Sunrise from Uchisar, Cappadocia
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The Cradle of Civilisation
Turkey › Special Interest Holidays & Escorted Tours
- 22-night escorted holiday
- Dates and Prices:
12 June to 4 July 2021 or 11 June to 3 July 2022: £3095 per person (Single Supplement £1150)
An in-depth exploration of some of Turkey's most important historical treasures, including what is believed to be the world's oldest temple, and appreciation of the country's wonderfully diverse landscapes.
Istanbul - Cappadocia - Mount Nemrut - Mor Hananyo Monastery - Gobekli Tepe - Zeugma Commagene - Antioch - Pamphylia - Lycia -
Rhodes - Pisidia - Aphrodisia - Hierapolis - Smyrna.
Itinerary
- Day 1; 12 June Saturday
- Flight to Istanbul airport and transfer to hotel. Stay for 3 nights in a boutique hotel in Sultanahmet district on BB (bed & breakfast) basis.
- Day 2; 13 June Sunday
- Visit Underground cistern, Topkapi Palace, Saint Sophie, Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the spice market.
- Day 3; 14 June Monday
- Bosphorus cruise.
- Day 4; 15 June Tuesday
- Early departure flight to Kayseri. Stay for 3 nights in a 4/5 star cave hotel on BB basis
- Day 5; 16 June Wednesday
- Visit open air museum at Goreme, pottery at Avanos and whirling dervishes
- Day 6; 17 June Thursday
- Optional hot-air balloon ride in the early morning for a bird's-eye view of Cappadocia's unique landscapes. Then visit underground city, Roman ruins, Uchisar.
- Day 7; 18 June Friday
- Drive to Adiyaman to catch the sunset from Mount Nemrut with a glass of wine or two. Overnight stay in Kahta in the foothills of Mount Nemrut on BB basis.
- Day 8; 19 June Saturday
- Drive to Mor Hananyo Assyrian Monastery, also known as Deyrulzafaran (the 'Saffron Monastery') on account of the golden colour of its stone. Overnight stay in Mardin on BB basis.
- Day 9; 20 June Sunday
- Drive to Gobekli Tepe, "the cradle of civilization". Dating back to the 10th millennium BC, this temple is considered to be the world's oldest ritual structure, predating Stonehenge and the pyramids by more than six millennia. Overnight stay in Sanliurfa on BB basis.
- Day 10; 21 June Monday
- Drive to Gaziantep, visit Zeugma mosaic museum and the castle of Gaziantep. Overnight stay in Gaziantep on BB basis.
- Day 11; 22 June Tuesday
- Drive to Antioch, Antakya, visit mountain-side cave church of St Peters from the early Christian period, the museum and the bazaar. Overnight stay in Antakya on BB basis.
- Day 12; 23 June Wednesday
- Drive via Tarsus (the birthplace of St Paul) and Kiz Kalesi (Maiden Castle) to Tasucu, the closest point in Turkey to Cyprus. Overnight stay in Tasucu on BB basis.
- Day 13; 24 June Thursday
- Drive to Faralya visiting the coastal archaeological sites of Anamurium and Side on route. Stay the next 7 nights at Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotels on HB basis (breakfast & 5-course dinner).
- Day 14; 25 June Friday
- A well-deserved day at leisure to relax by the pool or in your private Jacuzzi at Mandarin & Mango.
- Day 15; 26 June Saturday
- Another relaxing day, with a boat trip in the Bay of Gemile around St Nicholas Island. Swim, snorkel and enjoy a BBQ lunch on the boat.
- Day 16; 27 June Sunday
- Visit the ghost village of Kaya, old Greek village called Levissi, known as Karmylassos during Lycian time, then drive to Lycian ruins of Tlos, Xanthos, and the gorge of Saklikent.
- Day 17; 28 June Monday
- Day at leisure, to enjoy hiking in the countryside around Faralya, try paragliding or diving, or just laze by the pool.
- Day 18; 29 June Tuesday
- Day at leisure, with optional visit to the nearby town of Fethiye for Market Day. Shop till you drop, or enjoy a drink by the picturesque harbour.
- Day 19; 30 June Wednesday
- Day trip from Fethiye harbour to the Greek island of Rhodes by ferry/hydrofoil. Visit the medieval Crusaders' castle.
- Day 20; 01 July Thursday
- We leave Faralya, heading north via the ancient ruins at Kybira to Pamukkale. Overnight in a 4/5 star hotel in Pamukkale on HB Basis (breakfast & dinner)
- Day 21; 02 July Friday
- Drive via Aphrodisia, and visit Ephesus en route to Izmir. Stay for 2 nights in a 4/5 star hotel in Izmir on BB Basis.
- Day 22; 03 July Saturday
- Free day in Izmir
- Day 23; 04 July Sunday
- Depart from Izmir airport via Istanbul for your homeward journey.
Price includes:
- Scheduled flights from Heathrow or Gatwick to Istanbul and return from Izmir via Istanbul. Regional departures on request and at a supplement.
- 22 nights' accommodation in 4/5 star or boutique hotels
- Daily Breakfast
- 8 dinners, 7 of which are 5-course dinners, and 1 buffet-style.
- Ground transportation with driver & interpreter in an air-cnditioned mini or midibus/bus
- Tours in Cappadocia, Mount Nemrut, Mor Gabriel, Gobeklitepe, Zeugma etc.
- Ephesus/Virgin Mary/Basilica of Saint John
- Aphrodisias/Pamukkale tour
- Kybira ruins (Roman/Hellenistic period)
- Day Boat trip in Gemile Bay & Saint Nicholas island.
- Transfer to Fethiye harbour & back to hotel, hydrofoil/ferry ticket to Rhodes
- BBQ lunch on the boat trip day
- leisure time for shopping & exploring
- 5 o'clock tea & cakes while at the Mandarin & Mango
Not included:
- Balloon ride at Cappadocia (pre-booking essential as it gets very busy)
- Any tips to guide/interpreter, driver, baggage handlers, housekeepers
- Entrance fees to archaeological sites.
- Lunches where not mentioned
- Drinks during lunch and dinner
To book, please call us on 020 8847 8700 or contact us by email.