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8 days from $3,499 per person
Your Privately Guided or Small Group Escorted Touring features a choice of first class or deluxe hotels, 10 meals, in-depth sightseeing, all on-tour transportation and 2 internal flights.
Discover the diverse wonders of Turkey… from amazing sites of antiquity to the natural splendors of Cappadocia and the exotic charms of Istanbul. Tailor this trip to your personal style with a choice of first class or deluxe hotels. Your Privately Guided Tour affords the intimacy and flexibility of sightseeing with your own personal car, driver and guide...orr choose an Escorted departure for the camaraderie and enriching experience of fully escorted touring.
Ankara, Cappadocia, Izmir, Pergamum, Ephesus and Istanbul, Turkey
Engaging Discoveries
- Witness the spirituality and artistry of the Whirling Dervishes in Cappadocia and dine at our favorite restaurant, Aravan Evi.
- Immerse in the sites and flavors of Istanbul with in-depth sightseeing, lunch at historic Pandeli Restaurant and dinner overlooking the Bosphorus!
- Pursue your own passions with the included activity of your choice... antiquing, calligraphy workshop, shopping or an invigorating hamam visit.
- 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
This trip is available with professional, bi-lingual guides fluent in their own local dialect plus a variety of other languages like Spanish, Italian, Chinese and many others.
Day 1 - From Ankara to Cappadocia
Meet your guide in Ankara this morning for a scenic overland journey into the ethereal landscapes of Cappadocia. En route, you’ll visit the Agzikarahan Caravanserai, built in the 13th century along strategic trade routes.
Nearly 4,000 years ago, ancient Hittites were perhaps the first to carve underground dwellings beneath the hills of Cappadocia. Assyrians, Lycians, Persians and Romans likely followed. Seeking to avoid persecution during Roman times, early Christians sought refuge in these cave dwellings and expanded them into underground cities, complete with homes and elaborately carved churches. This afternoon, you’ll enjoy a fascinating visit to Kaymakli Underground City, one of the most extensive in the region.
Check in to your choice of hotel before this evening’s visit to Saruhan Caravanserai, where you’ll witness the Whirling Dervishes ceremony. This distinctive religious sect is widely known for its ritual dance and haunting music.
Day 2 - Cappadocia In-Depth
Your exploration of this historic and captivating region continues in Goreme . Visit the famed Open Air Museum where many of the ancient rock-cut churches are decorated with beautiful frescoes which still retain much of their original color. Your in-depth sightseeing also includes Avanos, Pasabag and Uchisar – with a delightful lunch stop at Aravan Evi, a charming family-run restaurant in a quiet village.
Meals B,L
Day 3 - Fly to Izmir
You’ll be escorted to the airport today for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to the hotel of your choice.
Meals B
Day 4 - Excursion to Pergamum
Travel to Pergamum to explore one of the word’s greatest cities of antiquity. Impressive ruins from the days of Alexander the Great include the Sacred Way, the once-magnificent Acropolis and the remains of a world-renowned ancient library which once held 200,000 books written on parchment. Return to your hotel in Izmir where your evening is at leisure.
Meals B
Day 5 - Explore Ephesus and on to Istanbul
Today’s comprehensive guided visit to Ephesus reveals one of the most important cities of the ancient world. Here you will admire beautifully-restored mosaic floors, stroll along elegant marble avenues lined with the impressive ruins of once-great buildings and behold the great Roman Amphitheater, splendidly preserved. Then fly to Istanbul where you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to the hotel of your choice. Meals B
Day 6 - Friendly, exotic Istanbul!
Renowned throughout the ages – first as Byzantium, then as Constantinople and today as Istanbul – this is a captivating city of stunning beauty and contrasts, and the only city to sit astride two continents – Europe and Asia! Your comprehensive sightseeing includes the Roman Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and St. Sophia – built in the 6th century and still one of the largest church buildings in the world. Marvel at priceless crown jewels in the treasury of the Topkapi Palace and dine at the renowned and historic Pandeli Restaurant.
Meals B,L
Day 7 - Tailor your day in Istanbul
Customize your stay in Istanbul and pursue your own interests with one of the included, hands-on excursion of your choice:
- Antiquing in Istanbul…. Join your guide, an impassioned expert, to explore the winding streets of Cukurcuma, a colorful district in the heart of exotic Istanbul. Long known for its amazing antique shops filled with Ottoman treasures, this vibrant neighborhood is now also home to some of the city’s newest and most fashionable boutiques.
- Into the Grand Bazaar… With thousands of tiny shops overflowing with jewelry, leather goods, ceramics, textiles, clothing, rugs and antiques, the world-renowned Grand Bazaar might seem overwhelming. But with our expert and insightful guide leading the way, you’ll have a fun, fascinating and productive visit – with enough bargaining and shopping to satisfy even the most die-hard shopper!
- Discover Traditional Turkish Arts... It’s your choice! Visit a glass-blowing atelier, try your hand at Turkish calligraphy, or join a workshop in the ancient art of marbling. A Turkish Hamam… Relax and invigorate with this traditional Turkish Bath experience.
Tonight, special arrangements have been made for you to dine on the city’s romantic waterfront overlooking the Bosphorus!
Meals B,D
Day 8 - Depart Istanbul
Your journey with ends after breakfast.
Meals B
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