Introduction

Turkey: home to three of the major empires of the world: Hittite, Byzantine and Ottoman. Turkey, the heartland of the Hellenistic Greek era, with more Roman cities than Greece and Italy combined.    Discover Turkey's most precious jewels both by land and by sea.  Immerse yourselves in the oriental splendor of Istanbul, the fairytale cave cities of Cappadocia, the marble antiquities overlooking deep blue Aegean waters, and lush green mountainsides plunging into turquoise Mediterranean seas.

Istanbul :  former capital of two world empires, legacy to over 5000 years of history.  Striking impressions:  domes of gold, sky-piercing minarets and crumbling Ottoman houses contrasting silvery skyscrapers.  

Cappadocia:  once the heart of the Hittite Empire, is a lava-formed, lunar landscape of unearthly geological formations.  Early Christian hermits carved entire monastic communities and over 600 cave churches in its soft tufa stone.  

Ephesus:  one of the most powerful cities in the ancient Mediterranean remains the most astoundingly intact Hellenistic roman city in the world today.

The Turkoise Coast:  The color of the sea ranges from dark indigo during the day to tones of pastel pink towards dusk. 

You will feel in many ways at home, and in others like a stranger in a strange land.  You will be surprised, confused, and charmed.  You will be glad you came.  The trip begins in Istanbul.  Please join us.

Tour Overview

Four nights in Istanbul at the Four Seasons Hotel  or the Eresin Crown Hotel, located in the heart of the old city.  The glories of ancient Byzantium are revealed as you visit the Church of St. Savior in Chora, the Hagia Sophia, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Rustem Pasha mosque, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Beylerbeyi Palace and the Sadberk Hanim Museum.  A visit to the Covered Bazaar and a cruise on the Bosphorus further enhance your visit.

Three nights in Cappadocia at Esbelli Evi,  an old stone mansion carved into the volcanic rock  and exquisitely restored.  Explorations in this fascinating region include the Goreme Valley with it many rock-cut churches, Kaymakly, an underground city, Uchisar dominated by the ruins of a medival castle, Avanos, an ancient site identified with the worhsip of Zeus, Soganli, one of the most attractive places in Anatolia, as well as Derinkuyu, Ozkonak and Zelve.

Visit Ephesus, one of the five largest cities of the ancient world and an important religious center.  Continue to Bodrum and one night at Marmara Hotel.

Cruise along the Turkish coast aboard a "Gulet", a beautifully crafted vessel and your luxurious home for the next seven nights.  Ports of call will include the excavations at Knidos, the picturesque resort of Datca, the Bay of Bozukkale and Gerbekse, Dalyan, a fishing village on the Calbis River, the bays of Agi Liman and Fethiye, and Gemiler Island where Japanese archaeologists have discovered Byzantine mosaics, cisterns and other artifacts.

Return to Istanbul and one night at the Ciragan Palace Hotel.  This evening enjoy our farewell dinner.  Overnight before your onward or homeward bound flight.

Find Out More

For tour details, availability and pricing we invite you to contact us:

tours@connoisseurstravel.com