Classics of Turkey Escorted Vacation

Upon arrival you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Welcome briefing.

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. Your last stop St Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, still inhibited as a mosque in the present day and one of the world's greatest architectural wonders. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment (B)

In the morning, consider joining an optional  Bosphorus Cruise tour. Continue to along the Bosphorus, enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighborhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, and restaurants and cafes. In the afternoon, depart for the capital city of Ankara. (B,D)

Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai holding artifacts from up to 7500 years old including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artifacts in the world. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravanserai en route. Pay a visit to the underground city of Saratli, one of the many underground settlements built for protection and religious reasons. Join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. Overnight in Cappadocia. (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. (B,D)

After breakfast, depart for Pamukkale (B,D)

Today, tour Pamukkale which means "Cotton Castle", describing the white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Visit the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Continue to Izmir. (B,D)

Today, tour the ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore the 2,000-year old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium, and Hadrian's Temple. Take a short drive to see the Virgin Mary's stone cottage. Continue to a regional rug production center to have firsthand experience of this unique art form. Join an optional afternoon tour of Sirince. Overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

Visit the ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamum and then continue to 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. Continue to Canakkale for overnight. ( B, D)

In the morning, depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, the Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair. Then, cross the Dardanelles to Istanbul. Enjoy 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)