Discover the diverse culture that permeates Turkey as a result of its rich history on our 16 Day Escorted All-Inclusive Tour of this spectacular Eurasian country. The tour runs from September 19 - October 4, 2013
Visiting: Istanbul; Canakkale; Troy; Pergamum; Izmir; Ephesus; Kusadasi; Aphrodisias; Pamukkale; Antalya; Aspendos; Konya; Cappadocia; Ankara.
A great introduction to this beautiful country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. This tour explores the main historical and cultural centres of Western Turkey.
| Date | Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| Sep 19 | Departure City |
International Flight to Istanbul |
| | |
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| Sep 20 | Istanbul |
Arrive Istanbul |
| | D |
| International flights. Upon arrival in Istanbul, transfer to your hotel with dinner before retiring for the evening. |
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| Sep 21 | Istanbul |
Historical Istanbul Tour, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome Square, Grand Bazaar |
B | L | D |
| Full day Historical Istanbul Tour; the Topkapi Palace, (Imperial Residence of Ottoman Sultans, with displays of priceless worldclass collections of artefacts, jewellery and rare porcelain); the Blue Mosque, (unique with its 6 minarets, and famous for its blue Iznik tiles); the Hippodrome Square (where ancient chariot races were held). To finish the day, you visit the Grand Bazaar. |
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| Sep 22 | Istanbul |
Istanbul Tour, St. Sophia Museum, Egyptian Spice Market, Bosphorus Boat Tour, Beylerbeyi Palace, Camlica Hill |
B | L | D |
| Full day Istanbul tour, visit St. Sophia Museum (built in 6th century, once the largest Christian Church in the world); visit the Egyptian Spice Market; and then embark on a Bosphorus Boat Tour to view the beauty of the European and Asian shorelines on either side. Cross to the Asian side to visit the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans with its magnificent gardens; and then to the Camlica Hill. |
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| Sep 23 | Istanbul - Troy - Cannakkale |
Gallipoli, Dardanelles Strait, Gelibolu, Troy |
B | L | D |
| After breakfast drive to Gallipoli, through the European lands of Turkey. Cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferryboat from Gelibolu (30 min). Drive to Troy and visit the ancient City of Troy, with its legendary walls and the replica of the wooden horse. Arrive at hotel. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale. |
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| Sep 24 | Canakkale - Pergamium - Izmir |
Bergama, Acropolis, Temple of Trojan & the Library, Asclepion, Izmir |
B | L | D |
| Morning drive to Bergama. Visit the Acropolis, the steepest theatre of the ancient world; the Temple of Trojan, & the Library. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then visit Asclepion, the ancient healing centre. Continue to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. |
|
| Sep 25 | Izmir - Ephesus - Kusadasi |
Ephesus, Celsus Library, Arcadian Road, Brothel, Roman Baths, Theatre of Asia Minor, Temple of Diana, House of the Virgin Mary |
B | L | D |
| Leave for Ephesus and visit the biggest archaeological site of Turkey, where you will see the Celsus Library; the marble paved Arcadian Road; the Brothel; the Roman Baths; and the biggest Theatre of Asia Minor; Temple of Diana (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). Then you visit the House of the Virgin Mary. Continue to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in a sea shore hotel near Kusadasi. |
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| Sep 26 | Kusadasi - Aphrodisias - Pamukkale |
Aphrodisias, Odean, the theatre and the Agora |
B | L | D |
| Morning drive to Aphrodisias, the City of the Goddess of Beauty and see the Odeon (the well preserved stadium), the
theatre and the Agora (an ancient market). Lunch in an
authentic Turkish Restaurant. Continue to Pamukkale. Dinner
and overnight in a Spa Hotel. |
|
| Sep 27 | Pamukkale - Antalya |
Pamukkale, Antalya |
B | L | D |
| Morning tour of Pamukkale, the noted ancient spa, where pure white travertines form frozen waterfalls. In the afternoon, continue to Antalya. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. |
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| Sep 28 | Antalya |
Pamphylian, Hellenistic, Perge and Aspendos, Antalya Archaeological Museum |
B | L | D |
| Enjoy a half day morning excursion to the ancient Pamphylian,Hellenistic and Roman cities of Perge and Aspendos and to the award winning Antalya Archaeological Museum. Return to hotel. Afternoon free to explore. Dinner and overnight. |
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| Sep 29 | Antalya - Aspendos - Konya |
Aspendos, Konya, Mevlana Museum, 13th century Whirling Dervish Monastery |
B | L | D |
| Drive to Konya via Aspendos. We will visit the well preserved theatre in Aspendos. Then continue to Seldjoukide capital, Konya. Visit the Mevlana Museum, 13th century Whirling Dervish Monastery. Dinner and overnight in Konya. |
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| Sep 30 | Konya - Cappadocia |
Cappadocia, Seldjoukide Caravanserail, Special Turkish Night |
B | L | D |
| Drive to Cappadocia, where nature has scoured surrealistic moonscape shapes and where the persecuted Christians dug underground cities and churches during the 9th century. Next you will visit a 13th Century Seldjoukide Caravanserail; and then you will see an underground city, near Cappadocia. Dinner and Special Turkish Night. Overnight in Cappadocia. |
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| Oct 01 | Cappadocia |
Cappadocia, Goreme Open Air Museum, Avanos, carpet weaving, Citadel of Uchisar, Pasabag area |
B | L | D |
| Full day Cappadocia visit, including Goreme Open Air Museum; Avanos (the pottery making town), observe carpet weaving at one of the local workshops; and visit the natural Citadel of Uchisar; and the Pasabag area and different valleys.
Optional: Hot Air Balloon Ride - $250. |
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| Oct 02 | Cappadocia - Ankara - Istanbul |
Ankara via Tuz Lake, Ataturk's Mausoleum and Anatolian Civilizations Museum |
B | L | D |
| Drive to Ankara via Tuz Lake (Salt Lake). In Ankara, after lunch, visit Ataturks Mausoleum and Anatolian Civilizations Museum. Continue to Ankara Airport for the flight to Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. |
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| Oct 03 | Istanbul |
Leisure |
B | | D |
| Free day in Istanbul. Farewell dinner at a Turkish Restaurant. |
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| Oct 04 | Istanbul - Departure City |
Flight home |
| | |
| Early morning, transfer to Istanbul Airport for the flight home. |
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