Turkish Delight

Stroll along the narrow streets of the old citadel in Ankara; appreciate the sophistication of the silver and gold jewelry making dating back to 3rd millennium B.C. in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations; share the fascination and mystery of the tens of thousands of people who once lived in the cool depths of the earth in Cappadocia; follow the silk road to Konya, the home of whirling dervishes; enjoy the unique setting of Antalya where the towering mountains from the background whilst azure waters of the Mediterranean will temp you in the foreground; walk along the marble streets of the legendary Ephesus and explore the city of intrigues, Istanbul...

Arrival in Ankara. Our staff will escort you to your hotel the rest of the day will be free. (-/-/D)

After breakfast, we visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and The Citadel of Ankara. The Mausoleum of AtatUrk, the founder of modern Turkey, is our last stop in Ankara. An enjoyable afternoon drive through the Anatolian countryside will take us to Cappadocia, the land of fairy chimneys. (B/L/D)

 

A full day in Cappadocia starts with UChisar Valley and it's pigeon houses. Rock churches from the 5th to 12th centuries in the GOreme Open Air Museum, and the 'fairy chimneys' of Zelve are the next stops in the region. The underground city of Kaymakli takes you 20 meters below the surface of the earth. (B/L/D)

Early departure in the morning for Konya, the capital of the SelCuk Turks and the city of Whirling Dervishes. A drive takes us to Antalya through the Taurus mountains will follow. (B/L/D)

 

Perge is the first visit of the day with its theater, the huge stadium and it's Hellenistic and Roman gates; Aspendos, the best preserved Roman theater, and Side, a seaside resort village nestled between classical ruins are the next stops. Return to Antalya. (B/L/D)

The Majestic Hadrian Gate, Grooved Minaret and Archaeological Museum are places to explore in Antalya before we drive north to Pamukkale in the afternoon. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B/L/D)

Hierapolis, the mineral spa of the ancient times with it's theater, necropolis and museum, is the first site to visit in the morning. The tour will continue onto Aphrodisias, - city of the goddess of love - where we will visit the stadium, theater and odium. A short drive brings us to Kusadasi. (B/L/D)

 

We start the day in Ephesus, the best preserved and the most often visited site in Turkey. This amazing city was the veritable cradle of early Christianity. We tour the House of the Virgin Mary and explore the Ephesus Museum, the Mosque of Isabey and St. John's Basilica. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B/L/D)

 

Heading north, we arrive in Pergamum; we visit Asclepion the medical center of the ancient world; and the Acropolis. Later, we visit the Temple of Trajan, the altar of Zeus and the Red Basilica. In the afternoon, we drive to Troy, the legendary city of Homer. Overnight in Canakkale. (B/L/D)

After breakfast we drive to Istanbul after passing over the Dardanelles by ferry. Overnight in Istanbul. (B/L/D)

Our visit to this imperial city begins with a visit to The Blue Mosque named after it's incomparable blue tiles. Right next door are the St. Sophia Church and the Hippodromern. The tour continues onto Topkapı Palace to see, among other things, the secret Harem. (B/L/D)

In the morning, we sail between Europe and Asia on the Bosphorus. In the afternoon, we visit Suleymaniye Mosque, before we drive to the shopper's paradise the Covered Bazaar and the Spice Market to stroll around 4000 shops. (B/L/D)

 

After breakfast, we escort you to the airport for your flight back to USA. (B/-/-)