Turkey: History, Culture, and the Mediterranean Coastline

Arrive in Istanbul

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

You’ll be met by your guide at the airport and transferred to your hotel. There will be one group transfer provided (time TBD based on flights). Private transfers at other 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, after breakfast, you’ll visit Hagia Sophia, one of the most extraordinary buildings in the history of architecture. Dating from 537 CE, it is a monument to the golden age of the Byzantine Empire.

Continue to the ancient Hippodrome, where you can still see the arched brick wall and standing monuments that defined this center of Byzantine social life in ancient Constantinople.

The Blue Mosque is officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul. The Blue Mosque is an excellent example of Ottoman architecture, featuring a striking combination of domes, semidomes, and slender minarets.

Next is Basilica Cistern, the largest underground cistern of Byzantine Istanbul, which was erected in the 530’s.

Finally, visit the Grand Bazaar, which was built in 1460 and is home to thousands of shops and workshops.

Enjoy dinner on your own this evening.

Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Kalyon Hotel

Selçuk and Ephesus

Following breakfast, head out to Topkapi Palace, located in the historic district of Istanbul, on the Sarayburnu promontory, and overlooking the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, and the Sea of Marmara. A historic palace, it served as the primary residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. The palace complex is an architectural masterpiece, showcasing a mix of Ottoman, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles. Topkapi Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting millions of visitors who come to explore its rich history, architecture, and cultural significance.

Head to the airport where you will board your 75-minute flight to Izmir, the largest city on the Aegean Sea.

Upon arrival, you will be transported to your hotel in Selçuk. Check-in and unwind before dinner.

Enjoy dinner as a group this evening.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Kalehan Hotel

Selçuk and Ephesus

Explore an ancient cottage on the slopes of the mountains that is believed to be Mary’s last home. The House of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic shrine located in the vicinity of Ephesus.

Next, head to the city of Ephesus, one of the largest and most important cities in the ancient Mediterranean world. Discover its marble-paved avenues, wonderfully preserved homes, temples, theaters, baths, markets, libraries, and gymnasiums, bringing you back to the splendor of the ancient world.

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.

Following lunch and some additional sightseeing, drive back to Selçuk.

Visit Artemision, the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Dating back to the 4th century BC, the remaining columns give you a sense of the magnitude of the original structure.

Return to the hotel after your day of exploration and enjoy dinner with your group.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Kalehan Hotel

Ephesus to Pamukkale

Located in Selçuk, the Ephesus Museum is home to an impressive collection of archaeological artifacts unearthed from Ephesus. Diverging from the conventional chronological arrangement, this museum organizes its galleries thematically, featuring exhibits on sculptures, Terrace Houses, coins, and more.

Drive for approximately 2.5 hours to Pamukkale, famous for its natural travertine pools and channels and fascinating ruins.

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

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Colossae Thermal

Kalkan

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 archaeologists.

Drive for approximately 2 hours to Kalkan, a small town in the Antalya Province of Turkey and beautifully located on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.

Check-in at your hotel. Tonight, dinner is on your own, and you have the flexibility to choose from a diverse selection of local restaurants.

Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Lykia Residence

Kekova to Antalya

Following breakfast, leave Kalkan and journey to Ucagýz, where you will explore the enchanting Kekova area by private boat. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscape of small islets, coves, and submerged ruins.

Enjoy a delightful lunch on board.

The tour includes a visit to the medieval fortress of Simena, boasting 5th-Century BC rock tombs and the world’s smallest ancient theater. Explore the legendary Lycian sarcophagi just outside the fortress lining along the ridge. You will also have plenty of opportunities to swim!

Following your tour of the Simena Fortress, engage with a local female ice cream maker in Kekova. She will share insights into her ice cream-making process and gladly respond to any questions you might have.

Proceed with a 95-mile drive to Antalya.

Check-in at your hotel in Antalya. Enjoy dinner with your group tonight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Akra Hotel

Antalya

After breakfast, head out to Antalya Old Town, also known as Kaleiçi, the historic heart of Antalya. It is characterized by narrow winding streets, Ottoman-era architecture, and historical buildings that date back centuries. The area has a unique atmosphere, blending old-world charm with vibrant local life.

Enjoy lunch at a seafront restaurant. Return to the hotel and take advantage of some free time to indulge in swimming and stroll along the seaside in the afternoon.

Have dinner as a group tonight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Akra Hotel

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 conical rocks from below and have lunch in Goreme town.

Explore 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 part of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Drive for about 90 minutes to Pashabag, an old monastic settlement with a unique landscape filled with fairy chimneys. Continue to Devrent, where you will explore the lunar surroundings on foot and take in the interesting rock formations of the area.

Check-in at your hotel in Cappadocia. Enjoy dinner with your group tonight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: MDC Hotel (or similar)

Cappadocia

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.

Head to Avanos, a small town in the Cappadocia region. Avanos has a long history of pottery making, dating back thousands of years. The town’s red clay, sourced from the Kızılırmak River, is ideal for pottery production. Discover numerous pottery shops and witness skilled artisans crafting traditional ceramics. Avanos also has vibrant local markets where you can explore and purchase handmade crafts, textiles, and souvenirs.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at Kizilvadi restaurant, located in the garden of a natural rock-cone house.

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 (or similar)

Cappadocia to Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head to the airport for your morning flight back to Istanbul for a final day of exploration in this majestic city.

Visit the Spice Bazaar, dating to the 1600s when it was the last stop for camel caravans traveling the Silk Road from China, India, and Persia. Spices were also brought by ships from Alexandria in Egypt and unloaded from the docks nearby.

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

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). Safe travels!

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.