Türkiye: Ancient Splendors of the Aegean & Mediterranean

Sunday, April 13, 2025: Depart home for Istanbul, Türkiye

Monday, April 14: Arrive Istanbul
Upon arrival at Istanbul International Airport (IST), you are met and transferred to our hotel in Sultanahmet, the oldest district of Istanbul and the center of the ancient Greek colony of Byzantium, founded in 700 B.C. This became Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire, and then the capital of the Ottoman Empire. “Historic Areas of Istanbul” are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Almost all of the major sites we will see are within walking distance of our hotel, whose rooftop terrace and indoor restaurant provide splendid views. Meet your tour manager who will offer suggestions for dinner and provide the schedule for the next day. Overnight at the 4-star Armada Hotel for three nights.

Tuesday, April 15: Istanbul: Underground Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Archaeological Museum, Welcome dinner
Spend the day exploring ancient monuments of Istanbul on foot, beginning with Yerebatan Saray, one of the grand underground cisterns that were an important source of water for the city during Byzantine and Ottoman times. Sensitively restored, the cistern is now equipped with meandering walkways above the water, plus atmospheric illumination and music. Next visit Hagia Sophia, now a mosque. It was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6^th century and reigned as the grandest church in Christendom for nearly 1,000 years, until the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the Archaeological Museum, which features one of the world’s richest collections of Greco-Roman antiquities. Enjoy a reception overlooking Istanbul before our welcome dinner. (B,L,R,D)

Wednesday, April 16: Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Kariye Mosque
Explore Topkapi Palace, the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans, including a visit to its Harem. Topkapi is the most extensive and fascinating monument of Turkish civil architecture in existence in that, besides its historical and architectural interest, it houses extraordinary collections of porcelain, armor, fabric, jewelry, miniatures, calligraphy, and many other precious objects that once belonged to the sultans and their court. After lunch, we visit the small, but exquisite, 16th-century Rüstem Pasha Mosque, an example of the Ottomans’ best architecture and tile work. We then visit the Kariye Mosque (formerly the 4th-century Byzantine Church of St. Saviour in Chora), renowned for its stunning, 14th-century mosaics and frescoes. En route to our hotel, we will drive slowly past the remains of the 5th-century Theodosian Walls that protected Constantinople for more than a thousand years. The balance of the day and dinner are at leisure. Those interested may be dropped off at the Grand Bazaar for independent exploration and return to our hotel on their own (a 10-minute taxi ride or a 25-minute walk). (B,L)

Thursday, April 17: Fly to Izmir | Sardis | Kuşadasi
Take a short, morning flight from Istanbul to Izmir. Drive to ancient Sardis, which dates back to the Neolithic period and was the former capital of the Lydian Empire. Most of the structural remains date from the Hellenistic and Byzantine periods. Continue on to our seaside hotel in Kuşadasi, on the Aegean coast. Overnight at the 5-star Charisma De Luxe Hotel for three nights. (B,L,D)

Friday, April 18: Ephesus | Selçuk Archaeological Museum | Kuşadasi
Spend the day exploring Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, which provides compelling insights into life in Hellenistic and Roman times. At its peak, it was the largest Greco-Roman city in Asia Minor with a population of 250,000 and an infrastructure that included street lights, running water, a huge stadium and theater, and the marble-paved Arcadian Way leading down to the magnificent Library of Celsus. Ephesus has been extensively excavated and restored. Take a private tour of its Terrace Houses—villas of the wealthy, filled with colorful wall frescoes and intricate mosaic floors. After lunch, continue on to the Selçuk Archaeological Museum, one of the best regional museums in Türkiye. It houses a large collection of artifacts found at Ephesus and in the surrounding area. Return to our hotel and gather this evening for dinner. (B,L,D)

