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Eliana Antonx7167
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Brenda Moranx7218
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Kateryna Mikhailiuk
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Carol Mack
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- Day 1 Welcome to Istanbul Welcome to Turkey. Your journey begins in vibrant Istanbul, the only city in the world that spans two continents: Europe and Asia, where a representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner. Locations Visited: Istanbul TR.
- Day 2 Bosphorus Cruise and Bursa In the morning, embark on a cruise along Bosphorus Strait, one of the world’s busiest waterways. Leisurely cruise past the quaint fishing villages that line its shores. Travel towards the old city and see the beautiful Ottoman palaces and fortresses along the waterfront. Later, leave Istanbul for Bursa, a large city in northwest Turkey that was the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Green Mosque, the Grand Mosque and the Mausoleum Complex. There will be time in the afternoon to explore the city’s bazaars, silk markets and historic monuments. This evening, venture to a local restaurant for a tasty meal. Locations Visited: Istanbul TR, Bursa TR.
- Day 3 Cumalikizik and Gordion Begin your day in the charming village of Cumalıkızık, with its traditional wooden houses and narrow cobblestone streets. Later, head to Gordion, which was once the capital city of ancient Phrygia, as you make your way to Turkey’s modern capital, Ankara. Enjoy a relaxed evening at your hotel, the Hilton SA. Perhaps take a dip in its indoor pool or unwind in its jacuzzi or hammam. Locations Visited: Bursa TR, Cumalikizik TR, Gordion TR, Ankara TR.
- Day 4 Sophisticated Ankara A day for history enthusiasts, explore Turkey’s bustling cultural capital, Ankara. Sightseeing includes visits to the Hittite Museum and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, Turkey's greatest modern leader and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. Later, head to Avanos in Cappadocia. Famed for its unique geological formation, Cappadocia is a scenic delight with golden hills and panoramic views. Visit the underground city of Özkonak, carved into soft volcanic rock. Locations Visited: Ankara TR, Cappadocia TR.
- Day 5 Cappadocia With its golden volcanic landscapes, underground city and otherworldly rock formations, Cappadocia is anything but ordinary. Early risers may choose an Optional Experience to watch the sunrise as hot air balloons lift off and drift above the valleys. Later, travel to Göreme to explore rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Uçhisar Kadineli Restaurant and savor Anatolian flavors while supporting employment for local women. Continue to Paşabağ Valley, then meet a Cappadocian local for a tour of their cave house and insights into traditions and family life. This evening, witness Whirling Dervishes before dining at a local restaurant. Locations Visited: Cappadocia TR.
- Day 6 Konya Start your day by learning more about traditional pottery-making in Avanos. It’s then time to take a journey along the famous Silk Road to visit a 13th-century caravanserai, a historic roadside inn where travelers would rest and recover after a day’s journey, most notably along the iconic road itself. Later, you’ll head to Turkey’s most religious city, Konya, the old capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire. Locations Visited: Cappadocia TR, Konya TR.
- Day 7 Through the Taurus Mountains See the Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret Medrese, and visit the Mevlana Museum before a scenic drive scenic drive through Taurus Mountains to Aspendos, an ancient city in Antalya. Known for having the best-preserved Roman theater anywhere in the world, learn more as you explore it with your fellow travelers. Locations Visited: Konya TR, Antalya TR.
- Day 8 Antalya's Old Town Visit Antalya's charming Old Town, with its souvenir markets and sweeping sea views. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the leisure facilities at your hotel. Alternatively, explore Antalya at your own pace. Ask your Travel Director for recommendations on places to explore in the city, take a stroll around the harbor or perhaps take a boat trip off the coast. Locations Visited: Antalya TR.
- Day 9 The Pools of Pamukkale Cross the soaring Taurus Mountains to see the remains of the ancient city of Hierapolis, a Roman spa city founded around 190 B.C. Next to the ruins, you can see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale. Famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters and chalk-white limestone terraces, explore the area with your Travel Director. Later, return to your hotel, the esteemed Doğa Thermal Health & Spa. Take full advantage of its indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam room and its Turkish bath complex. Locations Visited: Antalya TR, Pamukkale TR.
