Absolute Turkey

Itinerary

Day 1 Istanbul

You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until this evening's welcome meeting. Your group leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. We will be collecting your local payment, insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details ready to provide to your leader. After the meeting, there is the option of joining your fellow group members for dinner at a local restaurant.Istanbul is the only city in the world which stands upon two continents being located both in Europe and Asia and is a fascinating blend of East meets West.If you arrive in Istanbul early there are plenty of things to see and do.Please refer to Day 2 below for more ideas.

Day 2 Istanbul, Night train (B)

This morning starts with a city walking tour of Istanbul which will orientate you and help you decide which of the many fascinating sights you plan to visit with your free afternoon.Some options include the Aya Sofya(closed on Mondays),which started life as a church, became a mosque and is now a living museum to the past.Across the square and sitting on the edge of the historic Hippodrome area is the beautiful Blue Mosque. Please make sure you are respectfully dressed for your visit as this is an active place of worship.Check out the fabulous Topkapi Palace, past home of the Ottoman Empire's sultans. (please note the palace is closed on Tuesdays)or perhaps shop till you drop at the Grand Bazaar - don't forget to bargain hard though!(bazaar closed on Sundays)For a truly local experience, head down to the Bosphorus, and grab a fish roll- a filling and delicious lunch for just a few lira! Cross over the impressive Galata bridge, lined with its many restaurants, and explore the Asian side of the city.Follow this up with an a strong Turkish coffee and perhaps a game of backgammon with a local.In the evening we board our sleeper train to Ankara. The sleeper train is comfortable with couchette style beds, four to a cabin which fold into seats. Bedding is provided and there are bathrooms down the corridor.There is a dining car with food and drinks available. Please note, depending on group configuration, you may share your cabin with a member of the opposite gender and/or a local person. This is a great chance for some true local interaction! The journey to Ankara will take around 10 hours.

Days 3-5 Ankara/Capadoccia (3B, D)

After deboarding our train, we spend time exploring the capital city of Ankara with an included visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Ataturk Memorial, a tribute to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who can be credited as the father of modern Turkey.Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city was famous for its long-haired Angora goat and its prized wool (mohair), a unique breed of cat (Angora cat), white rabbits and their prized wool (Angora wool), pears, honey, and the region's muscat grapes.This afternoon we make the journey by bus (approximately 5 hours) into the heart of Cappadocia and our base in the town of Goreme where we will settle in to our hotel.The Cappadocia region is truly unique, being shaped by volcanic eruptions, with the soft lava rock constantly being shaped by erosion, creating a surreal landscape.Among those who settled here were the early Christians who left a legacy of frescoed, rock-hewn churches and chapels hidden away in the many valleys. Many local people today still live in cave dwellings carved out of the rocks.Days 4 and 5 are free to explore this fascinating region. Take the chance to visit to the Open Air Museum which houses many fine examples of the region's painted rock hewn ancient churches. Take an excursion to the Ihlara Gorge or enjoy one of the many hikes to small villages within this region.A real highlight of our time, is the opportunity to spend a night in a local family's home,including a traditional dinner. Please note that this accommodation is multi share. We will have two or three rooms to share between us. Mattresses and bedding will be provided but you will need your own towel. Expect clean but very basic facilities (toilets and shower)and sporadic hot water.

Day 6 Konya (B)

Today we make our way to the home of the whirling dervishes, Konya, a journey of approximately 4 hours. Enroute, we visit to the mystic underground city of Derinkuyu.During the 12th and 13th centuries, Konya acted as the capital of the Seljuk Turks and as a result, became a great cultural centre.This afternoon we visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the great Turkish philosopher and poet. He is the founder of the sect of Whirling Dervishes. The Whirling Dervishes dance is performed by men dressed in white robes, whirling and rotating around the floor. This dance, in which the dancer with the great love of God is believed to attain divine unity, is an event well worth seeing.

