Anatolian Crossraods Cultural Travel Package (18 Days & 17 Nights)
Highlights:Istanbul, Bosphorus, Bursa, Ankara, Hattusas, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Pamukkale, Aphrodisias, Ephesus, Pergamum
Operates: May 01st / October 15th - Only on private basis
Package Rate: Please fill the form and tell us your travel dates & choice of hotels
Optional Tours: Turkish Bath (Hamam), Hot Air Balloon, Whirling Dervishes Performance
Note: Anatolian Crossroads travel package is insuranced by TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)
Day 1 Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival to Istanbul International Airport, you will be greeted by your host who will arrange your transfer to your hotel. After check-in, you may wish to take a walk through the historical Sultanahmet district of Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 Istanbul City Tour
Today we will visit the old town Istanbul. Topkapi was the administrative palace for the Ottoman dynasty for over 400 years. Our tour includes the Harem, private apartments of the royal family. We will then visit the Blue Mosque, known for its outstanding 17th century tiles. Next stop will be the Hippodrome, the center of political & sportive activities in the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. We will continue on to the 6th century Hagia Sophia, the masterpiece of the Byzantine art & architecture. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 Bosphorus Cruise Tour
Your day starts with driving journey along the Golden Horn, the arm of the Bosphorus peninsula which separates the old and new cities of Istanbul. After a brief visit to the 17th Century Spice Bazaar, we embark on breathtaking cruise along the Bosphorus, the beautiful strait that divides Europe from Asia. Enjoy the Bosphorus Cruise, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments. After the cruise lunch will be served in a local restaurant which will be followed with a visit to the Beylerbeyi Palace, which was the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans . Day will concule with a great panoramic view of the Istanbul & Bosphorus from the Camlic Hill, which is the highest point of the Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4 Istanbul Tour / Travel to Bursa
We will discover Istanbul beyond the boundaries of the old city. We will start the day walking the colorful & busy streets in Pera district. Istiklal street will lead us to Taksim square, which is the center of daily activities in European Istanbul. Later in the day we will drive along the Marmara shores & across with a ferry to Yalova & continue to Bursa for overnight stay. Overnight in Bursa.
Day 5 Bursa Tour / Travel to Ankara
Cumalikizik is an authentic village where the stately Ottoman houses are lined along the cobblestone streets. More then 200 houses witnessed the proud living of the well to do families in the Ottoman times, now they are sharing their secrets with the very few people that know the existence of the village. We will take a walk in the village to take a close look at some of these houses, & learn more about life in the village. In the afternoon, we are driving to Ankara via Gordion, that was the capital city of the Phrygian Kingdom. We will visit the interior of the 'tumulus', monumental burial for King Midas. Overnight in Ankara.
Day 6 Hattusas & Yazilikaya Tour
Hattusas was the capital city of the Hittite Empire, here we will explore ruins from the 2nd millennium BC. We will see the incredible 200 feet tunnel beneath the walls, take a close look at the monumental gates of the city, & walk around the great Temple of Storm God Teshup. Alacahoyuk & the Hittite temple Yazilikaya are also included on tour. Overnight in Ankara.
Day 7 Alacahoyuk Tour / Travel to Cappadocia
After Alacahoyuk we are driving south to Cappadocia region, known for its unusual landscape, & volcanic rock formations. We will take a walk along the fairy chimneys in the Red Valley before sunset. The village we are staying for the next three nights is currently under preservation in order to protect the historical heritage. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 8 Cappadocia Tour
In the morning we will visit Goreme Open Air Museum with striking rock cut churches of Byzantine era. En route we will see the Valley of Pigeons & Avcilar, a perfect location to get a general view of central Cappadocia. We will also stop by the Byzantine military fortification known as Uchisar, built in a massive tufa rock. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 9 Cappadocia Tour
Today we are going to the village of Guzelyurt. En route we will visit the underground city of Kaymakli to learn how the people of Cappadocia found shelter during the never ending wars of the past. Upon arrival in Guzelyurt, we will take a walk in the old part of village, meet with the locals, & enjoy a talk with the elders of the community. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 10 Travel to Konya / Konya Tour
On the road to Konya, we will visit a 13. century Caravanserai which was built as a shelter for the merchants, & a center for trade on the famous Silk Road. As we arrive in the city, we will visit the Museum of the Whirling Dervishes, to learn more about Rumi, & his teachings. Overnight in Konya.
Day 11 Travel to Antalya
Check out after breakfast & intercity coach to Antalya. Transfer to hotel upon arrival. Antalya is one of the most beautiful provinces of Turkey on the Mediterranean coast. In Antalya, the pine-clad Taurus Mountains sweep down to the sparkling clear sea forming an irregular coastline of rocky headlands & secluded coves. The region, bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year , is a paradise of sun bathing, swimming & windsurfing waterskiing, sailing mountain climbing & caving. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 12 Antalya Tour
Day to explore ancient Myra, hometown of St. Nicholas & Arykanda with a great setting high on a mountain top. The city has one of the best preserved Hellenistic theatre buildings of Asia Minor. We will also take a boat ride for the sunken city in Kekova. Return to Antalya after sightseeing. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 13 Travel to Pamukkale / Pmaukkale Tour
Check out from hotel & drive to Pamukkale. After the tour of the natural formation of the travertine's at Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis, you will be driven to your hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 14 Aphrodisias Tour / Travel to Kusadasi
Drive through fertile valley's to Aphrodisias city of Aphrodite, the beautiful city of the Goddess of Love in bucolic surroundings. Visit the best preserved ancient stadium in the world; the Odeon, the Theatre and the Agora. After the tour you will continue to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 15 Ephesus Tour
After breakfast, depart on a full day tour to visit the remains of Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Then on to visit Ephesus Ancient City, the best preserved Greco-Roman city in the world. Here you will explore the Agora, Odeon, Curettes Street, public toilets, Celsius Library, Roman Baths, Grand Theatre, Marble Street. After a lunch break depart for the House of Virgin Mary and visit the chapel where she is said to have spent her last days. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 16 Pergamum Tour / Flight to Istanbul
Once check-out is complete, you will be driven to the Ancient Greek city of Pergamum which was built on the top of a cone-shaped Acropolis, rising over a thousand feet above the surrounding valley. You will be escorted to The Sanctuary of Trajan, Sanctuary of Athena, Library, Royal palaces, Temple of Dionysus, Upper Agora, Roman baths complex and Asklepion, which was the Sanctuary of Asclepius (also known as the Asclepieion), the god of healing. At the conclusion of your day of sightseeing, you will be driven to Izmir Airport for the flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 17 Free Day in Istanbul
After breakfast at hotel, remainder of day at your leisure to take advantage of last minute shopping or relax with a Hamam ‘’Turkish Bath’’. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 18 Istanbul / Home
After check-out, we will arrange for the transfer to Istanbul International Airport for your onward flight.
What's Included:
* Hotel accommodations in choice of preferred class
* Professional Tour Guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* Noted sightseeing tours on regular group or private guided basis
* Main entrance fees to sights mentioned by the itinerary
* Meals mentioned by the itinerary - Vegeterian meals available
* Required land transport including roundtrip airport transfers with A/C non-smoking minivans
* Required internal flight & coach ticket
* Local taxes & handling services