- Day 10 Kuşadası Start your morning with a trip to the Temple of Aphrodite in Geyre, dedicated to the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. Based in the ruins of the ancient city of Aphrodisias, it was the focal point of the city in its heyday. You’ll see the towering, fourteen columns of the temple that have been re-erected. Arrive into the coastal resort of Kuşadası for an evening at leisure. Locations Visited: Pamukkale TR, Geyre TR, Kusadasi TR.
- Day 11 Ancient Ephesus This morning, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a serene pilgrimage site on Mount Koressos, venerated by both Christians and Muslims. Continue to Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once the Roman capital of Asia Minor. Walk the Arcadian Way, a grand processional route that once led to the harbor. Stand before the Library of Celsus, built to honor a Roman senator and store 12,000 scrolls, and step into the Great Theater, where Saint Paul is believed to have addressed early Christians. At the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, view statues of Artemis, mosaics and household artifacts uncovered during excavations that began in 1863. Later, you can opt to join an Optional Experience and learn about Turkey’s culinary techniques in a hands-on cooking class. Locations Visited: Kusadasi TR, Ephesus TR, Kusadasi TR.
- Day 12 Troy and Çanakkale In Homer’s city of Troy, the focal point of the Trojan War and the backdrop to the legend of Paris and Helen, the ‘face that launched 1,000 ships’, explore the storied site. A replica of the mighty Trojan Horse, which helped the Greeks capture the city in 1200 B.C., can be found beside the city’s walls. Then continue to Çanakkale, gateway to the Gallipoli WWI battlefields. This evening, you may choose to join the Optional Experience, The Flavors of Canakkale on a city center walk, for a gentle stroll with local bites, including a Biga-style Turkish meatball sandwich and a traditional cheese dessert. Locations Visited: Kusadasi TR, Troy TR, Çanakkale TR.
- Day 13 Gallipoli and ANZAC Cove This morning, cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Located in the southern part of East Thrace, this was the site where, for nine months during the Great War, ANZAC troops fought, in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait. Learn more about these events as you visit Anzac Cove and pay your respects at the Lone Pine Cemetery. Later, return to Istanbul, where you’ll spend the next two nights. Locations Visited: Çanakkale TR, Gallipoli TR, Istanbul TR.
- Day 14 Istanbul and the Ottoman Empire Today, take in the sites of Istanbul. In the morning, visit the historic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held, before exploring Hagia Sophia your way with Insight Choice. Choose between visiting Hagia Sophia Digital Experience, offering an immersive journey through the landmarks marvels, or alternatively, visit Hagia Sophia built in A.D. 537, famous for its domed roof. Visit the Topkapi Palace, perched above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the primary inlet of the waterway. Enjoy the excitement of bargaining in the bustling Grand Bazaar. In the evening, join your fellow travelers and toast to your trip over dinner at a local restaurant. Locations Visited: Istanbul TR.
- Day 15 Farewell Istanbul It’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, as your trip comes to an end. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights, or for those extending their stay in Istanbul, speak to your Travel Director for tips and tricks on where to head. Locations Visited: Istanbul TR.
Name: Treasures of Turkey - Classic Group
Brand: Insight
Quality: Superior First Class
Tour Type: Escorted
Start City: Istanbul
End City: Istanbul
Location Summary: Istanbul, TR
Bursa, TR
Cumalikizik, TR
Gordion, TR
Ankara, TR
Cappadocia, TR
Konya, TR
Antalya, TR
Pamukkale, TR
Geyre, TR
Kusadasi, TR
Ephesus, TR
Troy, TR
Çanakkale, TR
Gallipoli, TR
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Highlights
- Dining Summary - 9 Dinner (D). 14 Breakfast (B). 1 Lunch (L).
- Authentic Dining - Istanbul: Begin your travels savoring traditional flavors over dinner at a local restaurant.. Cappadocia: Experience a Sema ceremony performed by the whirling dervishes, part of the Mevlevi Sufi tradition. You’ll watch the ritual unfold through music, movement and costume, in a form of worship still practised across Turkey today.. Istanbul: Toast the culmination of your travels during dinner at a local restaurant..
