Day
1 Vancouver to Istanbul
Day 2 Arrive Istanbul (2
Nights)
Stand at the ancient crossroads between Europe and Asia,
embarking on a journey of discovery through ancient lands
and the marauding empires who fought to rule it. Arriving
in vibrant Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel
before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers
for a memorable Welcome Reception to kick off your epic
adventure.
Hotel Radisson Blu Sisli Meals Welcome Reception
Day 3 Istanbul Sightseeing
Spend your day delving into a city where modern and ancient
coexist effortlessly. Gain insights into the Ottoman Empire's
power during your guided tour of the Topkapi Palace and
see the 4th century Egyptian obelisk. Visit Hagia Sophia,
the Hippodrome and the exquisite Blue Mosque, said to
rival even the Great Mosque in Mecca. Spend your afternoon
at your leisure haggling with passionate market vendors
lining the labyrinthine lanes of the Grand Bazaar to ply
their wares to the highest bidder. This evening, consider
optional dinner with Turkish folk and belly dancing. BB
Day 4 Istanbul – Gallipoli
– 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 Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of
Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting place of
many Allied soldiers. We continue to Canakkale where we
dine at our hotel tonight. Hotel Kolin BB D
Day 5 Çanakkale –
Troy – Pergamon – Izmir (2
Nights)
Explore the legends of Troy and see the symbolic replica
of the famous Wooden Horse that the Greeks used to break
their siege of this ancient city. Visit the ancient Asclepion
Medical Centre in the city of Pergamon before retiring
in seaside Izmir this evening where we'll dine at our
hotel. Hotel Mövenpick BB D
Day 6 Excursion to Ephesus and the House of the Virgin
Mary
Meander through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of
Ephesus, past the amazingly intact façade of the
Library of Celcus and down to what was once its thriving
port. See the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos then
spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening you
may consider joining an optional dinner at a local restaurant
in Izmir and perhaps a spot of raki to wash down delicious
seafood flavours. BB
Day 7 Izmir – Pamukkale
Leave the coastal city of Izmir behind as we journey inland
to Pamukkale. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools
at your hotel before dinner. Hotel Richmond Thermal BB
D
Day 8 Pamukkale – Hieropolis – Antalya
(2 Nights)
Tread in the footsteps of the ancients who sought relief
and relaxation at the Roman health spa at Hieropolis,
and admire the bubbling pools and delicate white cascades
of water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs. whose ruins
we will have an opportunity to explore this morning along
with the enchanting Cotton Castle Springs at Pamukkale.
Later, we travel through scenic countryside and join the
Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains for an unforgettable
Be My Guest lunch and insights into their traditions.
Our stop for the next two nights is the Mediterranean
retreat of Antalya where we have some time at leisure
to able through the winding lanes of its old city and
admire beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture. This
evening, join your companions for a rousing Regional Meal
at a local restaurant. Hotel Crowne Plaza/Rixos Downtown
Meals BB, D
Day 9 Perge Excursion
Enjoy a morning on your terms to soak up the beguiling
seaside atmosphere of the Turkish Riviera, embarking on
an optional yacht cruise or relaxing at the hotel pool.
This afternoon, we travel to Roman city of Perge to visit
the impressive Antalya Archaeological Museum to see treasures
spanning the centuries. Your evening is free to find an
inviting meyhane for some local chit chat and delicious
flavours of kebab and baklava. BB
Day 10 Antalya – Aspendos – Konya
Witness the world's best-preserved theatre of antiquity
during our first stop in Aspendos this morning, before
continuing to Konya, where we will gain unique insights
into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains
lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. We continue to
the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely
Seljuk-tiled dome before returning to our hotel where
we'll dine tonight. Hotel Novotel BB D
Day 11 Konya – Cappadocia
(2 Nights)
See where weary travellers once rested at a well-preserved
13th?century caravansary. We then journey to the fairy-tale
land of Cappadocia with its honey-coloured rocky spires
providing an enchanting backdrop for our visit to the
underground city of Sarhatli on the ancient Silk Road
and sights of the cone of Uchisar. This evening, indulge
in the flavours of traditional pottery kebabs during a
Regional Meal at a local restaurant before retiring to
your hotel with beautiful views of the surrounding fairy
chimneys. Hotel Dilek Kaya Authentic Accommodation BB
Regional Meal
Day 12 Göreme Excursion
The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take centre
stage today as we explore its volcanic landscape dotted
with caves and troglodyte dwellings. We visit the Göreme
Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn
churches and learn about the art of pottery making in
Avanos before dining in our hotel this evening. BB D
Day 13 Cappadocia –
Ankara
Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey today, we 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. This evening we
dine at our hotel in Ankara. Hotel Crowne Plaza BB D
Day 14 Ankara – Istanbul
Returning to Istanbul, we enjoy the rest of the day at
leisure. Delve into the depths of the Basilica Cistern,
savour the intoxicating smells of the Spice Market or
ascend Galata Tower for exquisite views of east and west.
Consider an optional cruise meandering along the waters
of the Bosphorus before meeting your Travel Director and
fellow companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner. Hotel
Radisson Blu Sisli BB Farewell Dinner
Day 15 Depart Istanbul
Our epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as
we bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell.
Transfers are available. Conditions apply. BB
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