Celebrate the real culture of Turkey & its natural wonders. Ephesus Grand Theatre with Istanbul Mosque silhouette, gulet voyage in Fethiye and Pergamon. Turkey is home to more Roman ruins than Italy and more Greek ruins than Greece...

       

 
The legacies of the Hittites, Greeks, Romans, Christian apostles, Byzantines, Ottoman Turks, & the other civilizations that have called this land home have made Turkey into a vast outdoor museum full of beautiful, intriguing sites. Highlights of Turkey's many treasures include the spectacular Byzantine churches & beautiful mosques of Istanbul; the ruins of the fabled city of Pergamum on its windswept hilltop; the holy city of Konya where Dervishes still whirl; the extraordinary landscape & cave dwellings of Cappadocia; the great theatre of ancient Ephesus; the magnificent beaches of the Aegean & Mediterranean with signs of ancient civilizations at every turn & so much more...
 
   
     
 
  Introduction
 Best of Turkey
 Wonders of Turkey
 Fascinating Turkey
 Anatolian Crossroads
 Ancient Aegean
 The Turquoise Coast
 Grand Tour Turkey
 Cradle of Civilizations
 Turkish Delight
 Gateway to Mesopotamia
 Kusadasi & Izmir Shore Trips
 The Black Sea
 The Odyssey / Turkey & Greece
 Turkey, Jordan & Egypt
 Istanbul to Damascus
 Tailor Made
 		   Cradle of Civilizations                                                           

Day 1  Istanbul - Arrival
Arrival transfer. Depending on your arrival time you may consider an orientation walk with one of our staff. Welcome briefing. Rest of the day free at leisure.


Day 2  Istanbul
Full day tour to include some of the highlights of Istanbul. Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia & the colourful Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi).


Day 3  Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia
Morning flight to Ankara. There we visit the world famous Anatolian Civilization Museum & the Ataturk Mausoleum, the burial place of the Turkish hero. After a picturesque drive along Salt Lake, visit the 13th century Agzikarahan caravanserai. Overnight in Cappadocia.


Day 4  Cappadocia
After breakfast, visit the Pigeon Valley near Uchisar, then proceed to the open air museum of Goreme where you will see early Christian churches with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Visit Kaymakli - underground city where early Christians hid from prosecutors. Chance for shopping for handcrafts in the famous pottery making village, Avanos.


Day 5  Cappadocia - Tarsus - Adana
After breakfast, drive through Tarsus Mountains to Adana. En route we visit St. Paul's house & well & Cleopatra's Triumphal Arc in the famous city of St. Paul, Tarsus.


Day 6  Adana - Antakya
Today, we make our way to the lovely town of Antakya. In the afternoon we visit the second largest Museum of Mosaics in the world. Visit the 1st century A.D. Church of St. Peter.


Day 7  Antakya - Kahta
After a scenic drive to Kahta, check-into the hotel & in the afternoon, climb up to the mountain to see colossal statues of pagan gods & goddesses. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset.


Day 8  Kahta - Ataturk Dam - Harran - Sunliurfa
Today we travel to Ataturk Dam which is the 4th largest project in the world. In the afternoon we continue to Harran, the place where God talked to Abraham. Also we visit Sunliurfa Balikli Gol.


Day 9  Sunliurfa - Mardin
Drive to Mardin & visit Deyr-ul Zaferan Monastery. We return to Mardin for a walking tour, including Kadim Kirklar Monastery & the famous Archeological & Ethnographical Open Air Museum under the protection of UNESCO.


Day 10  Mardin - Hasan Kehf - Akdamar Island - Van
In the morning we drive to Hasan Kehf. Then we take a small boat trip to Akdamar Island in lake Van. There we visit Akdamar Church on which facade is carved one of the most complete collection of Old Testament scenes. Late afternoon tour of Van.


Day 11  Van - Mt. Ararat - Kars - Van
Our first sightseeing is at Dogu Beyazit. We will observe the beauty of Mt. Ararat from a distance. Then we continue to Ishak Pasa Palace which is one of the oldest & most complete palace complexes in the world. At sunset, enjoy the view of Van Lake from the prehistoric Urartian Castle. We drive back to Van for a flight back to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul.


Day 12  Istanbul
After breakfast check out & transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your homebound flight home. Additional night(s) can be added in Istanbul.		  
 
 
Duration:
11nights/12days
Transport:
Flight & coach
Highlights:
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Mt. Nemrud, Harran, Mardin, Van
Sightseeing:
Small group &/or private option
Stay:
Budget/Comfort/Deluxe or combination
Operates:
All year-round
Rates:
Please tell us your dates & choice of hotels
 
Optional:
Turkish Bath (Hamam)
The Harem in Topkapi
Side trip to Pamukkale
Flight Cappadocia to Izmir
 



   
     

 
     

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