15 day TURKblue-mosque-1x7

15 Day Treasures of Turkey Istanbul to Istanbul

From $4100 per person twin share

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey. You will be met at Istanbul airport and transferred* to your centrally located hotel. Meet up this evening over a welcome drink with your fellow travellers and Tour Director.
Two Night Special Stay: Istanbul
Day 2: Istanbul (FB,HD)
After breakfast, we’ll embark on a full day tour of this amazing city. Highlights of the day include a visit to the most magnificent example of Byzantium architecture, Hagia Sophia, which boasts a massive dome, a lengthy nave, and an interior decorated with marble, precious stones and pillars from Ephesus. Topkapi is the former palace of the Ottoman sultans and now a museum with an extraordinary collection of artefacts and jewels including the Topkapi Diamond. The Blue Mosque features six graceful minarets, whose superb interior is decorated with more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles. We have time to wander the evocative Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world with over 4,000 shops before we board a boat for a cruise of the Bosphorus. We’ll witness the sumptuous riverfront palaces of the Ottomans, the Dolmabahce Palace and Beylerbeyi. This special day concludes with a delicious seafood dinner on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus.
Day 3: Istanbul – Canakkale (FB,L,D)
Today we travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula, site of the WWI landings by allied forces including ANZAC troops on the morning of April 25, 1915. We explore the sights and gain an understanding of this unforgettable and sombre location, set amongst steep cliffs, dead-end canyons and barren ridges. The difficulty of the troops’ task can only be appreciated first hand. A picnic lunch is provided and there is time to explore the landmarks sites such as ANZAC Cove, the Nek, Lone Pine and Shrapnel Gully.
Overnight Stay: Canakkale
Day 4: Canakkale – Izmir (FB,L,HD)
The day’s sightseeing begins with a fascinating tour of Homer’s Troy, a legendary site of the Trojan Wars and home to a replica of the infamous Trojan Horse. We continue our historic journey in Pergamon, surrounded by high mountains, where we enjoy lunch. We’ll visit the magnificent Acropolis, which contains the ruins of Pergamon’s acclaimed 200,000 volume library, whose contents were gifted to Cleopatra by Mark Antony. We depart for Izmir, where this evening a spectacular dinner has been organised at one of the best seafood restaurants in the city.
Overnight Stay: Izmir
Day 5: Izmir – Kusadasi (FB,D)
A treat awaits as we visit incomparable Ephesus, perhaps the world’s best-preserved ancient city that once housed the Temple of Artemis, completed in 550 B.C and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Around 100 AD the city had a population approaching 500,000 people, and to date only 15% has been excavated. Here among other amazing sites such as the Library, we will visit the House of Virgin Mary, who is reputed to have come to Ephesus with the apostle John shortly before the end of her life in 37 AD.
Two Night Stay: Kusadasi
Day 6: Kusadasi (FB,L,D)
SCENICENRICH Today we briefly leave Turkey behind and journey to the Greek island of Samos, located in the shimmering Aegean Sea. Our local guide will show us around Samos town before we learn about the local industries of ceramics and ouzo. We head into the fertile hills, covered with vineyards to visit one of the many beautiful ancient monasteries on the island, Agia Triada and be told about the tragic history of the priest monk who founded it. We then arrive in Pythagorion, birthplace of the mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras which also boasts the largest manmade marina in the Mediterranean. Lunch is followed by our ferry ride back to Turkey. Tonight enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Day 7: Kusadasi – Pamukkale (FB,L,D)
Following breakfast, we travel to Aphrodisias, a city dedicated to Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Fertility. We’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, before continuing to remarkable Pamukkale (Hierapolis). Known as the cotton castle, frequent earthquakes in antiquity gave rise to thermal springs containing chalk. The effect leaves thick white layers of limestone and travertine cascading down the hill much like a frozen waterfall. Tonight, watch the sunset over the white cliffs for a truly unique and memorable sight.
Overnight Stay: Pamukkale
Day 8: Pamukkale – Antalya (FB,L,HD)
Enjoy the thermal waters at the hotel before we depart for Antalya, Turkey’s principal holiday resort which is situated on a cliff over the Mediterranean and surrounded by mountains. Founded in 2 B.C., the town was historically a major Roman and Byzantine port. We’ll get a chance to visit the large archaeological museum rich in Classical, Roman, Byzantine and Seljuk artefacts, which includes ‘God Gallery’ – a collection of 15 statues of classical gods from Aphrodite to Zeus. In total, the museum contains 14 exhibition halls featuring over 5,000 items. The afternoon is at leisure, and dinner tonight is at an exquisite restaurant in the centre of town.
Two Night Stay: Antalya
Day 9: Antalya (FB,HD)
The region around Antalya abounds with astonishing natural beauty and awesome historical treasures. First we visit Perge, visited twice by St. Paul and the best example of a Roman city in the Pamphylian plain, with an Acropolis dating back to the Stone Age. Nearby, Aspendos is famous for its exceptionally preserved theatre built in 155 A.D. The theatre has a capacity of 20,000 people and is still in use today. We continue to Side, overflowing with archaeological wonders and surrounded on both sides by the deep, blue water of the Mediterranean. We visit the impressive Amphitheatre which dates to the Hellenistic period before returning to Antalya. Tonight an exclusive dinner has been planned at the renowned Club Arma, located near the old town.
Day 10: Antalya – Cappadocia (FB,D)
This morning we drive to Konya, a traditional caravan stop and home of the Whirling Dervishes, a mystical Sufi Muslim group. This unusual religious sect is best known for its ritual dance and haunting music. We visit the Mevlana Museum, former monastery of the Dervishes which contains the tomb of the groups 13th century spiritual leader, and the Karatay Medrese, a Seljuk school constructed in 1251. Enjoy some leisure time before we head off to the moon-like landscapes of Cappadocia. The rocks in the region have eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars, known as ‘fairy chimneys’. Our hotel for the next three days will amaze you and is one of the most unusual you will experience.
Three Night Special Stay: Cappadocia
Day 11: Cappadocia (FB,D)
Beginning in primitive times, the inhabitants of this region carved out the soft rocks to form houses, churches and monasteries. We visit the main sights of this amazing location, including the surreal moon-landscape of Göreme with its rock chapels carved by early Christians in hiding. Next is the Byzantine monastic complex of Zelve which reached its zenith in the 9th and 13th centuries and the towering peak of Uchisar Castle, a sublime rock formation riddled with a network of tunnels and caves.
Day 12: Cappadocia (FB,HL,D)
Today we explore the incredible underground cities of Cappadocia, of which there are estimated to be over 200. The complexes in many cases housed thousands of people, consisting of numerous chambered floors linked by tunnels and galleries with ventilation shafts and massive circular stone doors that could be rolled closed for protection. We also visit picturesque Sinassos, which is surrounded by fruit orchards and vineyards and was a Greek settlement until 1923 when a population exchange between Turkey and Greece took place. The town retains many fine stone buildings of Greek origin. Enjoy a traditional lunch at the Old Greek House Restaurant.  SCENICENRICH We’re entertained by a Whirling Dervish performance in a 13th century Caravan Inn, where we shall be entranced by the intricate dancing and music that is as old as the building we are seated in.
Day 13: Cappadocia – Ankara (FB,HL)
This morning we visit Agzikarahan, site of a well preserved Seljuk caravanserai, where for hundreds of years camel caravans traversing ancient trade routes would stop overnight. En-route to Ankara, view the famous Salt Lake of the fabled Silk Road as you drive through the Anatolian countryside. At Ankara, we visit the Hittite Museum and Anit Kabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, Turkey’s greatest leader in modern times whose leadership helped win the Gallipoli campaign and who created the modern secular Turkish state. A unique luncheon venue awaits in an ancient castle of this historic city. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight Stay: Ankara
Day 14: Ankara – Istanbul (FB,HD)
After breakfast we depart the capital, travelling the Anatolian plain until we reach the Marmara Sea where we cross from Asia into Europe and return to Istanbul. On arrival we’ll visit the exotic Spice Market for last minute souvenirs or savour a last Turkish coffee. This afternoon enjoy your Scenic FreeChoice activity at no extra cost. SCENIC FREECHOICE choose from: (1) a traditional Turkish cooking class where you’ll learn the art of making delicious plates of meze, after which we get to eat them, of course; or (2) an insightful tour of Istanbul’s glorious Byzantine past including visits to the Chora museum with its fine mosaics and frescoes and Zeyek Mosque, second only in size to Hagia Sophia as a Byzantium monument; or (3) a visit to an Ottoman Yali, the fashionable summer palaces of the wealthy built mainly in the latter half of the 17th century during the Empire’s glory days. We’ll meet the current residents who’ll chat with us about the building’s history whilst we enjoy homemade refreshments. SCENICENRICH Tonight, a special treat awaits you as we enjoy our farewell dinner at the stunning Hamdi Restaurant, where outstanding views over the Golden Horn are accompanied by the call to prayer echoing from numerous surrounding mosques.
Overnight Stay: Istanbul
Day 15: Istanbul (FB)
After breakfast, transfer* to Istanbul airport for your onward or homebound flight.

