The Best of Turkey
- Mary-Gail Durst
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
14 Day Turkey Tour of Istanbul, Gallipoli, Pamukkale and Cappadocia
Including:
14 days, 1 country and 16 cities
13 nights accommodation
13 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 10 Dinners
From the legends of Troy to ancient Greek cities, your travels will reveal the places where history happened. On this in-depth Best of Turkey voyage, you’ll also venture into the Taurus Mountains for lunch with the Yazir community and relax on the shores of the Turkish Riviera.
Discover Colorful Istanbul
Begin your day at the Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine life, where you’ll see the 4th-century Egyptian obelisk. View the Blue Mosque, with its striking minarets, and the architectural masterpiece of Hagia Sophia. With a Local Specialist, explore Topkapi Palace and learn how Ottoman sultans once ruled an empire. Take an optional cruise, the Bosphorus and take in the sights. Experience the taste of local culture, enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner with drinks as dancers and musicians take the stage in a lively performance.
Journey to Gallipoli and Çanakkale
Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Gallipoli – the national pride of two nations, the Turkish and Australians, were awakened at the site of the bloody WWI battlefields and are commemorated to this day. See Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting place of many Allied soldiers.
Visit a land of Trojan legends, where the ancient city of Troy has been immortalized by Homer in tales of King Priamus, Hector, Paris and Helen. Explore the archaeological site revealing nine layers of civilization and see the replica wooden horse that recalls the Greek strategy used to end the legendary siege. Later, travel to the village of Demircidere for your Be My Guest experience. Meet local women, visit the village bakery and enjoy lunch made with fresh, homegrown produce. Continue to Izmir and settle into your seaside hotel.
Venture to Hierapolis and Antalya
Tread in the footsteps of the ancients who sought relief and relaxation at the Roman health spa at Hierapolis, then admire the bubbling pools and delicate white cascades of water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs. Next stop is the Mediterranean retreat of Antalya. Visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum, then enjoy some time strolling through the winding lanes of its old city and admiring beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture.
On the Road to Aspendos and Konya
Witness the world's best-preserved theater of antiquity during your first stop in Aspendos, before continuing to Konya, where you will gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. You will continue to the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome.
A Day to Explore Spectacular Göreme
The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take center stage as you explore its volcanic landscape dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. You will visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn churches and the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ. Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. Indulge in the flavors of traditional pottery kebabs during a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant.
Onwards to Ankara
Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey, you will visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation.
Istanbul
Dive Into Culture with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Discover the hidden lanes and watch artisans at work while you wander the main thoroughfares. Spend some time haggling with passionate market vendors lining its labyrinthine lanes.
For more information on this amazing tour of Turkey, contact Mary-Gail Durst
780-289-2385
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