This tour is specially designed to give our guests a full image of Turkey within an archaeological and historical framework, with many visits to well and lesser-known archaeological sites. You will not only explore these sites in their fantastic natural settings, but also discover their interrelated history and their links to the roots of modern Western culture.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Flight Day. Flight from the United States.
Day 2: Istanbul
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to hotel. Dinner on your own. Your guide will show you several restaurants in the area, or you may simply have dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the Richmond Hotel in the Pera District of Istanbul.
Day 3: Istanbul
Cruise and lunch on the Bosphorus. Visit the Sadberk Hanim private museum. Free time in the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar. Dinner in the Beyoglu (Pera) district at one of the local restaurants of Istanbul. Overnight at the Richmond Hotel in Istanbul. (B/D)
Day 4: Gallipoli - Troy / Canakkale
Drive to Canakkale via Gallipoli. Lunch at Gallipoli, then ferry across the Dardanelles for a two–hour visit to Troy where you will see the most recent finds. Dinner and overnight at the Canakkale Tusan Hotel. (B/D)
Day 5: Mount Ida - Pergamum / Kusadasi
Drive along Mount Ida, where Paris made the decision that eventually led to the Trojan War. Drive to Pergamum along the coastal road to visit the city famous for the work done by the great physician Galen. Lunch at a local restaurant in Bergama. Visit the Acropolis and the Asclepion, one of the most important medical centers of the Roman period. Continue on to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight at the Kusadasi Kismet Hotel. (B/D)
Day 6: Ephesus / Kusadasi
Visit Ephesus and environs. The Emperor Augustus chose Ephesus to be the capital city of Asia Minor during the Roman period. Sites include the remains of the Artemis Temple, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the Church of the Virgin Mary where it is believed that Mary lived the last years of her life. Visit the museum in which most of the finds from Ephesus are exhibited. Dinner in Kusadasi, overnight at the Kismet Hotel. (B/D)
Day 7: Pamukkale - Aphrodisias / Kusadasi
Pamukkale travertines Drive to Pamukkale to visit this natural tourist attraction where gleaming travertines form pools of mineral water. Drive to Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, the Mother of Aeneas from whom the Romans claimed to have descended. Top quality marble quarries made the city one of the most important sculpture centers of the entire Roman world. Dinner and overnight at the Kusadasi Kismet Hotel. (B/D)
Day 8: Priene - Didyma / Bodrum
Visit the most important cities of the classical period, the Ionian cities of Priene and Didyma. Drive to Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus, along Bafa Lake and visit the ancient city of Euromos, which provides a brief introduction to Caria. Visit Bodrum Underwater Archaeological Museum. Dinner in Bodrum and overnight at L'Ambiance Hotel or Karya Princess Hotel. (B/D)
Day 9: Fethiye - Xanthos - Patara / Kalkan
Drive to Dalyan village and take a boat ride along the Dalyan River, ancient Chalbis. Drive to Fethiye, ancient Telmessos, where we will see the magnificent Lycian rock cut tombs. Continue to Xanthos, the capital city of the ancient Lycians. Another short drive takes us to Patara, the birth place of St. Nicholas and the god Apollo. Enjoy the sunset at the ancient harbor acropolis before continuing to Kalkan, a small fishing village on the Mediterranean. Dinner and overnight at the Kalkan Pirat Hotel or Xanthos Harpy Hotel. Kalkan. (B/D)
Day 10: Kekova - Myra / Antalya
One-hour drive to the Kekova area for a boat trip around the secluded bays. See the sunken cities under the crystal clear waters. Visit Simena Castle and have lunch in a small fishing village, then drive to Myra and see the Church of St. Nicholas. Drive to Antalya, where we will spend the next three days. Dinner and overnight at the Talya Hotel, a 5-star hotel well known for its Turkish character and hospitality. (B/D)
Day 11: Perge - Aspendos / Antalya
A relaxing day at Pamphylia with a visit to Perge and then Aspendos, the best-preserved and designed theater of the Roman era. An afternoon of free time in Antalya. Dinner on your own, overnight at the Talya Hotel. (B)
Day 12: Arycanda - Limyra / Antalya
Drive to the mountainous region of northeastern Antalya to discover a totally different landscape. Visit villages and towns near the Taurus Mountains, as well as the ancient city of Arycanda located amid pine forests. Lunch at a trout farm, then visit the mountainous Lycian site of Limyra and the wooden storehouses in Beyler Village. Dinner in one of the famous local restaurants, overnight at the Talya Hotel. (B/D)
Day 13 Termessos / Antalya
Meet the bravest and toughest people of Anatolia, the Pisidians. Visit Termessos, the biggest and most impressive city within the grounds of Termessos National Park. Picnic lunch at Termessos and drive to Antalya to visit the museum and for a private lecture by an archaeologist. Dinner in town, overnight at the Talya Hotel. (B/D)
Day 14: Konya - Whirling Dervishes / Cappadocia
Take a long drive through the scenic Taurus Mountains with various stops and visits before arriving at Konya, the center of the Whirling Dervishes, and visit the Mevlana Museum. Drive to Cappadocia for a visit to a caravanserai, dating from the 13th century and reflecting the high quality of Seljuk art and architecture. Then enter a different planet called Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight at the Cave House, which has been restored from 19th century Cave house and decorated in Turkish and Ottoman style. (B/D)
Day 15: Cappadocia
Wake up in a totally different landscape dominated by deep valleys and fairy chimneys. Visit Goreme and Zelve open-air museums and Uchisar Fortress, where early Christians found shelter. Optional afternoon walk in one of the valleys. Dinner in town, overnight at the Cave House. (B/D)
Day 16: Cappadocia
Optional balloon trip over Cappadocia in the early morning. Visit the Soganli Valley cave dwellings and churches, the Eskigumus monastery near Nigde, and the castle of Nigde. Visit the underground city of Kaymakli. Dinner in town, overnight at the Cave House. (B/D)
Day 17: Hattusas / Ankara
Drive to Hattusas, the capital city of the Hittites. See the giant architecture dating from the 15th century B.C. After lunch drive to Ankara. Dinner in one of Ankara's local restaurants, overnight at the Neva Palace Hotel. (B/D)
Day 18: Ankara / Istanbul
Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk and the fascinating Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, where art pieces from 8000 to 2000 B.C. are on display. Late afternoon flight to Istanbul and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Daphne Hotel or Armada Hotel in the Sultanahmet area. (B/D)
Day 19: Istanbul
Full day visit in Istanbul – Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Harem. Dinner in the fish market area, overnight at the Daphne Hotel or Armada Hotel in Istanbul. (B/D)
Day 20: Istanbul
Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Basilica Cistern, and the Hippodrome. Free time in the afternoon for a visit to Dolmabahce Palace. Farewell dinner and overnight the Daphne Hotel or Armada Hotel in Istanbul. (B/D)
Day 21: Departure Day. Transfer to airport for return flight to the United States. (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
What's included:
- 4 and 5 star and equivalent special category hotel accommodations
- All meals as indicated. Most of the dinners in restaurants specializing in local cuisine
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle with professional tour bus driver
- Only hotel and restaurant tips, where meal is included
- Domestic flights in Turkey
- Group flight transfers
- All entrance fees and admissions
- Tea, coffee, and soft drinks with meals
- Baggage handling
- Tour folders with brochures and maps of Turkey
- No hidden costs!
Not included:
- Lunches
- Guide and driver tips
- International flights
- Visa (can be obtained on arrival at airport in Turkey for $20 per person)
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Turkey
Archeology/History
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