Art Program of Turkey 11 Nights / 13 Days

Istanbul - Iznik - Bursa - Pergamon - Izmir - Ephesus - Aphrodisias - Pamukkale - Konya - Cappadocia

Tour Dates: Suggested between April - November

DAY 1: En Route

Depart the U.S.A. on your flight to Turkey.

DAY 2: Arrive Istanbul

Meet our guide and transfer to the hotel by coach. A short briefing will be provided by our guide at the hotel in the afternoon. Evening at leisure. Bosphorus Half-Day Tour: Visit the aromatic Spice Bazaar (Closed on Sundays) from 1663 with its domed and vaulted shops selling spices and herbs along with a wide variety of commodities, also known as Egyptian Bazaar as it was once endowed with the Cairo imposts. Then proceed to the pier so as to embark the boat. Starting the tour from the Golden Horn and sailing through the waterway separating the two continents - Asia and Europe - with a possibility to take pictures of the marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residential. During this trip Ciragan Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges will be seen. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight Istanbul.

DAY 3: Istanbul

Full day tour of Istanbul including the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia Church/Museum. After lunch, visit the Topkapi Palace Museum and the Underground Cistern, and historical Grand Bazaar.

DAY 4: Istanbul- Optional Turkish Night in Istanbul

Visit the Yildiz Porcelain Factory built in 1895. Lunch at a local sea food restaurant. Afternoon visit to Dolmabahce Palace. Dinner on your own.

Optional Turkish Night in Istanbul:

After being picked up from the hotel a short drive or walk to get to the place where there will be a lot of fun and enjoyment. Dinner at a restaurant to taste various kinds of excellent Turkish cuisine and local drinks while watching the spectacular oriental show performed by famous belly dancers, folk groups from different regions of Anatolia and Turkish singers. Late night back to the hotel (First local drinks are included within the price).

DAY 5: Istanbul - Fly Ankara- Cappadocia

Morning flight to Ankara. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Citadel of Ankara. After lunch drive to the Cappadocia region. See Agzikarahan Caravanserai en route. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 6: Cappadocia

Full day tour in the Cappadocia region, including Kaymakli Underground City, Goreme Open Air Museum, lunch at a local restaurant, Avanos, the town of pottery makers and a two hour pottery making show at a local workshop. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 7: Cappadocia - Konya

Depart for Konya. Visit the Museum of Whirling Dervishes. After lunch see the Karatay Tile Museum and local handicrafts such as felt makers and horse carriage decorators. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 8: Konya - Pamukkale

Depart for Denizli to explore the glass blowing tradition in Denizli Glass Factory. Then visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. Swimming is available in the hot spring pool of your hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 9: Pamukkale - Kusadasi

We will see clay workshops in Karacasu. We will continue to Kusadasi Carpet manufacturing company, a private handicrafts center supported by the government, trying to keep the carpet manufacturing tradition alive in the Aegean area dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 10: Ephesus - Kusadasi

Visit Ephesus, the most famous ancient site in Turkey. See the House of the Virgin Mary, the Archaeological Museum. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then visit the ruins of Ephesus and the Temple of Diana which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 11: Kusadasi - Tire - Izmir

Depart for Tire, a small town still practicing many local arts such as fabric making, rope making, wooden horse carriage wheels, etc. See the local workshops. In the afternoon, drive to Izmir, the 3rd largest city of Turkey. Dinner on your own.

DAY 12: Kurudere - Izmir

Visit Kurudere village near Izmir. The blue beads of this town are sold nationwide, even exported to many countries. Explore local blue bead kilns. See the country life. Return to Izmir. The afternoon is free for several options such as Kemeralti Bazaar, the Archaeological Museum or walking in the streets of modern Izmir. Farewell dinner at an outdoor restaurant.

DAY 13: Izmir

Transfer to Izmir airport. Fly to Istanbul to connect to your international flight back home. Transfer to Izmir airport. Fly to Istanbul to connect to your international flight back home.

* Rates and availability subject to change without notice.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner