Turkish Delights

Fly from London to Istanbul. On arrival, check in at the Haze Hotel or similar. Enjoy free leisure in Istanbul for the whole duration of the day.

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In the morning, depart for the Gallipoli Peninsula. Many battles took place here during the First World War. You will learn about the historic events that took place there, and the significance of the ANZACs (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps).

Then cross the Dardanelles Strait and arrive in Çanakkale in the afternoon. The drive from Istanbul to Çanakkale takes approximately 5.5 hours, not including the stop at Gallipoli.

(B)

After breakfast, visit the ancient city of Troy, which was immortalized in Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad. The site features many historically significant buildings and remnants, including the Roman Odeon (Music Theater), the Temple of Athena, and many Fortification Walls.

In the afternoon, visit the seaside town of Ayvalik. This small, quaint port town is home to many local delights. This includes warm and welcoming cafes, markets full of handicrafts, and nearby olive-oil factories. Enjoy free time exploring this delightful town.

Stay overnight at the Bacacan Hotel or similar.

(B)

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pergamon. You will take a cable car trip to the Acropolis, which contains various remnants of Pergamon, including the engaging and informative museum. You can also visit the local temples, palaces, libraries, and theaters.

Then proceed to the town of Selçuk and enjoy an evening of free leisure. Stay for 2 nights at the Kalehan Hotel or similar.

(B)

Visit the ancient site of Ephesus in the morning. The site is considered one of the best-preserved in the world, and an extraordinary example of Greco-Roman architecture.

After visiting Ephesus, head to Selçuk. While here you will visit the Isa Bey Mosque, the oldest active mosque in Turkey, and St John’s Basilica, a major pilgrimage site during the medieval era. Then enjoy free time. Return to Kusadasi in the evening.

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Drive to Pamukkale, the famous hot springs comprised of mineral forests, waterfalls, and terraced basins. The distinctive white texture is due to the deposits from thermal waters, which sprawled down the mountainside for over a hundred years. The springs were once thought to contain healing properties.

Nearby are the ruins of Hierapolis, a once-prominent Roman bath center. The ruins feature a surprisingly well-preserved holy area, fountain, theater, bath, necropolis, and basilica. Spend the afternoon exploring the site.

Stay overnight at the Mlerose Hotel or similar.

(B)

Leave Pamukkale and travel to Kas. On the way, visit Xanthos, an ancient city located in the Kinik village. The site was once the capital of the Lycian Kingdon. It is a popular tourist site and divided into 2 parts by a small ravine, with highlights including the Inscribed Pillar of Xanthos and the Agora, a series of smooth columns. After a guided tour, proceed to Kas.

Considered a charming coastal destination, Kas sport’s beautiful beaches and a pleasant atmosphere. It has several activities and highlights to check out, including the Pinara Ruins and the Saklikent Gorge, the longest and deepest gorge in Turkey. Enjoy free leisure in the afternoon.

Stay at the Linda Hotel<s/trong> or similar for 2 nights.

(B)

Enjoy a day of free leisure. Either relax or take advantage of the many optional activities. These include a boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova, a relaxing trip to Kaputas Beach, and a visit to the ancient theater in Kas.

(B)

Transfer to the city of Antalya, home to one of Turkey’s most popular beach resorts. Arrive in the early afternoon, and visit the old city of Kaleiçi, The city harbor was lovingly restored in the 1980s, and is now a marina for excursion boats and yachts. It also features lively pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops. You can also visit the Antalya Museum in the afternoon, which features historical sculptures from the Roman period.

Stay at the Argos Hotel or similar overnight.

(B)

Visit the ancient theater of Aspendos in the morning. The site is one of the best-preserved theaters in the world. It was previously called Belkis and located 25 miles east of Antalya. It was built during the reign of Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, and it features inscriptions that detail the history of the building, including the Greek architect who designed it.

In the afternoon, transfer to Konya, a bustling city located in central Turkey. It is one of the oldest urban centers in the world.

Stay overnight at Sems-l Tibrizi Hotel or similar.

(B)

In the morning, visit the Mevlana Museum, home to the tomb of Celaleddin Rumi. The building features a Ritual Hall, Sacrophagi, Mausoleum, and Mosque. It is also a prominent pilgrimage site, attracting millions of tourists and locals each year.

Then, proceed to the Cappadocia region, a landscape composed of soft volcanic rock. The area features distinctive rock formations due to the natural effects of erosion. These include various cones, valleys, towers, and even caves. There are also several underground tunnel complexes and man-made caves, rumored to have been built for use as a refuge.

Afterwards, visit the Ihlara Valley, which features breathtaking gorges and picturesque forests. It is also home to Mount Hasan, one of the volcanoes responsible for the rock formations at the Cappadocia region. Walk along the Melendiz River, marveling at the stunning scenery and rock-hewn buildings.

Stay for 2 nights at the Heybe Hotel or similar.

(B)

In the morning, take an optional hot air balloon ride over the Cappadocia region.

After breakfast, visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage-Listed site. The museum is a cultural and historically significant site, and is famous for its complex series of Caves, monasteries, and churches. The landscape of Goreme is made from volcanic tuff, due to activity at the extinct volcano of Mt. Erciyes.

Then visit one of Cappadocia’s fascinating underground cities. The cities were once home to over 20,000 people, and the Derinkuyu underground city is made up of 18 levels of tunnels, which go more than 85m underground. Research suggests the underground cities were constructed to avoid the wars and conflicts that took place above ground.

(B)

Return to Istanbul in the morning from Cappadocia. Take an optional tour of the city in the afternoon, where you will visit the Bosphorus on the Asian side of the city. Enjoy free leisure in the afternoon.

Stay for 2 nights at the Haze Hotel or similar.

(B)

Enjoy free leisure in the morning. In the afternoon, enjoy further free time or take an orientation walk around the city. Check out the Old City, formerly Constantinople, and then visit the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. You can also explore the Grand Bazaar, home to over 3,000 local stalls and vendors, selling handcrafted gifts, jewellery, books, and textiles.

(B)

Have breakfast in Istanbul and travel back to London.

(B)