Anatolian Adventure

An 11-Day Private tour of Turkey

Come see the wonders of "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque" (late 19th century),
the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:" . Istanbul and Central and Western Turkey in only 11 days: Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Aphrodisias, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Pergamon ( where the Satan's Throne was), Troy and Çanakkale. Click her for the Turkish Riviera - Anatolia Edition

En Español. Add Jordan and Egypt

DAY 1 - ISTANBUL- Friday
While we suggest Friday for an arrival day, yet you may this tour may operate Daily - March - Nov- This is a private tour

Our local rep. meets your plane and escorts you to your hotel. In the evening, your guide or local tour manager will go over the itinerary with you over a cup of Mint Tea.

DAY 2 - "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque" (late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:" Saturday (BLD)

Morning walking tour : We start with our guide in Karaköy where the foreign bankers and shipping companies had their headquarters, then take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish tekke, and walk past the various old embassy buildings (now consulates), and point out the architecture. Stop for tea (included) at the famous Pera Palace Hotel.
Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then walk up to Taksim Square and be picked up for the afternoon tour.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon the tour visit Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz, and finish up with a visit to the Military History Museum in Harbiye in time to hear the "Mehter," or Ottoman military band (mid-afternoon).

Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals: This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Istanbul l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course . You may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town)

Day 3 - CAPPADOCIA Sunday (BD)
We fly to Kayseri for an adventure into fabled Cappadocia. This is a journey back into time. Possible stops along the way include the ruins of Hattusas, and Yazlikaya, capital of the ancient Hittite empire. Finally, we'll reach the heart of Cappadocia. Here, you'll settle in at one of the deluxe cave style hotels ( Or more contemporary ones based on your preference). Cave Suites or Gamirasu Cave Hotel.
In the afternoon, we explore the foremost sights in this historic, visually striking region. Our first stop is the Göreme Open Air Museum, with its dozens of ancient cave-churches carved from the soft volcanic stone. Many still contain their beautiful colored fresco decoration. Next we explore the monastic valley of Zelve, where whole monasteries were carved into the rock. In the Pasabag and Dervent valleys we view the "fairy chimneys," pinnacles of volcanic rock formed by wind and water erosion over millennia. We enjoy a panorama of the Red and Rose Valleys before we head back for our hotel to enjoy a typical Turkish dinner. Transfers are always with a : Private air-conditioned vehicle and a private chauffeur

DAY 4 - CAPPADOCIA- Monday (BLD)
We drive across the rolling steppe of Central Anatolia to the town of Derinkuyu and descend into an underground labyrinth carved thousands of years ago. Hundreds of cave-rooms and passageways descend eight levels into the earth. Storerooms, kitchens, larders, and churches show that this "underground city" was capable of housing thousands of people when danger threatened. On our way back to our hotel we stop at the striking Agzikarahan Caravansaray, built by the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century as a way-station for the rich camel caravans plying the Silk Route between Europe and Asia. Late afternoon drive to Avnos , a traditional potter- making town to visit the local artisans, and admire the fine detailing of the famous Iznic ceramic designs. In the evening we visit an underground restaurant for a traditional Turkish folklore show, with dances and costumes from several regions rich in folklore, including Gaziantep, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. The mysterious and alluring art of belly-dancing, and an enjoyable evening of traditional Turkish dance. Private air conditioned vehicle/Private guide

DAY 5 - KONYA - PAMUKKALE Tuesday (BLD)

An early morning drive takes us to the mystical city of Konya, birthplace of the Whirling Dervishes, for a visit to the Mevlana Museum. We continue to the spa of Pamukkale to enjoy the sunset from its warm mineral-water pools and our hotel.

DAY 6 - HIERAPOLIS - APHRODISIAS - KUSADASI - Wednesday (BLD)

In Pamukkale to tour the extensive ruins of Roman Hierapolis and have a swim in the mineral pools, then continue through lush farming country to Aphrodisias, the well-preserved City of Aphrodite, goddess of love. After touring the ruins, we drive to the Aegean seaside resort of Kusadasi for the night.

DAY 7 - EPHESUS, the HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY & IZMIR Thursday (BLD)

The miraculously revealed House of the Virgin Mary is our first stop, after which we tour Ephesus, the capital of Roman Asia Minor, and the Basilica of St. John, said to mark his tomb. Ephesus is where Mary spent her last days. The Church of the Virgin Mary built in the early days of Christianity , Ephesus was the seat of the Council of Ephesus ( If you are interested in visiting the Council of Ephesus, please let's know in advance.

Here at the great Amphitheater in Ephesus the rioters cried against St. Paul " Great is the Diana of Ephesians" .
Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Then drive to Izmir, Smyrna past fields of potatoes and tobacco, and orchards of figs, to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8 - PERGAMON and the SATAN's THRONE - DARDANELLES Friday (BLD)

Driving north along the Aegean coast, we come to Bergama (ancient Pergamon where the Satan's Throne was ) and ascend its lofty acropolis, followed by a tour of the Asclepion, one of the world's first medical and ancient healing centers. After lunch at a local restaurant , we continue northward along the coast to Çanakkale, on the Dardanelles.

DAY 9 - TROY - MARMARA COAST- ISTANBUL - Saturday (BLD)
The short drive to Troy ends with the thrill of standing atop the ancient walls where beautiful Helen once stood, where the Trojan Horse brought victory for the invading Achaeans 3300 years ago. We return to Istanbul along the fertile shores of the Sea of Marmara.

DAY 10 - ISTANBUL - Sunday (BLD)
Having saved the best for last, we tour the great Ottoman capital, visiting the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi, the palace of the sultans, with its fabulous Treasury and collections of priceless Chinese porcelains. In the afternoon we venture out to the great city walls to see the Kariye Museum (Chora Church), the church of St. Savior, resplendent with Byzantine mosaics.
In the evening, join us for dinner and a fabulous show of belly-dancing and folk dancing .

DAY 11 - DEPARTURE - Monday (B)
We escort you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage !

Rates include :

• All transfers, always on a private basis .
• All meals (Preset menu).
• Private Guided sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees.
• 4 stars first class hotel accommodation with tax. For Private touring , we'll be glad to upgrade your hotels to 5 stars ( at additional $$$ upon request)
• Lonely Planet Travel Guidebook.
• Domestic air fare in Turkey in economy class, tax included

Rate doesn't include :

• International air fare from /to your home country ..
• Visa Fee : in cash upon arrival , or from any of the Turkish Consulates
• Trip/travel insurance

En Espanol -   Click for the Turkish Riviera & Antalya Edition