Classics of Turkey

DAY 1: WELCOME TO ISTANBUL

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. A welcome briefing will be held.

Accommodation at the Wyndham Grand Levent, Istanbul, or similar

DAY 2: ISTANBUL

Enjoy a full-day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453 and 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 is 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. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Wyndham Grand Levent, Istanbul, or similar

DAY 3: ISTANBUL > ANKARA

This morning depart on an optional tour of a cruise along the 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. The tour will end in Asia side and drive to the capital city of Ankara overnight. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Divan Ankara, Ankara, or similar

DAY 4: 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. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Mustafa Hotel, Cappadocia, or similar

DAY 5: 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. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Mustafa Hotel, Cappadocia, or similar

DAY 6: CAPPADOCIA > PAMUKKALE

Drive to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Adempira Hotel, Pamukkale, or similar

DAY 7: PAMUKKALE > IZMIR

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 your hotel for dinner and overnight. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Kaya Thermal, Izmir, or similar

DAY 8: EPHESUS & ST. MARY’S HOUSE > IZMIR

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 the 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. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Kaya Thermal, Izmir, or similar

DAY 9: PERGAMUM > TROY > CANAKKALE

Visit the ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamum and 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 overnight. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Kolin Hotel, Canakkale, or similar

DAY 10: DARDANELLES > ISTANBUL

In the morning depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles WW1. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bar, and then drive to Istanbul Visit to the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Istanbul. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Wyndham Grand Levent, Istanbul, or similar

DAY 11: ISTANBUL DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Meals: B