Legendary Turkey

Every 1st & 3rd Saturday - April to October

Guaranteed Departures - 13 Nights – 14 Days

 

Arrive in Istanbul, the city that bridges two continents--Europe and Asia. Meet and greet at the airport followed by a transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

 

Day 2: Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia (B/ L/D)

Early morning transfer to the airport for your one hour flight to Ankara. Upon arrival visit the Museum of the Anatolian Civilizations, housing priceless collections from the prehistoric era, and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkey. After lunch drive to the surrealistic region of Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia for 2 nights.

 

Depart the hotel for a full-day tour of Cappadocia, visiting the natural citadel of Uchisar and the Goreme Valley--an open air museum with its churches hewn out of rocks and its colorful frescoes. Visit Zelve and the caves of the ancient villages, as well as the Underground City of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu.

 

Drive to Konya through the spectacular heart of Central Anatolia. Visit the shrine of Mevlana, the great mystic who inspired the rituals of the “Whirling Dervishes”. Drive past the Taurus Mountains to Antalya--the capital of the Turquoise coast on the Mediterranean Sea. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Antalya for 2 nights.

 

Full day tour of the Pamphylian Cities of Perge, Aspendos and Side with their impressive ruins and well preserved theatres. Visit the ruins of the Great Theatre, Stadium and the huge Hellenistic and Roman Gates of Perge, then drive to Aspendos to see the best preserved Roman theatre. On the way, visit the Manavgat Waterfalls.

Morning departure for Pamukkale, passing through the Bey Mountains. Upon your arrival at the hotel, go for a swim in the hotel’s pool. Pamukkale is a noted spa where pure white travertine forms “Frozen Waterfalls”. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Pamukkale.

 

In the morning, visit the ruins of the magnificent Temple of Apollo, the theatre, the fascinating Necropolis and the great baths of Hierapolis. After lunch, depart for Aphrodisias--an archeological site dedicated to the cult of Aphrodite with its well preserved stadium, theatre, baths, agora and an outstanding museum. Then drive to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kusadasi for 2 nights.

 

Today, a full day tour of Ephesus, the best well-preserved ancient city of Asia Minor dedicated to Artemis. Visit the ruins from the period of St. Paul, Odeon, Monumental Fountains, Temples of the Celcius, Library, Great Theatre, Gymnasiums, Double Church, and Stadium. Also visit the Basilica of St. John and his Tomb, the Temple of Diana and the Shrine of Virgin Mary, where she spent the last years of her life.

Drive to Pergamon along the coast of the mythical Aegean Sea. Visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena, Dionysos, the Altar of Zeus and the Asclepion. Continue to Canakkale with a quick stop in Troy, the legendary city of the beautiful Helen and the Wooden Horse. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Canakkale.

 

Drive to Istanbul with lunch served enroute. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul for 4 nights with daily breakfast included. 

 

Morning cruise on the Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe and Asia.  Afternoon, drive over the Intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge to the Camlica Hill, on the Asian side. Then visit the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Shopping possibility at the fishermen’s village, near the Palace. Evening at leisure.

 

Full day tour starting with a visit to the Hippodrome where chariot races and athletic events took place during the Roman Period. Proceed to the Blue Mosque and the Museum of St. Sophia. Later visit the Museum of Topkapi Palace to visit the dazzling displays of treasures of the Ottoman Sultans. After lunch, visit the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent and stop at the Grand Bazaar, where you will have shopping opportunities for carpets, leather goods, jewelry, copperware etc. Evening at leisure.

 

Full day at leisure. Optional tours are available.

 

After breakfast, transfer to the Istanbul Airport for your flight home.