All of Turkey Tour: 16 Days, Istanbul to Göbeklitepe with Gulet Cruise

We meet you at Istanbul airport and drive you to your hotel. Nothing else is planned for today. Your guide will meet you the following morning at 09:30 AM.

At 09:30 AM your guide collects you from the hotel for a full day on foot through the core of Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul.

Today you will see:

• Topkapi Palace (optional) – walk through the former home of the Ottoman sultans and take in its long history and fine architecture.
• Blue Mosque – one of the best-known landmarks in the city, admired for its blue tiles and its sheer scale.
• Hippodrome – stand on the site of the old chariot-racing ground, now home to the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain.
• Hagia Sophia (optional) – step inside this UNESCO World Heritage Site to see its Byzantine architecture and its vast, richly decorated interior.
• Grand Bazaar – browse what is said to be the oldest covered market in the world, a lively place to buy souvenirs, spices and textiles.

When the tour ends you are driven back to your hotel in Istanbul for the night. Breakfast is included.

An early start takes us to Canakkale, a city with a long history and a rich culture.

From there we set out to explore Gallipoli, the peninsula linked forever with the famous First World War battle fought on its shores.

Today you will see:

• Memorial sites – our first stops are Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair and ANZAC Cove, which honour the soldiers who fought here and the mark they left on history.
• The battlefields – we then visit The Nek and Johnston's Jolly, where the trenches and tunnels still bear witness to the fierce fighting on this sacred ground.

After the tour we take you to your hotel for the night.

• 08:00 AM – leave Çanakkale, the historic city on the Dardanelles Strait.
• 10:00 AM – arrive at Troy, the legendary city made famous by Homer's Iliad. Walk past the remains of its walls and gates and see the replica of the Trojan Horse.
• 12:00 PM – head south towards Pergamon, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• 02:30 PM – explore ancient Pergamon with the Temple of Athena, the Altar of Zeus and the old theatre, and enjoy the wide views from the Acropolis.
• 05:00 PM – once you have seen Pergamon in full, drive on to the coastal town of Kusadasi, the gateway to Ephesus.
• 07:00 PM – arrive in Kusadasi and check in at your 5-star hotel. The evening is free: rest, walk along the waterfront or try the local shops and restaurants.

Today is all about Ephesus, a trip back through many centuries of history.

The ruins here belong to one of the best-preserved ancient cities anywhere in the world, and walking its marble streets is a highlight of any visit to Turkey.

What you will see:

• Library of Celsus – its grand facade is one of the best-known sights in Ephesus.
• Temple of Hadrian – built in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian, it still has well-kept columns and finely carved reliefs.
• Terrace Houses (optional) – the luxurious homes where the wealthy families of Ephesus once lived.
• Hercules Gate – a monumental gateway decorated with carvings of the legendary hero.
• Grand Theatre – it once held up to 25,000 spectators and is still used for performances today.
• The Snake Cult of Asklepios – hear about the ancient cult of Asklepios, god of healing, and see what is left of his temple.
• Herm (Marker) of Hermes – ancient markers that showed the way and marked boundaries in the city.
• Artemission – the site of the Temple of Artemis, counted among the ancient world's Seven Wonders.
• Stone-carving of the goddess Nike – a detailed relief of Nike, the winged goddess of victory.
• Fountain of Trajan – the well-preserved remains of a monumental fountain built for Emperor Trajan.
• House of Virgin Mary (optional) – the tour ends at the house which many believe was the Virgin Mary's final resting place.

Overnight in Kusadasi.

• 07:00 AM – an early pick-up from your hotel for the drive to Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
• 10:00 AM – explore Hierapolis: the Necropolis, the Theatre and the well-known Cleopatra Pool. A swim in the pool costs an extra entrance fee.
• 11:30 AM – walk on the travertines of Pamukkale, white terraces of mineral-rich pools that feel like cotton underfoot, and take in the views.
• 01:00 PM – lunch at a local restaurant (not included).
• 02:30 PM – visit Pamukkale Naturel Lake and the park around it for a scenic end to the sightseeing.
• 04:30 PM – transfer to Fethiye.
• 07:00 PM – check in at your hotel in Fethiye.

At around 07:00 AM we drive you to Fethiye, where your gulet is waiting.

You check in at our Fethiye Harbour office at 09:30 am. Your guide welcomes you and the other guests, who come from all age groups, and gives a short briefing. At 10:30 am everyone boards the gulet yacht and the cruise begins.

The first stop is Butterfly Valley, where there is something for everyone. Swim in the cool Mediterranean, or take an easy walk to a nearby waterfall and enjoy the plants and wildlife. Look out for the many colourful moths and butterflies that live in the valley.