Departure Dates and Prices per Person

Departure Date

Return Date

 Price
31May 2010 14 Jun 2010 4100.00
19 Jul 2010 2 Aug 2010 4100.00

Price is per passenger based on twin share.

Scenic Highlights

• Take a guided tour of Istanbul visiting the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar
• Embark on a private boat cruise on the Bosphorus and see the Ottoman mansions that line the shore
• Enjoy a seafood dinner on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul
• Take a guided tour of the Gallipoli Peninsula and battlefields and visit Lone Pine Cemetery and Anzac Cove
• Enjoy a guided visit to the ruins of Troy and see the ‘Trojan Horse’
• Take a guided visit to Pergamon which includes the Acropolis, Temple of Athena and Asklepieon
• Dine in a traditional seafood restaurant in Izmir
• Enjoy a guided tour of Ephesus and visit the House of the Virgin Mary and the archaeological museum
• Take a guided visit of Hierapolis and see the sunset over Pamukkale’s white terraces
• Visit Antalya’s archaeological museum including the collection of 15 statues of classical gods from Aphrodite to Zeus
• Take guided visits of Perge, Aspendos and Side and discover their archaeological treasures
• Visit the Mevlana Museum, former monastery of the Whirling Dervishes religious sect during your orientation tour of Konya
• Enjoy a guided tour of the Cappadocia region including the Goreme museum, Zelve Valley, Uchisar Castle, Avanos and the underground city
• Enjoy a traditional lunch at the Old Greek House Restaurant in Sinassos
• Visit Agzikarahan Caravanserai in Anatolia, located on an ancient trade route
• Take a guided tour of Ankara visiting Ataturk’s Mausoleum and the Museum of Anatolian civilisation
• Enjoy a luncheon in an ancient castle in Ankara