Turkey In-Depth 11 Day

*  Travel from Istanbul to Ankara by air to save long haul driving time
* A relaxing In-Depth tour to Midwest region, West Coast area along Aegean sea, Anatolian Plateau, Ankara- the capital and Istanbul for diverse culture and amazing scenery.
* Top attractions: Istanbul, Pamukkale, Cappadocia.  Provide comfortable accommodations and ample time to explore historical sites in Istanbul: St. Sophia Church, Blue Mosque & Topkapi Palace
* To Ephesus— well preserved ancient Greek ruins
* Take Bosphorus Cruise for panoramic view of castles, grand palaces and villas along European Side & Asian side
* Sultanhani Caravansarai—a roadside inn for trade routes travelers to rest at night in the past
* Tuz Golu:  One of the largest hypersaline lakes in the world, a unique landscape in Turkey
* To Aspendos Theater: a well preserved Roman theater in Aspendos
* Accommodate you in cave hotel in Cappadocia for two nights
* Provide one bottle of mineral water per person per day on the coach
* Provide headset service for 15 and more guests per group for better sightseeing experience

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey:

1. Cappadocia (1985)
2. Pamukkale (1988)
3. Troy (1998)
4. Istanbul (1985)

★ Entrance Fee and Transportation Included  

Today take overnight flight to Istanbul Turkey, arrive the next day.

Upon arrival, transfer to restaurant for dinner and then to hotel and check-in.

Meal: Dinner / Local Cuisine
Hotel: Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe or similar

After breakfast, city tour will follow: ★Topkapi Palace, home of Ottoman sultans from 15th-19th century A.D., we will visit the 3^rd courtyard ★treasury collections. Then to ★St. Sophia church is the grandest red dome structure of Byzantine art. Continue to ★Blue Mosque, an Ottoman architecture. We will travel to Ankara by air this evening.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine            Dinner / Western  Cuisine
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Ankara or similar

After breakfast, we will visit ★Museum of Anatolian—they have many priceless collections from Mesopotamian, Hittite Empire, Greek, Roman and Byzantine era. Continue to ★Mausoleum of Ataturk, which serves as a tribute to the founder of modern Turkey. You will see ★Ataturk’s tomb and ★museum. Later, depart for Cappadocia via Tuz Golu— One of the largest hypersaline lakes in the world. This evening, enjoy wonderful Turkish folk music and belly dance.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western  Cuisine
Hotel: Uchisar Kaya Hotel or similar

Early morning you can take hot air balloon tour at your own expense (about USD200 per person), watch sunrise and rock formations. Later visit ★Goreme open air museum: Medieval orthodox Christian monks carved the cave from volcanic stone and decorated with elaborate Byzantine frescoes.  Continue to ★Kaymakli Underground City, where people of Kaymakli built their living spaces, kitchen, storage rooms, cellars, stable etc. under the hill thousands years ago. Cappadocia is an area in central Turkey known for its unique moon-like landscape.  We will explore Mushroom Valley, Camel Rock, Uchisar Castle, and Hunting Valley. Later, a brief stop at ★Turkish carpet studio and jewelry store.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western  Cuisine
Hotel: Uchisar Kaya Hotelor similar

This morning we will drive through hilly region to Konya (the old capital of Turkey, birthplace of Whirling Dervishes dance) via Sultanhani Caravansarai.  After lunch, visit ★Mevlana Museum and ★Alaeddin Mosque.  Later depart for Antalya.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel       Lunch / Local Cuisine         Dinner / Western  Cuisine
Hotel: Akra Barut Hotelor similar

After breakfast, depart for Duden Falls near Antalya. Upon arrival, take ★ boat ride to tour Duden Falls. Continue to Aspendos, we will visit ★Roman Theater and ★Aqueduct.  Afternoon, continue our tour to Pamukkale also known as “Cotton Castle”. It is a natural terrace made of travertine deposited by water from hot springs. Tonight enjoy a thermal bath at hotel (Don’t forget your swimsuits).

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western  Cuisine
Hotel: Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar

After breakfast, city tour will follow:  to ★Hieropolis. Continue to★Ephesus, famous for its spectacular temples, library, and amphitheater.  Later, brief stop for a ★leather show.  Tonight, we will overnight in Kusadasi—a popular vacation destination in Turkey.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western  Cuisine
Hotel: Charisma De Luxe Hotel or similar

After breakfast, we will visit Artemis Temple, a Greek temple dedicated to goddess Artemis and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  The temple was destroyed, only foundations and sculptural fragment remain on the site today. Continue to ★Troy, explore mythical site of homer’s Iliad, Helen and the giant Trojan horse.  Later depart for Canakkale and overnight here (Canakkale is popular town with limited hotel accommodations, if not available, we will overnight in Ayvalik).

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western  Cuisine
Hotel: Kolin Hotel Canakkale or similar

After breakfast, travel by ★ferry through Dardanelles Strait to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we will visit ★Dolmabahce Palace.   Continue our tour by taking ★Bosphorus cruise for panoramic view of castles, grand palaces and villas. After returning from cruise, city tour will follow: ★Roman underground cistern with interesting weeping column.  Later, to ★ Grand Bazaar for shopping spree (It is the largest covered market in Turkey with over 3000 stores).

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western  Cuisine
Hotel: Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe or similar

After breakfast, depart to airport for home bound flight to US and ends this unforgettable journey.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel