Best Of Turkey, Aegean Coast, Turkey Sight-Seeing Tours

Anatolia is the birthplace of many historic figures and legends such as the poet Homer, King Midas, Herodotus (the father of history), and St.Paul the Apostle.
In this tour you will be visiting Ephesus, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Antalya, Cappadocia, Ankara, Bursa, and Istanbul with your experienced tour guide and learn the history of ancient Asia Minor.

DAY 1 - DEPART USA

An overnight flight to Istanbul with one of our airline partners. Complimentary drinks and meals served on board.



DAY 2 - ISTANBUL / IZMIR / KUSADASI

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, change terminals for your connecting flight to Izmir. FLO USA representative meets you at Izmir Airport and escorts you to transfer to your hotel. Your hotel is located in Kusadasi which is a small town on the Aegean coast. After check-in, you can rest in your room or you can take a walk around the hotel. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Kusadasi. (D)



DAY 3 - KUSADASI / EPHESUS / KUSADASI

After breakfast we drive to the ancient city of Ephesus and first visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Impressive structures we will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theatre and Odeon. We also visit the House of the Virgin Mary We stay overnight in Kusadasi. (B,L,D)



DAY 4 - KUSADASI / PAMUKKALE

After breakfast depart for Pamukkale - which means "Cotton Castle" - a Mineral Water Spa since ancient times. Arrive in Pamukkale and visit ancient city of Hierapolis. Then swim in the world famous calcium deposited pools called travertines. Overnight in one of the thermal hotels in Pamukkale. (B,L,D)



DAY 5 - PAMUKKALE / APHRODISIAS / ANTALYA

This morning drive north through Taurus Mountains to Antalya, En route stop at Aphrodisias, the Ancient City which was dedicated to Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. The Temple's theater and stadium are excellently preserved. Visit the Museum and tour the ruins some were restored by the National Geographic Society. Then drive to Antalya where our hotel is located. (B,L,D)



DAY 6 - ANTALYA / PERGE / ASPENDOS / ANTALYA

Antalya, first a Pamphylian, and later a Roman city. This morning visit the Antalya Regional Archaeological Museum and an orientation tour of the city. Then continue to explore the ancient Pamphylian, Hellenistic and Roman cities of Perge and Aspendos. The theater at Aspendos has a capacity of 15,000 people and is the best preserved in the Mediterranean Basin. Overnight in Antalya. (B,L,D)



DAY 7 - ANTALYA / KONYA / CAPPADOCIA

After breakfast we will drive through mountains to Konya ; an important Roman city, and later the Capital of the Seljuk Turkish Empire. Visit the Mevlana Museum, a 13th century whirling dervish monastery. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)



DAY 8 - CAPPADOCIA

A full day to tour the riches of this incredible "moonscape" of Cappadocia including the Goreme open-air Museum, with its dozens of painted cave-churches. The surrealistic geological formation of Cappadocia is one of the wonders of the world. It is the result of the natural forces during the intense volcanic activity. Then we will continue to the pottery making village of Avanos where you watch clay turning into a form of artwork. Later on visit a world famous Turkish hand-made carpet factory. Dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)



DAY 9 - CAPPADOCIA

Today we visit the Kaymakli Underground City, a place early Christians hid from persecutors. Another highlight of today will be the Soganli Village, a remote community famous for dolls and housing some more rock churches. We will have our lunch at the village and spend some time with the villagers. You may ride a donkey on the narrow streets of the village or may experience a traditional wedding ceremony if there is one on that day. (B,L,D)



Day 10 - CAPPADOCIA / ANKARA

After breakfast depart for Ankara via the salt lake which is the second biggest lake of Turkey. Today we discover Ankara that was once a Hittite town, then a Roman city, and now the capital of Turkey. Then visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is housed in a restored Caravanserai, seeing its Hittite treasures and artifacts. Later on visit the great Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic. Dinner and overnight in Ankara. (B,L,D)



Day 11 - ANKARA / GORDION / BURSA

After breakfast, drive to Gordion. This is where Alexander the Great cut Gordion Knot and then conquered Asia. Gordion was the city of King Midas, as well as being the capital of Phyrigians. We continue our drive to Bursa that was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Dinner and then overnight at our hotel in Bursa. (B,L,D)



Day 12 - BURSA / ISTANBUL

Today you will visit the beautiful Green Mosque and Green Tomb. Now enjoy your stroll through Bursas colorful bazaar, where you can shop for silk and beautiful Turkish towels. Then we drive towards Yalova for our ferry to Istanbul. Afternoon is at free at leisure. (B,L,D)



Day 13 - ISTANBUL

After breakfast you will depart for a full-day tour of Istanbul. Our first stop will be the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Then world famous St.Sophia - the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century - following the Blue Mosque famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior blue tiles. Then you will enjoy a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe from Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. (B,L,D)



Day 14 - ISTANBUL

Today you will visit the Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman sultans housing richness of 700 years. Later on you will be browsing the Grand Bazaar. Afternoon is free at leisure to explore the city on your own. Tonight there will be a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)



Day 15 - ISTANBUL / USA

Departure transfers by FLO USA representative to the Istanbul Airport for your flight back to the USA. (B)

ALL AGE GROUPS

INCLUDED FEATURES:

*Roundtrip airfare from New York

*1 domestic flight within Turkey
Airport / Hotel / Airport transfers

*Superior first-class hotel accommodations

* All meals (total of 38 including 13 buffet breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 13 dinners)

*All entrance fees to the sites included in the itinerary

*Services of an experienced FLO USA tour guide

*Land transportation by air-conditioned motor coach

*FLO USA Travel Protection Plan (over $200 value)

*FLO USA Travel documents kit (luggage tags, travel bag, neck-rest pillow, luggage strap, etc.)

NO PETS ALLOWED

EXCLUDED FEATURES:

*Airport taxes

*Visa fee ($20 for US citizens)

*Extra drinks with meals

*Personal expenses

*Tips for your tour guide and driver

GROUP DISCOUNT FOR 6 PASSENGERS AND MORE ,AS WELL AS SENIOR CITIZENS DISCOUNT OF PER PERSON $ 50.00.
IF YOU HAVE GROUP 16 PEOPLE OR MORE YOU WILL BE TRAVELING FREE.( INCLUDING LAND AND AIR )