Classical Turkey Tour (14 Days)

Classical Turkey Tour (14 Days)

Ionian column at
Aphrodisias...

Wild cyclamen at Phaselis

This 14-day small-group tour by Argeus Tourism & Travel begins in Istanbul and visits Ankara, Antalya, Şirince and Pamukkale, as well as biblical Cappadocia, Konya, and the ancient cities of Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Didyma, Hierapolis, Miletus, Priene, Perge, Aspendos and Phaselis. The price includes a one-hour hot-air balloon flight over the moonscape of Cappadocia.

Really, you see all the high points of Turkey in only two weeks.

The touring party is limited to 10 travelers—more like a group of friends than a "tour group." Enough fellow travel enthusiasts to promote camaraderie, not enough to bog you down.

The boutique hotels you'll stay in are among my favorites: small, charming, historic, perfectly located. You benefit from Argeus's ability to reserve rooms in these choice places even at preferred travel times.

May, early June, September and early October are the best times to travel in Turkey. Here are departure dates for 2018 (all Sundays):

—April 29

—May 13

—May 27

—June 10

—September 9

—September 23

—October 7

(Departures on other dates are possible; rates vary depending on the number of persons in the group.)

Tour fee is about $313 per person per day, all in, a very reasonable rate for this high-quality tour. (See below for details.) Argeus's high-quality tours offer excellent value for money, but to realize this you need to know how to judge tours. Please read this.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Istanbul

Transfer to your hotel. Wander and browse until the evening cocktail reception and briefing by your guide. (D)

Day 9: Perge & Aspendos

Perge, Aspendos, afternoon at leisure (Lara Beach). (BLD)

Day 10: Antalya & Konya

Drive to Sagalassos, Beyşehir and Konya, Mevlana Museum and tomb of Rumi. Hich Hotel Konya. (BLD)

Day 11: Silk Road, Ihlara & Cappadocia

Silk Road, Sultanhan, Cappadocia, Ihlara Valley, Kale Konak boutique hotel with cave rooms. (BLD)

Day 12: Cappadocia

Hot-air balloon flight, Cappadocia, Dervent Valley, Zelve Open Air Museum, Paşabağı Fairy Chimneys Valley, Avanos, Göreme Open Air Museum, Uçhisar. (BLD)

Day 13: Cappadocia

Soğanlı Valleys, Taşkınpaşa, Mustafapaşa (ancient Sinasos), Underground City at Kaymaklı. (BLD)

Day 14: Flight to Istanbul

Flight to Istanbul. Extend your stay in the city of the sultans if you wish. (B) Read on:

Here's the full, detailed itinerary.

Tour Details:

—Minimum 6, maximum 10 persons on guaranteed departure dates

—Tour fee: US$4365 per person double occupancy (single supplement: US$1000) (contact Argeus for fees for other dates)

—Infants 0-2 years free; children 2-12 years 50% discount; student (13 to 17 years) discount 10%

Your Tour Includes:

—Accommodation as described in the tour itinerary

—All meals, as shown in the tour description (B= buffet breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner) Breakfast is the hotel's rich buffet. Lunch and dinner are à la carte: order whatever you like from the menu. Soft drinks are included.

—Transportation within Turkey, including flights (but international transport to Turkey is NOT included), and ground transport in a luxury air-conditioned minivan

—Licensed professional multilingual guide

—All admission fees to museums and sights

—All taxes

**Your Tour Does NOT Include:**

—International airfares (ie, to/from Turkey)

—Visa fee on arrival in Turkey (details)

—Personal travel insurance

—Alcoholic drinks (which are available; order and pay as you wish)

—Gratuities (tips), which are customary, but voluntary at your discretion

You may wish to stay several more days in Cappadocia (optional, at extra cost), perhaps to take a hot-air balloon flight, to hike in the lovely valleys, sample ithe region's wines, or explore the local markets. If so, we can arrange additional hotel nights, a guide, car-and-driver, rental car, or any other activities you might desire. Just let us know.

If you wish, we'll be happy to arrange additional nights at your hotel in Istanbul (optional, at extra cost) so you can do last-minute shopping or see even more of the imperial city, perhaps the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, or the Archeological Museums, or the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. They're all just a few minutes' stroll from the hotel.

For more information, the full itinerary, and availability, please contact Argeus. When you do, please mention TTP. Here's why.

—by Tom Brosnahan

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