Turkey Wonders

DAY 1:  TURKEY
Welcome to Turkey! Your adventure kicks off in Istanbul – the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all called home. There’s a welcome meeting planned at 1 pm, where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. Afterwards, maybe get out and explore the frenetic streets of Turkey’s crown-jewel metropolis. Your group leader will take you on a walking tour of the nearby neighbourhoods so you can get your bearings on what’s around
Overnight: Istanbul

DAY 2: Bursa
Depart Istanbul this morning by a fast ferry to the port of Mudanya (approximately 1 hour). Then it’s a local bus to Bursa (approximately 1.5 hours), where you’ll spend the night. Bursa is an old and important city with a rich and varied history. With elegant mosques, such as the supremely beautiful Yesil Camii, an intriguing covered bazaar, and teahouses filled with locals, Bursa offers a glimpse into the day-to-day of Turkish life. Spend this afternoon exploring the fascinating warren of streets and old Ottoman hans (warehouses). Bursa is also home to thermal springs nearby at Cekirge, famously used by Byzantine imperial families, so why not treat yourself to a soak, steam, and scrub Turkish-style. Otherwise, you could book into a traditional shadow puppet shows, or go find some local iskender kebab. Tonight, you’ll be a guest at a Dervish Lodge to see a hypnotic performance of the sema (the Sufi ceremony of the whirling dervish) and learn about their mesmerising rituals.
Overnight: Bursa   

DAY 3: Selcuk
Travel to the farming village of Selcuk (approximately 7 hours). Selcuk will be your base for exploring the nearby ruins of Ephesus tomorrow. In town, on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historical buildings – you’ll see the Isa Bey Mosque, a beautiful example of 14th-century Seljuk Turkish architecture, and the imposing Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress. Just below the fortress are the ruins of the Basilica of St John, built by Justinian I in the sixth century. A short distance out of Selcuk is one of the ancient world’s Seven Wonders – the Temple of Artemis – although, sadly, only a single column (of 127 originally) remains. It was destroyed in AD401, after being successively damaged by floods, a Greek arsonist seeking notoriety, and the Goths. You’ll arrive in Selcuk with enough time to check in to the guesthouse and then take a leader-led orientation walk around town.
Overnight: Selcuk

DAY 4 – Pamukkale

A train ride inland through mountainous landscapes (approximately 3.5 hours plus a short bus ride) brings you to one of Turkey’s most photographed sites – Pamukkale – which literally translates to ‘cotton castle’. Here, natural hot springs with a high calcium content cascade over the edge of the cliffs, leaving the earth bright white; hence the ‘cotton’. Though you won’t be able to bathe in these travertines, you can wade through them, and these pools are said to have many healing properties. Take some time to visit the nearby ancient city of Hierapolis and have a dip in what used to be Cleopatra’s old pool. You can also check out the other ruins of the city – Hierapolis is known for its abundance of temples and religious structures, vast necropolis, amphitheatre and strange tombs.

DAY 5: Kayakoy
Today, set out on a half-day trek along a section of rugged coastline, following part of the ancient walking trail of the Lycian Way to nearby Oludeniz (approximately 6 kilometres), where you can swim in the Blue Lagoon. You’ll walk up a steep rocky path up the hillside, make your way through forest, and then up a hill with fantastic views out across the Mediterranean. At the final descent into Oludeniz, you’ll be greeted with a breathtaking view of an arching peninsula of white sand beach separating the crystal waters from its lush banks and the town’s trademark panorama. The myriad hues of colour between the waters and pine-forested hills is a sight to behold, and you’ll soon realise why this is one of the most photographed beaches in Turkey. This evening, join your hosts for a Turkish barbecue dinner, relaxing in their garden and enjoying some delicious local food and lively company.

DAY 6:  Kas
Make your way the short distance from Kayakoy to Fethiye by dolmus – a Turkish shared taxi. From there, take a public bus to Kas (approximately 2.5 hours), with some spectacular coastal scenery along the way. The picturesque village of Kas – whitewashed buildings covered in bougainvillea and cobbled streets – is the southernmost of all the Turkish resorts, and the starting point for your coastal cruise. The best places in town to swim are from the waterfront restaurants that have their own private water access. For the price of an occasional drink, you get your own deck chair, umbrella and unbeatable views. When the sun goes down there is the chance to explore the handicraft markets, where you can find beautiful handmade wares with a distinctly Turkish flavour. Once you have checked in, take a leader-led walking tour of the town.transfer to the village of Kekova, some 50 kilometres from Kas, where you will board the gulet for a real Mediterranean experience. During the day, you’ll have the chance to swim and snorkel in crystal blue waters, feast on fabulous local cuisine, cruise over an ancient sunken city and explore Lycian tombs. If the weather is right tonight, you and your group can get comfortable on deck and sleep beneath the stars tonight.

DAY 7: Antalya
Take a short journey today as you continue your exploration of the Turkish Coast. Travel 3.5 hours to the jewel in the Turkish Mediterranean – Antalya. It’s hard to get a bad photo of Antalya thanks to cobblestone streets framed by the marina on one side and the Taurus Mountains on the other. Arriving in the afternoon, your leader will introduce you to the delights of the old city with an orientation walk. Visit such sites as the clock tower, Hadrian’s gate and the old Roman Harbour. Kaleici – the old city area that’s now a historical zone and protected from modern development – is home to relics of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman eras. There’s also an opportunity to swim, relax and enjoy stellar views overlooking the crystal blue Mediterranean, or to check out the Antalya Museum – one of the best in the country. Tonight, be sure to try some delicious local cuisine with some of your travel crew.

DAY 8: Konya
This morning, we move away from the coast and towards Konya (approximately 5.5 hours). While it’s a long day of travel, the scenery will keep you entertained as you cross the Toros Mountain range. The city is closely linked with the whirling dervish sect of Islam developed by Celaleddin Rumi – one of Islam’s greatest Sufi mystics. Mevlana – ‘our master’ – as he came to be known, believed that music and dance could induce a state of love and divine union, and so devised the whirling sema ritual. In town, you can visit the original Tekke of Mevlana, which holds many relics and is also the final resting place for Rumi. Also, get your bearings on an orientation walk to Aladdin Hill in Konya’s centre. On the side of the hill are the sheltered remains of the palace of the Seljuk Sultans of Rum, while beneath the Alaettin Mosque are artefacts dating back to the Stone Age. Tonight, perhaps enjoy a refreshing tea or try some central Anatolian cuisine.

DAY 9: Konya

This morning, have an early start and wave the fairy chimneys a fond goodbye as you transfer to one of the region’s airports for a flight back to Istanbul. Depending on flight times and scheduled changes, expect to arrive back into Istanbul between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm. Once arrived at the airport, you are free to leave at any time, and your group leader can assist you with your onward journey. There is no accommodation for tonight; however, if you wish to spend a few more days checking out the sights of Istanbul, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability), with an included transfer back to your Istanbul accommodation.