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About this trip
8 Nights of essential Turkish highlights including Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus
Overview of Tour
Asia Minor – home of the mighty Hittites, Ionian Greeks, Eastern Roman and Ottoman Empires. It is the confluence of ancient empires and cultures where “Wonders of the World” were erected, markets enriched Kings Midas whose touch turned everything into gold, and Croesus first minted coins. Great shrines of ancient gods and goddesses lay hand in hand with those of Christ and his Apostles. These sites and wonderful experiences are waiting for us on a journey through Turkey.
This itinerary is a starter pack for Turkey with some major “Silk Road” cities, regional food experiences, interactions with local people, and shopping in underground caves. Istanbul will get us warmed up to the history of civilizations with mosques and markets. Next, Cappadocia will fascinate us with a unique landscape, and finally, Ephesus will make us feel like a Roman as we walk down its marble streets.
What’s included
- Lodging8 nights accommodations
- Mealsall breakfasts, 4 dinners, 2 lunches
- Entrance Feesfees for entry into sights and activities that are included in itinerary
- Transportationall transportation from point to point during the tour
- Tipstips for hotels, tour guides and included meals
What’s not included
- International traveltravel to/from Turkey
- Mealmeals not listed on What's Included
- Free-time Sightseeingactivities and sights you choose to visit outside of the planned itinerary
- Optional activitiessuch as hot air balloon ride
- Insurancetravel insurance
Itinerary
Day One - After arriving in Istanbul, explore the Istiklal/ Beyoglu area (where our hotel is located) with your guide and try to get rid of jet lag. Welcome dinner in a nearby neighborhood.
Day Two - Your guide will meet you at the hotel for an Istanbul Highlights tour. We head to the Old Town to see the Hagia Sophia Mosque which used to be one of the greatest Christian Orthodox cathedrals, then visit Topkapı Palace (the earliest and most oriental Ottoman family residence) followed by a visit to the recently renovated Underground Cistern dating back to the Roman period.
Day Three - Following a morning at your leisure, explore the Grand Bazaar and surrounding markets marveling at the many historical and contemporary experiences in the area. From here we visit and taste our way through the Spice Market. Then we catch the ferry across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of Istanbul where we hang out with students, artists, and ex-pats and have dinner at one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants.