Treasures of Anatolia ( 12 nights / 13 days )

Day 2: Istanbul
We meet this morning and transfer to Sultanahmet for a full-day tour. Our day begins with a visit to the ancient Hippodrome, an area that was once the center of Byzantine civic life. We continue to Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent paneling of blue and white 17th century Iznik tiles. Next we visit Hagia Sophia, often described as the greatest work of Byzantine architecture.

From here we continue to the Basilica Cistern, the largest and most ornate of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. In its construction, columns and capitals of earlier temples were used, providing a very decorative appearance. After this visit we proceed to the historical Caferaga Medresseh. Built in 1559 by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan, the Caferaga Medresseh now houses the school of traditional Turkish arts and handcrafts. Here we have lunch at the school’s café and then continue to the Grand Bazaar. This bazaar will tempt even non-shoppers with nearly 4,000 shops exhibiting a rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewelry, leather, antiques, and souvenirs. Our final visit is to the Spice Market which was built as part of the Yeni Cami complex and has since been an exciting covered market filled with the fragrant scent of spices from the Orient.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Istanbul
This morning we meet again for another full day of sightseeing. We begin at Topkapi Palace. Today it is a spectacular museum with one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and the very famous treasury of the Ottoman Sultans. Next we depart by ferry to begin a tour of the Asian side of Istanbul. Considered to be the heart of the Asian side of the city, we disembark in Kadikoy. Kadikoy was the first settlement established by Greeks from Megara on the Asian shore of the Bosporus Strait, almost 20 years before Byzantium on the European shore was established. Today Kadikoy is a busy shopping district, hosting Turkey’s biggest fresh market. After strolling through the streets of Kadikoy, we break for lunch at a restaurant located inside the market. Next we continue with panoramic drive along the Asian shore of Bosporus Strait, stopping to visit the Maiden’s Tower. Though built in 408 B.C. to control the movement of Persian ships in the Bosphorus strait, there are many legends regarding the construction and location of the tower. From here we return to the European side via the Bosporus Bridge, where we have the evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Istanbul / Bursa
This morning we depart Istanul and drive to Bursa, enjoying a view of natural beauty along the way. On the way we stop at the town of Iznik. Here you will see the ancient city walls, Hagia Sophia Museum, and Archeology Museum. After lunch we continue to Bursa. Standing on the lower slopes of Uludag, this province is known as “Green Bursa” because of its gardens, parks, and being in the middle of an important fruit growing region. Upon arrival we visit the Green Complex, which consists of a mosque, a medresseh, a tomb, and an Imaret. The complex has taken its name from the turquoise tiles extensively used in its decoration. Next we visit the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami). Built at the end of the 14th century, the Ulu Cami is an interesting example of the period before the classical Ottoman architecture. Bursa being the center of the silk trade, makes a visit to the attractive Ottoman building of the Koza Han a must.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Ankara
This morning we depart for Ankara. On the way we stop to visit the ancient Gordion site. Gordion was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Phrygia. The kings of Phrygia built large tombs near Gordion called tumuli, which consist of artificial mounds constructed over burial chambers. Consisting of nearly 100, many of the chambers of these tombs were wooden. One of the tombs is thought to belong to the famous king Midas. Upon arrival to Ankara in the late afternoon, we enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. If time allows, we plan a visit to Anitkabir—the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the national leader and founder the of Turkish Republic. We enjoy this evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Neolithic and Hittite Sites
Today we depart for a full day of sightseeing. First we visit the archaeological site of Hattusha, former capital of the Hittite Empire, is notable for its urban organization, the types of construction that have been preserved (temples, royal residences, fortifications), the rich ornamentation of the Lions’ Gate and the Royal Gate, and the ensemble of rock art at Yazilikaya. Next we drive to the nearby site of Alacahoyuk. Alacahoyuk is the important archaeological site of a Neolithic and Hittite settlement. The excavations on the site have revealed considerable local wealth and achievement even before the time of the Hittites, with the earliest occupation dating from the 4th millennium B.C. Tombs of the 3rd millennium B.C. feature metal vessels, jewelry, weapons, and pole finials of bulls, stags, and abstract forms often interpreted as solar symbols. After this visit we drive back to Ankara for evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Ankara / Cappadocia
This morning we begin at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. One of the richest museums in the world, it exhibits artifacts and findings that date back as far as the second half of the first millennium B.C. Also among one of the museum’s rare cultural treasures is a coin collection with examples ranging from the first minted money to modern times. From here we depart Ankara and continue on to Cappadocia. Before arriving in Cappadocia we stop in the town of Hacibektas. Here is were Hajji Bektash Wali, the Anatolian mystic, humanist, and philosopher lived most of his life. We visit Bektashi Order museum and the tomb of Hajji Bektash Wali here. We arrive in Cappadocia in the early evening.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Cappadocia
This morning we begin our tour of breathtaking Cappadocia. This area is renowned for its awe-inspiring natural rock formations that were utilized for everything from housing, to churches, and even complete underground villages. We first visit Goreme’s open air museum which consists of steep cliffs and many hidden churches dating from the second half of the 9th century and later. We continue to Uchisar where we visit the Uchisar Fortress. With a breathtaking view of the surrounding Cappadocia formations, this 60-meter high fortress was not built but carved out of a natural hill dominating the area. After these visits we drive to a local village for a home hosted lunch. Here we get to know the locals as we enjoy the authentic regional specialties. After lunch we continue to explore Cappadocia with a visit to the remarkable underground city of Derinkuyu. Beginning in the 2nd century, as successive armies swept across Asia Minor, the resident of Cappadocia created uniquely defensible communities by digging approximately eight stories down into the volcanic tufa stone. We finish the day portion of our tour with a stop at the most panoramic area of Cappadocia. From here we return to our hotel for a short rest and dinner before departing to medieval caravanserai to watch a Whirling Dervish Ceremony.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Cappadocia / Konya / Beysehir
Before departing Cappadocia this morning we drive to the small town of Avanos which is famous for its pottery and carpets. At the Avanos Handcraft Center we learn about these regional crafts and may also see demonstrations performed by local craftsmen. After this visit we drive to Konya, one of the oldest cities in Anatolia. Here we visit the most famous monument in Konya, the Mevlana Tekke. It is the tomb and shrine of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the founder of the Mevlevi Order of Whirling Dervishes, and an object of pilgrimage from all over the world. The tomb has also been converted into a museum which houses items that belonged to Mevlana and other dervishes. From Konya we continue to another important archeological site. The Çatalhoyuk site is the largest and best preserved Neolithic town discovered so far. The inhabitants of Çatalhoyuk lived in mud-brick houses which were stuck together in a honeycomb-like maze, with no streets or paths between the houses. The houses were accessed through the openings in the ceilings, thus the rooftops playing the role of the streets. Finally we drive to the town of Beysehir, and proceed to a nearby village to experience modern rural Turkey. Here you meet local people, have a homemade dinner, and stay overnight in a village house.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Beyşehir / Pamukkale
After a traditional breakfast in your hosts’ home, we leave the village and head for Pamukkale, stopping by the town of Beysehir. Here we see Esrefoglu Camii, a unique wooden mosque with the finest example of the Seljuk Turkish flat wooden ceiling and wooden column style mosque construction. From here we continue on to Pamukkale. Pamukkale is one of the most interesting places in the world, justly famous not only for the entrancing beauty of its unique geological formations, but also for its historic remains. It features a shimmering white cascade, formed by limestone-laden hot springs. After visiting the legendary terraces of Pamukkale, we continue to the Hierapolis ancient site. Scattered along the top of the ridge at Pamukkale, the ancient ruins are still a remarkable sight in their magnificent state as it was thousands of years ago.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Pamukkale / Kusadasi
This morning we depart for Kusadasi, stopping on the way to visit Aphrodisias, one of the oldest sacred sites in Turkey. Dedicated to the goddess of love, it was the site of the magnificent Temple of Aphrodite and the home of a renowned school of marble sculpture. The Temple of Aphrodite later became a Christian basilica through an impressive swapping of columns. In the early evening we arrive to the town of Kusadasi. Kusadasi is set in a superb gulf and is known for its sparkling water, broad sandy beaches, and large marina.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Kusadasi / Ephesus Sites
This morning we depart for a full day of sightseeing. First we visit the Ephesus archaeological site which is perhaps the world’s best preserved ancient city and its ruins attract visitors from across the globe. The most significant relic of the site is the immense amphitheater. We walk along the Sacred Way, see the Temple of Hadrian, a Corinthian-style building with the head of Medusa on the porch, and the Library of Celsius. After this visit we drive to the village of Sirince. This pretty, old Orthodox village of perfect Turk-Greek culture is located on the top of a mountain where we enjoy impressive views of the vineyards and peach trees. As we wonder the narrow streets of the village lined with typical Greek houses, we come across woman selling handcrafts of all kinds and other local village products. Our last visit is to the House of the Virgin Mary. The chapel is built on the foundation of the house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have lived.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Return Home
After breakfast we transfer to the Izmir airport for the return flight to Istanbul.

Included meals: Breakfast

Price of the package includes:

Price of the package excludes: