Treasures of Türkiye (Turkey)

Your fascinating tour of Türkiye, the "Crossroads of Civilizations" begins as you depart on overnight flights to Istanbul.

*Passengers who did not purchase flights will join the tour in Istanbul on Day 2.

Upon arrival when you visit Istanbul, you’ll be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. This evening your tour director hosts a welcome dinner and orientation.

Situated at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, Istanbul offers a fascinating blend of east and west. Your guided morning tour includes visits to St. Sophia, the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century. You may delight in a visit to the Spice Market, the exotic food market selling dried fruits and spices, the underground cistern, the water source of the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Your tour ends with a visit to the vast and bustling Grand Bazaar, world-famous labyrinth and passages housing numerous stores where you'll have shopping opportunities galore. The balance of the day is at leisure and you may wish to join a leisurely cruise on the Bosphorous.

Depart for the Turkish capital, Ankara, the country's second largest city. Upon arrival, visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum is a vast brick courtyard and monumental avenue lined with Neo Hittite stone statues and cenotaphs beneath its colonnades. You will also visit the fascinating Anatolian Civilization Museum. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore on your own.  

Today, travel by road through the Turkish countryside to the world-renowned region of Cappadocia, a breathtaking landscape with striking and bizarre rock formations and underground cities. Along the way, enjoy a short stop on the shore of the biggest salt lake in Türkiye where you might spot some flamingos. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, visit a private cave home where you can learn more about traditional Turkish life. Next, enjoy a relaxing wine tasting experience with wines produced from Cappadocian grapes. Afterward, check into your hotel.

Early this morning, you may join an exhilarating optional hot-air balloon ride above the Cappadocia's river valleys and cliffs. On today’s guided excursion, visit the Open Air Museum in the Goreme Valley to view early Christian churches decorated with beautiful frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. You’ll also visit the Kaymakli Underground City, which was hollowed out of volcanic rock and extends seven to nine floors deep into the earth. It is made up of a maze of corridors, chambers, storehouses, kitchens and churches. Finally, visit the village of Avanos, famous for its beautiful old houses as well as pottery and onyx workshops.

This morning visit the 13th century Sultan Han located at a secluded point on the ancient Silk Road between Aksaray and Konya. It was used as a caravanserai during the Seljuk period when trade flourished, requiring roads for caravan transport and inns for the traveling traders and their camels. Continue your journey by road via Konya, passing through lush forests, orchards and olive groves on the sloping hills downward to the splendid Mediterranean Sea.

Full day at leisure to enjoy at your own pace. Your seaside resort hotel enjoys a choice location overlooking Türkiye's fabled Turquoise Coast. You may join an optional tour to ancient Perge, the most attractive and well-preserved Pamphylian city that reached its apex during the reign of Alexander the Great. Continue to Aspendos, founded by the colonists from Argos and best known for its huge theater. On this optional tour, you'll also visit Antalya's Archaeological Museum that houses artifacts and antiques from 2500 years of Anatolian culture.

Journey to Pamukkale and visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hieropolis ("Holy City"), situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs. These hot springs have served as a thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C. Later, arrive in Izmir, believed to be the birthplace of Homer.

Today, venture to explore Ephesus - considered to be the world’s best-preserved classical city and famous throughout history for its Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world and among its impressive structures, you will marvel at the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Odeon. Later, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a shrine said to be the final home of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus. We will also visit a Women's Weaving Co-Op for a Turkish BBQ Lunch. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, enjoy a homemade BBQ lunch with local ingredients and wine tasting. Lastly, Turkish coffee will be served as it plays a central role in the culture of Turkish hospitality and friendship. Return to Izmir. After the day's sightseeing, enjoy a lecture about life for women in Türkiye.

Drive to Pergamum, a powerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period, and visit the Acropolis, an impressive structure that houses the Temple of Trajan, the Heroon Shrine, the Sanctuary of Athena and the Altar of Zeus. You'll also view the Theater and the Library of Pergamum, whose collection came second only to that of Egypt's Alexandria. After our independent lunch, we'll depart to Cannakale and stop at an olive oil museum en route. We'll marvel at the classical city of Troy as you tour this 4,000-year-old city and legendary center of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer's epic poem the Iliad. Arrive in Canakkale.

This morning, we'll depart for Istanbul. Cross by ferry the Dardanelles, a narrow strait connecting the Aegean and the Black Sea. Upon arrival, a local expert will introduce us to some of the highlights of the city, previously known as Constantinople and the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire. Visit the splendid Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for almost 600 years and now a fascinating museum. Here, visit the Treasury section with the crown jewels and the unique collection of Chinese porcelains. Continue to the ancient Hippodrome, where the place chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period and finally, explore the elegant Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles. This evening, savor a festive farewell dinner.

Today we bid our tour of Türkiye farewell. Your exciting journey concludes as you arrive New York.

*The tour will end for passengers who did not purchase flights today, on Day 13, in Istanbul.