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EUROPE›› TURKEY 81 ULTIMATE TURKEY › Dining in a local family home and tasting regional delicacies HIGHLIGHTS › › Relaxing on an overnight boat trip › › › Exploring ancient ruins and bargaining in bazaars › › Marvelling at the landscapes of Cappadocia › WHAT'S INCLUDED ACCOMMODATIONS Hotels (18 nts), boat (1 nt, multi-share/Dec-Apr in a hotel), homestay (1 nt) TRANSPORT Private air-con bus, boat, plane GROUP SIZE Max 15, avg 10 GROUP LEADER CEO throughout, local guides MEALS INCLUDED 20 breakfasts, 3 dinners. Allow USD380-500 for meals not included. ITINERARY Combining the best of western and eastern Turkey, this comprehensive adventure offers a sweeping view of this fascinating country. From the architectural highlights of Istanbul's long history, make your way east for a glimpse of Turkey's less travelled and more traditional side. Explore exotic covered bazaars, mud brick cities and experience life in a place where time seems to stand still. From its incredible Mediterranean beaches to the unreal fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and giant stone heads of Nemrut Dagi—uncover all that Turkey has to offer. DAY 1 ISTANBUL Arrive at any time. DAY 2 ISTANBUL/ANKARA Istanbul city orientation walk, transfer to Ankara. (1B) DAYS 3-5 CAPPADOCIA Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family. Option to visit the Göreme Open Air Museum and hike in the Rose Valley. (3B,1D) DAY 6 DERINKUYU/ IHLARA/KONYA Explore the underground city of Derinkuyu, view painted cave churches in the beautiful Ihlara Valley. Explore Konya before spending the night in a local Turkish village. (1B,1D) DAY 7 ANTALYA Explore the lovely sea side town of Antalya. (1B) DAY 8 UÇAGIZ/AEGEAN SEA Enjoy a freshly cooked dinner before sleeping aboard our boat under the stars. (1B,1D) DAY 9 KAS Enjoy a morning swimming and relaxing, transfer to Kas. (1B) DAY 10 PAMUKKALE Guided walk of ancient city of Hierapolis and Pamukkale. (1B) DAY 11 SELÇUK/EPHESUS Explore ancient Ephesus. Optional visits to the Ephesus Museum, Basillica of St John and Dates and prices are subject to change. For booking, availability, and detailed itineraries, consult your travel agent or check online. › Watching the sunset over Nemrut Dagi surrounded by mysterious rock sculptures the mosque of Isa Bey, as well as the nearby picturesque village of Sirence. (1B) DAY 12 AYVALIK Spend the night in a converted Ottoman mansion. Optional boat trips and visit to swimming beaches. (1B) DAY 13 TROY/ ÇANAKKALE Guided visit of Troy. (1B) DAY 14 GALLIPOLI/ISTANBUL Guided visit of the Gallipoli battlefields. (1B) DAY 15 KARS Fly to Kars and visit the pinkish stone ruins of Armenian cathedrals, homes, fortresses and palaces at nearby Ani, the former capital of the Armenian Empire. Opt to visit the Kars Castle for panoramic views of the city. (1B) DAY 16 VAN Visit Ishak Pasha Palace en route to Van, the cultural centre of the area's Kurdish majority. Option to visit the ruins of the Fortress of Van. (1B) DAYS 17-18 MARDIN Enjoy an Akdamar Island boat trip and church visit before exploring Hasankeyf. Orientation walk of Mardin including Ulu Mosque and a visit to Deyrul Zaferan Monastery. Option to visit a local hammam. (2B) DAY 19 MOUNT NEMRUT/KAHTA Visit the Karakus Tumulus (Women's Monument), Severan Roman bridge and the site of ancient Arsameia at the giant burial monuments atop Mount Nemrut. (1B) DAY 20 SANLI URFA Visit beehive houses at Harran and enjoy a guided walk to Golbasi Park and the covered bazaar of Sanli Urfa, the supposed birthplace of Abraham and an important Islamic place of pilgrimage. (1B) DAY 21 ISTANBUL Return flight to Istanbul where our tour finishes on arrival. (1B) TRIP DATES ( START – FINISH ) Apr 07 – Apr 27 Apr 21 – May 11 Jun 23 – Jul 13 May 05 – May 25 Jul 21 – Aug 10 Aug 04 – Aug 24 May 12 – Jun 01 Sep 08 – Sep 28 May 29 – Jun 18 Sep 22 – Oct 12 CLASSIC See back foldout. 21 DAYS—ISTANBUL TO ISTANBUL FROM $2799 IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? TYPE: GROUP SERVICE LEVEL: STANDARD PHYSICAL DEMAND: @ Istanbul Gallipoli Ayvalik Çanakkale/ Troy Selçuk Pamukkale Göreme/ Cappadocia Kas Uçagiz Antalya Konya OPTIONAL MY OWN ROOM: $ TRIP CODE: ETUT 739 ( Mount Nemrut TURKEY Kahta Homestay Sanli Urfa Kars Van Mardin