Grand Tour of Turkey

Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale - Bay of Edremit - Troy - Izmir - Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Agzikarahan - Cappadocia - Gordion - Bursa - Istanbul

Grand Tour of Turkey

A tour from Archers Direct (Cosmos)
The Itinerary and the map are from their website where the blurb says

'Distinctive, welcoming, fascinating - Turkey is a country that for centuries has been a crossroads between the exotic East and ancient Europe.'

Included highlights:
Gallipoli: Anzac Cemetery & The Lone Pine Memorial
Troy: Site visit
Izmir: Orientation drive
Pamukkale: Cotton Castle & ancient site of Hierapolis
Agzikarahan: 'Caravanserai'
Cappadocia: Goreme open-air museum
Gordion : King Midas tomb
Bursa: Great Mosque, covered Bazaar & Silk market
Istanbul: City sightseeing

Day 0, Saturday 25th April:

As my flight is very early on 26th, I will be staying overnight at the Ibis Heathrow Hotel 112/114 Bath Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 5AL and getting the Heathrow Hopper (shuttle) to the airport.

Day 1, Sunday 26th April:

Arrival.
Departing London Heathrow at 06:55 and arriving in Istanbul at 12:50 where I will be met by an Archers representative and transferred to the 3* Tazlik Hotel for an overnight stay.
There will bea welcome meeting and welcome drink that night.

Day 2, Monday 27th April:

Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale.
Skirting the Sea of Marmara, we head for Gallipoli on the European side of the Dardanelles, where we visit the Anzac Cemetery and the sites of the famous World War I battlefields. Then a short ferry journey takes us to the charming city of Canakkale, at the mouth of the Koca River, for one night stay at the 4* Tusan Hotel at Güzelyali 17001 Çanakkale / Turkey. They have an outdoor swimming pool and a private beach. (B, D)

Day 3, Tuesday 28th April:

Canakkale - Troy - Izmir - Kusadasi
Our first stop is the ancient Homerian city of Troy, famous for its 'Wooden Horse'. The site, excavated in 1871, actually displays nine ancient metropolises, dating back to 3000BC.

Then we head south to the lovely Bay of Edremit, with its distant views of the blue mountains of the Greek island of Lesbos. Travelling through forests of pine and valonia oak, we arrive in the bustling Aegean port of Izmir for an orientation drive which will include the Karsiyaka district.

Then it's on to the popular seaside resort of Kusadasi for a two night stay at the 4* Grand Onder Hotel which has a swimming pool, jacuzzi and gym. (B, D)

Day 4, Wednesday 29th April:

Kusadasi.
Situated between ancient Ephesus and Priene, Kusadasi is a charming, cosmopolitan resort with a delightful climate and white sandy beaches. The day is yours to relax or explore. Or take the optional excursions:

Full Day in Ephesus (£40)
Ephesus is one of the most beautiful and ancient sites, once known as the capital of the Asian Province of the Roman Empire, with its fascinatinglibrary of Celcus, its huge amphitheatre with seating for 26,000, and Adrian's Temple.
Then drive up to the chapel, last home of the Virgin Mary and the site of the Temple of Diane - one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

(B)

Day 5, Thursday 30th April:

Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Denizli area
We travel past Aydin, entering what is known as the 'Greek Meander', the most fertile region in Turkey. Our first stop is for optional sightseeing at the ancient site of Aphrodisias. Later we drive past Denizli at the foot of Mount Gokbel to Pamukkale, the amazing 'Cotton Castle'. Marvel at the extraordinary white terraces, formed over the centuries by water cascading down the hillside. Here we will visit the ancient archaeological site of Hierapolis.

Then it's on to the 3* Herakles Thermal Hotel in the Denizli area for one night. The hotel has special, red, theraputic, thermal water(B, D)

Day 6, Friday 1st May:

Denizli area - Konya
Sounds like a lot of driving today as the itinerary says Today we drive northeastwards to Dinar and then continue past Lake Acigol surrounded by cherry gardens and opium fields. Enjoy splendid mountain scenery on the way to Konya, one of the oldest urban centres in the world, for a one night stay at the Balikçilar Hotel in Konya. (B, D)

Day 7, Saturday 2nd May:

Konya - Agzikarahan - Cappadocia
Today we travel further east into the great central plateau which separates Konya from Aksaray, making a stop to see the great Agzikarahan 'Caravanserai'.

