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Turkey. Highlights of Turkey

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Day 1: Istanbul

Upon arrival you are met and transferred to our hotel in the Old City. Meet our guide in the late afternoon and stroll through the streets of the Old City to an open-air terrace restaurant for dinner. Our meal is an authentic introduction to Turkish cuisine and culture with an unbeatable view from our restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, Galata Tower, and the Bosphorus Bridge. Stay overnight at a boutique accommodation in the heart of the historic Sultanhamet district of Istanbul.


Azade Hotel

Dinner

Day 2: Istanbul

Today we explore the grandeur of one of the world’s most important historical cities, Istanbul. We visit a selection of splendid relics of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, including the Topkapi Palace, Aya Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Roman Hippodrome, underground cisterns and, if time permits, the Kapali Carsi (covered bazaar). Around sunset we hop onto a commuter ferry joining local Istanbuli’s as they return home from work; a journey that reveals palaces, lavishly restored antique homes and embassies on both the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus. We have dinner at a traditional Turkish restaurant with a creative menu. Overnight at the Senatus Hotel.


Azade Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Fly to Kayseri - Drive to Cappadocia - Goreme & Uchisar

Transfer to the airport for flight to Kayseri (1 hr), then drive to Urgup in Cappadocia (50 min). Explore 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 you’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. Overnight Elkep Evi (or similar), a boutique cave hotel full of atmosphere built into a stone cliff facade overlooking the town of Urgup.


Elkep Evi Cave Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Villages & Artisan Workshops - Whirling Dervish

We spend two full days exploring Cappadocia with our expert local guide on foot and by private vehicle. The itinerary is flexible based on individual interests and abilities including visits to artisan workshops specializing in various handicrafts and options for horseback riding or easy mountain biking. We visit a textile coop and a potter’s workshop to learn about ceramics, the origin of the potter's wheel invented in Anatolia, and you have a chance to throw your own pots. See a Whirling Dervish performance tonight. Overnight Elkep Evi.


Elkep Evi Cave Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Ilhara Gorge Walking Explorations - Underground Cities

Today we meander through rock dwellings and hidden churches of these remote valleys. We walk short distances or hike for several hours in the Ilhara Gorge on moderately undulating trails exploring the strange fairy-chimney landscapes, canyon lands where the early Christians built many hidden rock churches amongst local vineyards and villages. At the village of Avanos we enjoy local fruits and wines and often buy ingredients for a picnic lunch. Later, we descend into the honeycombed Kaymakli or Derinkuyu underground cities where the people of Cappadocia could escape from marauding invaders and survive in tunnels and caverns for 6 months, 150 feet down. En route back to Urgup we often stop to view a 13th century Selcuk Turk Caravansarai, similar to those made famous by Marco Polo. Optional activities include hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, mountain biking, and a visit to a Turkish bath (not included). Overnight Elkep Evi (or similar).


Elkep Evi Cave Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6: Fly to Izmir & Drive to Sirence Village

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Izmir (direct or via Istanbul connection). Drive up into the hills to Sirence village (1hr), for centuries a summer refuge from the coastal lowlands. Depending on the flight schedule we stop for an introductory visit to the Selcuk Museum and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world before check in to our beautiful historic village accommodation. Our accommodations at Nisayan Houses are a series of small, distinctively restored Ottoman style homes in the quaint village of Sirence. A walk through the town reveals exquisite architecture, tea gardens, vibrant cottage industries and local handicraft shops. Enjoy the afternoon to explore and absorb the ambiance of village life. Overnight Nisanyan Evleri (or similar).


Nisanyan Houses

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Tour Ephesus - Visit Tire Village

Today we walk through the splendid ancient city of Ephesus. Romans of the 1st and 2nd centuries ACE brought the greatest level of prosperity to Ephesus which became the capital of the Roman world of Asia. The excavated city winds its way up a hillside with colonnaded avenues, ancient temples, agora, stadium shops and houses, and the ornate two-story Library of Celsus. In the afternoon we travel back in time to the rural Aegean village of Tire where one can still observe the old-fashioned courtyards of traditional artisans. Here we can see the felt makers, saddle makers, woodworking workshops, antique stores, and many other aspects of rural village life in Turkey. Wandering the quiet streets it is entirely natural for the proud artisans to invite us into their homes to share their genuine hospitality. Tire craftsmen employ techniques that have been almost universally lost over the centuries; only here have these skills been preserved for posterity passed down through generations. Overnight Nisanyan Evleri.


Nisanyan Houses

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Istanbul

Transfer to the airport (1 hr) for flight to Istanbul. Transfer in to your hotel located in the bustling Galata district just a short walk to the pedestrian promenade of Istiklal Caddesi where you can walk through the lively neighborhood of Beyoglu up to Taksim Square offering an abundance of restaurants, bars, clubs and shops in close proximity. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax, explore on foot and reflect on your experience in Turkey overlooking the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and Istanbul skyline of mosques and minarets before our farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant. Overnight in the Galata District at Anemon Galata.


Georges Hotel

Breakfast

Day 9: Depart

Extend your stay or transfer to the airport for outbound flight.



Breakfast
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Scheduled Departure Dates
Ask about your dates!

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

    5/18 - 5/26/2013

    7/13 - 7/21/2013

    8/24 - 9/1/2013

    9/21 - 9/29/2013

    10/12 - 10/20/2013

    12/21 - 12/29/2013

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

Contact us for details!