Turkey Tour

HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy the exotic art and architecture of Istanbul
Explore the incredible ruins of Ephesus
Wander through old Antalya and the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos
Discover the buried treasures of Cappadocia’s underground cities
Connect with the hospitable Turkish people and enjoy fantastic food, art and culture

Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of magical Istanbul with visits to the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar, as well as a delightful cruise up the Bosphorus Strait. Cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry and visit ancient Troy. Absorb the cultural wealth of Ephesus, the commercial center of the ancient Roman Empire. Soak up the ambiance, literally, in the spectacular hot spring baths of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Our travel in Turkey continues to Antalya, with an excursion to the ancient Pamphylian, Hellenistic and Roman cities of Perge and Aspendos. Onward to Konya, the final resting place of the celebrated Sufi poet Rumi. We continue to Cappadocia where nature has scoured surrealistic moonscape shapes and the persecuted Christians dug underground cities during the 9th century. Our exploration of the wonders of Turkey culminates in Bursa, known as the “green city” for its many parks and gardens. Here we enjoy a relaxed walking tour of mosques, museums, mausoleums and Ressamlar Sokak (Painters' Street), where local artists work in the open air.

Turkish woman

Courtesy of Joyce Bruck

ITINERARY

Read Full Itinerary (PDF)

Day 1-3: Meet in Istanbul
Visit the cultural treasures: Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome Square, St. Sophia Church, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, the Cistern Basilica, the Spice Market and the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy an unforgettable boat excursion up the Bosphorus Strait.

Day 4-6: Troy - Canakkale - Pergamon - Ephesus
Over the next three days we visit Troy's legendary walls and the replica of the wooden horse, and the Acropolis in Pergamon. We enjoy cosmopolitian Izmir, our base to visit Ephesus, the most famous ancient Roman city in Turkey.

Day 7-9: Sardes - Pamukkale - Hierapolis - Aphrodisias - Antalya
Visit sites in Sardes, the capital of ancient Lydia and then magical Pamukkale (Hiecrapolis). A full day touring Antalya including the picturesque old quarter of Kaleici, and Perge.

Day 10-12: Konya - Cappadocia
In Konya we visit the Mevlana Museum and the 13th century Whirling Dervish Monastery. Two days visiting Cappadocia, including the Goreme Open Air Museum, the pottery-making town of Avanos, the painted rock churches, the natural citadel of Uchisar and the underground city of Kaymakli.

Day 13-14: Ankara - Bursa - Istanbul
We visit the Anatolian Civilization Museum and the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk in Ankara. Enjoy a leisurely walking tour and soak up the ambiance of the pleasant town of Bursa. Return to Istanbul.

Day 15: Depart