. Subject to flight confirmation, we will either return to the hotel to freshen up and check out or proceed directly to the airport after our cruise (more details to follow when reservation is made).

Transfer to the airport for your flight (air fare is included in economy class).
Istanbul-Cappadocia: TK: Departure: 17:20 – Arrival: 18:40 (subject to change)

Upon arrival, our local rep. will assist with your transfer to your deluxe hotel in Cappadocia. Museum Hotel – Deluxe Suite Room. Turkish local sweets await you in your room with our compliments. Dinner is included at your hotel in Cappadocia (includes one large bottled water for each guest as well as tea or coffee).

Day 5: Cappadocia (BLD)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Your local guide will reconfirm the pick up time but it is usually 09:00 a.m. from your hotel in the morning. We’ll drive to Devrent Valley where the geographical formations will remind you of another planet. Then in Pasabagi, you’ll take a stroll among the amazing fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, on to Avanos to break for lunch (included: one large bottled water for each guest as well as tea or coffee). After lunch we head for Göreme to see the most beautiful examples of Byzantine art in the Göreme Open Air Museum. Then drive to Uçhisar Castle, the highest point of the region, where you will have a fabulous panoramic view over Cappadocia. Then return to the hotel about 17:30. Traditional Turkish dinner in Cappadocia is included tonight at Yasar Baba Restaurant or similar (included: one large bottled water for each guest as well as tea or coffee).

DAY 6: Cappadocia (BLD)
Breakfast is included at your hotel daily. Today’s tour covers the Rose Valley then the old Christian village of Cavusin. Stop for lunch in Pigeons Valley and then continue on to see the marvel of construction that is the Kaymakli Underground City. You will also visit the Ortahisar Natural Rock Castle. (Lunch includes one large bottled water for each guest as well as tea or coffee), remainder of the day at leisure to explore as you wish, or simply enjoy shopping or relaxing, return to your hotel. Dinner is included at your hotel.

Day 7: Cappadocia – Kayseri – Istanbul – Izmir- Ephesus (BD)
Breakfast is included daily at your hotel. Flight Cappadocia to Izmir: air fare is included in economy class, (via Istanbul – when you land in Istanbul please follow the signs and connect onward to the Istanbul Izmir flight) and drive on to Kusadasi, your airport transfers are always on a private basis. Our local rep. will meet you at Izmir Airport and escort you to your hotel in Kusadasi where dinner is included. Turkish Delight sweets await you in your room with our compliments. Korumar Hotel Kusadasi – Deluxe room with Sea View.

Day 8: Priene – Didyma – Miletus – Kusadasi (BLD)
After breakfast we drive first to Priene, formerly a leading member of the Pan ionic League. As we drive further South, we visit Miletus and then arrive at Didyma, where we have lunch at a local restaurant (always including one large bottled water for each guest plus tea or coffee), if available we will be able to enjoy lunch at a restaurant that is facing the temple, described by the historian Pausanias as: “The sanctuary of Apollo at Didyma, the oracle here is more ancient than the Ionian settlement”. Late afternoon, we head back to your hotel in Kusadasi where dinner awaits you.

Day 9: Ephesus – The Terraced House and Virgin Mary’s House Tour (BLD)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. The pick up time is 09:00 am from the hotel for a full day visiting Ephesus’ Ancient City and Virgin Mary´s House Tour. You will visit Ephesus, which is known as the Commercial, Religious and Social Center of Antiquity, and is one of the highlights of any Visit in Turkey; the tour includes the famous Terraced Houses of Ephesus. Break for lunch (included with a large bottled water for each guest with tea or coffee), then we drive to Temple of Artemis (Diana), the site of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world; House of Virgin Mary, probably where she spent recent years of her life; Isa Bey Mosque, this impressive mosque from XIV. Century A.D. is unlike any other you will see in this country. Return to the hotel about 17:30. Dinner is included at the hotel.

