Authentic Adventure

12 days / 11 nights

Day 1 – Monday
Istanbul – Arrival
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Welcome briefing will be held.

Day 2 – Tuesday
Istanbul
Enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of St. Sophia and the Hippodrome. In the afternoon, join an optional Bosphorus cruise and Spice Market tour. B

Day 3 – Wednesday
Istanbul
In the morning visit Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. In the evening, join an optional Turkish dinner and enjoy belly and folk dancing entertainment. B

Day 4 – Thursday
Gallipoli & Troy – Assos
In the morning depart for Gallipoli to visit Anzac Cove, the Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair. Before we cross the Dardanelles, visit Suvla Vineyard and wine cellar to taste famous Turkish wines. Continue to Canakkale to visit Troy. Drive to Yesilyurt for dinner and overnight. B D

Day 5 – Friday
Kusadasi via Pergamum
In the morning, drive through the olive forests and stop at an olive museum. Then visit an ethnographical museum in Tahta Kuslar (wooden birds) village. Before arriving in to Asclepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional local village. The last stop of the day will be the ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamum. Overnight in Kusadasi. B L D

Day 6 – Saturday
Ephesus & St. Mary’s House
Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a regional rug production center to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. Join an optional afternoon tour of Sirince. B D

Day 7 – Sunday
Kusadasi – Cappadocia
Depart on an early morning flight to Kayseri and then proceed to Cappadocia to explore the moon-like landscapes. Drive to Soganli Valley which has been continuously inhabited since the earliest days of the Christian era and is home to churches that date from the 9th-13th centuries. Soganli, like other valleys in Cappadocia, exemplifies the harmony between man and nature. Tonight join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance in an authentic cave setting. B D

Day 8 – Monday
Cappadocia
Consider an optional early morning hot air balloon tour and experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which was first settled, back in the Roman period. Continue to Ozkonak and tour Pigeon Valley Avcilar, the eight-story underground city, and a local pottery making village, Avanos. Conclude with a visit to a traditional Turkish family home. Enjoy dinner from a traditional restaurant. Overnight in Cappadocia. B D

Day 9 – Tuesday
Cappadocia – Antalya
Proceed to Antalya through the Taurus Mountains and visit Aspendos, the Roman city at the base of the mountains and continue to Perge. Enjoy lunch in a casual, traditional village restaurant. Overnight in Antalya. B L D

Day 10 – Wednesday
Antalya
Relax with a free day on the Mediterranean Coast or join an optional tour to the Archeological Museum of Antalya combined with a cruise from the old Roman yacht harbor. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. B D

Day 11 – Thursday
Myra – Finike – Kalkan
Depart in the morning for Myra. Visit the home church of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) and the ancient city of Myra. Dinner and overnight in Kalkan. B D

Day 12 – Friday
Kalkan – Fethiye – Return
In the morning drive to Fethiye and visit the Lycian Tombs. Later, transfer to the Dalaman Airport for an afternoon flight to Istanbul. B

Blue Cruise Extension

Day 12 – Friday
Kalkan – Fethiye – Cruise
Depart early for Fethiye to board a gulet at 09:30am. Spend the afternoon visiting beautiful islands and finally hoist near Göcek Island. Following lunch and a swimming break, cruise to Yassica Island to spend the night and cherish the wonderful scenery. B L D

Day 13 – Saturday
Bedri Rahmi Bay – Domuz Island – Aga Limani
After breakfast, cruise to Bedri Rahmi Bay named after the famous Turkish artist who set voyage on one of the first ‘blue cruises’ in Turkey. Continue to Domuz Island for a swim and anchor in Aga Limani for dinner and overnight. B L D

Day 14 – Sunday
Kumlubük – Cennet Island – Marmaris
Depart early and enjoy breakfast in Kumlubük Bay. Anchor at Cennet Island for our last swimming break and lunch. Proceed to Marmaris Harbor by 4:00pm. Overnight stay in Marmaris. Guests wishing to see more of Marmaris are recommended to go to the city center and experience the lively nightlife. B L D

Day 15 – Monday
Marmaris
Leave the boat and transfer to the Dalaman Airport. B

Tour Highlights