Classics of Turkey
11 days / 10 nights
Day 1 – Sunday
Istanbul
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Welcome briefing will be held.
Day 2 – Monday
Istanbul
Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding Harem). Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the center of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Your last stop St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and now a museum and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. (B)
Day 3 – Tuesday
Istanbul – Ankara
This morning depart on an optional tour of St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and now a museum and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Continue to cruise along Bosphorus cruise enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighborhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants and cafés. Depart for the capital city of Ankara for overnight. (B, D)
Day 4 – Wednesday
Ankara – Cappadocia
Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai holding artifacts from up to 7500 years old including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artifacts in the world. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravanserai en route. Pay a visit to the underground city of Saratli, one of the many underground settlements built for protection and religious reasons. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D )
Day 5 – Thursday
Cappadocia
Consider an optional early morning hot air balloon tour and experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which was first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi, Red Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. (B, D)
Day 6 – Friday
Cappadocia – Pamukkale
Drive to Pamukkale. En route visit the famous mausoleum of the Sufi philosopher, Mevlana. This was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the Whirling Dervishes. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B, D)
Day 7 – Saturday
Pamukkale – Kusadasi
Visit the unique cotton fortress of Pamukkale, with its white lime cascades formed by mineral springs, and the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Proceed to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 8 – Sunday
Ephesus & St. Mary’s House – Kusadasi
Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a regional rug production center to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. Join an optional afternoon tour of Sirince. (B, D)
Day 9 – Monday
Pergamum – Troy – Canakkale
Visit the ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamum and continue to a traditional local village for lunch with locals. Then continue to Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of each other. Continue to Canakkale for overnight. (B, D)
Day 10 – Tuesday
Dardanelles – Istanbul
In the morning depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles WW1. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Ba,r, and then drive to Istanbul Visit to Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, D)
Day 11 – Wednesday
Istanbul – Return
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
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Tour Includes
Tour includes:
Professional Tour Director
Assistance at the airport upon arrival
Airport transfer
Porterage at airport and hotels
10 night’s hotel accommodation
Entrance fees to the sites visited as per program
All hotels taxes and service charges
Tour Highlights
Tour includes:
Visit Topkapi Palace
Explore the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest and oldest covered market
Visit Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara
Explore Saratli, a secret underground city
Visit the Open-Air Museum of Goreme, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Hike through the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia
Visit Mausoleum of Sufi philosopher Mevlana
Enjoy the thermal pools at Pamukkale, the Cotton Castle
Explore the Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary
Visit the ANZAC Cove at Gallipoli and the ancient city of Troy
Enjoy lunch with locals and special dinners at restaurants
Meals:
10 Breakfasts, 8 Dinners
(B) Breakfast (D) Dinner
