Wonders of Turkey Escorted Vacation

You will be transferred to your hotel in Antalya upon arrival. (Your arrival transfer is included only if you arrive on the actual day the tour commences. For customers arriving earlier an individual transfer can be organized at an additional cost.) The rest of the day is at leisure until you meet your tour director and fellow tour companions for dinner. (D)

This morning, visit to the ancient Greek city of Perge, famous for its Temple of Artemis. Continue to Aspendos with its magnificently preserved 15,000-person theater. Return to Antalya and enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the Mediterranean Sea, an area known as the Turquoise Coast. (B,D)

Early in the morning, depart for Konya to visit the mausoleum of the sufi philosopher Mevlana. Continue to Cappadocia, famous for it's "moon-like" landscapes. En route, visit a 13th century caravanserai and the famous underground city of Saratli. (B,D)

Consider an early morning optional hot air balloon tour. Experience floating through the volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast, visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among rock formations. It was first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos, renowned for its high quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi and the Red Valley, and attend a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. Enjoy dinner at an authentic local restaurant. Later in the evening, consider seeing an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. (B,D)

Early in the morning, depart for Ankara. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with its Hittite treasures and artifacts from the world's oldest city. (B,D)

After breakfast, depart for Istanbul. In the afternoon, consider joining an optional cruise along the Bosphorus, the waterway that separates Europe and Asia. Its shores are lined with fine neighborhoods, Ottoman palace, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, and restaurants and cafes. Make time for last-minute shopping at the Spice Market before a farewell dinner. (B,D)

You will be transferred to the Istanbul airport for your return flight home. (Your departure transfer is included only if you depart on the actual day the tour concludes. For customers departing later an individual transfer can be organized at an additional cost.) (B)