Classical Turkey

Today marks the beginning of your adventure as you arrive in Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Reception and meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

After the breakfast, we depart for a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852. 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, 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. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

This morning you can join an optional tour starting with a cruise along Bosporus, enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. An unforgettable excursion starts between two continents, the tour will be ended in Asia side and drive for the capital city of Ankara for overnight.

Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravanserai en route. Pay a visit to to Tuz Golu (Salt Lake) one of Turkey’s best-kept secrets. The country’s second-largest lake is frosted with white minerals. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Consider an optional early morning hot air balloon tour and experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme Open-Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia. it is famous for frescoes dating to 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monk located among the rock formations, which 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, Red Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave.

After breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale. visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Dinner and Overnight in Pamukkale.

Drive to Kusadasi. Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000-year-old marble streets, a theater, 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 center to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi.

Visit the ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamum and continue to a traditional local village for lunch with locals. Then continue to 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. Continue to Canakkale for overnight.

In the morning depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, and then drive to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Transfer to the airport of Istanbul for your return flight home.