Classic Tour

Day 1 Istanbul

Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel in Sultan Ahmet. Spend the day exploring the vibrant old city of Istanbul and  

enjoy an afternoon in the colourful Grand Bazaar, which has more than 4000 shops. Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Istanbul

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Day 2 Istanbul

We begin with a visit to Hagia Sophia, which was the largest Christian church for over a thousand years, followed by the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles from Iznik. We will wander through the hippodrome, with its ancient Egyptian obelisk, and visit the Basilica Cistern. In the afternoon we will visit Topkapi Palace and enjoy the view of the Bosphorus.

Overnight in Istanbul

 

Day 3 Cappadocia

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before transferring to Istanbul airport for the flight to Nevşehir, Cappadocia. In the afternoon we will walk through the Zelve Valley and enjoy the landscape at the Rose Valley. 

Overnight Göreme

Optional: Traditional dinner at the home of a Turkish family.

 

Day 4 Cappadocia 

We start the day with a visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum with its cave churches and beautiful frescoes. It is here that the Cappadocian Fathers introduced monastic life in the fourth century. We will also visit the fairy chimneys with their unique formations. After lunch we will explore the underground city at Kaymakli where Christians hid during times of Roman persecution. Before returning to Göreme, we will stop at Uchisar Fortress to admire the view over the valley.

Overnight in Göreme

Optional: hot air balloon ride

 

Day 5 Cappadocia to Antalya

Today we drive to Antalya through the Turkish countryside, stopping along the way to visit Sultan Hani Caravanserai.

Overnight Antalya

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Day 6 Antalya                                       

We will spend the morning visiting Perge and Aspendos, with its well preserved theatre. You will have a free afternoon to explore the old neighbourhood of Kaleiçi and the harbour.

Overnight Antalya

 

Day 7 Antalya to Kaş

We will start the day with a drive along the Mediterranean coast to Demre. We will visit the Church of St. Nicholas, where the legend of  Santa Claus began, and see Lycian tombs carved in the cliffs above the ruins of a Roman amphitheater at Myra.

In the afternoon we will take a boat trip to the beautiful Kekova Bay, passing the ancient ruins of the Sunken city and stopping at the ancient Lycian city, of Simena. A short walk up to the castle gives a breathtaking view over the bay. From Demre we will drive to the coastal town of Kaş where you can enjoy wandering through this quaint town with its magnificant Lycian tombs and Greek theatre.

Overnight Kaş

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Day 8 Kaş to Pammukkale

This morning we will drive to Pamukkale, which was a famous health spa in Roman times. This is the area of the Lycus Valley, where the churches of Hierapolis, Laodicea and Colossae were located. In the afternoon we will stop at the site of Colossae, which is still to be excavated, and will visit Laodicea, home to one of the Seven Churches addressed in the Book of Revelations. 

Overnight Pamukkale

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Day 9 Pamukkale

In the morning we will visit Hierapolis, which boasts the largest necropolis of  antiquity and is rich in Roman and early Christian ruins. This city was founded around 190 BC and flourished for centuries as a health center because of its therapeutic thermal springs. We will enjoy a walk along the white travertines, deposited by the thermal spring water. In the afternoon we will drive to Kuşadası, a bustling resort town on the Aegean Sea.

Overnight Kuşadası

 

Day 10 Kuşadası

Today we will visit the Basilica of St John and explore the fascinating Hellenistic and Roman city of Ephesus, home to another of the Seven Churches. Ephesus has many appealing ruins of the once great city, including its beautiful theatre, Celsus Library, and peristyle houses. In the afternoon we will visit the old Greek village of Sirince, in the hills above Selçuk.

Overnight Kuşadası

 

Day 11 Kuşadası to Istanbul

This morning we will transfer to Izmir airport for the flight to Istanbul. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city or take an optional ferry ride on the Bosphorus. 

Farewell Dinner. 

Overnight Istanbul

 

Day 12 Airport transfer for departure from Istanbul.