Tour Details:

Specially designed, escorted tour of Turkey, visiting Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pergamum, Troy, Canakkale, Dardanelles, Gallipoli

 

Thu, May 3:  Depart USA

Bus from Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce to SFO. 

 

Fri, May 4:  Arrival in Istanbul

Our representative will be at the airport to welcome you to Turkey and transfer you to your hotel. Relax and enjoy a short walk before a welcome briefing in the hotel.   D

 

Sat, May 5:  Istanbul

Today we start at the Topkapi Palace, with its superb position overlooking the Bosphorus. Visit the fascinating and impressive Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets and unique architecture, then visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the centre of Byzantine life for 1000 years. Finish the day at the Grand Bazaar, the world’s biggest and oldest shopping venue. Tonight: Dinner with belly dancer and folk dancing.  BD

 

Sun, May 6:  Istanbul - Ankara

This morning is a tour of St. Sophia (Haghia Sophia), built by Constantine the Great, and a Bosphorus Cruise along the majestic strait that runs through Istanbul, linking Europe and Asia.  Afternoon departure with late arrival at Ankara.   BD

 

Mon, May 7:  Ankara - Cappadocia

Early morning drive to Anitkabir. Visit the mausoleum of the founder of the Turkish Republic. Later, a detailed visit to the museum of Anatolian civilizations will take you to the mysteries as far back as Paleolithic age. Afternoon drive to Cappadocia.   BD

 

Tue, May 8:  Cappadocia

Begin your discovery of Cappadocia with Goreme’s “Caves of God” a UNESCO world heritage site. We will visit Zelve, the famous underground city of Sarhatli, and one of the regional pottery workshops. BD

 

HOTELS:

Wed, May 9:  Cappadocia - Pamukkale

We will drive to the biblical city of Konya, visit the museum and mausoleum of the founder of the mystic cult of Whirling Dervishes called Mevlana Rumi.  Drive to Pamukkale, famous for its chalk-white array of fantastically shaped limestone. On arrival, we will have dinner and you can enjoy the thermal pools of your hotel.  BD

 

Thu, May 10:  Pamukkale - Fethiye

Today is the day to pay an early morning visit unique Cotton Fortress, the white calcium cascades, and also pay a visit to one of the first modern spa centers of the ancient world, Hierapolis. Then we drive to Fethiye.  BD

 

Fri, May 11:  Fethiye – Kusadasi

Morning at leisure to enjoy the coast or the Fethiye Museum, which focuses on the chain of civilizations that existed in the area, starting with the ancient Lycians. In the afternoon we go to Kusadasi.  BD

 

Sat, May 12:  Ephesus & St. Mary’s House

This morning go to the ancient city of Ephesus where our walking tour includes The Great Theatre, which was built by the Romans between 41 and 117 AD and is still used today; the Library of Celsus; the Temple of Hadrian, guarded by a head of Medusa; and the House of Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent the last years of her life along with St. John the Theologian.  Return to Kusadasi.  BD

 

Sun, May 13:  Pergamum – Troy – Canakkale

This morning visit the ancient kingdom of Pergamum where we visit the Asclepion. Then to the legendary city of Troy, immortalized by Homer.  Also see the symbolic replica wooden Trojan horse that commemorates the epic war machine that was constructed in the 13th century BC.  To hotel in Canakkale.  BD

 

Mon, May 14:  Dardanelles – Gallipoli – Istanbul

Early departure from the hotel takes you to the port, to take you to Gallipoli, across the Sea of Marmara and Dardanelles Strait. Return across the Dardanelles to Canakkale for the drive to Istanbul the afternoon.  B

 

Tue, May 15:  Istanbul – USA 

Transfer to Airport. Return flight to USA.  Bus to PG. B

 

Istanbul: Eresin Taxim

Ankara: Barceló Ankara Altinel

Cappadocia:  Dedeman Cappadocia

Pamukkale : Pam Thermal Hotel

Fethiye: Grand Ata Park Hotelis

Kusadasi:  Surmeli Efes Hotel

Canakkale:  Kolin Hotel