Day 7 Antalya (B)

This morning we begin the journey to Antalya, a journey of approximately 5 hours.This morning we will cross the famous Taurus mountain range. Enroute, after our lunch break, we the fascinating Graeco-Roman sites of Aspendos and Perge.According to tradition,Aspendos was founded around 1000 B.C. by Greeks and is known for having the best-preserved Roman theatre which provided seating for 7,000. It is also thought to be one of the first places in the world to start minting coins.The nearby ruins of Perge feature roman baths where you can actually see the ancient heating system used by the Romans.After our visit and checking into our hotel, there will be time for you to explore the old city and harbour areas of this historic town.

Day 8 Uçagiz (B)

We begin our day with a visit to Chimaera, where you can view the mysterious eternal flames which naturally spring from the rocks in this area. We then continue to the beautiful coastal village of Uçagiz where we board our boat for one unforgettable night on board. Please note that sleeping on the boat is seasonal from May to October and during these months, dependant on weather conditions. In other months, you will stay in a guesthouse at Uchagiz, but still spend a full day on a boat excursion on Day 9.Our boat is very simple. Rather than using cabins, we sleep on deck under the stars. Bedding is provided. There is a toilet and open air shower on board. Then there is nothing left to do but relax and enjoy the crystal waters Turkey is famous for!Please note that meals other than breakfast are not included on the boat. Please budget 10-20 Turkish lira per meal. Drinks are not permitted to brought on board the boat, but are available for you to purchase at reasonable prices.

Day 9 Kekova Island/Kas (B)

After waking up on board, and taking breakfast in the fresh air, we begin our full day boat excursion.It may be possible to catch a glimpse of some old houses which were completely immersed by earthquakes in ancient times. We travel around Kekova island by boat allowing us to enjoy the sunshine and scenery and later walk up to the Simena castle to enjoy the views and archaeological ruins.In the afternoon we return to Ucagiz before boarding our bus and making our way to the charming coastal town of Kas where we spend the night.

Day 10 Pamukkale (B)

Today we make our way from Kas to Pamakkale, a journey of around 5 hours.In the afternoon we visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the Hierapolis ancient site.

Day 11 Selçuk/Ephesus (B)

We continue to Selçuk, and in the afternoon visit the ruins of the ancient town of Ephesus.(travel time of approx 3-4 hours)Ephesus was one of the foremost cities of the world due to its location on a strategic trade route and the well preserved and extensive ruins including the theatre, library or gymnasium are very impressive.On our return to town there will be free time to visit the small but exquisite Ephesus museum, walk up the the remains of the town's hilltop castle or perhaps just explore the streets and cafes of this vibrant Turkish town.

Day 12 Bergama (B)

Leaving Selcuk, we travel to the magnificent Acropolis of Bergama, enjoying a guided visit.Between the years 283-133 BC, Bergama(also known as Pergamon) was one of the most flourishing cultural centres of the Greek period. Later it became a diocesan centre (and one of the seven Churches of Revelation) before the city was occupied by Arabs and finally by the Ottomans in 1330. The excavations are split into three areas: acropolis (temples, library, amphitheatre, altar of Zeus (- exhibited in the Pergamon museum in Berlin), Esculapeion (medical centre) and the Saint John’s basilica.

Day 13 Çanakkale/Troy (B)

Enroute to Canakkale, our base for tonight, we visit to the world famous Troy.Troy was also known as Ilios or Ilion, a name which can be found in the Iliad, Homer's epic poem, where the poet immortalized the city through mythological characters like King Priam, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. For centuries this story in the Iliad, was regarded as just a myth, until the ruins of the city were found in western Turkey at Hisarlik in the mid-19th century.

Day 14 Galliploli, Istanbul (B)

This morning we make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives in the Battle of the same name. We will see the Anzac cove, Lone pine amongst others.Even for those who are not familiar with this battle, this is a moving and beautiful site.We continue our journey to Istanbul,(around 5 hours depending on traffic) where there will be the opportunity to continue your sight seeing or perhaps some last minute shopping.

Day 15 Depart Istanbul (B)

Today is departure day. As there are no acitvities planned you are free to depart at any time. Hotel check out time is noon. If you would like to spend a little more time in Istanbul we are able to arrange additional nights accommodation- please ask at time of booking.