Türkiye: Ancient Splendors of the Aegean & Mediterranean

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

Sunday, April 14, 2024: Depart home for Istanbul, Türkiye

Monday, April 15: 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. Overnight at the 4-star Armada Hotel for four nights.

Tuesday, April 16: Istanbul: Underground Cistern, Hippodrome, 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 (whose roof is supported by 336 columns) is now equipped with meandering walkways above the water, plus atmospheric illumination and music. Stroll through the ancient Hippodrome, a Byzantine-era chariot racing arena, to the majestic church of Hagia Sophia. Now a mosque, Hagia Sophia 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, including an extraordinary collection of sarcophagi, as well as a number of antiquities from the first two millennia of the city’s history. Enjoy a reception overlooking Istanbul before our welcome dinner. (B,L,R,D)

Wednesday, April 17: Istanbul: Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Spice Market, Blue Mosque, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art
Today we visit the small, but exquisite, 16^th-century Rüstem Pasha Mosque, an example of the Ottomans’ best architecture and tile work; and then visit the atmospheric Spice Market, featuring a vast array of spices, sacks of henna, oils, herbs and, of course, the world’s very best Turkish Delight (confection). Continue on to the Blue Mosque, one of the most prominent landmarks in Istanbul. It has the most splendid exterior of the city’s imperial mosques, with a graceful cascade of domes and semi-domes, six slender minarets accentuating the corners of the building and the courtyard, and generally imposing but harmonious proportions. End the day with a visit to the Ibrahim Paşa Museum (Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art) with a wealth of art dating from the 8^th to the 19th centuries. The collection ranges from calligraphy and paintings to a spectacular selection of antique rugs, with items from across the Middle East. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B,L)

Thursday, April 18: Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar
This morning we explore the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans, Topkapi Palace, 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 at Topkapi, continue on to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, with time to wander on your own through its enormous labyrinth of covered streets lined with thousands of shops selling hand-woven carpets and kilims, gold and silver jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, leather goods, and more. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B,L)

Friday, April 19: Istanbul: Fly to Izmir | Kuşadasi
Take a short, late morning flight from Istanbul to Izmir, from where we drive onward to our seaside hotel in Kuşadasi. Settle in at the hotel and enjoy the property’s amenities until we gather for dinner. Overnight at the 5-star Charisma De Luxe Hotel for two nights. (B,L,D)

Saturday, April 20: 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)

Sunday, April 21: Priene | Miletus | Didyma | Bodrum
Depart Kuşadasi this morning and drive to Bodrum, exploring en route 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. Miletus has an impressive theater, stadium, three agoras, baths, and a bouleuterion. Lastly, the great Temple of Apollo at Didyma was one of the leading oracles in the ancient Greek world and is remarkable for its huge size and unique plan. This evening, arrive in Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus), a charming port with a rich history that spans thousands of years. Overnight at the 5-star The Marmara Bodrum hotel for two nights. (B,L,D)

Monday, April 22: Bodrum: AM Underwater Archaeology Museum, PM at leisure
This morning tour the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, housed in the 15^th-century Castle of Saint Peter, built by the Knights of St. John as part of a network of fortresses to defend the southeastern Aegean. The Museum is renowned for its collections ranging from the 14^th century B.C. to the 16^th century A.D., displayed among atmospheric halls and galleries. The Museum was an integral part of the development of underwater (a.k.a. nautical or maritime) archaeology, which was pioneered right off the Turkish coast in the early 1960s by American archaeologist George F. Bass. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy lively Bodrum, a small city of Turkish artists and intellectuals that is also a major center of boat building and yachting. (B,L)

Tuesday, April 23: Aphrodisias | Kibyra | Burdur
We drive today through the most fertile land of Türkiye to 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. Most of the statues and architectural remains discovered here are displayed in a well-organized museum at the site. Continue on to 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. Drive to Burdur, where we check-in to our hotel this evening. Overnight at the 4-star Grand Özeren Hotel & Spa. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, April 24: Burdur: Archaeology Museum | Sagalassos | Antalya
Make a morning visit to the Burdur Archaeology Museum, a small but impressive museum whose collections are from sites throughout the region including Sagalassos, which we visit today. Set out on our 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 25: 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, 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 26: Antalya Archaeological Museum | Begin post-tour extension OR Fly to Istanbul
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 27: 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 Extension
Konya, Cappadocia, Çatal Höyük, Boğazkale, and Ankara

April 26 – May 2, 2024 (6 additional days)

ITINERARY

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

Friday, April 26, 2024: 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, and check-in to our hotel. Overnight at the 5-star Dedeman Konya Hotel. (B,L,D)

Saturday, April 27: 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 4-star Utopia Cave Cappadocia for three nights. (B,L,D)

Sunday & Monday, April 28 & 29: Cappadocia: Göreme Valley, Zelve Valley, Pasabag Monks Valley, Uchisar Castle, Avanos
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; and the well-known pottery center of Avanos. An optional hot-air balloon ride will be available (at additional cost). (28^th: B,L,D; 29^th: B,L)

Tuesday, April 30: 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. 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, May 1: 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 2: Fly home
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul International Airport (IST) for flights homeward. (B)