Turkey: History and Culture of the Past and Present

Arrive in Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul, Turkey (IST) by 1:00 PM today.

You’ll be met by your guide at the airport and transferred to the hotel. There will be one group transfer provided (time TBD based on flights).

Transfers for other arrival times can be purchased for an additional fee.

Check into your hotel and relax before dinner tonight.

Enjoy a lively welcome dinner at a local restaurant as you get to know your fellow travelers this evening. Share stories and learn about why everyone is excited to explore the Turkish sites (and sights!).

Dinner

Overnight: Kalyon Hotel

Istanbul

Today, you’ll walk throughout the city of Istanbul, stopping for lunch along the way as you take in some of the ancient sites: Topkapı Palace, the home and administrative headquarters of Ottoman Sultans for 400 years, where you’ll see the Harem, the Treasure and the other sections of the Palace. The Hippodrome, where you can still see the arched curving brick wall and the standing monuments along the central axis of the ancient hippodrome today. Then, venture on to the Grand Bazaar which was built in 1460 and is home to thousands of shops and workshops.

In early evening, you’ll take a private boat trip along the Bosphorus, the natural strait that forms part of the boundary between Asian and European continents. Along the shores of the Bosphorus are old Ottoman villas, old palaces, fortresses and parks that contribute the beauty of the strait. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight after the cruise

Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Kalyon Hotel

Istanbul

Today, after breakfast, you’ll visit Hagia Sophia, one of the most extraordinary buildings in the history of architecture and a monument to the golden age of the Byzantine Empire, dating from 537 CE. Next is Basilica Cistern which was the largest underground cistern of Byzantine Istanbul erected in the 530’s. Finally, visit the Spice Bazaar that dates back to the 1600’s when it was the last stop for the camel caravans that travelled the Silk Road from China, India and Persia. Spices were also brought by ships set off from Alexandria in Egypt and docked just in front of the Bazaar.

Enjoy dinner on your own this evening.

Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Kalyon Hotel

Istanbul to Cappadocia

After breakfast, head to the airport where you will board your 90-minute flight to Cappadocia, a historical region in Turkey.

Upon arriving in Cappadocia, drive for about 90 minutes to Uchisar, a huge outcropping of tufa rock, used as a shelter and fortress in old times. View the rock fortress and accompanying old residential conical rocks from below and have lunch in Goreme town. Continue to Pashabag, an old monastic settlement with unique landscape filled with fairy chimneys. Then visit Devrent where you will explore the lunar surroundings on foot and view naturally shaped statues.

Set off on an afternoon hike through Red Valley, another captivating landscape dotted with hidden rock-carved churches. After the hike, make your way to the hotel and check in. Enjoy dinner as a group this evening.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: MDC Hotel

Cappadocia

Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, a collection of churches and monasteries set amidst the rocky landscape for which this area is famous. Take in the beautiful frescoes and art displayed in the churches that are a part of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enjoy a delicious lunch in the village of Ayvali.

There are several ancient underground cities in Cappadocia, and you will have the chance to explore some of the amazing stone architecture that is hidden beneath the ground. Meander through tunnels and see how the ancient people lived within this unique structure.

The art of Turkish ceramic pottery has evolved over time by the many civilizations that have inhabited the country. The technique used when crafting the ceramics allows the pieces to retain their strength and color for centuries. You will see some beautiful examples of Turkish pottery this afternoon before you head back to the hotel for dinner.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: MDC Hotel

Cappadocia to Isparta

Today will be a long travel day, as you travel just over 300 miles to Isparta with several stops along the way. First visit the Sultanhani Caravanserai, which was one of the major medieval inns that sheltered caravans and travelers along the famous Silk Road trade route. Built in 1229, this massive structure is decorated in ornamental marble and stonework. After driving for about 90 minutes, you will stop in Konya, where you will visit the Mausoleum of the mystic Rumi, who is famous for founding the Order of the Whirling Dervishes. Then enjoy lunch as a group in a local restaurant. After lunch, you will travel for just under 3 hours to the town of Egirdir.

Arrive in Egirdir, a town that is home to a beautiful freshwater lake. You’ll explore the old monuments of the town by the lake and walk around the Yesilada (Green Island), which once had a monastery of women. After your walking tour, you’ll drive just over 20 miles to Isparta.

Arrive at your Isparta hotel and check in before dining at the hotel as a group.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Barida Hotels

Rose Harvest

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning before starting your 25-mile drive to Güneykent (or Ardıçlı) Village in the mountains, one of the many rose-growing places in Isparta province. Try your hand at harvesting roses in the field alongside a village woman who will demonstrate the proper method to pick and handle the flowers. Afterwards, visit a traditional distiller where you’ll see the distillation process first-hand and have the chance to buy rose products like rose oil, rose water, and a variety of cosmetics that contain roses.

After the harvest, enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant in the village.

Following lunch, you’ll pass through Isparta on your way to Golcuk, a volcanic lake in the middle of the caldera. Set out on a 2.5-mile hike around the flat ground surrounding the lake and take in the scenic views.

Join your fellow travelers for dinner at the hotel tonight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Barida Hotels

Isparta to Pamukkale

Today you will explore the ancient city of Cibyra along with Associate Professor Sukru Ozudogru, who will give an informative talk about the many excavations that are underway in the area. You can try your hand at excavation under the watchful eye of local archeologists.

After lunch in a local restaurant, drive for about 90 minutes to Pamukkale. This town is famous for the thermal waters which flow over the breathtaking travertine terraces that line the hillside.

Check into your hotel before enjoying dinner with the group tonight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Colossae Thermal

Pamukkale to Selcuk

Enjoy your visit to Hierapolis-Pamukkale, famous for its self-built travertine pools and channels and its fascinating ruins.

Today’s lunch will be at a restaurant along the way.

After lunch, you’ll visit Artemision, the Temple of Artemis, which dates back to the 4th century BC. While only two columns remain of the original structure, you can get a good sense of the magnitude of the original temple.

Walk along the stone-paved streets of Sirince Village, which was abandoned by the Greeks during the population exchange of 1923. The settlement is now occupied by Turks who continue the Greek tradition of wine production.

Check in your hotel in Selcuk after your day of exploration, and enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight. After dinner, you will be joined by the hotel owner. She will discuss her grandparents’ experiences, detailing their migration from Greece to Turkey during one of the significant episodes of relocation between the two countries.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Kalehan Hotel

Selcuk to Istanbul

After breakfast, you’ll tour glorious Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Marble-paved avenues, wonderfully preserved homes, temples, theaters, baths, markets, brothels, libraries, and gymnasiums bring us back to the splendor of the ancient world.

After lunch, you’ll visit an ancient cottage on the slopes of the mountains that is believed to be Virgin Mary’s last home.

Head to the airport this afternoon for your flight back to Istanbul.

Share stories with your traveling companions about your mutual exploration of Turkey during a celebratory farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Kalyon Hotel

Depart Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight home. The group transfer will be provided when most guests depart (exact time to be determined). Private transfers at other times are available for purchase. Depart Istanbul, Turkey (IST).

Breakfast

Please note: AdventureWomen will attempt to adhere to the itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, and cultural) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. AdventureWomen reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participants.