Saturday, April 19: Priene | Miletus | Didyma | Kuşadasi
Explore the valley of the Meander River (now known as the Büyük Menderes River) and three great Ionian cities. Priene is the oldest and best example of a Hellenistic city, and was laid out by the famous architect Hippodamus. Next we stop at Miletus, which has an impressive theater, stadium, three agoras, baths, and a bouleuterion (Senate House). Lastly, visit the massive Temple of Apollo at Didyma that was one of the leading oracles in the ancient Greek world and is remarkable for its huge size and unique plan. Return to our hotel and gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Sunday, April 20: Magnesia on the Meander | Aphrodisias | Pamukkale
We drive today through the most fertile land of Türkiye stopping first to visit Magnesia on the Meander, a prominent ancient Greek city, renowned for its Artemis cult and strategic location along an important trade route. We will see the remains of the Artemis temple and altar, a Roman basilica, a well-preserved theater, a large stadium that could seat 30,000 spectators, and the ruins of two gymnasia. Next we visit Aphrodisias, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful and exciting archaeological sites in Türkiye. The stadium is the best preserved in Asia Minor, while the Temple of Aphrodite, the tetrapylon, and baths of Hadrian make Aphrodisias unforgettable. Pending its reopening, we will also see the museum. Drive to Pamukkale, where we check-in to our hotel this evening, and you may choose to take advantage of the hotel’s thermal baths. Overnight at the 5-star Doga Thermal Health & Spa Hotel for two nights. (B,L,D)

Monday, April 21: Hierapolis | Laodicea | Denizli: Atatürk House and Ethnographic Museum | Pamukkale
Today we will visit two sites near our hotel, beginning with the UNESCO World Heritage Site (together with the travertine terraces of Pamukkale) of Hierapolis, originally a Phrygian cult center of the Anatolian mother goddess of Cybele. At the end of the 2nd century B.C., the kings of Pergamon established the thermal spa of Hierapolis, and today the ruins of a stadium, baths, temples, a gymnasium, two theaters, and a bouleuterion remain. A short drive then brings us to Laodicea, an impressive site that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2013 and comprises Anatolia’s largest stadium, two theaters, four baths, five agoras, temples, churches, and much more. Our final stop of the day is in nearby Denizli to visit the Atatürk House and Ethnographic Museum. Return to our hotel in Pamukkale and then gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, April 22: Kibyra | Burdur
This morning we depart for Kibyra, a 2,300-year-old city that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2016. It is known for its magnificent, 10,400-person stadium, odeon covered with a Medusa mosaic, late Roman bath, agoras, and underground chamber tombs. Continue to Burdur, where we check-in to our hotel and gather for dinner. Overnight at the 3-star Grand Özeren Hotel & Spa. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, April 23: Burdur: Archaeology Museum | Sagalassos | Antalya
Visit the Burdur Archaeology Museum, an impressive small museum with artifacts from sites throughout the region, including Sagalassos. Drive through the Lake District, high up into the mountains of Pisidia, until we come to the site of ancient Sagalassos. Well off the main tourist routes, Sagalassos has been extensively excavated and now visible are a library with mosaic flooring, temples, baths, and the residences of what was once the largest city in Pisidia. As impressive as the ruins, however, are the breathtaking views from 5,000 feet. Continue driving to the Mediterranean coast, where we check-in to our charming hotel in the heart of old Antalya. Overnight at the 5-star Akra Hotel for two nights. (B,L,D)

Thursday, April 24: Perge | Aspendos | Antalya: Farewell dinner
We begin the day with an excursion to Perge, where we explore the great theater, stadium, enormous Hellenistic and Roman gates, and colonnaded street. Continue on to what is perhaps the best-preserved ancient theater in the world, located in the ancient city of Aspendos. Having thoroughly tested the near-perfect acoustics in the theater, we circle the ancient acropolis to see some remarkably well-preserved sections of the aqueduct that supplied the ancient citizens with their water. Return to our hotel in Antalya and freshen up before our farewell dinner at an exclusive restaurant. (B,L,D)

Friday, April 25: Antalya Archaeological Museum | Fly to Istanbul OR Begin post-tour extension
This morning we visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum and its newly opened Perge Hall, displaying artifacts from the site we visited yesterday. After an independent lunch, guests booked on the optional extension will depart for Konya. The rest of the group has the remainder of the afternoon at leisure in Antalya, until we transfer to the airport for our evening flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we check-in to a comfortable hotel conveniently located at the airport. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at the 4-star Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Airport Arnavutkoy. (B)

Saturday, April 26: Transfer to Istanbul airport | Fly home
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul International Airport (IST) for flights homeward. A representative will accompany you until the passport control desk. (B)

Optional Post-Tour Extension

Konya, Cappadocia, Çatal Höyük, Boğazkale, and Ankara

April 25 – May 1, 2025 (6 additional days)