In the afternoon, there's an included visit to Goreme to see the amazing churches and chapels carved into the rock; the whole area is outstandingly impressive.

We then head for Avanos in Cappadocia for two nights at the 4* Altinyazi Hotel. (B, D)

Day 8, Sunday 3rd May:

Cappadocia
The first records of Cappadocia date from the 6th century BC, and over the many centuries it has been a strategically important town for several civilisations, including the Persians, the Romans and the Byzantines.

The day is yours to explore at your leisure or take the optional:

Avanos - Typical cappadocia Village (£31)
Discover fascinating Cappadocia with its 'Fairy Chimneys', underground city of Ozkonak, typical villages, and the greatest concentration of accessible rock churches in the region. See rock-hewn chambers and other relics of monastic buildings and life.

That evening there is the optional:

Avanos - Tyurkish Folklore (£27)
Something quite different - a lively and colourful show of costumes, dancing and singing. Enjoy a half bottle of local wine and Turkish appetizers.

(B, D)

Day 9, Monday 4th May:

Cappadocia - Ankara
We head northwest via Aksaray to Ankara, the Turkish capital, for an overnight stay at the 3* GD Hotel Anadolu.

We'll arrive in time for an orientation drive, then spend the afternoon relaxing, exploring at your leisure, or taking our optional half day excursion to the

Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and Ankara Mausoleum of Ataturk (£24)
Turkey's capital city typifies the contrast of old and new so evident throughout the entire country. See the new city as well as teh market places and the Attaturk Mueseum, honouring the first president and founder of modern Turkey.

The next visit is to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, located in a restored bazaar. The museum has a unique and priceless collection dating back to the Prehistoric Era.
(B, D)

Day 10, Tuesday 5th May:

Ankara - Gordion - Bursa
We travel into the ancient kingdom of Phryge to Gordion, where legend has it that Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot. This is one of Turkey's most important archaeological sites, and we've included a visit to the fascinating Tomb of King Midas.

Then it's on to ancient Bursa, standing in the shadow of the mountain of Ulu Dag - the ancient Mysian Olympus, and famous for its great Mosque, covered bazaar and silk market. Overnight at the 3* Kervanseray Hotel in Bursa. (B, D)

Day 11, Wednesday 6th May:

Bursa - Istanbul (included sightseeing)
We drive to the shores of the Sea of Marmara for a short ferry crossing on the Izmit Bay to the exotic city of Istanbul, straddling Europe and Asia.

Our included sightseeing tour with local guide will include visits to the Roman Hippodrome and the stunning Blue Mosque.

Optional evening out with dinner and typical Turkish entertainment (£45)
Drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul to a well-known nightclub where dinner, including specialities of Turkish cuisine and half a bottle of wine, is served. Then there is a show with singers, belly dancers and folk groups from various regions of Anatolia.

(B)

Day 12, Thursday 7th May:

Istanbul
Istanbul was founded in 600BC and is a magical city with wonderful architecture, ancient mosques and exotic bazaars with pedlars and stalls selling almonds, pistachios, iced drinks and black coffee. The day is yours to explore the city at your leisure, or:

Optional morning excursion by private boat to the Bosphorus (£31)
Drive over the Galata Bridge to board your boat for an excellent view of old Turkish wooden houses and beautiful scenery. See the elegant Dolmabahce Palace and cruise under the Bosphorus Bridge.

Then there is an

Optional afternoon half day historical tour of the city (£40)
Drive first to Topkapi Palace, the historical residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the mid 15th to the 19th centuries, and now a museum. Then visit the 6th century St Sophia, a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque and now a museum. Last stop is to the world-famous covered Grand Bazaar with 4000 tiny shops.

(B)

Day 13, Friday 8th May:

Fly back to the UK
Leaving Istanbul at 13:10 and arriving in Heathrow at 15:15

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This page was updated on 22nd April 2009
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