The pristine waters of the
Turkish Mediterranean
coast

A VERY SPECIAL TOUR OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN TURKEY
16 DAYS

Visit many of the most famous sites and cities in Turkey, including: Cappadocia with its lunar landscape and underground cities, Antalya and the Turquoise Coast, Myra (home of the real St. Nicholas), two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World at Bodrum and Ephesus, Troy that Homer immortalized, and Istanbul (the only city in the world built on two continents). Enjoy a mini "Blue Voyage" cruise on the Mediterranean, as well as a private cruise on the Bosphorus. Sample some of the best dishes in very authentic settings, and enjoy shopping opportunities galore!

DAY 1: ANKARA Arrival in Ankara. Proceed through passport control and customs (where you will also pay the Turkish Visa fee, currently $20), before you are greeted by your Newport International Travel guide for transfer to your hotel in Ankara for Welcome Cocktails and Dinner. Overnight stay in Ankara. (D)

DAY 2: CAPPADOCIA Following an early morning check-out, your guide will take you to the Museum of Ancient Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic. Then, the tour continues on to the Cappadocia Region for overnight stay. Dinner with entertainment in a night club, perhaps even one carved into a cave! (B,L,D)

DAY 3: CAPPADOCIA Full-day sightseeing in this most unusual landscape: Visit the Goreme Valley, with its many rock churches decorated with frescoes, and the underground city of Derinkuyu. Afterwards, visit the Peri Bacalari Valley (unique formations in eroded rocks), and quaint hamlets such as Avanos and Zelve. Overnight stay in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)

DAY 4: ANTALYA As this will be the longest travel day of the tour, an early morning departure is planned from Cappadocia for Konya, biblical Iconium. En route, visit the Sultanhani Caravanserai. Lunch in Konya, followed by a visit to the Museum and the tomb of Mevlana, whose disciples founded the “Whirling Dervishes” sect. Drive through the Taurus Mountains and arrive in Antalya in the late afternoon; transfer to your hotel in Antalya. (B,L,D)

DAY 5: ANTALYA Your guide will pick you from your hotel in the morning for a full-day tour of Antalya and some of the famous sites in the surrounding area. First, drive to Perge, the ancient city where you will see impressive ruins. Then, visit Aspendos, famous for its impressive, beautifully preserved, Roman Theater. After lunch, drive back to Antalya to see the Antalya Fortress, the Harbor, as well as the “Fluted” Minaret. Return to your hotel in late afternoon. Evening at leisure. (B,L)

DAY 6: KAS After breakfast, depart from Antalya to drive along the Mediterranean coast and the Taurus foothills, passing through ancient cities such as Phasellis, Demre and Myra, home of St. Nicholas), and little villages, on the way to Kas. Overnight stay in Kas. (B,L,D)

DAY 7: BODRUM Drive along the Mediterranean, enjoying spectacular scenery, and stopping at ancient cities, like Patara, Letoon and Xanthos, arriving in Bodrum for overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 8: BODRUM In the morning, experience the feel of a “Blue Voyage” as you sail in the turquoise waters. Lunch on board. After lunch, visit the Crusaders’ Castle and the foundation of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Evening on your own in Bodrum. (B,L)

DAY 9: KUSADASI Depart early in the morning from Bodrum for the drive to Ephesus. En route, stop at fascinating ancient cities such as Priene, one of the first planned cities in the world, and Didyma to see the Temple of Apollo. Drive to Kusadasi for overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 10: KUSADASI One of the highlights of your tour to Turkey is the visit to Ephesus, truly a spectacular ancient city, and one of the most complete ruins to survive to this day. See world-famous Ephesus close up, as you walk on marble streets. Then, visit the Basilica of St. John, The Archaeological Museum, and the House of The Virgin Mary. Overnight stay in Kusadasi. (B,L)

DAY 11: CANAKKALE Morning departure from Kusadasi, driving through Izmir (ancient Smyrna) and continuing on to Bergama (ancient Pergamum) to see the impressive Acropolis and the ancient Hospital. In the afternoon, drive north to Troy, immortalized by Homer. Overnight stay in. (B,L,D)

DAY 12: ISTANBUL In the morning, take the ferry to the European side of the Straits of Dardanelles, arriving at Gelibolu for a brief tour of the War Monuments and the trenches from the Gallipoli War. After lunch, drive on to Istanbul for overnight stay. (B,L)

DAY 13: ISTANBUL This morning, your guide will pick you up for a full-day tour of Istanbul. First, visit the Blue Mosque, the St. Sophia Museum, the Hippodrome and the Underground Cistern. After lunch, visit Topkapi Palace, famous for its Treasury and its China Collection, among other splendors. Lastly, stop at the Covered Bazaar, the largest ancient covered mall. Return to the hotel in late afternoon. (B,L)

DAY 14: ISTANBUL In the morning, take a cruise on the Bosphorus, sailing up the straits that divide Asia and Europe, against the backdrop of the beautiful Istanbul skyline. Lunch at a seafood restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Dolmabahce Palace, the last residence of the Ottoman Sultans, overlooking the Bosphorus. If available, attend a performance of the Janissary Band, the world’s first military band. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,L)

DAY 15: ISTANBUL Today, discover Istanbul on your own. Tonight, a farewell dinner. (B,D)

DAY 16: Early morning transfer to Ataturk International Airport for the flights back home (B)

B = Breakfast included, L = Lunch included, D = Dinner included, D/E = Dinner and entertainment included
NOTE: The city or region designated next to a tour day (e.g., DAY 6: ANTALYA) indicates the location of overnight stay.