Treasures of Anatolia ( 12 nights / 13 days )

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 we meet for a welcome briefing and orientation tour of the hotel area. We proceed to Taksim Square for a walking tour of Istiklal Street which lasts for about an hour. If you would like to have dinner in this lively area before going back to our hotel, our guide can suggest good restaurants among the many dotting the sides of this high street.

As we spend most of our time in the old, historical center of Istanbul during our visits, we suggest accommodation in the Taksim area, the lively hub of the city’s modern daily life, to let you experience both aspects of the city. However, you certainly have the option of staying in the old city overnight. In this case we can have our orientation walk in the Sultanahmet region.

Included meals: None

Ortakoy Mosque and Bosphorus Bridge - Istanbul

Hattusha Yazili Kaya

Alacahoyuk Sphinx Gate

Ballooning - Cappadocia

Terraces - Pamukkale

Celsius Library - Ephesus - Selcuk

Day 2: Istanbul
We meet this morning in the hotel lobby and transfer to the Sultanahmet region of the old city 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 the Basilica Cistern, the largest and most ornate of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. In its construction, columns and capitals of earlier edifices were used, providing a very decorative appearance. We continue to the famous Grand Bazaar which tempts even non-shoppers with nearly 4,000 shops exhibiting a rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewelry, leather, antiques, and souvenirs. Our final visit is to the Spice Market which was built as part of the Yeni Cami (New Mosque) complex and has since been an exciting covered market filled with the fragrant scent of spices from the Orient.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Istanbul
This morning we meet again for another full day of sightseeing. Our first visit is to Topkapi Palace, a pleasant and cozy oriental style palace once home of the Ottoman Sultans who ruled their vast empire spread across three continents from this very place. This complex is a museum today, housing the spectacular artifacts found in the palace, such as the famous treasury of the sultans, their exquisite robes (kaftans), beautifully ornamented weapons and a huge collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain. Here you have an option to see the Harem section as well, which is a separate visit within the main palace complex.

Next we drive to Sirkeci Pier and take a ferry-boat to the Asian side of Istanbul. We disembark at Kadıköy, the heart of the Asian side of the city. One of the oldest settlements on this side of the Bosphorus, Kadıköy today is a busy shopping district, hosting one of the largest fresh markets in the city. After strolling through the streets of Kadikoy, we break for lunch at a restaurant located inside the market.

After lunch we continue with our explorations in the neighborhoods of the East side of the city. At this point we visit Beylerbeyi Palace, one of the 19th C. palaces of the Ottoman Sultans, providing it is open to public on this particular day. From here we return to the European side via the Bosporus Bridge, where we have the evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Istanbul / Bursa
This morning we depart from Istanbul for our drive to Bursa, enjoying beautiful landscapes shaped by the temperate climate of the region surrounding the Marmara Sea. On the way, we have a detour to Iznik, ancient Nicea, famous for its historical tile production, and where the Christian Council met and formulated the Nicean Creed. In Iznik visit the impressive ancient city walls, ruins of Hagia Sophia Church and the Iznik Museum which displays tiles and artifacts found in the excavations of the ancient kilns of the city. We have our lunch here before continuing to Bursa.

Standing on the lower slopes of Uludag, in the midst of a fruit growing area, this city is known as “Green Bursa”. In the 14th C. the Turkish Ottoman dynasty established a small emirate in this area which was destined to be one of the world’s biggest empires. Their first capital was the city of Bursa. Today, in the center of this lively and heavily industrialized city one can see some of the finest examples of Early Ottoman architecture. Tombs of all the sultans who ruled before the conquest of Istanbul are here as well. We first visit one of them, the tomb of Mehmet I, better known as Yeşil Türbe (Green Tomb) because of the green tiles covering the edifice, and Yeşil Cami, the mosque near the tomb. Next we visit Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) at the center of the city. Around this mosque are the traditional markets of the city. As Bursa has been the center of the silk trade we visit Koza Han, an attractive market building still specializing in silk. We spend the night in Bursa.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Ankara
This morning we depart for Ankara the modern capital of Turkey. On the way we visit the site of ancient Gordion, once the capital of the kingdom of Phrygia, where Alexander the Great cut the famous knot. The kings of Phrygia built large tombs near Gordion. They are artificial mounds built over wooden burial chambers and called tumuli. We visit the biggest one among them which probably belonged to the legendary King Midas. Upon arrival in Ankara in the late afternoon, we enjoy a panoramic tour of the city and, if time allows, visit Anitkabir - the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the national leader and founder of the Turkish Republic. We stay in Ankara for two nights.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Bronze Age Sites Near Ankara
Today we depart for a full day of sightseeing. First we visit the site of Hattusha, former capital of the Hittite Empire which was contemporary with - and rival to - the Ancient Egyptian Empire. This is an extensive and scenic Bronze Age site dotted by the stone foundations of mud brick buildings and surrounded by a sophisticated defensive wall. Next we visit Yazilikaya, an open air temple complex near Hattusa famous for its reliefs carved on rock faces. After our break for lunch we go on to Alacahoyuk, another principal Bronze Age site which, with its many levels of excavation, gives a good idea about the nature of prehistoric excavations and the early history of this region. After this visit we drive back to Ankara for an evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Ankara / Cappadocia
This morning we first visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, an award winning fine museum located near the ancient citadel of Ankara, in a 15th C. market building. Its rich collection covers a continuous spectrum from the Paleolithic to the Classical periods. Here we see artifacts from the sites we visit in our program such as Gordion, Hattusa, Alacahoyuk and Catalhoyuk.

