This itinerary is the very best of Turkey, a fascinating journey to the most beautiful and historic areas. Marvel at the awesome scenery of Cappadocia, the epic monuments of Ephesus, Pergamum and Troy, see the vivid colours of exotic Istanbul, spectacular coastlines and sandy beaches.
We take in Turkey’s stunning scenery, unique history and colourful culture. Linking Europe and the Middle East, Turkey is a living museum with over 10,000 years of history.
Suspended between the new and old, Turkey retains a balance of both east and west. It is three times the size of Great Britain and has a unique cultural heritage. Modern city boutiques and exotic bazaars clamour for customers – you can still haggle for bargains from leather to jewellery! The weekly tolling of church bells interrupts the daily calls of the muezzin. Roman ruins and the beginnings of Christianity compete for attention with the history of the Ottoman Empire.
We intend to help you sample the best of the Turkish delights! Istanbul, with one part in Europe and the other in Oriental Asia, is a fascinating city. It has frenzied market places, imperial residences and minarets. We take time to pay tribute to the many who lost their lives in Gallipoli. We go on to explore the wonderful ancient cities of Troy, hot springs of Pamukkale, and let your head spin while watching the Whirling Dervishes’. Cappadocia in Central Turkey offers a magical lunar landscape of eroded volcanic rock cones and fairy chimneys, remarkable subterranean cities and rock-hewn houses that merge harmoniously with the ochre-coloured landscape.
There is always a warm welcome from the friendly Turkish people and June is an excellent month for travelling through this amazing country.
Depart New Zealand on our flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
Istanbul (B, D) Arrive early morning then transfer to our 4 Star hotel with a free morning to recover from the flight. Our hotel is centrally located just a few minutes walk from all the major sights. In the afternoon we take a leisurely walk through the streets of the old city visiting the Grand Bazaar with its hundreds of colourful shops, the spice market and the Golden Horn waterfront area before returning to our hotel.
Istanbul (B, D) We visit the highlights of Istanbul, walking from our hotel to visit The Hippodrome – remains of the great sports stadium where chariot races were held in Roman times. The stunning Topkapi Palace – The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th – 19th century. The Blue Mosque – the most unique mosque in the world built 1609-1616. St Sophia – built 532-537 AD, was the largest Christian Church for nearly 1,000 years. Underground Cistern - contained the vast water supply required for Constantinople.
Istanbul, Gallipoli, Cannakale (B, D) This morning we drive to the Gallipoli peninsular. We start our tour at Anzac Cove, before continuing up the hill to Lone Pine Cemetery, Katatepe Museum, and of particular importance to New Zealanders - Chunuck Bair trenches and tunnels where many our soldiers are remembered. We finish our day with a short ferry trip across the Dardanelle straight to Cannakale.
Cannakale, Troy, Assos, Kucukkuyu (B, D) From Cannakale we visit Troy. Despite popular belief there is more to Troy than just the wooden horse, with multiple ancient cities built one on top of another dating back to 3000BC. Later in the morning we visit the ancient village of Assos (now Behramkale) where Aristotle (Plato’s protégé) founded a school of philosophy here in 340 BC. St Paul also visited Assos on his third journey to Rome. We drive down from the Acropolis perched on top of the hill to visit the picturesque fishing port. Our beautiful hotel for the night is in nearby Kucukkuyu by the sea.
Kucukkuyu, Pergamum, Kusadasi (B, D) Today we journey south to visit Pergamum (modern day Bergama). With its impressive Ancient Acropolis high on the hill above the town, with its Altar of Zeus. Pergamum was one of the most powerful and wealthiest cities in the Middle East in the days of Alexander the Great. The city prospered under the Pergamene dynasty (263-133BC) and became one of the ancient world’s main centres of learning with the library reputedly containing 200,000 parchment scrolls. Late afternoon we arrive at our stunning four star hotel, 4 – 5 minutes walk from the beach, situated in the characteristic seaside town of Kusadasi.
Kusadasi, Ephesus, Sirince, Pamukkale (B, D) Today we spend the morning visiting the most famous of all ancient sites – Ephesus. With extensive excavations and 2,000 year old marble streets, it is the best preserved classical Roman city in Asia. Later we visit the stone house where St John the Evangelist brought Mary, Mother of Jesus, to spend the last years of her life. Afterwards, we journey into the nearby hills to visit the authentic Turkish village of Sirince. After lunch we travel through fertile valleys to Pamukkale, to see its amazing limestone cascades (formed by calcium rich mineral water). The nearby Hierapolis Roman Theatre and Health Spa ruins, was once a cure centre founded in 190BC.
Pamukkale, Dalyan (B, D) We drive towards the Mediterranean coast to Dalyan where we take a boat ride through the delta reeds; visit the ancient city of Kaunos founded 9th Century BC, see the intriguing Lycian temples and tombes carved into the face of the cliff. We continue on to the sand spit beach, where there is time for a swim or just a stroll along the sandy beach. Part of the beach is also the nesting place of the Loggerhead Turtles.
Dalyan, Island Boat Cruise, Fethiye (B, L, D) Today is a day for relaxing. We cruise aboard our own Turkish wooden yacht around the many beautiful islands of Fethiye Bay which boasts some of the prettiest beaches in the Mediterranean, plenty of time for swimming and sightseeing. Our delightful hotel in Fethiye is another of the hotels we stay in that has a swimming pool.