ITINERARY

Breakfast=(B), Lunch=(L), Dinner=(D)

Friday, April 25, 2025: Drive to Konya
After the morning visit to the Antalya Archaeological Museum with the main tour group, and an independent lunch, guests booked on the optional extension will depart Antalya on a scenic, 4.5-hour drive through the Taurus Mountains. Arrive at the vast Anatolian plateau in Konya, home to splendid Seljuk monuments, check-in to our hotel, and gather for dinner. Overnight at the 5-star Dedeman Konya Hotel. (B,D)

Saturday, April 26: Konya: Mevlâna Museum | Çatal Höyük | Sultan Han caravanserai | Cappadocia
This morning we visit the Mevlâna Museum, the former lodge of the whirling dervishes and location of the tomb of the famed mystic/philosopher and theologian Celaleddin Rumi (later known as Mevlâna). It is one of the top pilgrimage centers in Türkiye. Depart Konya on a one-hour drive to the Neolithic site of Çatal Höyük, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and possibly the most important archaeological site in Türkiye. Discovered by James Mellart and excavated in the 1960s, it has revealed that the Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures located here were remarkably advanced. Since 1993 an international team of archaeologists has been carrying out new excavations and research to shed more light on the people that inhabited the site. Continuing along the ancient trade route to Cappadocia, we will visit en route the Sultan Han caravanserai, stopping place for the camel caravans that traversed the ancient Silk Road. Built in the 13^th century, it is the largest caravanserai of its period in Türkiye. Drive onward to Cappadocia, where we check-in to our hotel. Overnight at the 5-star Barceló Cappadocia for three nights. (B,L,D)

Sunday & Monday, April 27 & 28: Cappadocia: Göreme Valley, Zelve Valley, Pasabag Monks Valley, Uchisar Castle
An optional, early morning hot-air balloon ride will be available at additional cost. Spend two days exploring Cappadocia’s lunar-like landscape of soft, porous rock called tuff, or tufa, that was formed over time from volcanic ash. Erosion over the centuries formed fantastic geologic shapes, and early Christian settlers carved chapels, churches, dwellings, and numerous other structures into the soft rock. “Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia” are together a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Göreme Valley, explore the open-air museum’s cave churches, including the famous Karanlik Kilise (Dark Church) with its extraordinary 11^th-century murals; a monastic retreat in the Zelve Valley; and Pasabag Monks Valley. Visit one of the area’s underground cities—a maze of tunnels and chambers carved out as places of refuge from hostile invaders. They contain storehouses, stables, sleeping rooms, kitchens, and even cemeteries. Visit Uchisar Castle, created by hollowing out natural caves (creating rooms and passageways) in a tall outcropping of volcanic rock that is visible for miles. An optional (included) visit is offered to a pottery center and high-quality rug shop. (B,L,D; and B,L)

Tuesday, April 29: Boğazkale (Hattusha) | Ankara
Depart Cappadocia early this morning on a drive to Ankara, stopping en route for lunch. Also along the way we visit Boğazkale where we find the ruins of Hattusha, capital of the Hittite Empire 2,300 years ago. This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the ruins of the Great Temple, the best-preserved Hittite temple of the 13^th century B.C.; and the famous rock sanctuary of Yazilikaya, an open-air temple, whose chambers in the bedrock are decorated with the most striking examples of Hittite relief art. We will visit the nearby Boğazkale Museum with important Hittite artifacts, including royal seals, pottery, sculptures, armor, cuneiform tablets, and two original sphinx statues that once guarded the Sphinx Gate at Hattusha. Continue on to Ankara, chosen as the capital of the new Republic of Türkiye by its founder and first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in the 1920s. Check-in to our hotel and gather for dinner. Overnight at the 4-star Divan Çukurhan hotel. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, April 30: Ankara: Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Farewell lunch | Fly to Istanbul
Enjoy a morning visit to the superb Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Located in an old area of the city near the Citadel, the museum houses archaeological finds from the many civilizations of Anatolia and has a particularly strong Hittite collection. Delight in a festive farewell lunch before we transfer to the airport for a late afternoon flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, check-in to our comfortable, convenient airport hotel. Dinner is on your own tonight. Overnight at the 4-star Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Airport Arnavutkoy. (B,L)

Thursday, May 1: Transfer to Istanbul airport | Fly home
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul International Airport (IST) for flights homeward. (B)