13 Day Affordable Turkey

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Escorted Package Includes

• Round trip flights NYC-Istanbul. Other departure cities available.
• Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
• 11 nights First Class accommodations
  • 3 nights Istanbul
  • 1 night Canakkale
  • 2 nights Kusadasi
  • 1 night Pamukkale
  • 1 night Konya
  • 2 nights Cappadocia
• 1 night Ankara
• All transfers
• 20 meals: 11 breakfasts, 9 dinners
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
• Entrance fees per itinerary

Special Features

• City of Troy
• Asclepion at Pergamum
• Ancient city of Hieropolis
• Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, Ankara

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Itinerary

DAY 1, Depart the USA
Depart the USA to Turkey. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Arrive in Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy dinner and orientation with your tour manager
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Istanbul City Tour
Enjoy a half day morning tour of Istanbul, the only city that straddles two continents. Your tour includes a visit to the Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous with its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles. Continue to the Hippodrome, the place chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. You will also visit St. Sophia – the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century, which remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, it was later converted to a mosque and now serves as a museum. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, exploring this city that blurs the line between East and West, with incredible architecture that is rivaled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait
Optional: Half Day Istanbul with Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar (PM)**
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Sightseeing Troy, Drive to Canakkale
This morning, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and drive to Canakkale. Upon arrival in Canakkale, proceed to the classical city of Troy. Tour this 4000-year-old city and legendary center of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer's epic poem The Iliad. Continue to the Canakkale province, located in northwest Turkey, where you will arrive in the early evening
Overnight: Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Visit the Asclepion, Drive to Kusadasi
Drive to Pergamum, a powerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period, and visit the Asclepion, the ancient Roman spa center. Continue to Kusadasi, a city believed to be the birthplace of Homer, where you will arrive in the early evening
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Day at leisure in Kusadasi
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Kusadasi
Optional: Full Day Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary with Lunch
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Pamukkale Hot Springs, Necropolis, and Hieropolis
Depart Kusadasi and drive to Pamukkale. Visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hieropolis ("Holy City"), a UNESCO a World Heritage Site situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs. The Pamukkale hot springs have served as a therapeutic thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C.
Overnight: Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Travel to Konya
Today, travel from Pamukkale, the "Cotton Castle," to Konya, a city renowned for its Seljuk architecture and also as the home of the whirling dervishes. Arrive in the afternoon and visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana before dinner this evening
Overnight: Konya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Visit Caravanserai of Sultanhan en route to Cappadocia
Depart for Cappadocia, visiting the magnificent Caravanserai of Sultanhan en route. Continue to Nevsehir in Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, visit a carpet atelier and have a demonstration of carpet weaving
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Day at leisure in Cappadocia
Enjoy a full day exploring Cappadocia independently. Famed for temples and houses cut directly into the region's spectacular rock formations, Cappadocia has captivated travelers for centuries
Optional: Cappadocia Balloon Ride (AM) *
Optional: Full Day Cappadocia (AM) *
Optional: Whirling Dervishes Performance (PM)
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Ankara, Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk
This morning depart for Ankara, the capital and the second largest city of Turkey. Upon arrival, visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum, also known as the Anitkabir, lies a vast brick courtyard and monumental avenue lined with NeoHittite stone statues and cenotaphs beneath its colonnades. The most noted cenotaphs within the complex are those of General Ismet Inonu, a close comrade of Ataturk's and his successor, and that of Ataturk himself, a large and highly decorative marble cenotaph, beneath which lies his tomb. Continue to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum – built in two Ottoman buildings located near Ankara Castle. The Museum, being among exceptional museums with its unique collection, exhibits Anatolian archaeological artifacts, as well as artifacts from the Paleolithic Age to the present
Overnight: Ankara
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Day at leisure in Istanbul
This morning, depart for Istanbul. Arrive in the early afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure before a farewell dinner this evening.
Optional: Half Day Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise & Spice Market (PM)**
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13, Return to the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

*The Cappadocia Balloon Ride tour ends before the Full Day Cappadocia tour begins. Both tours can be done on the same day.

**Mar 8 departure: Please note that the Spice Market visit will take place on Day 3 and the Grand Bazaar visit will take place on Day 12.

