AA-Turkish Authentic Adventure Small Group Journey

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. 

Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding harem). Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the center of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Next see St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and now a museum and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. (B) 

In the morning, depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, then cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale for overnight. (B,D)

Visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of each other. Before arriving into Asclepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional local village. Then continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Center in Asclepion and continue to Izmir for overnight. (B,L) Optional: Dinner at local restaurant

Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a regional rug production center to have a rsthand experience of this unique art form. (B,D)

After breakfast drive to Bodrum to visit th castle of St.Peter and the renowned Underwater Museum that was awarded the best Underwater Museum of the World in 2000s. Dinner & Overnight in Bodrum. (B,D)

After breakfast, the day is free for personal activities. Optional day island Kos. Overnight in Bodrum. (B)

After breakfast, depart for Marmaris. Overnight in Marmaris. (B)

After breakfast, the day at leisure for optional activities. Overnight in Marmaris (B)

Depart for Marmaris pier to board a gulet at 15:30 am. You will have time for visiting the old town and bazaar of Marmaris with its small streets and hundreds of shops, bars and restaurants. The castle of Marmaris lies on the old town hill and offers a beautiful view across the harbor. Dinner and overnight stay will be in Marmaris. (B,D)

After breakfast you will be informed about the cruise itinerary and boat. The cruise will move towards Ekincik Gulf and overnight stay will be this beautiful gulf. You may join optional Dalyan excursion. The participants will be taken from the yacht with a smaller boat called “Piyade” which will bring you into the green delta of Dalyan through the Lycian Rock Tombs. You may see the Caretta- Caretta turtles on the way if you are lucky. You will have a swimming stop at a unique place called Caretta - Caretta beach. There will be a mud bath occasion on the way back. Final destination before getting on the boat will be the village of Dalyan. (B,L,D)

Because of the wavy seas of Disibilmez and Kurtoglu capes that we have to cross, we will cruise earlier than the other days and reach the world famous Gocek Gulf. We will anchor at Sunken Bath for breakfast and swimming break. This place is also known as Cleopatra Bay or Sunken Bath Bay due to the beautiful underwater ruins of an old bath. Then we will cruise to Tersane Island. This naturally protected harbor was used as a shipyard in Byzantine and Ottoman times. Dinner ond overnight stay will be at Kizil Island. (B,L,D)

Leave the boat and transfer to the Dalaman Airport for flight to Cappadocia. (B,D)

Early Morning Optional: Hot Air Balloon Tour. Experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which 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, Devrent Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop. Dinner at a special local restaurant. Join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. (B,D)

After breakfast depart to the airport for flight to Istanbul. In the afternoon, join an optional half day Bosphorus cruise enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with neighborhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants and cafés. Finish your last minute shopping at the Spice Market led with the fragrance of the exotic east. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner. (B.D)

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)