Turkey a la Carte
For the Independent traveler
Self drive program - Rent a car
15-Day Adventure : Istanbul , Kusadasi , Gulet and a Mediterranean Cruise

If you have only a short time, this is the perfect getaway. Your days are filled with enough exotic sights, sounds, scenes and scents to make it seem like weeks. We'll even provide you with the Lonely Planet guide to Turkey and Istanbul so that you can explore on your own, as you like, in your free time!

DAY 1 - Izmir or Kusadasi - Saturday
You're met at the airport or seaport by our representative, who sees you to your car rental .
Pick up your car , drive on your own to your hotel in Kusadasi

Our staff meets your flight , or cruise line ( Oceania Cruises , Princess Cruises , Crystal Cruises or other Mediterranean cruises ), and escorts you to your hotel.

Day 2 - Pamukkale - Sunday (Breakfast, Dinner)
After breakfast and checking out from the hotel, drive to Pamukkale, beautiful and spectacular natural site, unique in the world with the fairy like, dazzling white, petrified cascade. After strolling over the calcareous terraces of Pamukkale, arrive at your hotel. In the afternoon, you can enjoy the thermal facilities of your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 3 - Fethiye - Monday (Breakfast)
After having breakfast and checking out from the hotel, visit the Roman City of Hierapolis first and then visit the best preserved Necropolis. After having lunch on own, drive to Fethiye. Overnight in Fethiye.

Day 4 - Board your Gulet - Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast drive to Fethiye Harbor to leave the rental car and embark the boat at 10:00. In Fethiye (before departure) you can have walk to the Lycian rock tombs of ancient Telmessos and make a tour in the city. After lunch, cruising to Ölüdeniz. (Charter yachts are not allowed to enter the heart of the bay of Ölüdeniz.) Enjoy swimming in the bay, before we cruise to Gemile Island for overnight.

Sample Cabin. Size will vary depending on the boat /gulet confirmed
Always private cabins, always private facilities. Beds are upper / lower or both lower beds.

Day 5 - Ekincik - Tuesday (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
We cruise in the morning for approx. 4 hours along the Disibilmez and Baba Islands will bring us again to the region of Ekincik. Overnight in one of the bays here.

Day 6 - Kimlubuk - Wednesday (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Cruise to Inceada - Gebekilise. In the afternoon cruising till Turunc with swimming stops in Kadirga  and Kumlubuk. Last dinner on board.

Day 7 - Disembark - Bodrum - Thursday (Breakfast)
After having breakfast, disembark from the boat at 10:00 in Marmaris and pick your rental car up again at the harbor. Drive to Bodrum. On arrival to Bodrum, have lunch at a local restaurant and visit its underwater museum and castle. Bodrum is also famous for its night life. Overnight in Bodrum.

.

Day 8 - Kusadasi - Friday (Breakfast)
Leave Bodrum behind and drive up to Kusadasi. First visit Gulluk and then Didyma en route, important for its sanctuary of Apollo and oracle. As you drive further north, stop at Miletus, then head on to Prienne which, in its day, was a leading member of the Panionic League. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 9 - Kusadasi - Saturday (Breakfast)
First drive up to the Virgin Mary's house; and then Ephesus which was founded in the eleventh century by the Ionians. Strolling through the streets of Ephesus, you will witness the perfection of Graeco-Roman Art. Late in the afternoon go to St. John's Basilica, which is believed to be the tomb of the Apostle John, Christ's beloved disciple. From the basilica, stroll to Isa Bey Mosque and end the day. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 10 - Bergama - Sunday (Breakfast):
Today drive further north to visit Sardes with its breathtaking view of the Gymnasium. Sardes is mentioned as one of the seven Churches of the Revelation, and here see the first synagogue of Western Anatolia. After lunch, drive to Pergammum, first stopping at the Ascylepion, which served as a health center, before driving to the Acropolis. Overnight in Bergama.

Day 11 - Canakkale - Monday (Breakfast)
After a late breakfast and checking out from the hotel, drive to Canakkale. Enroute, visit Assos, where St. Paul joined by St. Luke, and then Troas, visited by St. Paul on his 3rd Journey. After having lunch at a local restaurant, visit Troy, the famous city of the Illiad and end your day. Overnight in Guzelyali (Canakkale).

