Best of Turkey

15 Days
Featuring: Istanbula, Canakkale, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara, Bursa

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Day 1  Depart USA - Overnight flight to Istanbul.

Day 2  Arrive Istanbul - You are met and transferred to your hotel, the rest of your day is at leisure. This evening, we enjoy a welcome drink with our Tour Director.

Day 3  Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale Today we drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where so many troops lost their lives. We see Anzac Cove and visit Lone Pine Cemetery before we cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 4  Canakkale - Troy - Izmir (Smyrna) First to the ruins of Troy where the Trojan Wars were fought. We visit its walls, buildings and famous Wooden Horse before driving past the Island of Lesbos to visit the Acropolis of ancient Pergamum and view the Altar of Zeus and Asclepieion. Overnight is in Izmir, Homer's birthplace on the Aegean Coast. This evening we enjoy dinner at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 5  Izmir - Ephesus - St. Mary's House - Pamukkale - This morning we drive to the spectacular ruins of Ephesus, with its 2,000 year old marble streets, the 'Great Theatre', the Library of Celsius, the Gymnasium and the Temple of Hadrian. From here we continue stopping to visit the Virgin Mary's stone cottage, before we arrive in Pamukkale with its fantastic white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 6  Pamukkale - Hierapolis - Antalya (2nights) This morning our first stop today is the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Then we arrive in Antalya, on the coast of the Mediterranean, in the late afternoon. The rest of your day is free to explore its bazaars and ancient ruins. (Buffet breakfast/ Diner)

Day 7  Antalya - Perge and Aspendos Excursion - After breakfast we will visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum. Then we spend the remainder of the day in Perge and Aspendos, with plenty of time to explore these amazing ancient cities. The Aspendos theatre is the best preserved in the area and holds 15,000 spectators. Dinner is at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 8  Antalya - Konya - We drive through the Taurus Mountains to Konya, Turkey's finest 'outdoor museum' of Seljuk architecture, which is bright with wildly baroque decoration. We will visit the former convent of the famous 'Whirling Dervishes', now the Mevlana Museum, before continuing to beautiful Karatay Koran School, now a museum of richly coloured Turkish tiles. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 9  Konya – Cappadocia (2nights) We head for Biblical Cappadocia, once heart of the Hittite Empire, famous for its unique landscapes and underground cities as well as towns carved from the region's soft volcanic rock. Later, we visit the underground city of Kaymakli *, where thousands of early Christians hid from their persecutors in subterranean dwellings. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)

* Please note: depending on the availability of Kaymakli, we may visit one of the other underground cities instead.

Day 10  Cappadocia - Urgup and Goreme Excursion - A full day to explore the moon-like landscape of this ancient area. The unique scenery of Goreme, with its carved rock chapels and frescoes dating from the 6th century, is truly an unforgettable experience. Then we visit the Goreme Open-Air museum before a visit to Avanos. From here we continue back to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 11  Cappadocia - Ankara - Our morning drive brings us to Ankara,but first we make a stop en route to visit the 13th century Seljuk caravansary of Agzikarahan. Later, on a guided sightseeing tour of the Turkish capital we see the Ankara Castel and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. Then we visit the Anitkabir, Ataturk's Mausoleum, before returning to our hotel for dinner. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 12  Ankara - Gordion - Bursa - Our first stop is at the ancient capital of the Phrygians, Gordion, city of King Midas, whose touch turned all to gold. We'll be reminded of this as we see the ruler's great Earth Tumulus and visit the city's excavations. Then we continue to Bursa, where we visit the lovely Green Ottoman Complex and the Grand Mosque. The rest of your day is free to shop for copper, brass and kilims in the market. This evening you may wish to enjoy a real 'Turkish Bath' at our hotel's hot spring baths before dinner at our hotel? (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 13  Bursa – Istanbul (2nights) This morning we board our ferry to cross the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul. The rest of your day is at leisure to explore the Grand Bazaar with its 4,000 tiny exotic shops for souvenirs! Tonight, perhaps join in an optional dinner and evening of Turkish belly-dancing and traditional entertainment. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 14  Istanbul sightseeing - After breakfast, we'll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of this ancient city. Highlights include the magnificent Topkapi Palace – home of the Ottoman sultans, and the Byzantine Hippodrome. Later, we visit Hagia Sophia, built in AD 537. Its mosaics, stained glass windows and decorated domes create an atmosphere of breathtaking beauty. From here we visit the Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I which is famous for its impressive ceramic tiles. This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner of traditional cuisine with music. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 15  Istanbul - USA - This morning after breakfast time to bid fairwell to new-found friends, and this intriguing country, as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet breakfast)