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Description
Itinerary
Delight in the fascinating sights of Turkey, from the bazaars of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Cruise on the Bosphorus, discover the caves of the Goreme Valley and visit the Cotton Castle of Pamukkale. Discover the ancient ruins of Ephesus before discovering the heritage of Izmir and Canakkale at the archaeological sites of Pergamon and Troy!
1st Day: US – Night on board
Ready to discover the cultural treasures and incredible landscapes of Turkey? Arrive at your US departure airport ready to catch a flight to Istanbul*. Night on board.
*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
2nd Day: Istanbul
Arrive in bustling Istanbul, once the capital of Turkey, a city brimming with history, culture and delicious cuisine. Transfer to your hotel, get settled, and if time allows, enjoy the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Important note: Take advantage of our optional excursions package and save by adding several of the optional activities to your itinerary in one go. Click on each package to see what’s included!
3rd Day: Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, head to the grandiose Suleymaniye Mosque. Located on the third hill of Istanbul, it boasts one of the most incredible panoramic views of the city.
After the visit, choose to take the transfer back to your hotel, or, spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring Istanbul at your own pace (no included transfer back to the hotel). Discover its labyrinthine bazaars, vibrant city life and eclectic architecture.
To fully immerse yourself in the local culture, we recommend an optional full-day city tour of Istanbul* and/or an optional dinner show on the Bosphorus**! Overnight stay in Istanbul.
*Optional full-day Istanbul city tour: see Istanbul’s most emblematic sights, from the incredible Topkapi Palace to Hagia Sophia. Enjoy included lunch, see the exterior of the iconic Blue Mosque and historic Hippodrome. End the afternoon at the bustling Grand Bazaar, home to more than 4000 shops.
**Optional dinner show on the Bosphorus: the best way to enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner on an evening cruise down the Bosphorus! See the suspension bridges of Istanbul as they twinkle in the evening light. Enjoy exciting dance shows (belly dance and dervish), Turkish music, a delicious dinner and two drinks per person.
4th Day: Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day at the aromatic Spice Bazaar, established by the Ottomans. Next, take a boat ride along the Bosphorus, enjoy views of old palaces and traditional houses as you sail through the heart of the city; the border between Europe and Asia.
After disembarking, enjoy time exploring the city at your own pace (no included transfer back to the hotel). We recommend an optional excursion to the key attractions of the Anatolian side of the city to discover more of Istanbul*. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
*Optional half-day Anatolian Istanbul excursion with lunch: explore the Anatolian side, home to some of the country’s most beautiful architecture, from the iconic Beylerbeyi Palace to the murals adorning the winding streets. Drive to Camlica Hill, in the underrated Üsküdar district. Take in the panoramic views from the highest point and soak up the bustling atmosphere from the city below. Enjoy lunch included.
5th Day: Istanbul – Ankara
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your journey to Ankara, crossing the spectacular mountains of Bolu along the way. Arrive and enjoy a panoramic tour of Ankara, the Turkish capital and a modern and cosmopolitan city steeped in history and ancient culture.
Later, pay a visit to Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk. Inaugurated in 1953, it’s dedicated to the founder of Modern Turkey. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Ankara.
Estimated distance and travel time: 280 miles, 6 hrs approx.
The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn’t consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.
6th Day: Ankara – Cappadocia
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, begin your journey to incredible Cappadocia, famed for its unique geological formations. Pass by the spectacular Salt Lake along the way.
Arrive in Cappadocia and transfer to the hotel. Head to a wonderful ceramic workshop where you’ll witness the traditional way of creating ceramic objects, from everyday artifacts to true works of art. Enjoy a visit to a precious stone shop and gain insight into the process of turning the raw material into stunning jewelry. Based on operative reasons this activities might be done the next day.
The remainder of the day is yours to begin discovering the landscapes of this magical region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To contemplate an unforgettable scene, we recommend our optional safari and sunset tour* for an adrenaline rush through the valleys of the city. Dinner and overnight stay in Cappadocia.
Estimated distance and travel time: 190 miles, 5 hrs approx.
The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn’t consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.
*Optional Jeep safari and sunset in Cappadocia: Immerse yourself in the magical Cappadocia valley landscape, enjoying the sunset as you do impressive, adrenaline-pumping dips, donuts, and tricks, in a 4X4 jeep.
7th Day: Cappadocia
Breakfast at the hotel. Why not start the day with an optional hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia*, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Next, you have the chance to enjoy an optional visit to Kaimakli**, the incredible underground city*.
