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Turkey is home to some of Europe's most impressive archaeological remains that touch on some of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. This trip will take you to some of the most well-known sites of ancient Turkey, as well as those that are little-known yet are some of the best-preserved and immersive locations. Travel back thousands of years to explore Ephesus, Troy, Aphrodisias, and Hieropolis to name but a few, this journey into Turkey's countryside will have you walking about the ancient cities and sites of some of the most famous moments during both the Greek and Roman empires! Your time will finish in Cappadocia, one of the most unique landscapes in Turkey, dotted with underground cities and fairy chimneys that account for some of the most innovative living conditions in this part of the world.
Itinerary
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Day 1 - Arrival in IstanbulWelcome to Turkey! Upon arrival at the airport in Istanbul, you will meet your driver to be transferred to your hotel in the city centre. You have the rest of the day at leisure to explore Istanbul or to relax after your flight. You can stroll around the Grand Bazaar, visit the Blue Mosque or the Hagia Sophia, considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
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Day 2 - Guided Tour of IstanbulToday, you'll have a guided day tour of the city, including lunch. Start off with the UNESCO World Heritage-listed, Old Istanbul. Visit the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and the Byzantine Hippodrome, where emperors once saw chariot races. You'll then go to the Hagia Sophia museum, a place of worship for 900 years, and finish the day at the lavishly appointed Topkapi Palace.
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Day 3 - Bosphorus CruiseThis morning you will embark on a half-day cruise around the Bosphorus, a natural strait that separates Europe and Asia. On the cruise, you'll witness the dramatic sights that line the Bosphorus' wooded shores, from mosques to bridges to fortresses. Finish the cruise around midday and enjoy an afternoon at leisure in the city. A suggestion is to experience a traditional Turkish Bath in the Old City.
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Day 4 - Drive to Gallipoli and Battlefields TourLeave Istanbul behind and head towards Gallipoli. Today we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli including Kabatepe War Museum with its astounding fused bullets, Brighton Beach, Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Johnston’s Jolly, The Nek, and Chunuk Bair. The tour will take you to sites that are all within a few kilometres of each other on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
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Day 5 - Ancient Turkey: Troy, Pergamon and KusadasiThis morning we will drive to Kusadasi, before arriving in the city, we'll explore one of Turkey's most fascinating archaeological sites. Step back in time today as we visit ancient Turkey: Troy and its famed Trojan Horse, followed by a tour of the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre in its time.
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Day 6 - Guided Tour of The City of EphesusAbsorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, the site of Temple of Artemis and the ancient city of Ephesus. With its well preserved collonaded Arcadian Way, Hadrians Temple, Celsus Library, market and theatre, this archaeological site takes you a step back in time. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the city and stadium where chariot and horse races were once held. You'll finish the day at the last home of the Virgin Mary.
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Day 7 - PamukkalePamukkale is the centre of a thermal spring with healing properties. Due to the chemical properties in the water, pure white coloured travertine and water terraces have been created on the mountain slope. Visit the travertine and the Ancient City of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1,200 gravestones in Anatolia. The sacred pool also is one of the highlights of the site. After exploring, you'll continue to Doga's thermal pool hotel to relax.
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Day 8 - Drive to Fethiye via AphrodisiasToday we drive south towards the Mediterranean coast to Fethiye, visiting the ancient site of Aphrodisias along the way. Aphrodisias was an ancient Hellenistic city dedicated to the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. Regarded as one of the most impressive ancient sites in the region, Aphrodisias is remarkably well preserved, immersing you in what life was like here.
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Day 9 - 12 Islands of Fethiye Boat TourRelax on a day cruise around the 12 islands of Fethiye. Enjoy the romantic bays of the Mediterranean, Fethiye Gulf, where you can swim in the crystal blue waters. Today, you'll visit around four of islands to explore and swim at your leisure. This day tour only includes drop off to hotels in Fethiye's surrounds. From the harbour, you can make your way back to your hotel in Fethiye centre on foot.
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Day 10 - Drive to Antalya via Kayakoy and Old Town Tour of KaleiciAfter breakfast we head to Kayakoy in the old Lycia province, the morning light provides excellent photos of this deserted Greek village. Afterwards, we drive to the resort town of Antalya. Here, we will take a walking tour of the old town of Antalya known as 'Kaleiçi'. Amongst other things, we'll visit Hadrian's Gate, the Ancient Harbour and Suna-Inan Kiraç Kaleiçi Museum which even has a Greek Orthodox church in its garden!
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Day 11 - Full-Day Tour of Perge, Aspendos and SideHead out on a full-day tour of the ancient ruins of Perge, Aspendos and Side. In Aspendos, you can see the Roman theatre, it was built in the 2nd century and could seat up to 15,000 people. Side is home to some of the best classical archaeological sites in Turkey with the Temple of Apollo among the ancient ruins you can see here.
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Day 12 - Travel to Cappadocia via KonyaToday we travel the ancient Silk Road visiting Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana museum in Konya along the way. This centre celebrates Rumi, the famous mystic and poet who founded the Sufi Order of the Whirling Dervishes in the 13th century. After visiting the museum, we continue to the mystical Cappadocia, arriving in the late afternoon.
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Day 13 - Cappadocia Full-Day Tour with GoremeStart your day at the Underground City of Kaymakli, a shelter and safe haven from invading hordes. Then continue to the Devrent Valley where you can see the formation of the fairy chimneys and Avanos, the pottery centre of Cappadocia where you can learn ancient techniques. You'll then visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum famous for its 10th-century wall paintings. Enjoy the panoramic views of Esentepe, Göreme Valley, the fairy chimneys and cave houses. End your day with Uchisar Castle.
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Day 14 - Drive to Ankara and Visit AnitkabirIn the early morning, we'll leave for the nation's capital, Ankara. We will arrive early morning, with time to visit Anitkabir, the mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who was the leader of the Turkish war for independence. You can see the mausoleum standing on the outskirts of the city centre from many parts of Ankara. After the tour, you'll be free to explore by yourself.
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Day 15 - Departure from AnkaraThis morning, you may have some free time before your departing flight. You'll be taken to the airport for your departure.
What's included
14 nights accommodation
14 breakfasts and 3 lunches
Airport transfer
Entrance fees
Ground transportation
What you might consider
Licensed English speaking guides
Domestic flights
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Gratuities
International Flights
Personal expenses
Travel Insurance
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