Glories Of Turkey

Culture, History, Archaeology, Culture, History, Archaeology, Sightseeing

Turkey 15 Days

Itinerary

Expand All
  • Day 1 - Istanbul
    Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Welcome briefing will be held.
  • Day 2 - Istanbul
    Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding harem). Visit 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. Next see St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and now a museum and 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. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment.
  • Day 3 - Gallipoli - Dardanelles - Canakkale
    In the morning, depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, then cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale for overnight.
  • Day 4 - Troy - Pergamum - Izmir
    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 Asclepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional local village. Then continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Center Asclepion and continue to Izmir for overnight.
  • Day 5 - Ephesus & St. Mary's House - Izmir
    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.
  • Day 6 - Izmir - Bodrum
    After breakfast drive to Bodrum to visit th castle of St.Peter and the renowned Underwater Museum that was awarded the best Underwater Museum of the World in 2000s. Dinner & Overnight in Bodrum.
  • Day 7 - Bodrum - Kos
    After breakfast, the day is free for personal activities. Optional day island Kos. Overnight in Bodrum.
  • Day 8 - Bodrum - Pamukkale
    After breakfast, drive through lush valleys to Pamukkale, the Cotton Fortress, with white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Visit ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and enjoy a swim in your hotel’s thermal pool.
  • Day 9 - Pamukkale - Antalya
    After breakfast depart for Antalya, dinner and overnight.
  • Day 10 - Perge - Aspendos - Antalya
    This morning visit Perge and Aspendos afternoon is free for personal activities. Dinner at the hotel.
  • Day 11 - Antalya - Cappadocia
    Early morning departure to Cappadocia on the way visit 13th century Caravansaray and later visit underground city of Saratli. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
  • Day 12 - Cappadocia
    After break-fast 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 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. Dinner at a special local restaurant.
  • Day 13 - Cappadocia - Ankara
    Early morning departure to the capital city of Ankara through the salt lake area, Enjoy an afternoon tour Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai, holding artifacts from up to 7500 years old, including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artifacts in the world. Dinner and overnight at Ankara.
  • Day 14 - Ankara - Istanbul
    After breakfast depart for Istanbul. In the afternoon, join an optional halfday 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.
  • Day 15 - Istanbul
    Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

What's included

First Class hotels with private facilities Meals are indicated on itineraries Licensed guides throughout Turkey Private air-conditioned transportation Luggage handling Local taxes and service charges Arrival/departure transfers: only on arrival and departure days. Pre or post stay transfers are not included

What you might consider

Personal expenses Optional Tours Customary tips to guide and drivers

Highlights

Topkapi Palace and St. Sophia Basilica Grand Bazaar, world's largest and oldest covered market Anzac Cove at Gallipoli Ancient city of Troy Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Pamukkale the Cotton Castle Aspendos and its 1800 year-old theater Mausoleum of Sufi philosopher Mevlana Open Air Museum of Goreme, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Saratli, a secret underground city Hiking through the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara Spice Market in Istanbul NEW Lunch with locals NEW Special dinners at restaurants