Mid-morning, discover the fascinating landscapes of Cappadocia, formed by the erosion of layers of lava and ash from ancient volcanic eruptions over 3 million years ago! Visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum, a Byzantine monastic complex with beautiful frescoes.
Explore the Valleys of Avcilar, Pasabagi and Güvercinlik, where the captivating “Fairy Chimneys” are located, followed by a visit to a local carpet workshop. Afterwards you can enjoy an optional Turkish night in Cappadocia***. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.
*Optional Hot Air Balloon flight: float over Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, tuff valleys and rock-cut churches and experience the sunrise from a unique viewpoint on a 1-hour hot air balloon flight. Enjoy panoramic sunrise views, celebrate with a non-alcoholic beverage and a personalized flight certificate. Minimum age limit for children: 6 years old.
Please note: The hot air balloon flight depends on weather conditions at the destination and will be confirmed the day before. If the activity cannot take place, it will be refunded upon return.
**Optional visit to Kaimakli, the underground city: discover the maze of tunnels and rooms carved eight levels deep into the earth 12 miles from the city of Nevsehir. Believed to have been built in the Hittite period, it’s the widest of the underground cities in the region.
***Optional Turkish night in Cappadocia: A fun evening filled with typical dances from the different regions in Turkey, including the famous belly dance. Enjoy this colorful event and the party atmosphere as you take in the traditions of the area! Unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic) during the show.
8th Day: Cappadocia – Pamukkale
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart early this morning to Pamukkale. Take a tour through the ancient Hellenistic city of Hierapolis, famed for its unique geological features. Next, explore the Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of white waterfalls, stalactites and natural pools.
Explore the otherworldly landscapes formed over the centuries by the passing of mineral-rich water from nearby hot springs, the perfect spot to practice your photography skills! As the day draws to a close, stop by a textile shop before you transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Pamukkale.
Estimated distance and travel time: 385 miles, 8 hrs approx.
The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn’t consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.
9th Day: Pamukkale – Ephesus – Kusadasi – Izmir
Breakfast at the hotel. Delve deeper into the history of this land today. Pay a visit to an important pilgrimage site, the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the place where she spent the final years of her life.
Head to the Greco-Roman City of Ephesus, once the capital of Asia Minor and one of the best-preserved cities from this period. Discover the Temple of Hadrian, the Temple of Trajan, the Theatre and the Library of Celsus. Finally, check out an artisan leather shop to see how the local craftsmen work with this material.
Afterwards, head north to the city of Izmir or Kusadasi, depending on the confirmed hotel. Izmir is known for its expansive archaeological sites and is situated on the beautiful Aegean coast. Dinner and transfer to your hotel.
Estimated distance and travel time: 140 miles, 4 hrs approx.
The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn’t consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.
Please note: During the summer months (May to November) accommodation may be in the city of Kusadasi instead of Izmir, but the order of the itinerary will remain the same.
10th Day: Izmir – Pergamon – Troy – Canakkale
Breakfast at the hotel. The first stop of the day is the ancient city of Pergamon, one of the most important cultural, commercial and medical centers of antiquity. Visit the Asclepion, the ancient world’s most prestigious hospital, once home to Galen, the famous Greek physician and philosopher.
Another exciting highlight awaits as you continue to the archaeological site of Troy, one of history’s most legendary cities! Discover incredible ruins and relive the famous saga of the siege of Troy, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad.
Afterwards, continue to Canakkale. Spread across both sides of the Dardanelles Strait, this historic city is home to fascinating museums and sights related to its strategic location on the Dardanelles Strait. Transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay in Canakkale.
Estimated distance and travel time: 280 miles, 6 hrs approx.
The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn’t consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.
11th Day: Canakkale – Bursa – Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Bursa this morning, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. The city is also known as ‘Green Bursa’ as it’s surrounded by lush forests and mountains.
Pay a visit to the spectacular Ulu Camii Mosque, Koza Han Silk Bazaar and the Green Tomb. After exploring Bursa, continue north to Topçular to cross the Gulf of Izmit either by ferry or by crossing the Osmangazi Bridge (decision based on operational reasons).
After crossing the Gulf, continue by road to Istanbul. Arrive, get settled at the hotel. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Estimated distance and travel time: 270 miles, 8 hrs approx.
The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn’t consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.
12th Day: Istanbul – US
Breakfast* at the hotel. Sadly, it’s time to bring your adventure through Turkey to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip**.
*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
**Depending on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the US the following day.
