Classical Turkey
Explore vibrant Turkey, an amazing mix of ancient and new, Asian and European on this 12-day learning vacation. Witness Istanbul's famous Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the church of Hagia Sophia. Explore the grand ruins of Ephesus. See the fanciful landscape of Cappadocia with its "fairy chimneys" and 6th century rock chapels. Visit Konya, home of the Whirling Dervishes and discover two of the most important ancient sites in Turkey: Pergamon and the legendary city of Troy. Spend 2 nights in Kusadasi, a beautiful seaside resort.
Explore Istanbul's famous sites, including the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Church of Hagia Sophia. Visit the ruins of Ephesus, once one of the grandest cities in the Roman world. Spend 2 nights in Antalya, the Turkish Riviera, on the Mediterranean coast. Visit legendary Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city destroyed by the beauty of "the face which launched a thousand ships" during the Trojan War.
Highlights
Istanbul, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Cappadocia, Kaymakli, Goreme Open Air Museum, Mevlana Museum, Antalya, Perge, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Cannakale, Troy, Gallipoli
Collette Experience
Call (801) 466-1101 for more information or to book today! Mention code 10576577
- Tour Operator
- Collette Vacations
- Offer
- Offer valid through 3/31/2012
- Duration
- 13 Days
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Air 1 | Overnight Flight | Overnight Flight : Depart for Turkey, a vibrant country that boasts an amazing mix of ancient and new, Asian and European. This thriving modern society welcomes visitors with genuine warmth and hospitality. |
| Day 2 | Istanbul | Istanbul, Turkey : Welcome to Istanbul, the former capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires, once called Constantinople. Minarets and domes fill the skyline of this city that straddles two continents. This evening meet your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring local specialties. Today dinner will be included. |
| Day 3 | Istanbul | Istanbul : Explore the Old City on a full day tour featuring the Blue Mosque, renowned for its six minarets; Hagia Sophia, the epitome of Byzantine architecture and once the largest church in Christendom; Topkapi Palace; and the Grand Bazaar, Turkey's largest covered market. Today breakfast will be included. |
| Day 4 | Istanbul | Istanbul : Enjoy a full day at leisure to enjoy all that Istanbul has to offer. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to offer suggestions for the best way to spend your day. Wander the spice markets, cruise on the Bosphorus, or stroll the vibrant bustling streets of Istanbul in search of your own adventure. Today breakfast will be included. |
| Day 5 | Cappadocia | Istanbul - Cappadocia : After a morning flight, arrive in Cappadocia. Its landscape is composed of soft volcanic stone that wind and rain have sculpted into fantastic clusters of multicolored spires and pinnacles. Visit the underground city of Kaymakli*. Later, watch local artisans demonstrate the art of silk and wool carpet weaving at a family-owned carpet making facility. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 6 | Cappadocia | Cappadocia : Travel the mystical landscape of Cappadocia with its "fairy chimneys," hillside villages, and rock-hewn churches. In the Goreme Valley, visit the Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the famed Rock Chapels are decorated with beautiful frescoes dating back to the 6th century. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 7 | Antalya | Cappadocia - Konya - Antalya : Your journey brings you to Konya, former capital of the Seljuk Empire. Visit the Mevlana Museum with its impressive collection of ancient books and historical artifacts belonging to Mevlana Jelaleddin Rumi, the 13th century founder of the Whirling Dervishes. Then, depart for Antalya, the Turkish Riviera. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 8 | Antalya | Antalya - Perge - Aspendos - Antalya : This morning, explore the ruins of Perge, a Hittite city which dates back to 1,500 B.C.E. Then, visit the nearby ruins of Aspendos, including its Roman amphitheater. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 9 | Kusadasi | Antalya - Pamukkale - Kusadasi : Today, wind along the mountain roads to Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Hierapolis Museum, located in several restored chambers of Roman Baths, which exhibits amazing archaeological finds. Finish your day's journey in the seaside resort town of Kusadasi. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 10 | Kusadasi | Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi : Awe-inspiring ruins await you at Ephesus, an important city of the ancient world and the Roman capital of Asia, where both St. John and St. Paul came to preach. Walk down the marble avenue and see the Library of Celsus, the great theatre, the baths and temples, including the Temple of Hadrian. Continue to St. John's Basilica, a magnificent church built on what is believed to be the burial site of St. John. Today breakfast will be included. |
| Day 11 | Cannakale | Kusadasi - Pergamon - Cannakale : Discover two of the most important ancient sites in Turkey. Pergamon was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the Middle East. Located below the acropolis, the Asclepion was the healing center of Pergamon, where people came for "holistic" treatment by the ancient physician, Claudius Galen, who gained fame as a surgeon to the gladiators. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 12 | Istanbul | Cannakale - Istanbul : Visit the legendary city of Troy - the UNESCO World Heritage site which was destroyed by "the face which launched a thousand ships" during the Trojan War. Later, travel across the Dardenelles, a narrow strait that brings you back into Europe. Visit the World War I battlefields of the Gallipoli peninsula, where one of Turkey's greatest modern military victories took place. Return this evening to Istanbul, joining your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 13 | Tour ends | Istanbul - Tour Ends : Today breakfast will be included. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
- Conrad Istanbul Hotel, Istanbul
- Lykia Lodge, Cappadocia
- Rixos Downtown Hotel, Antalya
- Korumar Hotel de Luxe, Kusadasi
- Tusan Hotel, Cannakale
- Conrad Istanbul Hotel, Istanbul
- Disclaimer
- NOTE: Specials are marked with a *
NOTE: NOTE: Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double occupancy. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking.
