DUBAY & TURKEY – MAY / 2023

Departure from San Francisco to Dubai

Arrival Dubai. Meeting with our representative at the airport and transfer by bus to our hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast. Departure to discover the spectacular and lively metropolis of Dubai. Dubai, which developed from a small fishing village on Dubai Creek, today represents an attractive metropolis on the Arabian Gulf. The distinctive skyscrapers and gigantic shopping malls will impress all visitors. On our way we will make stops to take pictures of the impressive Jumeirah Grand Mosque. Burj Al Arab hotel and Atlantis hotel located in the crescent of Palm Jumeirah. We will pass through the DUBAI Mall and Burj Khalifa region, the tallest tower in the world and the centerpiece of the most prestigious urban development in the Gulf region to this day. We continue to Bastakyia, the Old Town district of Dubai. Another highlight will follow: we will use the local water taxis, called “Abras“, to cross Dubai Creek. Enjoy the spectacular view of the city as we head towards the Deira district. Here you will be enchanted by the wide variety of exotic spices in the famous Spice Souk. In the afternoon, Safari through the Desert. This afternoon tour departs through the desert with photo stops during an exciting tour of the dunes and visit the camel farm. The journey continues through the desert. We will see the beautiful sunset in the desert. Arrival at our camp, where we will have the opportunity to ride a camel, sandboard and try a henna design on hands or feet. We will enjoy a delicious grilled dinner and a shisha (the famous Arabic water pipe). Before returning to the hotel, we will participate in a show with our belly dancer around the campfire in the light of the stars, return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast . Today we will discover the highlights of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates, known as the Arab Jewel. The port of Jebel Ali, the largest artificial port in the world, is one of the landmarks we pass on our way to Abu Dhabi. Visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. We then continue to visit the Sheikh Zayed Centre to get a glimpse into the private life of His Highness Sheikh Zayed, who is often called “The Father of the UAE“. On our return, we walk along the beautiful Corniche. Mosque Rules and Conditions: You must wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers to enter the Zayed Mosque. Women have to be covered with a scarf to cover the head, and long pants should not be tightened. It must be all in dark color, not transparent. Return to our hotel. Dinner and overnighT.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport, in time to board our flight to Istanbul. Meeting with our representative at the airport and transfer bus to our Hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast . Full day tour of the city. In the morning, visit to Santa Sophia, the most significant monument of Istanbul, beautiful architectural wonder that we offer to the visitor; Also considered as one of the largest and most imposing churches in the world. From there, visit the Topkapi Palace, where the sultans lived between 1478 and 1856. Topkapi is not a single structure, but an organic monumental complex formed by various kiosks, gardens and distributed areas that are located in the neighborhood or historic center at the entrance of the Golden Horn. Lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon we continue to the famous Blue Mosque, admired for its six tall minarets, terraces and domes that rise in the center of the building; You will see that the architect achieved his goal without a doubt; perfection with this impressive work. The Roman Hippodrome, (time of Severus Seventh) space where chariot and circus races took place, which served as fun for the inhabitants of Constantinopoli for more than a thousand years. We end the day with free time for shopping at El Gran Bazaar. Return to our hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast . Departure from our hotel for a full day excursion to the Bosphorus. In the morning we will make a previous visit to the Egyptian Bazaar or Spice Bazaar built in the seventeenth century and located in the old neighborhood of Eminönü in Istanbul. We continue to take the boat for the tour of The Bosphorus (regular boat) taking place along the Sea of Marmara on both sides of the city: Asian and European. Lunch on board. During this tour you can see monuments such as: Dolmabahce Palace, Çiragan, The fortress of Rumeli Hisarı, among others. We continue with the visit to the Palace of Beylerbeyi, built in white marble by Sultan Abdulaziz in the nineteenth century; It served as a summer residence for later sultans and a guest house for foreign dignitaries. Climb the Hill of Çamlica, known as the Hill of Lovers, it offers a majestic panoramic view of the Bosphorus and Istanbul. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast . Departure from the Hotel in our bus to Ankara, capital of the Turkish Republic. We pass through the mountains of Bolu. We will visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Departure to Cappadocia, a historical region of Anatolia, which is characterized by having a unique geological formation in the world. Passing through the Salt Lake, we arrive at our hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and visit of the spectacular region of Cappadocia, unique for its fascinating and original landscape, formed by the lava thrown by the volcanoes Erciyes and Hasan, 3 million years ago. Visit the many monasteries and chapels of Göreme, carved into the rocks and decorated with frescoes of the tenth century (some of them very well preserved). We will pass by the fortress of Uçhisar and the valley of Avcilar. In the afternoon, visit the village of Avanos, famous for its crafts and the valleys of Pasabagi and Güvercinlik. Visit the underground city of Ozkonak or Serhatli, one of the 36 underground cities of Cappadocia that served as a refuge for Christians. Visit of the artisan center of carpets and onyx. Dinner and overnight

Breakfast . Early departure to Konya, capital of the Seljuk sultans in the eleventh century. Visit of the Sultanhan Caravansarai, where camel caravans once stopped on the Silk Road. Visit of the Mausoleum of Mevlana, poet and philosopher who founded the mystical and religious sect of the Whirling Dervishes. Continuation of the trip to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast In the morning, we can enjoy Pamukkale, a spectacular place unique in the world, for its dazzling white waterfalls and natural pools. On the way to Kusadasi, we will visit the ancient Hierapolis, the Necropolis that contains more than 150,000 tombs. Continue to Ephesus. Greco-Roman city, ancient capital of Asia Minor and one of the best preserved of antiquity where the Temple of Hadrian, Temple of Trajan, the theater, the Library of Celsus etc … Visit to the House of the Virgin, where he spent the last years of his life. Visit of the leather craft center. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast . Departure to Istanbul via Bursa which was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Bursa is renowned for its mosques, fountains, Turkish baths and silk production. We will visit the Great Mosque of the fourteenth century, the Mosque and the Green Mausoleum and the local silk bazaar. Departure to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer by our private bus to the airport to board our flight back to S. Francisco.