9 DAYS TURKEY – DUBAI TOUR
From the ancient port city of Ephesus to the soaring Byzantine dome of Aya Sofya, Turkey has more than its fair share of world-famous ruins and monuments. A succession of historical figures and empires – including the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans – have all left their mark on this former stopover along the Silk Road. Experiencing their legacy takes you from the closeted quarters of the sultan and his harem in İstanbul‘s sprawling Topkapı Palace to the romantic and mysterious Lycian ruins on Mediterranean beaches.
It’s hard not to admire Dubai and Abu Dhabi for their indefatigable verve, gutsy ambition and ability to dream up and realise projects that elsewhere would never get off the drawing board. This is a superlative-craving society that has birthed the world’s tallest building, an island shaped like a palm tree, a huge indoor ski paradise.whether you are a bargain hunter or power shopper, you’ll have a fine time spending your dirhams in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai especially is a top retail haunt that hosts not one but two huge annual shopping festivals. Shopping is a leisure activity here, malls much more than mere collections of stores.
Below is a fully customizable itinerary of these two great places. Have a look and tell us what you think.
Day 1 – Istanbul – Arrival Day
Welcome to Turkey Istanbul Airport. Meet with Abana Safaris representative and transfer to your hotel, Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Istanbul City Tour
Pick up at 08:30am from your hotel for the 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 is the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, 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. Sultanhmet 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. The Ancient Hippodrome, is the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 – Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour
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 is 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. 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 Murti’s Tour’s 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 Free Day
The day is yours at leisure to explore .Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 5 – Dubai
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope you had a memorable trip in Turkey, say goodbye and depart to Dubai. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your Dubai Hotel.
Day 6: Half Day Dubai City Tour
After breakfast at the hotel on this day, our representative will pick you from the hotel at 10 am for the half day city tour. In the tour bus, you will enjoy the panoramic view of Dubai City as our guide points out landmarks and shares Dubai City’s history with you. Today you will experience the glamour and style of the cosmopolitan city of Dubai, we’ll return to Hotel at about 1.30pm. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Dubai.
Day 7: Dessert Safari
On this day you will have breakfast at the hotel then you will be free to tour the city. For lunch, you will be free to taste an exotic cuisine in town. At 3 pm, you will be picked from the hotel for the dessert safari trip. You will take a ride on the sand dunes, take photos. Next, arrive at the Desert safari campsite for fun camel rides, arty henna painting, authentic BBQ dinner, complimentary refreshments, an enchanting belly dance performance and so much more. Overnight in Dubai.
Day 8: Dhow dinner Cruise
After breakfast, full day will be at leisure, shopping in the famed Dubai Deira area and exploring the cosmopolitan city. In the evening at around 7.00pm you will be picked from your hotel for your Dhow Dinner Cruise. This is the climax of the safari as you tour Dubai through the night enjoying meals and Arabic belly dancers. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 – Nairobi
Ma’a Salaama! Goodbye! Is a sad word to utter this day as you bid Dubai Kwaheri with last minute shopping, packing and freight assistance where necessary. You will be transferred to the airport for your back to Nairobi.