After the museum visit we depart Ankara for Cappadocia. On the way we stop in the town of Hacibektas, where Hajji Bektash Wali, the Anatolian mystic, humanist, and philosopher lived most of his life. We visit Bektashi Order museum and the tomb of Hajji Bektash Wali here. We arrive in Cappadocia in the early evening. We have our dinner at the hotel.

Day 8: Cappadocia
This morning 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 and churches to even complete underground villages. We first visit the Goreme Open Air Museum which consists of steep cliffs and many hidden churches dating from the second half of the 9th century and later. We stop at many vantage points to enjoy the beautiful scenery around us, or better still, walk in the remote valleys to see more. After a break for included lunch at an authentic restaurant serving local cuisine, we continue to explore Cappadocia with a visit to one of the remarkable underground cities of the region. Throughout history, as successive armies swept across Asia Minor, the residents of Cappadocia created uniquely defensible settlements by digging approximately eight stories down into the volcanic tuff. We return to our hotel for a some rest before a short drive to a medieval caravanserai to watch a demonstration of the Whirling Dervish Ceremony. Dinner is on own this evening.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Cappadocia / Konya / Beysehir
In the morning first we drive to Avanos, a small town famous for its pottery making which goes back to Hittite times and rugs which are the splendid representatives of the Turkish carpet making tradition. Here we learn about these regional crafts and may also see demonstrations performed by local craftsmen.

Next we depart Cappadocia for Beysehir via Konya. Upon arrival in Konya, one of the oldest cities in Anatolia, we break for lunch on our own. After lunch we visit Mevlana Dergah, the most famous site in Konya. It is the tomb and shrine of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the founder of the Mevlevi Order of Whirling Dervishes, and an object of pilgrimage from all over the world. The tomb has also been converted into a museum which houses items that belonged to Mevlana and other dervishes.

From Konya we continue an important prehistoric site, Çatalhoyuk, largest and best preserved Neolithic town discovered so far. The inhabitants of Çatalhoyuk lived in mud-brick houses which were stuck together in a honeycomb-like maze, with no streets or paths between the houses. The houses were accessed through the openings in the ceilings, the rooftops playing the role of the streets.

Finally we drive to the town of Beysehir, and proceed to a nearby village to experience modern rural Turkey. Here you meet local people, have a homemade dinner, and stay overnight in a village house.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Beyşehir / Pamukkale
After a traditional breakfast in your hosts’ home, we leave the village and head for Pamukkale, 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 method. From here we continue on to Pamukkale, famous not only for the entrancing beauty of its unique geological formations, but also for its historic remains. It features a shimmering white cascade, formed by limestone-laden hot springs, intertwined with the ruins of Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis. The well excavated ancient site is still a remarkable sight in its magnificent location as it was thousands of years ago.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Pamukkale / Kusadasi
This morning we depart for Kusadasi, stopping on the way for a visit to Aphrodisias, one of the oldest sacred sites in Turkey. Dedicated to the goddess of love, it was the site of the magnificent Temple of Aphrodite and the home of a renowned school of marble sculpture. The Temple of Aphrodite later became a Christian basilica through an impressive swapping of columns. With its recently completed additional buildings, the museum on the site provides us with a chance to see a good number of the statues and reliefs found in this Classical city.

In the early evening we arrive to the town of Kusadası which is set in a superb gulf and is known for its sparkling water, broad sandy beaches, and large marina.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Kusadasi / Ephesus Sites
In the morning we depart for a full day of sightseeing. First we visit the ruins of Ephesus which is one of the best excavated and most attractive archaeological sites in the world. The size of the site, particularly its giant theatre, impresses visitors. More impressive still is the richness of detail even a casual observer can notice. The Roman period villas known as the Terrace Houses on the hill slopes overlooking the main street were recently opened to the public and they are comparable only with Pompeii. Visit of this site is included in our program as well.

For our lunch we drive to a village on the hills near Ephesus. Originally a Greek-Orthodox village, Sirince is now a very pretty site of Turkish-Greek culture. From its beautiful hilltop location we enjoy impressive views of the vineyards and olive trees surrounding the village. As we wander the narrow streets of the village lined with typical Greek houses, we come across women selling handcrafts of all kinds and other local village products. Here we have a chance to socialize with the locals and taste the simple but delicious food of the region. Our final stop of the day will be in the town of Selcuk where we visit the Museum of Archaeology. Almost all of the exhibits here are findings from Ephesus, the most spectacular being two beautiful statutes of Artemis Ephesia, both dating from the Roman Imperial era.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13: Izmir / Istanbul / Homebound Departure
After breakfast we transfer to Izmir airport for the return flight to Istanbul.

Included meals: Breakfast

Price of the package includes:

1. Accommodation in hotels :
   3 nights Istanbul: Central Palace (near Taksim square) or Ottoman Palace (old town)
   1 night Bursa: Celik Palace or similar
   2 nights Ankara: Gordion or similar
   2 nights Cappadocia: Yunak House or similar
   1 night Beysehir: Village Home Stay
   1 night Pamukkale: Collosae or similar
   2 nights Kusadasi: Kismet or Charisma

2. Domestic flights within our program itinerary (Izmir-Istanbul)

3. 19 Meals: 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners

4. Services of a licensed professional tour guide (private)

5. Transportation with comfortable, modern, air conditioned, chauffeur driven cars, vans or minibuses appropriate to the size of your group (private)

6. Admission fees to sites and museums

7. Parking, ferry, toll road fees

8. Gratuity at restaurants where meal is included in the program

Price of the package excludes:

1. Airfare of international flights and related taxes

2. Soft and alcoholic beverages

3. Optional gratuities to the guide and driver

4. Travel insurance

5. Visas, laundry, and personal items