Legendary Türkiye

We depart the United States for Istanbul.

We arrive in Türkiye’s cultural and spiritual heart today. Our hotel is located near Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly (note: check-in is at 3:00 p.m.), no group activities or meals have been planned for this day. Dinner tonight is on our own.

Overnight: Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus

It’s our first full day in Istanbul, and there’s much on the agenda. This legendary city – divided by the Bosphorus Strait – separates Europe from Asia, making it a place where East and West meet in a fascinating melding of cultures. 

On this morning’s tour, we set out for a short walk along lively pedestrian Istiklal Street, lined with boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and late Ottoman-era buildings. We then travel to the Spice Bazaar area, overlooking Istanbul’s Golden Horn (the main inlet feeding into the Bosphorus), to visit two landmark mosques. First, we see the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, the 16th-century imperial mosque which ranks as one of Istanbul’s best-known sights. The mosque features a massive central dome and splendid tilework, and its four 250-foot minarets preside over the city. Then, we visit Rustem Pasha, a small, intimate mosque with exquisite Iznik tiles set in beautiful floral and geometric designs. 

From here, we take a short walk to Istanbul’s renowned Spice Bazaar, selling spices, nuts, and dried fruits from around the world. After lunch on our own here, we take a private cruise on the Bosphorus, one of the most strategically significant waterways in the ancient world, linking the Black Sea to the Aegean and piled high on both banks with centuries of infrastructure, commerce, humanity and history. Late this afternoon, we return to our hotel; this evening, we take a short walk to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner of traditional Turkish fare.

Overnight: Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus

Meals: B, D

This morning, we cross over Galata Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn inlet, and tour Old Istanbul, home of splendid mosques and magnificent palaces. Our first stop here: the ancient Roman Hippodrome with its 3,500-year-old obelisk brought from Egypt in 390 CE, where chariot races once took place. We continue on to the marvelous Blue Mosque, topped by six slender minarets. Inside is one of the world’s great collections of blue Iznik tiles (20,000 of them), along with 260 stained glass windows. Then we visit the renowned Museum of Turkish & Islamic Art, housing artifacts from the Ottoman (14th to 20th centuries), Seljuk (11th to 13th centuries), and earlier periods beginning in the 8th century. In the restored Palace of Ibrahim Pasha, the museum displays both everyday items and ancient pieces of art including carvings of wood, glass, and stone. 

After enjoying lunch together at a local restaurant, we visit famed Hagia Sophia, which was the world’s grandest Christian cathedral when it was built in 537 CE. It was converted into a mosque in the 15th century, then operated as a museum for nearly 100 years before being reopened as a mosque in 2020. We return to our hotel late this afternoon; the remainder of the evening is free. Dinner tonight is on our own.

Overnight: Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus

Meals: B, L

On this morning’s tour, we visit splendid Topkapi Palace, dramatically set on a promontory with remarkable views over the Bosphorus. This vast palace, the home of Ottoman sultans for 400 years, once housed as many as 4,000 royals, courtiers, and hangers-on. Among other magnificent artifacts on display here, we see priceless paintings, jewel-encrusted swords, and delicate porcelains. Then, we visit one of Istanbul’s ancient Roman cisterns – marble-columned underground chambers that provided water to the city in antiquity. Fed by miles of aqueducts, the cisterns once held millions of gallons of water. Our next stop is the vast Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets. Some 3,600 shops and stalls along 65 streets compete for shoppers’ attention, selling jewelry, pottery, leather, Turkish delicacies, and much more. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free for independent exploration; we have our choice of many excellent restaurants for lunch and dinner on our own.

Overnight: Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus

Meals: B

We rise early this morning to travel across European Türkiye (ancient Thrace), then cross the Straits of the Dardanelles via the newly constructed 1915 Canakkale Bridge, which was unveiled in 2022 and now holds the title of longest suspension bridge in the world. Our destination on the other side of this nearly mile-and-a-half-long span is Troy, the setting of the Trojan War and the star of Homer’s Iliad. Originally established around 3600 BCE, Troy was destroyed and rebuilt many times during its 4,000-year occupation; indeed, excavations have revealed the remnants of at least nine civilizations here dating back 5,000 years. We also visit the Museum of Troy, showcasing more than 2,000 historical artifacts from the city. After exploring the ruins and relics here, we continue on to Canakkale and our hotel, where we enjoy dinner together. 

Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Canakkale

Meals: B, L, D

Today, we ex­plore one of Türkiye’s most spectacular ancient sites: windswept Pergamum, a major power in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE, with a wealth of Hellenistic ruins. The city lies on a lofty isolated hill eighteen miles from the Aegean Sea. Human habitation at Pergamum dates back at least to the 5th century BCE, but the city began to rise in prominence during the Hellenistic age of 323–30 BCE under the Attalid dynasty. During this time, the fortress and palace stood on the peak of the hill, while the town itself occupied the lower slopes. Under the Roman Empire, the city was situated on the plain below. Pergamum was one of the most important and beautiful of all Greek cities in the Hellenistic Age; it is one of the most outstanding examples of city planning in that period. It also contained a library surpassed only by the Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Many remains of its monuments can still be seen, including the Pergamum Altar. After our visit, we travel down the coast to Kusadasi and have dinner at our hotel.