DAY 10: Izmir – Istanbul – Tel Aviv – Jerusalem (B)
After breakfast, enjoy morning at leisure. Afternoon airport transfer: our local rep will escort you back to Izmir airport to board your flight Izmir-Istanbul (included in our rate in economy). Upon landing in Istanbul, please follow the signs to connect on your own to your onward connecting flight to Tel Aviv. You may want to check-in your luggage from Izmir all the way to Tel Aviv. One-way airfare Istanbul- Tel Aviv is included in our rate on Turkish Airlines in economy, upon arriving in Tel Aviv 7:30p.m., where our local rep will be waiting for you. VIP MEET & GREET at Tel Aviv Airport: the local rep. will meet you just before the immigration, at Tel Aviv Airport, then walk you through the immigration and luggage claim, on to the arrival hall and meeting the guide/driver and drive on to your Jerusalem hotel. This is a private tour. Private Air-Conditioned Vehicle, private guide at all times. Hotel: Dan Jerusalem, executive room where Baklava or local mix or Arabic sweets/or dates platter awaits you with our compliments.

Tour Israel and Palestine in your own private air-conditioned vehicle and private guide. See the very best of the Jerusalem and the Holy Land in this fully escorted tour with your local guide escorting you on all days of touring and when traveling between the different cities in Israel and Palestine.

DAY 11: OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM (BL)
Today our visit to the Old City starts with a walk through the reconstructed Jewish Quarter. We’ll visit the newly excavated Cardo, a Roman promenade, and walk through the ancient bazaars where brassware, embroidered dresses and inlaid woodwork are on display.

Lunch is included today at a charming local restaurant, with tea/coffee and one large bottle of water for each guest.

DAY 12: JERUSALEM (BL)
Start our explorations of Jerusalem, holy city to Christians, Jews and Muslims, with a drive to the Mount of Olives which offers panoramic views. We visit the Chapel of the Ascension on our way to the Garden of Gethsemane. From the Garden, we enter Jerusalem’s walls to the Old City for a visit to the Western Wall. We follow in Jesus’ footsteps along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Lunch is included today at a charming local restaurant, with tea/coffee and one large bottle of water for each guest.

DAY 13: BETHLEHEM – JERUSALEM (BL)
We start our tour at the scale model of Jerusalem as it appeared in Herod’s time, then go on to the Shrine of the Book to see the sacred Dead Sea Scrolls, and visit the Church of Pater Noster. And then it’s on to Ein Kerem and Bethlehem for a visit to the Church of the Nativity, stopping at the Shepherds’ Field, and Rachel’s Tomb on the way back to Jerusalem.

Lunch is included today at a charming local restaurant, with tea/coffee and one large bottle of water for each guest.

DAY 14: BETHANY, JERICHO & DEAD SEA (BL)
We drive to Bethany and the site of the Good Samaritan’s inn, then continue to Jericho, the oldest city on world. We will visit the Sycamore Tree,  view the Mount of Temptation, and then continue through the Judean Hills down to the Dead Sea, which is below sea level, to enjoy and float in the salty water.

Lunch is included today at a charming local restaurant, with tea/coffee and one large bottle of water for each guest.

The Dead Sea in Israel. Business Insider.

DAY 15: QUMRAN – MASADA – EIN GEDI (BL)
We drive in the Judean hills to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, and then to Qumran where are the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We go on to the verdant oasis of Ein Gedi, and to Masada, where we ascend the natural fortress by cable car.

Lunch is included today at a charming local restaurant, with tea/coffee and one large bottle of water for each guest.

DAY 16: GOLAN, NAZARETH & GALILEE (BL)
We drive north to Nazareth to see the Church of the Annunciation, built to shelter the grotto where Mary received the message that she would bear Jesus. Passing by Cana of Galilee, we reach Tiberias, on the Sea of Galilee. We sail aboard the Lido to Tabgha, on the opposite shore. Lunch is included today at a charming local restaurant, with tea/coffee and one large bottle of water for each guest.

Returning to Tiberias for the night: Hotel Scots – Deluxe room where fruits or platter of local dates and welcome cider drinks await you with our compliments.

