Turkey Escorted Tour with Historical and Small Hotels

An intimate Small Group adventure, a relaxing and enjoyable holiday

Visit quaint and small towns around the Turkish Mediterranean Coast

Stay in Small historical and Typical hotels, meet hospitable and friendly locals

Authentic Adventure
2008/ 2009 

14 days/13 nights

ITINERARY. Authentic Adventure Tour

Our trip covers what is perhaps the most beautiful part of the Turkish Mediterranean coast, exploring classic sites and seascapes on easy walks. A relaxing and enjoyable holiday in quaint and historical towns with carefully selected, restored local architecture hotels where available. Shopping options at local rug cooperatives, a pottery making workshop, vineyards, onyx factories and first hand interaction with local, friendly Turkish people.

Day 1 Sun : Istanbul – Arrival
You will be met at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the old part of Istanbul. Overnight at a historical hotel in old city area of Istanbul. Welcome briefing.

Day 2 Mon : Istanbul
Full day tour to Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Camlica Hill on the Asian side. Optional: Tonight join our Turkish dinner and enjoy Turkish belly dancing and folk dancing entertainment. (B)

Day 3 Tue : Istanbul
Morning walk through the Egyptian (spice) Bazaar to the pier and embark a ferry for a guided, halfday Bosphorus waterway cruise and tour, afternoon tour of St. Sophia Basilica followed by free time to explore the exotic Covered Bazaar. (B)

Day 4 Wed : Gallipoli & Troy – Assos
Morning departure for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove , Lone pine cemetery Chunuk Bair, Gabatepe War Museum then across the Dardanelles to Canakkale visiting Troy we continue to Assos for overnight. (B,D)

Day 5 Thu : Selcuk via Pergamum
Morning drive through the olive forests and stop by a olive museum, Then we visit an ethnographical museum in Tahta kuslar (wooden birds) village. The last stop of day will be Pergamum acropolis. Overnight in Selcuk. (BD)

Day 6 Fri : Ephesus & St. Mary’s House
Morning tour of glorious ruins at Ephesus, explore 2,000-year-old marble streets, a theater, the library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple.
Take a short drive to see St. Mary's stone cottage where she stayed later in life accompanied by St. John, and visit also traditional village of Sirince.
Overnight in Selcuk. (BD)

Day 7 Sat : Aphrodisias – Hierapolis
Morning drive to the ruins of Aphrodisias (you know what this is about) set against the foot of a picturesque mountain range and then Tour the Roman health spa ruins of Hierapolis, Overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

Day 8 Sun : Caunos – Dalyan – Gocek
In the morning we drive to Dalyan and take a fishing boat through a maze of reeds to Caunos viewing intriguing Lycian temples and tombs carved into the face of a cliff. Overnight in the picturesque town of Gocek. (B,D)

Day 9 Mon: Patara – Saklikent – Kalkan
Morning drive to Patara with Roman ruins and a huge beach for free time, afternoon visit Saklikent Canyon. Drive along the unique Mediterranean coast line to Kalkan for overnight. (B,D)

Day 10 Tue : Kekova
Island (boat ride on the Mediterranean – snorkel – swim) – Kalkan
Day of leisure or join the Optional: day cruise on turquoise clear waters to the picturesque Kekova Islands, their underwater ruins and a hill top fortress at a quaint village. There is opportunity to swim and snorkel if desired, so bring your swimsuit and towel. Return to Kalkan for overnight. (B)

Day 11 Wed : Myra – Finike – Antalya
Morning drive to Myra, to visit the home church of St. Nicholas (the authentic and original Santa Claus). A short stop in Finike and early afternoon arrival to Antalya. Free time to discover the old town harbor. Dinner at local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 12 Thu : Aspendos – Konya – Cappadocia
Morning drive to Aspendos the roman city on the foot of the Taurus mountains, continue to Konya, tour Mevlana’s Mausoleum, founder of the Whirling
Dervishes, finally arrival to the “moon-like“ landscape of Cappadocia.
Tonight Optional: Whirling Dervishes performance in a 13th century Caravan inn. (B,D)

Day 13 Fri : Cappadocia
Early Morning Optional: Balloon Tour. Experience of floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves with the sunrise of Cappadocia. After
breakfast visit the Byzantine frescoed chapels at Goreme then continue to Ozkonak, the eight-story underground city, and a local pottery making
village, Avanos. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)

Day 14 Sat : Ankara – Istanbul – Return
Early morning drive to Ankara, afternoon tour of the Ataturk Mausoleum and Anatolian Civilizations Museum then transfer to airport or hotels as
appropriate. (B)

* Euro rate varies depending on the exchange rate

Price includes:

• Accommodation
• Meals as indicated on the itinerary (B,L,D)
• English speaking guides throughout the land tours 
• Private air-conditioned transportation, luggage handling
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Local taxes and service charges

Price excludes:

• Domestic flights ( approx. USD 140.00 per person)  personal expenses, optional tours, customary tips to the guide and drivers

Hotel used on the tour: