Travel Turkey to see the cradle of civilizations. Visit antique ruins dating from Neolithic Ages to Byzantine / Ottoman Empire times.
A typical Istanbul excursion highlights Hagia Sophia (Saint Sophia), Topkapi Palace, Ottoman Harem (Topkapi Harem), Blue Mosque, Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque, Chora Museum (Chora Church), Underground Cistern, Istanbul Archeological Museum, Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, Grand Bazaar, Spice Market and many more such places.
Plus, daily excursion Princess Islands or Bosphorus boat trip will be of great fun and joy. So you can have your choices from the above selection to suite your time and taste.
Before planning your trip you will need to know: where to go in Turkey , when to go, where to stay and what it costs. Turkey is a country of bright sun and sandy beaches and mountains with beautiful landscape. You can enjoy many outdoor activities such as hot-air ballooning above lunar Cappadocia or blue voyages with gulet boats in the warm waters of Mediterranean.
Turkey is also known for its world famous Turkish cuisine for those who have a taste for good foods and drinks.
Be on the crossroads of ancient civilizations Take a guided land tour in one of the provinces and explore Turkey with me. If you are not happy with the choices offered, how about Troy !! Legendary Troy of Paris ! Where they say blowing wind is still whispering the names of those great heros of the past; Hector, Achilles and others. One will never run out of interests or highlights in Turkey.
Once on the roads, you will not know where you are wandering or what lies under your feet. You may be on the foot steps of Saint Paul or maybe Saint Nicholas of Myra.
A draft itinerary covering some of the important sites in Turkey
Day 1. Pick up at the airport and drive to Gallipoli.
See battlefields, trenches and memorials (Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, ceremonial Ground, etc); Cross Dardanelle Straits to Canakkale, and drive to Troy. After the visit check in one of the hotels (Tusan or Iris) in the area.
Overnight in Guzelyali (nearby Troy)
Day 2. Drive to Selcuk (nearby Ephesus)
On the way see Pergamon; arriving Selcuk(Seljuk)
Overnight in Selcuk or Kusadasi (nearby Ephesus)
Day 3. See Ephesus, St John Cathedral and Selcuk Museum Seljuk Museum
About midday drive to Bodrum
On the way see Priene, Miletus and Didyma;
Overnight in Bodrum (Halicarnasus)
Day 4. After breakfast drive to Pamukkale, stop for the castle if not seen on the previous day.
On the way see Aphrodisias. At the arrival, if there is time, see Cotton Fortresses (but not likely!, if not the following day.
Overnight in Pamukkale (Hierapolis)
Day 5. See Hierapolis and Cotton Fortresses(?)
About midday drive to Antalya, but better staying the night at Kalkan, a cute resort on the sea, that is some 26 km due west of Kas (very picturesque sea resort west of Demre).
Overnight in Kalkan (or Kas)
Day 6. After breakfast drive to Antalya.
On the way see Demre and Phaselis, before check in hotel, visit Perge and Aspendos, then back to Antayla.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 7 Drive to Konya
On the way, see Sagalassus, arriving Konya late (?), but likely in the day light, but hopefully can see at least Mevlana Shrine, the others: Karatay Medrese and the Ince Minare sites on the next day.
Overnight in Konya
Day 8. Drive to Cappadocia
On the way see Caravanserai of Sultanhani and Agzikarahan
Overnight in Urgup
Day 9. Tour in Cappadocia
Goreme, Pasabag, Avanos, Zelve Valley, Uchisar Fortress, and photo stops here and there
Overnight in Urgup
Day 10. Tour in Cappadocia
Derinkuyu or Kaymakli underground city, and whatever left over from previous day.
(you need at least two full days for Cappadocia attractions)
Overnight in Urgup
Day 11. Drive to Hattusas, Hittite Highland.
Visit the site, then drive to Ankara, most likely arriving late for the Anatolian Civilizations Museum if so check in hotel, and see the museum the following day.
Tour in Ankara; see Anatolian Civilizations Museum, Fortress, Ataturk's Mausoleum, etc.
Overnight in Ankara
Day 12. Drive to Gordion, and then to Bursa
A short tour of Ankara (the museum if undone the previous day)
On the way see Gordion, then continue driving to Bursa. Overnight in Bursa.
Day 13. Drive to Istanbul
In the morning a short tour of Bursa, and then drive to Istanbul via Iznik.
Overnight Istanbul Airport hotel.
Turkey is widely known for its hot sun and sandy beaches as well as cultural and historical heritage. Besides Istanbul, weekly excursions to regional antique sites in western Turkey such as Ephesus, Pergamon, Troy and Gallipoli War Memorials (Anzac commemoration sites) and also to other destinations of interest other than mentiond above in Turkey are within the scope of my guiding services, for both private and group bookings.
Travel to Turkey, be on the crossroads of ancient civilizations. Highlights in Turkey are many to choose. If you have already seen well known destinations, which are mostly in the western provinces, and/or wish to have an itinerary something no less exciting, then I can suggest some spectacular sites from the highlights of eastern or southeastern provinces: snowy peaks of Mount Ararat or blue waters of lake Van, or profoundly peaceful Aphrodisias, the city of goddess Aphrodite. Even more exciting than all those mentioned: Mount Nemrut where spirits of Commagene Kings are said to dwell ever since. If you can make it up to the summit make sure you do not miss the sun set, or the sun rise in the early morning after a freezing cold night. Depending on the season nights could be shivering cold. No doubt you will have unforgettable memories.
If not happy yet with the choices offered, how about Troy ! legendary Troy of Paris ! where they say blowing wind is still whispering the names of those great heroes of the past: Hector, Achilles and others. One will never run out of interests or highlights in Turkey. Once on the roads, you will never know where you are wandering or what lies under your feet. You may be on the foot steps of Saint Paul or maybe those of Saint Nicholas of Myra.
To any holiday resort or destination in Turkey your vacation will be remembered lifelong.
