Ancient Civilizations & the Turquoise Coast ( 14 nights / 15 days )

Spanning four regions of our country, let us introduce you to the wonders of Asia Minor. With no shortage of important historical buildings, fall under the spell of Istanbul, the city that straddles two continents; roam the miraculous natural wonder of Cappadocia; bask in the natural beauty of the Turquoise Coast on board a traditional Turkish gulet; and explore the ancient sites of Ephesus.

Ortakoy Mosque and Bosphorus Bridge - Istanbul

Ballooning - Cappadocia

Scenic Hike - Turquoise Coast

Celsius Library - Ephesus - Selcuk

Trojan Horse - Troy Antique Site - Canakkale

Taken in hand with the genuine hospitality of its people, you have all the makings of a captivating and truly fulfilling Turkey travel experience.

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
We meet at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel located in the modern city center, just a few steps away from Taksim Square.

After check-in and time to relax, in the evening we meet again for a welcome briefing and orientation tour of the hotel area. We proceed to Taksim Square where we finish our day with a walking tour of Istiklal Street.

Day 2: Istanbul
We meet this morning and transfer to Sultanahmet for a full-day tour. Our day begins with a visit to the ancient Hippodrome, an area that was once the center of Byzantine civic life. We continue to Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent paneling of blue and white 17th century Iznik tiles. Next we visit Hagia Sophia, often described as the greatest work of Byzantine architecture. After these visits, we break for lunch on our own before proceeding with the rest of our tour.

Our next stop is Topkapi Palace. Today it is a spectacular museum with one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and the very famous treasury of the Ottoman Sultans. We finish the day at the famous Grand Bazaar. This bazaar will tempt even non-shoppers with nearly 4,000 shops exhibiting a rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewelry, leather, antiques, and souvenirs.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Istanbul / Cappadocia
After departing from Istanbul in the morning, we arrive in Kayseri were we begin our tour of breathtaking Cappadocia. This area is renowned for its awe-inspiring natural rock formations that were utilized for everything from housing, to churches, and even complete underground villages. We first visit Goreme’s open air museum which consists of steep cliffs and many hidden churches dating from the second half of the 9th century and later. Here is where we break for lunch on our own.

After lunch we continue to Uchisar where we visit the Uchisar Fortress. With a breathtaking view of the surrounding Cappadocia formations, this 60-meter high fortress was not built but carved out of a natural hill dominating the area. After this visit, we check into our hotel, have dinner, and an evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Cappadocia
This morning we continue to explore Cappadocia with a visit to the remarkable underground city of Derinkuyu. Next we visit Pasabag—a site of natural beauty with a remarkable landscape of tufa cones. We then drive to the town of Urgup, where we break for lunch on our own.

After lunch we visit the Turasan Winery. Cappadocia is one of the main wine production areas in Turkey, and Turasan winery is the biggest producer in the area. Here we have a chance to try the local wine. After this visit we proceed to Avanos, a small town famous for its pottery and carpets. Here we visit a pottery workshop, and try our skills in this traditional centuries-old Cappadocian craft.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Optional Program: A truly uncommon experience, an early morning hot air balloon flight over the spectacular Cappadocian landscape is one of life’s great thrills. Cappadocia is a land of extreme beauty, the deep canyons and lush fertile valleys make this a unique and memorable flight.

This tour includes: transfer, short hot air balloon ride (45 minute to 1 hour), glass of champagne, and flight certificate.

Day 5: Cappadocia / Konya / Beysehir
This morning we visit a local carpet workshop where we learn about this traditional Turkish craft. Afterward we depart for the town of Beysehir via Konya. On the way we see Sultanhani Caravanserai of the Seljuk Empire. Built between 1232-36, this caravanserai was the largest and most magnificent in Anatolia. Upon arrival in Konya, one of the oldest cities in Anatolia, we break for lunch on our own. After lunch we visit Mevlana Tekke, the most famous monument in Konya. We then depart Konya and continue to Akseki, stopping by the town of Beysehir. Here we see Esrefoglu Camii, a unique wooden mosque with the finest example of the Seljuk Turkish flat wooden ceiling and wooden column style mosque construction. In the early evening we arrive in the town of Beysehir and proceed to a nearby village to experience rural Turkey. Here we meet local people, have a homemade dinner, and stay overnight at a village house.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Beysehir / Antalya
After a traditional Turkish breakfast in the village, we head south to Antalya. On the way we stop at the ancient site of Aspendos. Aspendos is famous for having the best preserved theater of antiquity. Here we can also visit the acropolis of the city with a great view of the river.