Overnight: Charisma De Luxe Hotel

Meals: B, L, D

Today, we visit Ephesus, perhaps the world’s best-preserved ancient city. In Roman times, Ephesus was the provincial capital of Asia, with a population of 250,000 at the height of its glory. An important Christian community arose here, and Ephesus was visited by St. Paul, who later wrote one of his epistles to the Ephesians. Perhaps its greatest claim to fame is that Ephesus once housed the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

A full day of touring here includes the immense theater that holds 24,000 people and is still used today. We walk along the Sacred Way, where the rich once lived and where an ingenious water and sewer system was constructed beneath paving stones of marble; see the Temple of Hadrian, a Corinthian-style building with the head of Medusa on the porch to keep away evil spirits; and admire the Library of Celsus, which once held 12,000 ancient scrolls. 

Following our visit of Ephesus proper, we visit the acclaimed Terrace Houses, the “houses of the wealthy” located on the slopes of Bulbul Mountain. These hillside excavations provide us with a revealing look at family life during the Roman period. We stop for a late lunch in the beautiful, rustic village of Şirince before returning to Kusadasi late this afternoon. This evening is at leisure and dinner is on our own.

 Overnight: Charisma De Luxe Hotel

Meals: B, L

We return to Ephesus to visit the Basilica of St. John, the 6th-century ruins that stand over what is believed to be the burial site of John the Apostle. The basilica was constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century and modeled after the now-lost Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. We also learn about Ephesus through the ages as we tour the Ephesus Museum, housing treasures from the archaeological site. Afterwards, we stop at Sultankoy rug cooperative to see a demonstration of the ancient art of carpet weaving. Then we break for a fresh and organic al fresco lunch using ingredients from Sultankoy’s own farm and orchards. We return to Kusadasi late this afternoon and dine together tonight at our hotel.

Overnight: Charisma De Luxe Hotel

Meals: B, L, D

En route to Fethiye today, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then head to Dalyan, where we board a small skiff for a trip through an intriguing maze of channels. Reaching the Lake of Koycegiz, we see our first Lycian tombs carved from the faces of the cliffs above the water. More than one thousand such burial sites dot Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast, dating to the 4th century BCE, but little is known about the reasons behind this curious custom. Regardless, the columned, decorated chambers chiseled directly into the face of the region’s many rocky hillsides lend an unparalleled sense of place to our excursions. We continue our journey to the port town of Fethiye, known for its beautiful natural harbor. Tonight, we gather for dinner at our hotel. 

Overnight: Alesta Yacht Hotel

Meals: B, L, D

This morning, we visit the Greek “ghost town” of Kayakoy, whose residents were forcibly removed during and after World War I and the Turkish War of Independence. Though some 975 people still reside here, the vast majority of the  approximately 1,000 stone houses remain abandoned and preserved as a historic monument. We explore the town and its two churches, which still retain some of their painted decoration and mosaic floors. Then we board a private yacht for our Turquoise Coast “Blue Voyage” cruise along the stunning coastline that Antony is said to have given to Cleopatra as a wedding gift. With the scent of eucalyptus perfuming the air and forested mountains as our backdrop, we visit secluded coves (including Aquarium Cove, with its waters of brilliant blue and green), swim and snorkel, and enjoy lunch on board. After returning to our hotel, dinner is on our own tonight.

Overnight: Alesta Yacht Hotel

Meals: B, L

We set out this morning on a scenic drive along the coastal road to Antalya, stopping along the way in Demre for a visit to the site of Ancient Myra, with its intricate series of Lycian-era rock tombs dating back to 400 BCE. Then, we see the 6th-century Church of St. Nicholas, known for its impressive frescoes, its significance to both Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians, and as its namesake’s inspiration for Santa Claus. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue on to Türkiye’s premier resort town of Antalya, arriving in time for dinner together tonight. 

Overnight: Akra Antalya

Meals: B, L, D

We discover Antalya’s charming old city (Kaleici) on a morning walking tour through its narrow streets, past historic buildings, mosques, and parks.  Afterwards, we visit Antalya’s acclaimed Necropolis Museum, a significant archaeological site featuring ancient burial grounds and historic artifacts, and then enjoy lunch together.  Dinner tonight is on our own in this city known for its seafood and Mediterranean cuisine and our evening is at leisure.     

Overnight: Akra Antalya

Meals: B, L

This morning, we set off for a tour of the once-thriving Roman city of Perge, which reached its pinnacle during the era of Alexander the Great. Among the outstanding ruins here are the ancient shopping arcade, the awe-inspiring 12,000-seat stadium, and a 15,000-seat theater. We also visit the Duden Waterfalls, which tumble some 130 feet into the Mediterranean. Returning to our hotel, this afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, we celebrate our Turkish adventure over a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: Akra Antalya

Meals: B, D

Guests returning today to the United States will transfer early this morning to the airport for the connecting flight to the U.S. Those who are joining the Cappadocia & Konya Optional Post-Tour Extension will take a motorcoach transfer to Konya.

Meals: B