Optional Tours

Half Day Istanbul with Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar

Day #3

01 Nov 2012 - 30 Nov 2013

$63

This tour's highlights include the Underground cistern – water source of the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, the largest of its kind in Istanbul, the structure's interior includes a few hundred marble columns. Your tour will also take you to the Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans housing the richness of 700 years. Visit the Treasury section with the crown jewels and the unique collection of Chinese porcelains. Finally, visit the Grand Bazaar, world famous shopping center where you will have the opportunity to shop for carpets, jewelry, leather and more.

Full Day Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary with lunch

Day #6

01 Nov 2012 - 30 Nov 2013

$75

Ephesus is situated in the fertile Ionian landscape and famous throughout history for its temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. Ephesus is considered to be the showpiece among all the antique cities of the world. Leave your hotel for Ephesus and first visit the house of Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary accompanied St. John to Ephesus, where she spent her last years living near a grove of olive trees close by to Ephesus. A visit is considered to be a Pilgrimage by the Vatican. You may collect holy water from the sacred spring. Visit the Basilica of St. John who came here and wrote his gospel. Ephesus was undoubtedly, one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Among its impressive structures you will marvel at the library of Celsus, temple of Hadrian, the theater and the Odeon. Includes lunch at a local restaurant.

Cappadocia Balloon Ride

Day #10

01 Nov 2012 - 30 Nov 2013

$215

Depart early in the morning for a fantastic hot air balloon tour that takes you soaring over the magnificent Cappadocian landscape with its incredible fairy chimney rock formations. A hot-air balloon flight is unique from all other methods of flying in that there is no sensation of motion, creating an experience of tranquility unlike any other. Traveling at heights of up to 1500 feet, the feeling is both serene and sublime. Within moments of lifting off, drift over the treetops and discover the spectacular landscape from an unrivaled perspective. The deep canyons and lush, fertile valleys of Cappadocia provide an ideal setting for a memorable flight and it may even be possible to pick apricots from the trees when they are in season. Departs at 5:00 a.m. Pick-up and drop-off details to be advised locally. Please note that the take-off time and the duration of the flight may vary due to weather conditions. Balloon rides will vary between 50 & 75 minutes according to the wind.

Whirling Dervishes Performance

Day #10

01 Nov 2012 - 30 Nov 2013

$39

Also known as the "Sema Ritual", Whirling Dervish performances began with the inspiration of Mawlana Jalaleddin Rumi who is one of the greatest mystical poets of Islam. The Mevlevi Sufi order was founded to follow his teachings. The captivating dance of the whirling dervishes, which displays infinite spinning in perfect harmony, is part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture. It is a rare opportunity to experience a seven-century old ritual, featuring beautiful costumes, live music with flutes, string and percussion, and the amazing sight of the Dervishes whirling on the stage. Departs approximately 8 p.m.; returns approximately 11 p.m.

Full Day Cappadocia

Day #10

01 Nov 2012 - 15 Apr 2013

$69

Depart your hotel for a full day tour in Cappadocia. Visit the Open Air Museum in Goreme Valley to see the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescos depicting various scenes from the Bible. Later, visit the Ozkonak Underground City, an ancient city built on the northern slopes of Mt. Idis. The city has many strata made up of volcanic granite. Its larger areas are connected to each other by tunnels. Ozkonak had a built-in communication system of pipes on each of its levels, unlike Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, which have no such systems. Each carved out room had ventilation provided by holes when the city was closed against enemies. Lastly, visit the village of Avanos that is famous for its beautiful old houses, pottery and onyx. Departs approximately 8:45 a.m.; returns approximately 5:30 p.m.

Half Day Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with Spice Market

Day #12

01 Nov 2012 - 30 Nov 2013

$59

Depart from the hotel for a visit to the famous Spice Market of Istanbul. Afterwards, board a ferry for a delightful Bosphorus cruise. No stay in Istanbul would be complete without this traditional and unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia. The humble fishing villages and suspension bridges set against the dramatic outline of the Strait exemplify the newest link between the East and West.

Dates & Prices

*Not Included:
Optional tours and gratuities.

Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

Some departures are operated with more than one coach. Featured hotels for each city will be assigned by Gate 1. Hotels of similar standard may be substituted. Click here for a list of hotels by departure date.

Entry Requirements:
Passengers traveling abroad require a passport valid for six months beyond their travel dates. All travelers are responsible to check if a visa is required for all countries on their itinerary. For visa information, check our Visas page.
Visas are required for Turkey

13 Day Affordable Turkey Bus Chart