Turkish Authentic Adventure Small Group Journey
Tour the highlights of Turkey as you travel to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Izmir, Bodrum, Pamukkale, and Canakkale. Visit historic mosques and palaces and go souvenir shopping at the famous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Consider a sunrise hot air balloon ride above the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Tour Ephesus and the Virgin Mary's House in Izmir and take a dip in the hot mineral springs at Pamukkale.SMALL GROUP JOURNEY - Guaranteed departures English only tour with max. 22 participants. Scheduled departures - 12-day/10-night tour visiting Istanbul, Gallipoli, Canakkale, Troy, Pergamum, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bodrum &, Cappadocia. Includes accommodation at superior first class & deluxe hotels with breakfast daily, 5 dinners, 1 lunch, arrival & transfers, touring by minivan or small motor coach, and guided sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary.
Includes
- Accommodations as per itinerary
- Meals as per itinerary; breakfast (B), lunch (L), dinner (D)
- Sightseeing: per itinerary
- Travel funds escrow protection program
- Tour escort while on tour
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- Touring by mini van or small motor coach
Excludes
- Items of a personal nature
- All other items not mentioned as included
Itinerary
Day
1
Usa - Istanbul
Enjoy a relaxing overnight flight to Istanbul.
Day
2
Istanbul – Arrival
Historical & Boutique 2019: Divan Hotel or similar accommodations
You will be transferred to your hotel in Istanbul 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 for a welcome briefing.
Day
3
Explore Istanbul
Historical & Boutique 2019: Divan Hotel or similar accommodations
Today, enjoy a full-day tour of Istanbul including a visit to Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453 and 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, and famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Next, see St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century and converted to a mosque by the Ottomans. It is 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. In the evening, consider joining an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. (B)
Day
4
Gallipoli – Dardanelles – Canakkale
Historical & Boutique 2019: Kolin Hotel or similar accommodations
In the morning, depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWII. Visit Anzac Cove, the Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair. Then cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale. (B,D)
Day
5
Troy – Pergamum – Izmir
Historical & Boutique 2019: Swissotel Grand Efes or similar accommodations
Visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War. Enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional village. Then continue to Pergamum and visit the ancient medical center Asklepion. Arrive in Izmir in the evening. (B,L,D)
Day
6
Ephesus & Virgin Mary's House – Izmir
Historical & Boutique 2019: Swissotel Grand Efes or similar accommodations
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. In the evening consider having an optional dinner at a local restaurant. (B)
Day
7
Izmir – Pamukkale
Historical & Boutique 2019: Doga Thermal Hotel or similar accommodations
Drive through lush valleys to 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. Enjoy a swim in your hotel's thermal pool. (B,D)
Day
8
Pamukkale – Bodrum
Historical & Boutique 2019: Doria Hotel or similar accommodations
After a morning at leisure, depart for Bodrum to visit the Castle of St. Peter and the renowned Underwater Museum. (B)
Day
9
Bodrum – Cappadocia
Historical & Boutique 2019: Gamirasu Cave Hotel or similar accommodations
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia (included). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B,D)
Day
10
Explore Cappadocia
Historical & Boutique 2019: Gamirasu Cave Hotel or similar accommodations
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)
Day
11
Cappadocia – Istanbul
Historical & Boutique 2019: Divan Hotel or similar accommodations
After breakfast, you will be transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul (included). 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. (B)
Day
12
Istanbul – Return
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)
Dates & Prices
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