Turkish Delight - 14 days land only

This 14-day in-depth vacation is ideal for those who wish to the many famous attractions of Turkey. Your Istanbul stay includes visits to the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and the Grand Bazaar. Cross the Bosporus into Asia Minor and continue to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, where sightseeing includes the Green Ottoman Complex, and the Great Mosque. Via Gordion, where Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot and thus opened the way to Asia, continue to Earth Tumulus. In Ankara, capital of the Turkish Republic since 1923, visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. In Cappadocia visits to the early Christians’ Rock Chapels and the underground city of Özkonak are included. Explore the exotic Caravansaries of Agcikarahan and Sultanhani, as well as the fascinating archaeological site of Hierapolis in Pamukkale. Discover the fascinating history of Ephesus, Troy and the World War I Anzac Cemetery on your way back to Istanbul.

Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul, Turkey. After arrival at Atatürk Airport, check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start soaking up the unique atmosphere of this city built on two continents. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 2
Istanbul. Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, renamed Constantinople in the year 330 when Constantine the Great elected it the capital of the Roman Empire, and finally called Istanbul after the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century, the city on the Bosporus always was and still is one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as gateway between Orient and Occident, the Islamic and the Christian world, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, predestined it for a turbulent history. Start your sightseeing at Emperor Justinian’s HAGIA SOPHIA and Sultan Ahmet’s BLUE MOSQUE, magnificent monuments to two competing world religions standing peacefully side by side. Next turn to the TOPKAPI SERAGLIO, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Admire its exquisite collection of Chinese porcelain and the stunning Imperial Treasury including the "Spoonmaker’s Diamond." After a lunch break tour the GRAND BAZAAR (arranged next morning if closed today) with its 4,000 tiny shops. The rest of the afternoon is free. For a taste of Turkish night life, join our optional dinner outing and discover the fascination of belly dancing. (BB)
Day 3
Istanbul-Bursa. Istanbul is a tourist destination in its own right, but there’s much more to Turkey. Set out today on your discovery tour of a country with the population of Britain and more than three times its size. Cross the Bosporus and then follow the shores of the Sea of Marmara to the Gulf of Gemlik. Here you head inland towards the Uludag, also called the Mount Olympus of Mysia, a 7,700-foot skiing mountain. Bursa lies in its shade, surrounded by lovely orchards and tobacco fields. Founded by the Greeks, like most ancient cities in this part of the world, and hotly contested during the Crusades, Bursa had its heyday as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. In the afternoon visit the great monuments to this period: the ornate GREEN OTTOMAN COMPLEX and the GREAT MOSQUE (Ulu Camii). Also on the list, of course, the ancient Covered Bazaar. (BB,D)
Day 4
Bursa-Ankara. Motor into the heart of the Anatolian Highland. After a break at Eskisehir, whose meerschaum pipes are worldfamous, head for GORDION. Tour the excavations of the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Phrygia, where Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot and thus opened the way to Asia. The opportunity for your guide to tell the legend of King Midas with the golden touch comes as he leads you to the ruler’s great EARTH TUMULUS. Overnight in Ankara, capital of the Turkish Republic since 1923 and the country’s second-largest city. (BB,D)
Day 5
Ankara-Cappadocia. Morning visit to the MAUSOLEUM OF ATATÜRK, the revered founder of the Republic, and the MUSEUM OF ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS with its unique collection of Hittite sun discs, stag cult figures and reliefs, and Phrygian metalwork. In the afternoon head through the salt steppes and swamps of central Anatolia towards the volcanic plateau of Cappadocia. En route a visit to the walled 13thcentury Seljuk CARAVANSARY OF AGCIKARAHAN. (BB,D)
Day 6
Cappadocia. A full day to savor the unique scenery and sights of Cappadocia. Visit the unreal moon-landscape of Göreme with its ROCK CHAPELS carved by the early Christians and decorated with frescoes dating from the 6th to the 10th century. Next are the Byzantine MONASTIC COMPLEX of Zelve, the TROGLODYTE VILLAGE of Avcilar, and the UNDERGROUND CITY of Özkonak. Before returning to the hotel, enjoy the sweeping panorama at ancient ORTAHISAR. (BB,D)
