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The best of Turkey

cappadocia

DAY 1 Thursday: Istanbul

Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel where you will receive a welcome briefing. Istanbul, also known historically as Byzantium and Constantinople, is the largest city in Turkey and the second largest city in the world. It is the only city that spans two continents, with the Bosphorus Strait dividing it into the European side and the Asian side. Besides its history, mosques, palaces, and bazaars, Istanbul is known for its lively nightlife.

DAY 2 Friday: Istanbul

Today, you will embark on a full-day tour of Istanbul, which will include: the Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman sultans (excluding harem), the Hippodrome, site of chariot races, the Blue Mosque, famous for its colourful ceramics, the Hagia Sophia Museum, decorated with ancient frescoes, and the 3,000 shops of the Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 3 Saturday: Gallipoli – Dardanelles – Canakkale

In the morning, depart for Gallipoli, famous for the WWI Campaign, and visit ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, Chunuk Bair, and the Kabatepe War Museum, then cross the Dardanelles strait to Canakkale for your overnight there.

DAY 4 Sunday: Troy – Pergamum – Kusadasi

Today, visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, tour the ancient Medical Centre, Asclepion in Pergamum and continue on to Kuşadası, one of the most attractive cities in the Aegean, for a two-night stay.
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DAY 5 Monday: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House – Kusadasi

Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, one of the great outdoor museums of Turkey, see The Virgin Mary’s stone cottage, and visit a regional carpet production centre. In the afternoon, we recommend a tour of Sardis or Sirince (optional).

DAY 6 Tuesday: Kusadası – Pamukkale

Drive through fertile valleys to Pamukkale, with its spectacular white limestone cascades. Visit the ancient spa city, Hierapolis, and enjoy the thermal pools of your hotel.

DAY 7 Wednesday: Pamukkale – Perge – Antalya

In the morning, drive to Antalya, one of the largest cities on the Turkish Riviera, known for its beaches, resorts, and ancient ruins. At mid-day, visit the ancient city of Perge, famous for its temple of Artemis. Perge also is notable for being the home of the renowned ancient Greek mathematician, Apollonius of Perga. Spend your afternoon relaxing by the Mediterranean Sea.

DAY 8 Thursday: Antalya: Optional Tour of Phaselis or Yacht Cruise

Today is a free day with choices of an optional tour of Phaselis, an ancient coastal city, or a languid yacht cruise along the turquoise cost of the Mediterranean.

DAY 9 Friday: Antalya – Aspendos – Konya

After breakfast, depart for Konya, Iconium in Latin, home of Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes, capital of the Seljuk Empire. En route visit the famous theatre in Aspendos. Visit the Mevlana Mausoleum and Karatay Medrese, Koran School. Overnight in Konya.

DAY 10 Saturday: Cappadocia

In the morning, depart for Cappadocia, the land of the fairy chimneys- fascinating rock formations. Pay a visit to the famous underground city of Sarhatli and visit a regional carpet production centre. Local dinner in a restaurant. Tonight we recommend a Whirling Dervish performance (optional). Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 11 Sunday: Cappadocia

If you’re up early in the morning, we recommend an optional Balloon Tour. An amazing experience: floating through volcanic valleys, and by the famous fairy chimneys and caves, as the sun rises over Cappadocia. After breakfast, visit Göreme, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with medieval painted cave churches carved into the volcanic rock formations, the pottery town of Avanos where the Kızılırmak (Halys) River, the longest river in Turkey, meanders, leaving on its banks the red clay that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries, Paşabağı, also known as Monks' Valley, Red Valley, and have a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave.

DAY 12 Monday: Cappadocia – Ankara

In the morning, depart to Ankara through the area of Lake Tuz, the salt lake. Ankara, formerly called Angora, is the capital of Turkey. Ankara is a modern city with museums, mosques, monuments and shopping in addition to ancient archaeological sites. In the afternoon tour Anıtkabir, Atatürk's Mausoleum andThe Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

DAY 13 Tuesday: Ankara – Return

Transfer to the airport.

Tour Season:

Year round

Tour Length:

12 Nights - 13 Days

Tour Includes: