Classics of Turkey 2023

Depart for 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 and famous for its blue ceramic tiles.

Tonight optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment.

This morning optional tour to St. Sophia and Bosphorus Cruise.
Afternoon departure for Ankara and late arrival.

Visit the 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. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk who was the father of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia touring a 13th century caravanserai en route. Pay a visit to the underground city of Saratli, one of the many underground settlements built for protection and religious reasons. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Join an optional whirling Dervishes performance. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Optional early morning hot air balloon tour to experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys, and caves at sunrise.
Visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey located among the rock formations which was 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 Pasabag Red Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave.

Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Drive to Pamukkale. En route visit the famous mausoleum of the Sufi philosopher Mevlana. This was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order better known as the Whirling Dervishes. Dinner & overnight in Pamukkale.

Today visit the unique cotton fortress of Pamukkale with its white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs, and the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Proceed to Izmir. Dinner and overnight.

This morning visit the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2000 year-old marble streets, the theatre, 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 centre to have a first hand experience of this unique art form.
Afternoon optional trip to Sirince.
Dinner and overnight.

Visit the ancient Medical Centre, Asclepion, in Pergamum and continue to a traditional local village for lunch with locals. Then on to 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. Continue to Canakkale for dinner & overnight.

Morning departure for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WW1. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair, then drive to Istanbul for overnight, then drive to Istanbul and explore the famous Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets. Farewell Dinner.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight

• Accommodation as per itinerary or similar
• Meals as indicated on itinerary
• Licensed Professional guides
• Sightseeing
• Arrival/departure transfers Day 1 and Day 11 from IST airport
• Local taxes and charges
• Air condition transportation
• Travel Notes

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

If you are arriving or departing Istanbul on any days other than the arrival and departure days of the tour, the transfers will not be included in the price of the Coach Tour.

**DOUBLE BEDS**
Please note we have requested a double bedded room but cannot guarantee one will be available. In Turkey double rooms are very limited. Please ask on check-in with the hotel to see what is available.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Airport transfers are only included on days of the tour ex Istanbul Ataturk Airport – a surcharge will apply for transfers to/from Sabiha Gocken airport.

If you are arriving or departing Istanbul on any days other than the arrival and departure days of the tour transfers will not be included in the price of the coach tour.

Porterage for one suitcase is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity the single bag should not exceed the dimensions of 30”x18”x10” and not weigh more than 50lbs (23kg). A charge of US $4 per travelling day is collected by the tour director for each additional piece of baggage or if the suitcase exceeds established weight and/or dimension limitations. Alternatively you might leave your luggage at your Istanbul Hotel storage.

The hotel selection may change – please use this as a guideline only.