Timeless Turkey Tour Itinerary

Next Tour Departs 13 August 2012

Arrive Istanbul, Turkey

Bosphorus Cruise to the Black Sea. Spend the afternoon exploring the Spice Markets and back streets.

Istanbul fully guided city tour including Topkapi Palace, San Sofia, the Blue Mosque, the Underground Cisterns, and the Hippodrome.

Fly Istanbul to Trabzon. Visit the Sumela Monastery carved out of the rock face. Travel along the Black Sea coast before heading towards the Kacker Mountains.

Explore the small mountain villages and experience local hospitality.

Travel to Ayder, a village famous for its hot mineral springs.

Return to Trabzon with time to explore this ancient merchant port and visit the San Sofia Mosque.

Fly from Trabzon to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. Explore the Museum of Antiquities, visit the fascinating Mausoleum of Ataturk and then travel to Goreme in the heart of Cappadocia.

Full day tour of Cappadocia and surrounding villages.

Full day tour to explore the underground villages of Goreme, and wander through the beautiful Ihlara Valley.

Optional sunrise balloon flight, or wander the valleys, hire a bike or potter in the village. Then we journey to Konya and visit the Mevlana Museum.

From Konya we travel through spectacular scenery in the Taurus mountains to the charming Mediterranean Port of Antalya. On the way we will visit the Aspendos amphitheatre along with Perge Hellenistic and Roman ruins.

Explore the old city of Kaleici, visit the local markets and beach or experience a Turkish Bath!

A bus trip down the coast to Kas, with the opportunity to climb Mount Olympos to witness the flames of Chimaera or walk the beach to the ruins of Olimpos.

At Kas we take a boat trip out to explore the nearby islands including the sunken village of Kekova.

Explore the ruins of Xanthos. Enjoy the fabulous harbour in Fethiye and discover the goodies in the local shops.

Wander the abandoned Greek Village of Kayakoy and enjoy the picture postcard beach of Oludinez. We take a short drive to Dalyan where you can wander the river looking for turtles or check out the souvenir shops.

From Dalyan we take a boat trip through the reeded waterways to the beach of Iztuzu the breeding ground for the Loggerhead turtle. Have fun in the natural mud pools and healing sulphur hot pool.

We get off the beaten track to visit the Afrodisas Ruins famous for exquisite Roman marble carvings. We arrive in Pamukkale for a swim and to enjoy the sunset over this calcified mountain known as Cotton Castle. We stay with a lovely Turkish Family.

Wander the ruins of the ancient healing centre of Hieropolis and take an optional swim in the bubbling mineral pools if you wish. After a short drive to Selcuk we do the less crowded afternoon tour of Ephesus.

Visit to the Selcuk Museum which houses facinating finds of Ephesus. Then we travel north through the olive groves to Assos, a picturesque port on the Aegean Coast. Explore the back streets of the bustling port of Ayvalik.

Optional visit to the Temple of Athena and ruins (once the University where Aristotle studied). Enjoy a swim as the sun goes down on the Aegean and to watch the fishermen returning with your dinner.

Stop in Troy where our guide will bring history alive for us. We visit the bustling port of Cannakkale on the Dardenelles and then cross over to the Gallipoli Peninsula where we tread the paths of ANZAC soldiers and visit ANZAC Cove.

Return to Istanbul, with the afternoon to revisit the places you love, shop for presents or find new delights in this beautiful city.

Last day in Istanbul. Visit the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market or take the ferry to the Princes islands to escape the city.

Depart Istanbul for home.