Itinerary
18 nights
Day 1, Friday, April 28
Transfer from airport. Your guide will provide you with an orientation of your coming days in Istanbul and a brief orientation of Istanbul. After checking into your hotel, you will have the remainder of the day to relax and recover from your flight. You may choose to explore a bit on your own. Evening welcome dinner in town. Overnight in Istanbul. (D)
Day 2, Saturday, Saturday, April 29
Full day of sightseeing, including the Hippodrome area, which includes Topkapi Palace, Haigha Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Lunch will be included. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.(B,L)
Day 3, Sunday, Sunday, April 30
This morning you depart for a scenic ride along the water to the Dardanelles, with your first primary stop being Canakkale, which is also the narrowest point along the Dardanelles. You then cross the Dardanelles via ferry and proceed to Troy, where you will visit the ruins of the city, known most for being the site of the Trojan War. Your overnight lodging will be in a rather interesting setting within the woods. Overnight in Cannakkale. (B,L,D)
Day 4, Monday, May 1
Morning drive to Izmir, with a stop en route at ancient Pergamum, known today
as Bergama. Pergamum was a major center of East/West trade, with it real grown
beginning under in the second and third centuries, BC, under Lysimachus, a
successor of Alexander the Great. You will visit the site, including the Acropolis
and Asclepion, the ancient cure center where Galen worked, the famous doctor
of the second century. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Continue on to
Izmir, with an orientation of this commercial center, which is Turkey’s third
largest city. Overnight in Izmir. (B,L,D)
Day 5, Tuesday, May 2
Morning drive to Ephesus, the most expansive of ruins in Turkey. You will
also visit Mary’s House and the nearby museum. From Ephesus, you drive to
Kusadasi, where the remainder of the afternoon and evening will be independent
to enjoy this coastal town. You may enjoy dinner at one of the many local
restaurants. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,L,D)
Day 6, Wednesday, May 3
Today you depart to Sardis, the ancient capital of Lydia, where you will see
the remains of the old Roman synagogue, the Gymnasium and the Temple of Artemis.
Lunch will be en route. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L)
Day 7, Thursday, May 5
Morning drive south with visits to Didyma, Priene and Miletus, with lunch en route in Didyma. Continue on with a late afternoon arrival to Bodrum, a coastal resort town. The remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy walking around the town. Overnight in Bodrum. (B,L,D)
Day 8, Friday, May 6
Visit the harbour and the fascinating and relatively new Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which has won awards in Europe for its uniqueness. In addition, visit the Mausoleum, the burial ground for Mausolus, who had ruled from Bodrum during the fourth century, BC. You will also visit a fishing village, one of the many that dot the coast. You are on your own tonight for dining. Bodrum has many options. Overnight in Bodrum. (B,L)
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Yacht Harbor of Bodrum |
Day 9, Saturday, May 7
Drive east from the coast to Pamukkale, stopping en route at Aphrodisias, which among Turkey’s ruins, is surpassed only by Ephesus. Lunch at a small local restaurant. Visit Hierapolis and Pamukale’s "cotton castle". Overnight at Pamukkale. (B, L, D)
Day 10, Sunday, May 8
Late morning departure to Antalya (with time to swim at the thermal pools) QB Are these the indoor pools at Colossae or where...is weather a factor? Upon arrival to Antalya, you will visit the Archaeological Museum. Overnight in Antalya. (B, L, D)
Day 11, Monday, May 9
Much of today will be devoted to seeing the antiquity sites of this region of the southern coast. Your tour will include Side, Aspendos and Perge. After lunch in a local restaurant, you will visit the old part of Antalya, including the harbour area. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is independent. You may choose to wander the winding streets of old Antalya where there are many shops and dining options, or, you may return to your hotel and enjoy the seaside amenities. Overnight in Antalya. (B,L)
Day 12, Tuesday, May 10
This morning you depart on a scenic drive through rural countryside, going via Egirdir Lake. Eventual arrival in Konya, Turkey’s fourth largest city. Visit the Mevlana Museum. Overnight in Konya. (B, L, D)
Day 13, Wednesday, May 11
Morning visit in Konya before departing to Cappadocia. Lunch en route, as well as a visit to an old caravanserai. Afternoon sightseeing in Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)
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Selimiye Mosque & Mevlana Tomb in Konya |
Day 14, Thursday, May 12
Full day of sightseeing in Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)
Day 15, Friday, May 13
Drive to Ankara, visiting the Salt Lake en route. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilization once in Ankara, as well as the Temple of Apollo. Ankara, being the capital, offers many dining options. Your guide will be happy to provide suggestions of local restaurants for tonight’s independent dining. Overnight in Ankara. (B,L)
Day 16, Saturday, May 14
Drive to Bursa. En route, you will visit the Phrygian Capital Gordion en route. Lunch will be somewhere en route. Overnight in Bursa. (B,L,D)
Day 17, Sunday, May 15
Short drive this morning to the ferry taking you back to Istanbul. Lunch en
route. Upon arriving in Istanbul, your Istanbul sightseeing will continue
with a visit to the Suleymaniye Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Istanbul has
many dining options. Tonight you are on your own to choose from the many options.
Overnight in Istanbul. (B,L)
Day 18, Monday, May 16
Full day of sightseeing in Istanbul, including the Dolmabache Palace, Bosphour Cruise with lunch on the Bosphorus. Visit to the Spice Market. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore or to do some shopping. Farewell dinner in an interesting venue. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,L,D)
Day 19, Tuesday, May 17
Transfers to airport for your return flights.
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COST: $2,895.
Includes:
- Price is based on double occupancy in deluxe/first class hotels. ($495. single supplement applies).
- All touring, entrance fees, baggage handling and all meals, as noted on itinerary.
- Air fare is additional