DAY 17: ACRE, HAIFA, TEL AVIV – JAFFA – Tel Aviv (BL)
Acre, the medieval fortress-city, was visited by Caesar, Richard the Lion-Hearted, and Napoleon. We follow in their footsteps along its ancient streets. Continuing our journey, we see the Baha’i Shrine and its Persian Gardens in Haifa, and the Roman amphitheater and Crusaders’ fortress in Caesarea. Then traveling along Tel Aviv’s bustling streets, we make our way to Jaffa (Joppa) to see its ancient port and the artists’ colony which has grown up around it. Lunch is included today at a charming local restaurant, with tea/coffee and one large bottle of water for each guest.

We spend the night in Tel Aviv. Hotel: Dan Panorama Tel Aviv or Dan Tel Aviv – Deluxe room, where Baklava or local mix or Arabic sweets/or dates platter awaits you with our compliments.

DAY 18: Tel Aviv (B)
Full day is at leisure to explore Tel Aviv on your own, or ask us for available optional tours.

DAY 19: Tel Aviv – Bon Voyage (B)
Private transfer to Tel Aviv airport, English Speaking driver: VIP airport transfer service and catch your onward flight. Bon voyage.

Rates per person in USD$ (minimum required: 2 guests)
Sharing in:
Triple Occupancy	US$ 14,125.00
Double	US$ 14,520.00
Single	US$ 19,146.00

Your tour includes:

• Private guide for all touring as listed.
• Private chauffeur for all touring and transfers.
• All private airport transfers and tour transportation in Turkey, Israel, Palestine, private air-conditioned sedan or mini- Coach.
• Domestic air within Turkey in economy class, including tax, as well as one-way Istanbul Tel Aviv, all as per itinerary. Air tickets are issued locally in Turkey. Flight numbers and departure/arrival times are subject to change without notice.
• All airport transfers throughout the tour, always on a private basis.
• Deluxe or Ultra Deluxe Accommodation as described (always subject to availability, we keep the right to use alternative hotels within same category).
• Welcome fruit basket and/or sweets as listed upon arrival at your hotel
• Meals as indicated: B = breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner.
• One large bottled water for each guest with each lunch and each dinner.
• Tea or coffee with each and every meal listed.

Vip Club Airport Transfers Service (Tel Aviv Airport)
Description of service

Flights: Incoming/Arrival
Porter services included

• • Meeting the guest at the exit of the plane’s sleeve.
  • Transfer to passport control with luxury car.
  • Quick transfer through passport control.
  • Pickup luggage, porter service included.
  • Quick transfer through Customs and exiting to the Arrivals Hall.

Outgoing / departure flights:
Porter services included

• • Meeting the guest at departure hall, gate 32.
  • Quick transfer through security check.
  • Porter service is included.
  • Check-in for flight and deposit of baggage at designated counter,
  • Quick transfer at hand bags security.
  • Quick transfer during boarding

Not included:

• Personal expenses such as extra meals that are not listed, additional drinks etc.
• Lunch/dinner in Israel/Palestine: expected average cost for lunch en-route at local restaurants to be equivalent to $25 USD per person excluding tipping/drinks.
• Gratuities for local personnel
• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
• International air fare from/to home country.
• Visa Fee for Turkey: (procure yours online in advance of travel at www.evisa.gov.tr/en/)
• Visa/ visa fee if/where needed to any of the destinations listed on this tour.

We keep the right to use other hotels with similar or better category

Hotels Israel/Palestine:
Jerusalem:	Dan Jerusalem (executive room)
Tiberias:	Scots (Deluxe room)
Tel Aviv:	Dan Panorama Tel Aviv or Dan Tel Aviv (Deluxe room)
Please note that during major Jewish religious holidays, space may not be available.

Sample Hotels – Turkey
Istanbul:	Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel. Superior Bosphorus View Room.
Cappadocia:	Museum Hotel  (Deluxe Suite Room)
Kusadasi:	Korumar Deluxe Hotel  (Deluxe room with Sea View)
We keep the right to use other hotels with similar or better category