Day 12 - Bursa - Tuesday (Breakfast)
After having breakfast and checking out, cross the Dardanelles and visit Gelibolu's World War 1 Memorials. After this, turn back to Canakkale to have lunch. After lunch, driver to Bursa. Overnight in Bursa. Day 8 - Istanbul (Breakfast) Drop the car rental in the morning and take a public bus from Bursa to Istanbul. Or ask for assistance with the transfer . The public busses are quite comfortable in Turkey. In Istanbul two thousand years of history are revealed: towering Roman walls, ancient Byzantine churches, slender minarets framing the bulbous domes of graceful mosques. These ancient monuments float on the skyline of a bustling modern metropolis of ten million people. Overnight in Istanbul.

Complimentary entrance tickets to the Harem's Quarter in Topkape Palace in Istanbul
When you purchase the full day tour in Istanbul

Day 13 - Istanbul , the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:" Wednesday (B)
Once again your own activities, or purchase one of the optional tours from us:

Suggested tour of the day :
In the morning drive over Bosphorus bridge to the Asian side of Istanbul, view the city from Camlica Hill visit Beylerbeyi Palace. See the glamour of Ottoman Sultans. See the local market in Uskudar and view the old town from Asian shores.
Enjoy your lunch on the Asian side
In the afternoon cross to the European side visit Dolmabahçe Palace which was used till 1923. See the marvelous decorations of the Palace and the taste of the sultans. Continue to the Grand Bazaar and enjoy shopping till the end of your day.

DAY 14 - ISTANBUL - St. Sophia / The Underground Cistern Thursday - (B)
Once again your own activities, or purchase one of the optional tours from us:
After a leisurely morning drive to the old town. First visit St. Sophia Museum of the 6th century and then the Underground Cistern. walk through the columns of this grand water reservoir. Drive to the Archeological Museum and see the Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and the numerous relics from Anatolia and Holy Lands.
Enjoy your lunch a top of Galata Tower and view the city from this point, have your tea at the Pera Palas which was the hotel of Agatha Christie.
Afterwards enjoy the Ottoman Band Show at the Military Heritage Museum. At the end of the day transfer to the Airport or pier to board your cruise ship.

There are many more things to see and do in this fascinating city, but they will have to wait for your next visit .

Day 15 - RETURN HOME Friday (B)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home, completely refreshed, and with memories to last for years. Bon Voyage . Gule Gule.

RATES per person in USD $

With an   air-conditioned Fiat Albea (1200cc) Rent a car

But for an air-conditioned Ford Focus (1600cc) , please add $ 100 per person to any of the above rates

Rate includes : .

• Meals as listed : B : Breakfast Daily . L / D : Preset menu , lunch/ Dinner , all as per itinerary.
  
• One airport transfer in Istanbul at the end of the tour.
• Hotel accommodation , as per itinerary with continental breakfast daily and tax.
• Nine days car rental
• Three days on a Gulet cabin charter (from Fethiye to Marmaris) that includes; all meals on board your Mediterranean cruise , linen, port dues and taxes.

Suggested Hotels;

• Kusadasi: Kismet Hotel www.kismet.com.tr  
• Pamukkale: Richmond Thermal Hotel www.richmondhotels.com.tr/eng/termal.asp?act=termal  
• Fethiye: Ece Saray Hotel http://www.ecesaray.net/boutique.htm  
• Bodrum: The Marmara Bodrum www.themarmarabodrum.com  
• Bergama: Berksoy Hotel www.berksoyhotel.com  
• Canakkale: Tusan Hotel www.tusanhotel.com  
• Bursa: Safran Hotel (No web site, but this is a nice boutique hotel with 10 rooms only)  
• Istanbul: Blue House Hotel www.bluehouse.com.tr   

Rate doesn't include :

• International air fare.
• Visa Fee : $20 in cash upon arrival, for US citizens, or $45 for Canadians, or from any of the Turkish Consulates
• Trip/travel insurance, please ask us for the flyer .
• Guide (s)
• Any shore excursions while on board the gulet.
• Any beverages
• Lunches & Dinners (please check the itinerary for included dates)

CAR RENTAL: The rental car includes:

• Unlimited Mileage
• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
• Theft Protection
• Local taxes and VAT 18%

Car Rental contract doesn't Include :

• GAS
• Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), which you may purchase locally  

Private Chauffeur:
If you prefer to sit back , relax and leave the driving to us: Then you'll have your own private chauffeur . One of our experienced drivers to escort you during the 9 days car rental. For an additional : USD 450 per person to the total for the 9 days . This covers the driver : Meals, accommodation and fee.

En Espanol - Back to Turkey Tour List