Turkey, an intoxicating blend of old and new, of East and West. Experience exciting Istanbul and enough leisure time to discover its hidden charms. Marvel at the unusual rock formations of Cappadocia, the unique calcium cascades of Pamukkale, and the Roman ruins at Ephesus before stopping at Troy and Gallipoli.
Guaranteed departures English only escorted coach tour with max. 40 participants. Scheduled departures - 12-day/10-night tour visiting Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pergamum, Troy, Canakkale & Gallipoli. Includes accommodation at superior first class & deluxe hotels with breakfast daily, 8 dinners, 1 lunch, arrival & departure transfers, touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach, and guided sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary.Includes
- Transfers per itinerary
- Hotels per itinerary or similar
- Meals per itinerary; (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner
- Sightseeing per itinerary
- Airport taxes
- Travel funds escrow protection program
- Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Professional tour director throughout the tour
- Entrance fees per itinerary
Excludes
- Personal expenses
- Optional tours
- Customary tips and gratuities
- Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
- Local city taxes
Enjoy a relaxing overnight flight to Istanbul.
Istanbul - Arrival
You are greeted upon arrival and escorted to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure.
Superior First & Deluxe :
Renaissance Hotel Istanbul Bosphorus or similar hotels
Istanbul
Enjoy an optional full-day tour of Istanbul including Topkapi Palace (excluding harem), the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. Consider an optional dinner with belly-dancing entertainment. (B)
Superior First & Deluxe :
Renaissance Hotel Istanbul Bosphorus or similar hotels
Istanbul - Ankara
Consider an optional morning tour the Spice Market and Bosphorus cruise. In the afternoon depart for Ankara. (B, D)
Superior First & Deluxe :
Crowne Plaza Ankara or similar hotels
Ankara - Cappadocia
Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, father of modern Turkey, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with its Hittite treasures and artifacts from the world's oldest city. Continue to Cappadocia, famous for it's "moon-like" landscapes. En route visit the 13th century Caravan Inn. (B, D)
Superior First & Deluxe :
Cappadocia Lodge or similar hotels
Cappadocia
Optional Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Tour - experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves with the sunrise. After breakfast, embark on an optional tour visiting Goreme with its 6th-10th century rock chapels decorated with Christian frescoes, Pasabagi, Red Valley, and Avanos. Have a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. (B, D)
Superior First & Deluxe :
Cappadocia Lodge or similar hotels
Cappadocia - Pamukkale
Depart for Pamukkale, en route you will see the famous mausoleum of the sufi philosopher Mevlana. (B, D)
Superior First & Deluxe :
Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal or similar hotels
Pamukkale - Kusadasi
Today visit the unique Cotton Fortress, the white calcium cascades formed by mineral springs and the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Continue to Kusadasi. (B, D)
Superior First & Deluxe :
Charisma Hotel or similar hotels
Ephesus & Virgin Mary's house - Kusadasi
Today depart on an optional tour to the ruins of Ephesus, the Virgin Mary's cottage, the 2,000 year old marble streets, a theater, the library of Celsius, and Hadrian's Temple. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, D)
Superior First & Deluxe :
Charisma Hotel or similar hotels
Pergamum - Troy - Canakkale
Visit the ancient medical center Asklepion in Pergamum. Tour Troy's legendary walls and replica of the famous wooden horse used during the Trojan War. Continue to Canakkale for an overnight. (B, L, D)
Superior First & Deluxe :
Kolin Hotel or similar hotels
Gallipoli - Dardanelles - Istanbul
Morning departure for Gallipoli. Visit Anzac Cove, the Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair battlefield. Cross the Dardanelles to Istanbul. (B, D)
Superior First & Deluxe :
Renaissance Hotel Istanbul Bosphorus or similar hotels
Istanbul - Return
You will be transferred to the airport. (B)
Departure Date
Land Only
USA - Istanbul