The Best of Turkey
This epic journey through Turkey, from renowned highlight to cultural heartland, showcases the wonders and incredible contrasts of a captivating country. Beginning in Istanbul, the city that spans two continents, where the west meets the east and where grand palaces and mosques reveal a long and glorious past. Further east, Safranbolu, is virtually a living museum, with narrow cobblestone laneways and layers of historic buildings. Amasya showcases some of the best examples of Ottoman architecture. Further into the interior, we explore some of the finest of Seljuk buildings in Sivas, before being awestruck by the divine presence of Mount Nemrut, with its colossal statues of ancient Greek and Roman gods. Venturing into the hidden heartland of Turkey, we discover gems like the beehive houses of biblical Harran and gain fascinating insights into Turkish village life. The surreal, lunar-like landscapes, rock formations and unique fairy chimneys of Cappadocia are worthy of exploration on foot, as is Mevlana's Mausoleum in mystical Konya, the resting place of the Whirling Dervish founder. The stunning southern coast’s idyllic seaside towns, like Antalya and Kas, sparkle as much as the sun over the sea and the extraordinary terraced cascades of Pamukkale. The ruins of Hierapolis – a city founded by the king of Pergamon and one of the world’s oldest day spas – complement a visit to the magnificent ancient Roman site of Ephesus and the beautifully preserved theatre at Aspendos. We visit the fabled walled city of Troy too, and walk the sobering battlefields of Gallipoli before a further wander through the former Byzantine streets of Istanbul.
Itinerary
| Day Number(s) | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Istanbul. |
| 2 | Explore Istanbul on city tour. Afternoon free. |
| 3 | Travel to Amasra. Explore the old town including the mosque and bazaar. |
| 4 | Drive to Safranbolu, explore the cobblestone lanes and traditional buildings. Drive to Kastamonu. |
| 5 | Travel to spectacular Amasya and discover traditional Ottoman houses and Seljuk tombs. |
| 6 | Drive to Sivas and visit the impressive Seljuk sites of Çifte Minare Medressa and Gök Medressa. |
| 7 | Visit the village of Darende. Walk to the waterfalls at Günpinar. |
| 8 | Visit Mount Nemrut National Park. Discover the colossal statues adorning the temple and tomb of King Antiochus. |
| 9 | Visit Harran, famous for its traditional mud-brick beehive houses. Continue on to Sanliurfa. Explore 16th century bazaar. |
| 10 | Travel to the Hittite city of Gaziantep. |
| 11-13 | Explore the surreal terrain and valleys of Cappadocia. |
| 14 | Explore the Ilhara Valley on foot. Drive to Konya. |
| 15 | Visit Mevlana's Mausoleum. Drive to Antalya. Visit theatre at Aspendos. |
| 16 | Visit Lycian city of Phaselis. Drive to pretty coastal village of Kas. |
| 17 | Day cruise through Kekova. Visit settlement of Ucagiz and the village of Simena. |
| 18 | Explore the spectacular natural phenomenon of Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis. |
| 19 | Visit the ancient Greco-Roman site of Ephesus. Drive to Selcuk. |
| 20 | Explore ancient site of Troy. Drive to Canakkale. |
| 21 | Visit the battlefields of Gallipoli and Anzac Cove. Drive to Istanbul. |
| 22 | Tour ends in Istanbul after breakfast. |
Trip Highlights
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At A Glance
Trip Length |
22 days |
Trip Code |
PEBE |
Activities |
|
| Culture (Easy), Walking (Easy) | |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 15 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Turkey | |
Start City |
|
| Istanbul | |
End City |
|
| Istanbul | |