In the early evening we reach Antalya, Turkey’s principal holiday resort in the Mediterranean region. Antalya is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and a prize winning marina. The region around Antalya offers sights of astonishing natural beauty as well as awesome historical remains. Here is were we check into our hotel with views of Antalya Bay and the Bey Mountains.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Antalya
This morning we depart for a half-day sightseeing tour of Antalya. We first visit the Archeology Museum which offers an exposition on statues of various Greek gods, a stunning mosaic collection from Xanthos, extraordinary findings from the Karain Caves, which date back to the Old Stone Age, as well as a comprehensive ethnographical collection. Next, we drive to Kaleici. Kaleici is the name of Antalya’s Old Quarter. Narrow streets, charming cafés, and numerous souvenir shops bring a special attractiveness to this part of the city. Here is where we end the tour, leaving the rest of the day to enjoy Antalya at our leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Antalya / Fethiye
This morning we depart for Fethiye. On our way we stop by the site of ancient Myra (Demre). Here, many splendidly carved rock tombs overlook the magnificent Roman theater. We also visit the tomb of St. Nicholas who was the bishop of this Mediterranean city during the 4th century. With a short drive from Demre we reach Cayagzi where we take a glass bottom boat trip to Kekova Island. Our boat trip ends at Ucagiz where we transfer to Kas and walk along the cute narrow streets full of shops and cafés. We continue on to Fethiye and arrive in the late afternoon. The city of Fethiye has an important marina and overlooks a beautiful bay strewn with islands. At the harbor of Fethiye we embark on a gulet (traditional Turkish yacht, cabin charter) and meet our captain, crew, and fellow passengers. After dinner on board, we will stay overnight in either Fethiye’s harbor or in a nearby cove.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Gemiler Island / Kayakoy / Bedri Rahmi Cove
In the morning we sail to Gemiler Island. Once home to Lycian and Byzantine pirates, the remains of an entire village are there to be explored. It is a wonderful place to swim and snorkel as well. Our next stop is Kayakoy, a Greek ghost town. The village of about 600 houses was once inhabited by Anatolian Greeks. Next we sail to the inlet of Bedri Rahmi. Bedri Rahmi Eyüpoglu, a world-famous painter and poet, painted a fish on a rock behind a fountain here in 1974. Thereafter the inlet was named after him. Here is where we stay overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Agalimani Cove / Cleopatra' s Baths / Yassica Isles
In the morning we sail to Agalimani Cove. From here, a 45-minutes hike takes us to ancient Lydea. Off the beaten path and rarely visited, Lydea features sarcophagi, temple walls, cisterns, Corinthian columns, and inscribed tablets from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Next we approach Cleopatra’s Baths—another exquisite setting with thick pine woods right down to the water’s edge. After lunch we sail to the Yassica Isles, which arouse interest because of their mysterious appearance. These islands are traditionally favored by yachts, and here is where we stay for overnight anchorage.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Göcek / Bodrum / Kusadasi
After breakfast on board it is time to say goodbye to the captain and crew as we disembark at the port town of Gocek. We depart by motor coach from Gocek to Kusadasi, stopping in the city of Bodrum. Bodrum has gained the reputation as the center of the Turkish art community with its lively, friendly, Bohemian atmosphere, and many small galleries. Here we break for lunch on our own before visiting the famous Bodrum castle. Built by the Knights of St. John, the Crusader Castle of St. Peter dominates the town as a major survivor of its past. Inside the castle we also visit the Underwater Archeology Museum which is recognized as one of the finest of its kind in the world. After these visits we leave Bodrum arriving to Kusadasi in the early evening. Kusadasi is set in a superb gulf and is known for its sparkling water, broad sandy beaches, and large marina.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Kusadasi / Ephesus Sites / Kusadasi
This morning we depart for a full-day of sightseeing. First we visit the Ephesus archeological site which is perhaps the world’s best preserved ancient city and its ruins attract visitors from across the globe. The most significant relic of the site is the immense amphitheater. We will walk along the Sacred Way, see the Temple of Hadrian, a Corinthian-style building with the head of Medusa on the porch, and the Library of Celsius. From here we drive to the village of Sirince where we break for lunch on our own. This pretty, old Orthodox village of perfect Turk-Greek culture is located on the top of a mountain where we enjoy impressive views of the vineyards and peach trees. As we wonder the narrow streets of the village lined with typical Greek houses, we come across woman selling handcrafts of all kinds and other local village products. Our last visit is to the House of the Virgin Mary. The chapel is built on the foundation of the house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have lived. In the early evening we return to Kusadasi for an evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: Kusadasi / Pergamum / Canakkale
This morning we drive from Kusadasi to the Pergamum ancient site. Much of Pergamum has been lovingly restored and is now considered one of the primary ancient sites in Turkey. Here we visit the magnificent Acropolis, which contains the ruins of Pergamum’s acclaimed library—so large it rivals the world’s greatest library in Alexandria. Next we visit the Asclepieum, a sanctuary and healing center built in the name of Asclepius, the god of healing. After our visit to the Pergamum sites we continue to Canakkale, enjoying natural sightseeing en route.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14: Canakkale / Istanbul
In the morning we drive to ancient Troy. Discovered by Heinric Schliemann in the 1870s, the site has since been excavated and now reveals remnants of nine civilizations dating back 5,000 years. After visiting Troy we continue to the shore of the Dardanelles Strait. After crossing the strait we drive to the battlefields of Gallipoli, where in 1915 Allied troops faced the Turkish army. Huge numbers of casualties were suffered here, and we can pay our respects to those who gave their lives as we visit several of the Allied Cemeteries. Next we continue to Istanbul, arriving in the early evening.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Return Home
After breakfast we transfer to Ataturk International Airport for the return flight home. Holiday Inn North Hotel provides free shuttles to the airport.

Included meals: Breakfast

Price of the package includes:

1. Accommodation:
   3 nights Istanbul: Central Palace
   2 nights Cappadocia: Uchisar Kaya
   2 nights Antalya: Divan Talya
   3 nights aboard a gulet yacht ( Fethiye - Gocek )
   2 nights Kusadasi: Kismet
   1 night Canakkale: Tusan
   1 night Istanbul: Holiday Inn North

2. Domestic flight within program itinerary (Istanbul-Kayseri)

3. 26 Meals: 14 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 9 dinners

4. Services of a professional tour guide

5. Modern, A/C, comfortable minibus for land transportation

6. Admission fees to sights and museums

7. Parking, porterage, tipping (except guide, driver & crew of the boat), ferry, toll road

Price of the package excludes:

1. Airfare of international flights and related taxes

2. Bottled beverages or alcohol

3. Optional gratuities to the guide, driver and crew of the boat

4. Travel insurance

5. Visas, laundry, and personal items