This 14-day small-group tour by Argeus Travel & Eventsbegins 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 2: Istanbul
Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace & Harem, Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar, Grand Bazaar. (BLD)
Day 3: Istanbul
Byzantine Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Chora Church Museum. (BLD)
Day 4: Istanbul & Kuşadası
Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Cruise. Fly to İzmir, then drive to Kuşadası and the La Vista Hotel. (BLD)
Day 5: Ephesus
House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus, St John’s Basilica, Temple of Artemis, İsa Bey Mosque. (BLD)
Day 6: Priene, Miletus & Didyma
Priene, Miletus, Didyma. (BLD)
Day 7: Aphrodisias & Pamukkale
Aphrodisias, Hierapolis, Pamukkale. Richmond Thermal Hotel Pamukkale. (BLD)
Day 8: Phaselis & Antalya
Phaselis, Antalya, Antalya Museum, and the Tuvana Hotel. (BLD)
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 Konakboutique 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.
You may wish to stay several more days in Cappadocia (optional, at extra cost), perhaps to take a hot-air balloon flight, to hikein the lovely valleys, sample ithe region’s wines, or explore the local markets. If so, they can arrange additional hotel nights, a guide, car-and-driver, rental car, or any other activities you might desire. Just let them know.
If you wish, they’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.
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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