Glories of Turkey - Small Group Tour

Upon arrival at Istanbul airport (IST), transfer to hotel, where there will be a welcome briefing. Overnight at Burdock Autograph Collection hotel. 

Enjoy a full day tour including 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. 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. Last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar. Overnight Burdock Autograph Collection hotel. Optional: Dinner with belly-dancing and entertainment; Entrance ticket: Visit Topkapi Palace Museum, the opulent residence of Ottoman sultans (Harem section excluded). (B) 

Depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair. Cross the Dardanelles Strait to Canakkale, dinner and overnight in Canakkale at Double Tree by Hilton or similar. (B, D)

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 Asklepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional local village. Continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Center in Asklepion and then continue to Izmir for overnight at Kaya Thermal Hotels or similar. (B, L, D)

Visit the 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 center to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. Dinner and overnight at Kaya Thermal Hotels or similar. Optional full-day tour: Discover the spectacular ruins of Ephesus - marble streets, the Theater, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, and more. (B, D)

After breakfast, visit a leather fashion showroom, showcasing Turkish craftsmanship. Continue to Pamukkale, renowned for its white travertine terraces formed by thermal springs. Tour the ancient spa city of Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight stay at Adempira Spa & Thermal Hotel or similar. (B, D)

Morning drive to the coastal town of Fethiye. Take a walking tour featuring Telmessos Ancient Theatre and the bustling Fish Market. Dinner and overnight stay at Alesta Yacht Hotel or similar. (B, D)

Free day to relax or join the optional boat cruise along the turquoise coast, with swim stops at secluded bays and islands. Overnight at Alesta Yacht Hotel or similar. (B)

After breakfast, depart for Antalya, a resort city and gateway to Turkey’s southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast for its blue waters. Orientation walk through the charming Old Harbor and Kaleiçi district. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at Mercure Antalya Konyaaltı or similar. (B, D) 

Spend a full day at leisure or join the optional tour to Perge & Aspendos. Afternoon is free for personal activities. Overnight at Mercure Antalya Konyaaltı or similar. (B)

Early morning departure to Cappadocia with a visit to the 13th century Caravanserai and later visit the underground city of Saratli. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia at Hotel Gamirasu Cave or similar. (B, D) 

Early morning optional: Hot Air Balloon Tour. Experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys, and caves at sunrise. After breakfast, optional half-day tour: visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which were first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be observed today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high-quality pottery, Devrent and Red Valley. Attend a brief regional pottery workshop. Dinner at the Hotel. Join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. Overnight at Hotel Gamirasu Cave or similar. (B, D)

Early morning departure to the capital city of Ankara through the Salt Lake area. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Overnight in Ankara at Grand Mercure Ankara Hotel or similar. (B)

After breakfast, depart for Istanbul. In the afternoon, join an optional half-day Bosphorus cruise 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, restaurants, and cafés. Finish your last-minute shopping at the Spice Market filled with the fragrance of the exotic east. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner and overnight at Burdock Autograph Collection or similar. (B, D)

After breakfast transfer to Istanbul Airport. (B)