15 day Glories of Turkey Tour

15 DAY GLORIES OF TURKEY TOUR
Istanbul – Istanbul

***BOOKING SPECIAL***
Book and Pay in Full* by WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL 2024:

*Please note: Once early bird prices have been paid they are non-refundable.

DEPARTS ISTANBUL, THURSDAYS, APRIL – OCTOBER 2024

Tour is guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 and a maximum 22 passengers.

(2024 Printer Friendly Version PDF)

Included Tour Highlights:
– Topkapi Palace and St. Sophia Basilica
– Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered market
– Anzac Cove at Gallipoli
– Ancient city of Troy
– Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary
– Pamukkale the Cotton Castle
– Aspendos and its 1800-year-old theater
– Open Air Museum of Goreme, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
– Saratli, a hidden underground city
– Hiking through the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia
– Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara
– Lunch with locals
– Special dinners at restaurants
– Wine tasting at a vineyard

Day 1 (Thursday)                  ARRIVE ISTANBUL

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel. A welcome briefing will be held this evening.

Day 2 (Friday)                        ISTANBUL

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 centre 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, still inhibited as a mosque in the present day 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

Day 3 (Saturday)                   ISTANBUL / GALLIPOLI

In the morning, drive to Tekirdağ city and visit to Barbare Vineyard. We’ll be informed about wine making, tour the vineyard and indulge in fine wines. Then depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, then overnight near Gallipoli. B

Day 4 (Sunday)                      CANAKKALE / TROY / PERGAMON / IZMIR

Cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale and 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 Centre in Asclepion and continue to İzmir for overnight. B L

Day 5 (Monday)                     IZMIR / EPHESUS & VIRGIN MARY’S HOUSE / IZMIR

Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural centre of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, a theatre, 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 centre to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel. B D

Day 6 (Tuesday)                    IZMIR / BODRUM

After breakfast drive to Bodrum to visit the castle of St. Peter and the renowned Underwater Museum that was awarded the best Underwater Museum of the World in 2000s. Overnight in Bodrum. B

Day 7 (Wednesday)               BODRUM / (optional KOS) / BODRUM

After breakfast, free time. Dinner and overnight Bodrum. Optional: Day tour to Kos. (B)

Day 8 (Thursday)                  BODRUM / PAMUKKALE

After breakfast, drive through lush valleys to Pamukkale, the Cotton Fortress, with white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Visit ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and enjoy a swim in your hotel’s thermal pool. B D

Day 9 (Friday)                        PAMUKKALE / ANTALYA

After breakfast depart for Antalya, for dinner and overnight. B D

Day 10 (Saturday)                 ANTALYA / PERGE / ASPENDOS / ANTALYA

This morning visit Perge and Aspendos. The afternoon is free. Dinner at the hotel. B D

Day 11 (Sunday)                    ANTALYA / CAPPADOCIA

Early morning departure for Cappadocia, visiting a 13th century Caravansarai on the way. Later visit the underground city of Saratli. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. B D

Day 12 (Monday)                   CAPPADOCIA

Early Morning Optional: Balloon Tour, experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit historical Goreme, located among the rock formations, which was first settled in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in the region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high quality pottery. Also visit Pasabagi, Red Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop. Dinner at a special local restaurant. B D
Evening optional: Join a Whirling Dervishes performance.

Day 13 (Tuesday)                  CAPPADOCIA / ANKARA

Early morning departure to the capital city of Ankara through the salt lake area, enjoy an afternoon tour of the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai holding artefacts from up to 7500 years old including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artefacts in the world. Dinner and overnight in Ankara. B D

Day 14 (Wednesday)             ANKARA / ISTANBUL

After breakfast depart on a scenic drive to Istanbul. Afternoon Optional: Half day Bosphorus Cruise, enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighbourhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants and cafes. Finish your last minute shopping in the Spice Market filled with the fragrance of the exotic East. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner. B D

Day 15 (Thursday)                DEPART ISTANBUL

After breakfast, transfer to the airport. (B) END OF TOUR.

Tour Includes:

• Deluxe or First Class Hotels in listed hotels (or similar);
• Daily breakfast, 8 dinners & 1 lunch (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner);
• Arrival (Day 1) & departure (Day 15) transfers from Istanbul airport;
• Licensed English speaking guides and entrance fees;
• Air-conditioned vehicles;
• Luggage handling;
• Local taxes and service charges

Deluxe Hotels with private facilities used (or similar):

• Istanbul – Conrad, Canakkale – Caeli
• Izmir – Swissotel Grand Efes,
• Bodrum – The Marmara Bodrum
• Pamukkale – Doga Thermal,
• Antalya – Akra
• Cappadocia – Gamirasu
• Ankara – Sheraton

First Class Hotels with private facilities used (or similar):

• Istanbul – Movenpick Bosphorus
• Canakkale – Kolin
• Izmir – Kaya Thermal
• Bodrum – Ramada Resort
• Pamukkale – Adempira,
• Antalya – Doubletree
• Cappadocia – Utopia
• Ankara – Divan Ankara

THE OPERATOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALTER HOTELS AND ITINERARY IF NECESSARY.