SEARCH FOR TRIPS

Turkey. Turquoise Coast Odyssey Anniversary Adventure [Currently Not Active]

Days 1 - 2: Istanbul

The first two days of your Turquoise Coast adventure are spent exploring the hidden secrets of Istanbul. Join our expert local guide for strolls through the old city, visiting Aya Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cisterns, Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, the spice market and the Grand Bazaar. As the sun sets, hop on a commuter ferry and join the locals as they return home from work. Overnights are in the historic Sultanhamet district.

Days 3 - 5: Cappadocia

Fly to Kayseri and visit Cappadocia. Walking, hiking, and driving, with options on bike and hot air balloon, we spend two and half days exploring the fairy tale geological formations, rock carved churches and underground cities of early Christians, rural villages producing local products from vineyards and family farms to pottery and carpets, and we’ll enjoy great food and wine of the region.  Visit Uchisar Castle, a natural rock formation of former residences carved out of the soft tuft, and the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a complex of medieval cave churches carved and elaborately painted by Orthodox monks. Descend into the honeycombed tunnels of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu underground cities, stop by a local winery, listen to regional Turkish music and see a Whirling Dervish performance. Overnights Elkep Evi Cave Hotel 

Elkep Evi Cave Hotel

Days 6 - 7: Village Homestay / Antalya

Visit the Mevlana Museum, home of the Whirling Dervish, and stop to view a 13th century Selcuk Turk Caravansarai, way stations for camel caravans similar to those made famous by Marco Polo. Stay in Urunlu, a traditional community rarely visited by western travelers, for an overnight homestay. Then drive over the Taurus Mountains to the Mediterranean coast, stopping at Perge and Aspendos, the best preserved, and one of the largest Roman theaters in the world. Relax and explore the old town of Antalya where Attalus II, the king of Pergamon, founded a port in 2ndC BCE. Overnights in a village homestay and at the historic Dogan Hotel.

Dogan Hotel

Day 8: Termessos National Park / Olympos / Chimaera

Drive to Termessos National Park which protects a bio-diversity hot-spot and the archaeological site of Termessos, famous in the ancient world as the only city in Anatolia which did not surrender to Alexander the Great. This ambitious uphill 3 hour hike leads to the prominent acropolis of Termessos. Pass through dense and diverse coastal range vegetation rewarded by spectacular views and an impressive intact site with theater, the odeon, agora, the phenomenal necropolis, and other temples of this ancient settlement. Proceed to Cirali village home of the fire-breathing monster Chimaera at the foothills of Mount Olympos. Late afternoon hike through the beautiful pine forests to the Eternal Fires of the Chimaera (1.5 h) where the mythologial hero Bellerophon, riding his winged white horse Pegasus, killed the three-headed monster Chimaera. Today, 15-20 gas-produced flames burn perpetually from holes in the ground. Overnight at the Emek Pansiyon or the Blue and White in Cirali Village by the sea.

Olympos: Emek Pansiyon

Days 9 - 13: Turquoise Coast

Spend five nights aboard a chartered yacht exploring the Turquoise Coast. Sea kayak and snorkel to the sunken city of Kekova Island and ancient Roman baths, hike to the Crusader castle of Simena and through forested trails to the cities of ancient Lycia and visit the charming seaside village of Kas, with a well-preserved Greek theater, narrow cobble stoned streets, and whitewashed houses.  Overnights on our gulet.

Days 14 - 15: Sirence Village / Ephesus

We disembark in Marmaris and drive into the hills above Ephesus to overnight in the village of Sirince and experience rural village life of Turkey. The following morning walk throughout the impressive ancient city of Ephesus. Here we visit the relics of Hellenistic, Roman, biblical, Byzantine and Ottoman interests such as the ancient residential area rarely seen by most visitors, the Archeological Museum, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Drive to Izmir to catch the late afternoon flight to Istanbul. Overnight at Nisanyan Evleri and Galata Anemon Hotel.

Days 16 - 17: Istanbul

Walk and drive throughout the two continents of European and Asian Istanbul. Our plans are flexible but we hope to explore the world of “yalis”, former Ottoman homes on the Bosphorus and if we get permission we’ll visit the home that Kurt and Jale’s father, Tevfik Kamil Kutay, was born in 1920 and where they family had a luncheon reunion of 4 generations in 1968. Walk through the winding streets of outdoor markets famous for antiques, local nuts and dried fruits, patisseries, and homemade ice cream to have lunch at the famous local restaurant Ciya, a small cafe where Chef Musa Dagdeviren has gained international notoriety for his exquisite dishes representing centuries of cultures and geographical regions throughout the Ottoman Empire. Overnight at Galata Anemon Hotel and depart Turkey the following morning.
ask the director
download full itinerary
Scheduled Departure Dates
Ask about your dates!

Departures available on request
Call 1.800.345.4453 or click here to request more information.

Dates listed are current scheduled departures only, other departure dates are available.

Contact us for details!