Day 7
Cappadocia-Konya. West today to the land of the Whirling Dervishes. Morning break south of the great salt lake Tuz Gölü in the fortress-like CARAVANSARY OF SULTANHANI. Afternoon in Konya. The Iconium of antiquity occupies a fertile island in the arid Anatolian steppes. Man has lived here since the early Stone Age, and the town had its moment of glory as the capital of the mighty Seljuk Empire from 1078 to 1307. Today it thrives on agriculture and the manufacture of fine carpets. Afternoon sightseeing features visits to three outstanding Seljuk structures: the MEVLANA MONASTERY of the Dervishes, now a museum; the KARATAY MEDRESE (theological school); and the elegant INCE MINARET. (BB,D)
Day 8
Konya-Antalya. Drive west to Aksehir, and then south across the Taurus Mountains for a complete change of scenery. After the aridity of the Anatolian Highland, the luxuriant green forests, orchards, and olive groves on the hills sloping down to the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea seem unreal. You enter an area only recently discovered by discerning European vacationers. Overnight on the Gulf of Antalya. (BB,D)
Day 9
Antalya. A full day free to enjoy this Mediterranean paradise and discover its antique treasures. If you wish, join an optional excursion to the Pamphylian cities of Perge and Aspendos. (BB,D)
Day 10
Antalya-Pamukkale. Morning drive inland across two mountain passes to Pamukkale. The name means "Cotton Castle" and refers to the spectacular white lime cascades formed by its hot springs. Visit the fascinating archaeological site of HIERAPOLIS, the thermal resort founded by a Pergamene king in 190 BC. and greatly enlarged and embellished by the Romans. At the hotel tonight, a leisurely bath in a pool of hot thermal water might be just the way to relax after a busy touring day. (BB,D)
Day 11
Pamukkale-Izmir. Motor through the lush valley of the meandering Menderes River to Ephesus, home of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus and later the capital of Roman Asia Minor. When St. Paul arrived here he was so awestruck that he asked: "Is there a greater city?" See one of the best-preserved ancient AMPHITHEATERS, the marble road, and the library. Then drive up a pine-clad mountain to the CHAPEL marking the site where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Overnight in Izmir (Smyrna), Homer’s birthplace on the Aegean coast. (BB,D)
Day 12
Izmir-Troy Area. Another interesting day starts with a call at the ACROPOLIS OF PERGAMUM, an ancient center of learning and the arts. Also visit the ASCLEPION, a shrine to the Greek god of medicine. Then enjoy vistas of the Greek island of Lesbos as you follow the shores of the Bay of Edremit. Continue further north to TROY, the perfect place to brush up on Homer’s Trojan War, hollow wooden horse and all. Spend the night at nearby Canakkale. (BB,D)
Day 13
Troy Area-Istanbul. (By ferry across the Dardanelles back to Europe and the 20th-century. Visit the World War I battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula where Allied troops, mainly Australians and New Zealanders, suffered heavy casualties in a disastrous campaign. Pay tribute to the heroes of those tragic months of 1915 at the ANZAC CEMETERY. Then drive along the European shore of the Sea of Marmara back to Istanbul. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner with the companions of your Turkish adventure. (BB,D)
Day 14
Tour ends. (BB)
Meals:
13 buffet breakfasts (BB); 12 three-course dinners (D) including welcome and farewell dinners
City Highlights:
ISTANBUL Guided sightseeing including visits to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio & Grand Bazaar BURSA Guided sightseeing including visits to the Green Ottoman Complex & the Great Mosque GORDION Guided visit of the excavations and King Midas' Earth Tumulus ANKARA Guided sightseeing including visit to Atatürk's Mausoleum & the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations CAPPADOCIA Guided visit of the Caravansaries of Agcikarahan & Sultanhani, the Rock Chapels of Göreme, Monastic complex of Zelve, the Troglodyte Village of Avcilar & Underground City of Özkonak KONYA Guided sightseeing including Dervish Mevlana Monastery, Karatay Medrese & Ince Minaret PAMUKKALE Guided visit of the Hieropolis EPHESUS Guided visit of the archaeological site & Chapel of the Virgin Mary PERGAMUM Guided visit of the Acropolis & Asclepion TROY Guided visit of the archaeological site DARDANELLES Ferry crossing of the Straits ANZAC Picture stop at the cemetery