Treasures of Turkey

Day 1 (Door to Door)

Arrive Istanbul

Enjoy your luxury private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Istanbul, where a transfer is provided to your first hotel. This evening we get together to meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. (WD)
Hotel: Conrad (D)

Day 2

Istanbul - Bursa

Today we embark on a superb highlight cruise along the Bosphorus past Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses. Leaving Istanbul, we take a short ferry trip and drive to Iznik, where we visit the ruins of St Sophia and see the city walls before continuing to Bursa where we have time to haggle in the bazaar and silk markets. (BB, D)
Hotel: Thermal Kervansaray (FC)

Day 3

Bursa - Ankara

This morning we visit the glorious Green Mosque and Mausoleum complex and Grand Mosque in Bursa before driving to the charming Cumalikizik Village with its traditional wooden houses and narrow cobblestone streets. We visit Gordion, where Alexander the Great cut the famous Gordion Knot, en route to Turkey's modern capital, Ankara. (BB, D)
Hotel: Sheraton (SFC)

Day 4

Ankara - Cappadocia

Today's sightseeing includes visits to the Hittite Museum and Anit Kabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, Turkey's greatest leader in modern times. We also visit the mausoleum of Sufi philosopher Haci Bektas before continuing on to Nevsehir in the historic Cappadocia region. (BB, D)
Hotel: Dedeman (FC)

Day 5

Cappadocia - Goreme excursion.

In this unique region of volcanic landscapes and 'fairy-chimneys', we visit Göreme's rock-carved churches, see ancient frescoes in the open-air museum and see the Zelve valleys, where the scenery is dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. We visit the underground city of Kaymakli and see the cone of Uchisar. (BB, HD)
Hotel: Dedeman (FC)
Dining Highlights: Tonight we enjoy dinner at the hotel followed by a colourful folklore show in an underground cave, featuring dances from the different regions.

Day 6

Cappadocia - Konya

This morning we visit the Caravanserai of Sultanhani before driving to Turkey's most religious city, Konya, which was once the home of the mystic sect of Whirling Dervishes and the old capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire. Visit the Mevlana Museum, with its beautiful fluted turquoise dome, and see the Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret. (BB, D)
Hotel: Dedeman (FC)

Day 7

Konya - Antalya

We descend the Taurus mountains and drive to Aspendos to visit what is considered the best preserved Roman Theatre anywhere in the world. Afterwards we drive to the Hellenistic, or Roman, city of Perge to visit the extensive ruins including the great Theatre, the Stadium and the gate-towers leading into a street where ancient chariot ruts can still be seen. As night falls, we enjoy a walking tour of Antalya's Old Town. (BB, D)
Hotel: Sheraton Voyager (D)

Day 8

Antalya at Leisure

Today is yours to further explore Antalya or enjoy the leisure facilities of the hotel. Other suggestions include a stroll around the harbour area or taking a relaxing boat trip off the coast. (BB, D)
Hotel: Sheraton Voyager (D)

Day 9

Antalya - Pamukkale

We pass pine forests and cross the Taurus mountains on the way to Pamukkale, where, on arrival, we visit the ruins of Hierapolis and the beautiful 'Cotton Castle', an apt description of its dazzling white limestone terraces. (BB, D)
Hotel: Colossae Thermal (SFC)

Day 10

Pamukkale - Kusadasi

Today we visit the Temple of Aphrodite at amazing Aphrodisias before continuing to your beautiful beach-front hotel in the lively coastal town of Kusadasi. (BB, D)
Hotel: Korumar or Charisma (FC)

Day 11

Kusadasi - Izmir

A highlight today as we tour one of the world's finest archaeological sites, Ephesus. We visit the Amphitheatre and walk along the Arcadian Way to view the splendid facade of the Library of Celsus. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, situated above the ruins, before continuing to the Selçuk archeological museum, where many artifacts from Ephesus are displayed. We stay overnight in the Aegean port of Izmir. (BB, D)
Hotel: Hilton City (SFC)

Day 12

Izmir - Çanakkale

Our first today stop is in Pergamon, the impressive site of an ancient kingdom, to visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena and library, before viewing the Red Courtyard and the ruins of the Asklepieon. We continue to Homer's Troy to see the ruins of nine cities built on top of each other, and an enormous reconstruction of the famous wooden horse. The evening is spent in Çanakkale. (BB, D)
Hotel: Kolin (D)

Day 13

Çanakkale - Istanbul

Crossing the Dardanelle Straits by ferry we continue to the Gallipoli Peninsula, scene of such fierce fighting in World War One. There is the chance to pay your respects at Anzac Cove and visit the emotive Lone Pine Cemetery before returning to Istanbul. (BB)
Hotel: Conrad (D)

Day 14

Istanbul sightseeing

Today we visit the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held. We also visit St Sophia, a former cathedral and mosque which is now a magnificent museum. The afternoon is dedicated to the Topkapi Palace, a walled city perched above the Bosphorous and the Golden Horn. Then, why not test your haggling skills as we visit the glittering Grand Bazaar. Your guide will give you a full explanation of the time-honoured ritual of bargaining! (BB)
Hotel: Conrad (D)

Day 15 (Door to Door)

Depart Istanbul

We conclude the tour after breakfast as we transfer to the airport for our return scheduled flight back to the UK. On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home. (BB)

Dates and prices

Destination Info