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 corridoreets, 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