Fethiye, Kayakoy, Oludeniz, Saklikent, Fethiye (B, D) We start the day with a visit to the deserted village of Kayakoy with its 2,000 stone houses, followed by a swim in the beautiful lagoon of Oludeniz. Continue on by road to the Saklikent Canyon, a spectacular gorge where waterfalls cascade into the Esen River, we then return to our hotel in Fethiye for a second night.
Fethiye, Pinara, Xanthos, Kas (B, L, D) Morning departure to the Pinara Acropolis where thousands of pigeon-type tombs are found. The Pinara Amphitheatre, remains in a remarkably preserved state. We have lunch in a village house, then on to Xanthos an amphitheatre which dates back to the Roman Age and see the Byzantine churches. Continue on to Kas, a delightful little seaside town with cobbles streets and an interesting harbour. Our hotel is situated in a beautiful part of the town, the roof terrace and bar is surrounded with olive trees and tranquil ocean views.
Kas, Kekova, Kas (B, D) Another relaxing day today cruising the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean to visit the Island of Kekova. Along the edge of the island facing the mainland lie the fascinating half-submerged remains of a Lycian sunken city, built over 2,000 years ago. We visit the ancient site of Simena known today as Kale (castle) and walk to the fortress hill for a spectacular view over the bay (a photographers dream!). We return to our hotel in Kas for a second night.
Kas, Myra, Olympos, Chimaera, Cirali, Antalya (B, D) From Kas we continue along the coast to visit the ruins of Myra with its Lycian rock tomb honeycombed into rock faces and well preserved Roman theatre. St Paul stopped here on his voyage to Rome. Visit the church of St Nicholas where the legend of Santa Claus is believed to have begun in the 4th century. We drive through hamlets of Olympos and Cirali to the beach of Olympos. Here you have opportunities for swimming and/or walking to Chimaera, where a cluster of spontaneous eternal flames blaze from crevices on the rocky slopes. We travel on to Antalya to our perfectly situated accommodation, a beautiful oasis of calm.
Antalya, Aspendos, Konya (B, D) Today we leave Antalya to visit Aspendos with one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, built around AD162 with a seating capacity of 12,000. The theatre is still in use today. Continue along the coast then inland through the stunning scenery of the Taurus mountain range to Konya.
Konya, Sultanhani, Uchisar, Cavusin, Avanos, Urgup (B, D) Today we journey to the Biblical region of Cappadocia, after visiting the Mevlana Museum in Konya, a religious and conservative town where Mevlana Rumi founded the Whirling Dervisches in the 13th Century. We then continue to the Seljuk caravanserai of Sultanhani and drive to Uchisar, Cappadocia. View the amazing panoramic landscape and walk one of the most beautiful valleys of the area; see numerous pigeon houses, hidden churches and the multiple colours of the valley. We travel to the troglodyte cliff in the traditional village of Cavusin then a short drive to visit the craft centre of Avanos where the River Kizilirmak provides the terracotta and ceramic clay for making pots. Arrive at our charming hotel in Urgup, the heart of Cappadocia. Chance to see the Whirling Dervishes (own cost).
Urgup, Kizilcukur, Gulludere, Pasabag, Dervent, Golgoli, Urgup (B, D) Watch the sun rise over the spectacular landscape of Cappadocia from a hot air balloon. We will be exploring the district of Cappadocia, starting with a walk in the Red Valley with the camion expedition transfer for the visit of Pasabag to view its fairy chimneys. We continue to Dervent Valley with its unbelievable rock formations. Return to our accommodation in Urgup and departure for a fantastic barbecue, Turkish music, and dance in the troglodytic Byzantine city of Golgoli. (The balloon ride is optional and extra cost).
Urgup (B) You have a free day today to explore this unique and incredible area, or just relax in our beautiful hotel.
Urgup, Soganli, Goreme, Urgup (B, D) Today, we travel through traditional villages and amazing, panoramic landscapes, “fantastic photo opportunities”, and arrive at Soganli, a semi-abandoned village. Here you can take a donkey ride (optional and own cost), or visit some of the local churches. After lunch we drive to Goreme Village, which is surrounded by volcanic cones and pinnacles. Here, clustered within a relatively small area are numerous monasteries and some of the most fascinating churches of the region. We then continue to Urgup where we visit a local carpet gallery to learn more about the handcrafted Turkish Carpet.
Urgup, Kaymakli, Ihlara, Ankara (B, D) This morning we visit the Kaymakli Underground City, one of several built as refuges from invaders. The city has underground rooms, including stables, cellars, storage rooms and churches. Later we walk the Ihlara Valley, a dramatic gorge with sheer cliffs riddled with homes, pigeon lofts and churches hidden amongst its valley floor, where there are many interesting frescoed churches. Lunch in a very special setting by the river Melendiz. We then depart for Ankara, capital of Turkey.
Ankara, Istanbul (B) Ankara is situated in the heart of Anatolia, surrounded by fertile land and is home to the famous Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the informative Mausoleum of Ataturk, a man considered to be the father of the nation. We return to Istanbul arriving later in the afternoon.
Istanbul (B) A picturesque morning boat cruise on the Bospherous, the straight which is 32km long and from 500m to 3km wide, connecting the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara. Free time in the afternoon.
Depart Istanbul Depart Istanbul for our return journey to New Zealand.
In transit
Arrive New Zealand
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