Holiday 2011- Visiting the Ancient Ruins in Turkey
We had been planning since two months ago for a holiday together. Finally, hubby and I will be going to a holiday in Turkey this coming September 2011. We wanted to stay in one of those beautiful villas in Turkey but the holiday package we booked allowed us to stay in a 4-star hotel somewhere in Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, Trojan and Aphrodosias in Turkey. I am finally spending one of those luxury holidays in Turkey since our hotel has a 4-star category.
Last Monday, I reminded hubby to fill-up a vacation leave from his work so that I can book our trip. I forgot to remind him last Tuesday because I was so busy with a lot of errands and activities. Last night when I went home from a birthday party, I asked him if his vacation leave was already approved. I am happy to hear that his manager finally approved his vacation leave. This will be our first long vacation together after almost five years. Of course, we always go for a short trip but this holiday, where we can see and experience the ancient ruins in Turkey is quite special and very exciting for me.
The holiday package in Turkey include the following:
1. Bus transfer from Regensburg to Munich and vice-versa
2. Lufthansa Tourist Class Airline ticket to Istanbul, round trip
3. Transfer from Istanbul Airport to Hotel and vice versa
4. All the bus trips to different places in Turkey
5. 9x breakfast buffet in hotel
6. 9x Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel
7. 5x Dinner-menu
8. Tour Guide for the different bus trips to different cities in Turkey
We will be visiting some of the ancient ruins and other historical places in Turkey which are included in this holiday package.
Istanbul
This is one of the cities that I always wish to visit. I had seen some images of it in the internet and I find it awesome. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey. It is known historically as Constantinople and Byzantium. Our holiday package states that we will be visiting some of the historical sites here like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace and some other more.
Izmir
This is the third largest city in Turkey. Izmir is called as the “Pearl of the Aegean”. I can finally see the Clock Tower in Konak Square which is the iconic symbol of the city. This city is also known for its fine beaches which is located near the city centre.
One of my friends had already visited this city and I love the images she posted in her facebook albums. I will see this city very soon!
Ephesus
Here is so far the best part of this trip if I am not mistaken. Ephesus is one of the major tourist attractions in Turkey. It has a large archeological site in Aegean Turkey. An online friend named Art, who also love to travel and visit interesting places wrote me and email about his trip to Greece and Turkey last March of this year. Here are some of the travel experiences he shared to me through email. Thank you so much Art for this wonderful experiences.
“We went to Kusadasi, Turkey next. If you are arriving by cruise ship you do not need a visa to go there. If you are at all religiously minded this is where you will really want to visit. When Jesus died on the cross, He asked his apostle John to take care of his Mother, the Virgin Mary. John brought her to live out her last years at Ephesus, which is right outside of Kusadasi. When I walked into the small stone building that is where she lived, it was the most unbelievable feeling that I have ever felt in my whole life!! And I am not even Catholic. BUT I BELIEVE, especially now! The Greek and Roman ruins at Ephesus are unbelievable. There are more ruins in just Ephesus than there are in all of Greece. I saw where the apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and where he was imprisoned. I saw where John was tried and exiled to a small island just of the coast of Turkey. And all of Ephesus is very well preserved because no cities were built over the ruins like they did in Greece and Italy.”
Some other places that we will be visiting during this trip are;
Pergamon- also called as Pergamum-an ancient Greek city in modern-day Turkey.
Troy- called in German as Troja-where the legendary Trojan War took place according to the book of Iliad by Homer.
Aphrodosias- one of the best preserved Roman cities in Turkey.
Bursa-where you can also see a lot of historical sites.
I am very happy to book this very cheap trip this morning. I will share some images once we are done with the trip.
