On the Road to Mediterranean

Feel the excitement of walking among 8,000 year old stone carvings in relief in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations; experience life 4 stories underground in the city of Kaymakli, complete with bedrooms, wine cellars, food warehouses, ventilation chimneys and a church; enter the mystical world of whirling dervishes; enjoy a refreshing drink overlooking the vast blue of the Mediterranean at the old harbor of Antalya; buy unique Turkish herbs & spices in Istanbul's famous spice market; taste the culinary delights of the sultans.

Arrival in Ankara. Transfer to your hotel in the capital for your first night in Turkey. (-/-/D)

 

Morning tour of Ankara will take you first to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which houses the richest collection of Hittite treasures. Continue on to explore the Citadel, the oldest part of the town and the Mausoleum of AtatUrk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. In the afternoon enjoy a ride to Cappadocia through the Anatolian countryside. (B/L/D)

 

 

This entire day will be spent exploring the moon-like landscape of Cappadocia; the valleys of Zelve and UChisar, where the 'troglodyte' life style is still alive. Next is the visit of the unique Goreme Open Air Museum, and it's 1600 year old rock carved churches and monasteries. The underground city of Kaymakli takes you on a journey into the earth. Fairy chimneys, the amazing natural stone formations, around you are the highlights of the day. (B/L/D)

Following the ancient Silk Road, a caravanseray from the 13th century will be the first stop. Next is Konya, the city of the Whirling Dervishes. We will arrive in Pamukkale right in time to enjoy the pastel colored sunset over white cascades. (B/L/D)

Another unique site in Turkey is Pamukkale with its brilliant white calcium rock formations and health spa, once called Hierapolis. In the afternoon, we continue onto Antalya through the Taurus mountains. (B/L/D)

From Antalya, we visit Perge with its theater and stadium. Next stop is Aspendos, the best preserved Roman theater on the Mediterranean coast. We continue to Side, a charming village among classical ruins. Return to Antalya. (B/L/D)

In the morning, we tour the old and new parts of Antalya. We fly to Istanbul in the afternoon. (B/L/D)

The city of emperors and a European metropolis of twelve million people awaits our exploration. We begin in the Sultanahmet district at the Blue Mosque, known for it's remarkable Turkish tiles. From there, we continue to the Hippodrome and St.Sophia church. In the afternoon we visit Topkapi Palace, the home of the Sultans during the Ottoman period. (B/L/D)

 

Bosphorus, a passage between Europe and Asia is where we sail while viewing the city's natural and historical beauties on both continents. We continue on to Suleymaniye Mosque followed by the Covered Bazaar and Spice Market, the two gigantic historical market places with more than 4000 small shops. (B/L/D)

 

A short drive will take you to the airport for your flight back home. (B/-/-)