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Discover the homeland of Father Christmas
Turkey › Special Interest Holidays & Escorted Tours
- 14 or 20-night escorted holiday
- Dates and Prices:
Main Tour (14 nights) 15 May to 29 May 2021:
£1995 per person (Single Supplement £529)
Full Tour incl 3-night gulet cruise and Cappadocia extension (20 nights) 15 May to 4 June 2021:
£2845 per person (Single Supplement £989)
Although nowadays we associate Father Christmas (or Santa Claus as he is known in some countries) with the North Pole or at least the Nordic countries,
the real-life bishop upon whose generosity this figure is based - Saint Nicholas of Myra - actually came from Asia Minor. In addition to his home town, this tour
visits some of the other sites associated with Saint Nicholas, as well as many of Turkey's most important sights, including Istanbul and Ephesus. Those opting for
the full 20-night itinerary will also enjoy a three-night cruise along the beautiful Turquise Coast aboard a traditional wooden gulet and discover the unique region of Cappadocia.
Itinerary
PART 1
- Day 1; 15 May 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; 16 May Sunday
- Visit Underground cistern, Topkapi Palace, Saint Sophie, Blue Mosque.
- Day 3; 17 May Monday
- Visit the grand bazaar and the spice market. Bosphorus cruise.
- Day 4; 18 May Tuesday
- Early departure flight to Izmir. Stay for 3 nights in a 4/5 star hotel in Izmir on BB Basis
- Day 5; 19 May Wednesday
- Free day to explore Izmir, the Agora, Saint Polycarpe, and shopping in Kemeralti.
- Day 6; 20 May Thursday
- Visit Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia
- Day 7; 21 May Friday
- We drive south from Izmir via Ephesus, where we visit the main site, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of Saint John, to the ancient spa town of Pamukkale, famed for its travertine terraces, Overnight in a 4/5 star hotel in Pamukkale on HB Basis (breakfast & dinner).
- Day 8; 22 May Saturday
- We drive via Aphrodisias and the newly excavated ruins of Kybira to Faralya. Stay the next 7 nights at Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotels on HB basis (breakfast & 5-course dinner)
- Day 9; 23 May Sunday
- Day at leisure, but plenty to do for those who would like to walk, try paragliding or diving, visit Fethiye town or just laze by the pool.
- Day 10; 24 May Monday
- Boat trip to the bay of Gemile and the island of Saint Nicholas, with a BBQ-lunch on the boat.
- Day 11; 25 May Tuesday
- Day at leisure, with optional visit to the nearby town of Fethiye for Market Day.
- Day 12; 26 May Wednesday
- 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 13; 27 May Thursday
- Day trip by hydrofoil/ferry to the Greek Island of Rhodes, to visit the medieval Old Town.
- Day 14; 28 May Friday
- Another day at leisure to relax, walk along the Lycian Way or shop in Fethiye town.
PART 2
- Day 15; 29 May Saturday
- For those leaving us at this point, depart from Dalaman Airport, whilst those staying on will board a traditional wooden Gulet at Fethiye harbour for a 3-night mini-cruise to Kalkan, Kas, Kekova & Demre. Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner). Overnight Kalkan
- Day 16; 30 May Sunday
- Cruise towards Kas & Kekova. Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner). Overnight Kas
- Day 17; 31 May Monday
- Cruise to Kekova, sunken city, Ucagiz and castle. Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) Overnight Demre
- Day 18; 01 June Tuesday
- We leave the boat and visit Myra, the home of Father Christmas, and Olympos, before driving on to Cappadocia. Stay three nights in a traditional cave hotel on BB Basis.
- Day 19; 02 June Wednesday
- Visit open air museum at Goreme, pottery at Avanos and whirling dervishes.
- Day 20; 03 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 21; 04 June Friday
- Depart from either Nevsehir or Kayseri Airports via Istanbul.
Price includes:
PART 1
- Scheduled flights from Heathrow or Gatwick to Istanbul and return from Dalaman via Istanbul. Regional departures on request and at a supplement.
- 14 nights accommodation in 4/5 star or boutique hotels in Istanbul, Izmir, Pamukkale and Faralya/Fethiye.
- Daily breakfast
- 8 dinners, 7 of which are 5-course dinners.
- Ground transportation with driver & interpreter in an air-conditioned mini or midibus/bus
- Ephesus/Virgin Mary/Basilica of Saint John
- Aphrodisias/Pamukkale tour
- Kybira ruins(Roman/Hellenistic period)
- Day Boat trip in Gemile Bay & Saint Nicholas island.
- Hydrofoil/ferry ticket to Rhodes & visit old town and transportation to from hotel and back to Fethiye harbour
- BBQ lunch on the boat trip day
- Leisure time for shopping & exploring
- 5 o'clock tea & cakes while at the Mandarin & Mango
PART 2
- All services as listed for PART 1, except homeward flights via Istanbul are from Kayseri or Nevsehir instead of Dalaman. In addition:
- 3-night/4-day gulet cruise from Fethiye to Demre
- 3-night stay in a cave hotel in Cappadocia
- Daily breakfast
- 3 lunches and 3 dinners on the boat
- Visit of various archaeological places, Kekova sunken city, Myra, Father Christmas, Demre, Chimera-Olympos, open air museum in Goreme, underground city at Derinkuyu and more.
- Ground transportation with driver & interpreter in an air-conditioned mini or midibus/bus
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
For those with limited time, we can also offer a shortened version of this tour comprising the first 11 nights/12 days
(3 nights Istanbul, 3 nights Izmir, 1 night Pamukkale, 4 nights Faralya at
The Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotels).
Other options are to join the tour on 22 May flying into Dalaman for 11 days until 1 June (including the Gulet cruise) or for 14 days until 4 June to include the Cappadocia section.
Prices for these shortened itineraries on application.
To book, please call us on 020 8847 8700 or contact us by email.