- Top Rated Highlights - Istanbul: Cruise along the Bosphorus, the strait that links the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. You’ll watch ferries, fishing boats and cargo ships share the waterway and see how Istanbul’s districts line both banks, built around this route between Europe and Asia.. Bursa: On your orientation with your Travel Director visit the town’s mosques, bazaars and famous Silk Market.. Cumalikizik: Visit the over 700 year-old village to get glimpse into what Ottoman villages away from the capital looked like.. Ankara: Visit Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey and the Republic’s first President. You’ll walk through the ceremonial complex and enter the Hall of Honor, observing how the architecture and setting underline his role in the country’s modern history.. Ankara: On your orientation with your Travel Director of the capital of modern Turkey discover its Roman and Byzantine heritage, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Atatürk.. Visit the narrow passages and interconnecting rooms of this Stone Age underground city dug out from the hills and built to block invaders and defend against attacks.. Göreme: Explore the rock-cut churches of Göreme, carved into the soft volcanic rock of Cappadocia. Inside, you’ll see early Christian frescoes that have survived for centuries, offering a close look at how communities once lived and worshipped here.. Avanos: Visit a pottery studio in Avanos, a town on the Kızılırmak River with a clay-working tradition that dates back to Hittite times. Watch how red river clay is prepared and shaped at the wheel, and follow the stages as each piece is formed, dried and decorated.. Konya: Step inside the Sultanhani Caravanserai, built in 1229 to support traders and travelers crossing the Anatolian plain. See how the space was designed for overnight shelter, with stables, storerooms and a central courtyard still intact.. Konya: Accompanied by your Local Expert, visit the beautiful Mevlana Tekke Museum for insight into the mystic Whirling Dervishes. See the Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret.. Aspendos: Visit the world's best preserved Roman Theater in Aspendos.. Antalya: Visit the historic Old Town and wander through its charming narrow streets, discovering souvenir markets and sweeping sea views.. Pamukkale: Walk along the travertine pools at Pamukkale, where thermal waters have created white limestone terraces across the hillside. You’ll see how the calcium-rich water continues to shape the formations, leaving new deposits as it flows.. Corinth: Visit the open-air museum Aphrodisias dedicated to goddess Aphrodite, see the ancient city and statues that have survived preserving most of their originality.. Ephesus: Walk through Ephesus with a Local Expert, following the Arcadian Way into the heart of the Roman city. You’ll stand before the Library of Celsus, take in the scale of the amphitheater and visit the House of the Virgin Mary, set in the hills above the ruins.. Troy: Visit this ancient sight fabled to have been destroyed over love and view the huge reconstructed Trojan Horse.. Troy: On your orientation with your Travel Director hear about the nearly 4000 year-old settlement, see the wooden Trojan Horse and hear about myths and legends connected to this archaeological site.. Gallipoli: Visit ANZAC Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula, the landing site for Australian and New Zealand forces on 25 April 1915. The site remains the focus of ANZAC Day commemorations, including the dawn service held here each year.. Istanbul: Explore Istanbul’s historic peninsula with your Local Expert. You’ll move between the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the former palace complex of Topkapi, tracing how the city shifted from Byzantine Constantinople to the Ottoman capital while life continues in the surrounding streets and markets..
- Make Travel Matter - Uchisar: Enjoy the unique flavors of Anatolia at Uchisar Kadineli Restaurant, where every dish is homemade with love. This remarkable establishment provides employment for more than 65 women from the village. The restaurant is owned by women and focuses on empowering women through employment. Some employed as administrators, some as teachers, some as cooks and some as waiters. Here they are taught how to sow clothes by using modern technology, how to knit, how to cook, how to make various kinds of artifacts, and how to merchandise their products and convert it to money for their families. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality..
- Insight Experiences - Cappadocia: Step inside a traditional cave house and meet a local Cappadocian who has lived there for decades. Hear how the home was shaped, how it has changed over time and what it means to remain rooted in this landscape..
- Insight Choice - Istanbul: An immersive digital experience through the iconic structure's rich past, showcasing its transformation from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a museum, with captivating exhibits and architectural wonders.. Istanbul: Visit Hagia Sophia with your Local Expert. You’ll step beneath the central dome and see how elements from its time as a Byzantine basilica and as an Ottoman mosque share the same interior, reflecting the building’s long and layered history..
- Choice Highlights - Choose between two carefully selected activities. Istanbul: An immersive digital experience through the iconic structure's rich past, showcasing its transformation from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a museum, with captivating exhibits and architectural wonders.. Istanbul: Visit Hagia Sophia with your Local Expert. You’ll step beneath the central dome and see how elements from its time as a Byzantine basilica and as an Ottoman mosque share the same interior, reflecting the building’s long and layered history..
