Page 90 - Southern Europe

In the Footsteps of the Hittites
5 days
Ankara, Hattusa, Yazilikaya, Alacahoyuk, Yozgat, Avanos, Zelve, Cappadocia
Day 1: Ankara
After your arranged morning flight from Istanbul to Ankara, you will be met by your tour guide and start your tour of Ankara; the capital of Turkey and the second largest city after Istanbul. Your first stop in this city will be The Anatolian Civilization Museum; the perfect introduction to Turkey's ancient past. The exhibits are
chronologically arranged, starting with the Paleolithic and Neolithic displays and gives us unique examples of Hittite art. After having lunch at a restaurant, next visit will be to Rahmi Koc Museum to see the examples of agricultural machinery and pharmaceutical exhibits. The museum also houses sections which focus on Mustafa Kemal Ataturk that gives you some details before you visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk. Your last visit for today will be Anitkabir. It is the mausoleum of Ataturk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel for
overnight in Ankara. [B/L]
Day 2: Ankara, Hattusa, Yazilikaya, Alacahoyuk, Yozgat
Breakfast will be followed by a 3,5-hour drive to Bogazkoy which is established right next to the UNESCO Heritage listed site of "Hattusa". After lunch you will start exploring the ancient city of the Hittites with your guide. The ancient city of Hattusa was established by the Hatti people used to live in the area before the Hittites showed up however, the Hittites preserved the name of the city and some part of the language of the Hittites to respect the Hatti culture and Gods. Hence the Hittites are called nation of one thousand gods. The city was bigger than one square mile with the inner and the outer city
the sovereign is believed to have used a suspension bridge from the Acropolis to Yazilikaya but today we will drive. There are two rock cut chambers carved into the basalt rocks and the most important gods are
portrayed over the rocks who were worshiped throughout the year. 45- minute drive will take us to Alacahoyuk which is an important Neolithic excavation site and has been a small farming city during the Hittite era as well. After a walk around the site, you will drive to Yozgat town for overnight. [B/L]
TURKEY Downtown Providing Fascinating Travel Experiences
surrounded by massive city walls whose foundations can be seen today. The Acropolis of the city was consisting the official and administration buildings overlooking the lower city and the religious sanctuary of Yazilikaya. Members of
90 For prices and other details visit www.holidayswithdowntown.com