Back on board, lunch is served, with choices to suit different tastes and diets.

Next we sail to Oludeniz (Blue Lagoon). If you like adventure, consider the optional paragliding flight from Babadag Mountain, gliding 2,000 metres above Oludeniz Beach and the bright waters of the Blue Lagoon. If you prefer to take it easy, simply relax and enjoy the scenery.

Later in the day we drop anchor near St. Nicholas Island, where history and nature meet. Explore the ruins, learn about the island's past and take photos, and stay for the sunset, which guests of every age enjoy.

Accommodation: Turkish gulet
Meals: lunch, five o'clock tea, dinner

At first light the crew steers the gulet along the coast past Patara to Hidayet Bay, where breakfast is served. After a swim in the calm water we sail into Kas, a pretty fishing village known for its craft shops and ancient theatre. You have free time to explore its lively markets, full of handmade goods and souvenirs.

Most guests have lunch in Kas before returning to the boat for an afternoon cooking class. You learn to make traditional Turkish cheese rolls and pancakes, then sit down to a brunch of the dishes you prepared. In the late afternoon we sail to a peaceful bay between Kas and Kekova and anchor there for the night.

Accommodation: Turkish gulet
Meals: breakfast, lunch, cooking class, five o'clock tea, dinner

The day begins at the Sunken City of Kekova, a group of ancient ruins that slipped under the sea after an earthquake in the 2nd century AD. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is seen from the gulet as we cruise slowly along its edge. Swimming and snorkelling are not allowed here, but the view from the deck shows the ruins well.

In the afternoon we anchor near Kekova Island so you can visit the historic Simena Castle. Climb to the top for wide views over the bay and the land around it, and try the well-known homemade ice cream that local sellers offer at the castle, a good reward after the climb. We spend the night at anchor in Gokkaya Bay under the stars.

Accommodation: Turkish gulet
Meals: breakfast, lunch, five o'clock tea, dinner

Your last morning on board starts with a special breakfast at Turtle Beach, where you can swim with the gentle sea turtles of the Mediterranean in their natural home. We then sail on to Demre Harbour, arriving around 09:30 am. After breakfast you are transferred to Antalya and your hotel.

• 07:30 AM – leave Antalya for Aspendos, either with a private transfer or on a guided tour.
• 09:00 AM – explore Aspendos and its Roman theatre, which is in remarkable condition and famous for its acoustics and grand design. Walk among the ruins and see the aqueducts.
• 11:00 AM – a scenic drive takes you to the ancient city of Perge.
• 12:00 PM – walk through the Roman ruins of Perge, with its stadium, baths, agora and streets lined with columns, and hear how the city grew into a major centre of culture and trade under Rome.

Overnight in Antalya.

Hotel: breakfast is included.

All day: enjoy a free day in Antalya at your own pace. Relax on the beach, explore the old town of Kaleiçi, go shopping or make the most of your hotel.

Some ideas for the day (not included):

• Stroll the pretty lanes of Kaleiçi, the historic heart of Antalya.
• Spend some time on Konyaaltı or Lara Beach.
• Browse the local bazaars or shopping centres.
• Have lunch by the sea or a coffee at the marina.
• Unwind at the hotel or book a spa visit.

Evening: at the agreed time you are taken to Antalya Airport for your domestic flight to Cappadocia.

Flight: Antalya → Cappadocia (Kayseri or Nevşehir). On arrival we transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight: hotel in Cappadocia.

If you choose the optional balloon flight, you rise over Cappadocia at sunrise and drift above its rock formations, fairy chimneys and valleys. Seen from the air, this historic region looks like no other place on earth.

The guided tour usually begins at about 09:00 and finishes by 16:00 at the latest.

Today you will see:

• Goreme Esentepe panoramic viewpoint – the day opens at Esentepe, a lookout between Uçhisar and Göreme with wide views over the fairy chimneys, the Cappadocian landscape and the town of Esentepe.
• Zelve Open-Air Museum – once a centre of monastic life and Christian learning, Zelve is full of old monasteries, churches and chapels whose frescoes have survived in good condition.
• Pasabag (Monks Valley) – Paşabağ is known for its three-headed fairy chimneys. It is also called "Pasha's Vineyard", and its rock shapes are among the most striking in the region.
• Devrent Valley – a short drive away, this valley looks almost like the surface of the moon. Its small, pointed chimneys invite you to spot shapes of animals and mythical creatures.
• Avanos Pottery Workshop – Avanos has made pottery since 3000 BC, and local craftsmen still turn clay from the Red River into ceramics. You watch them at work in a traditional workshop.
• Love Valley – the last stop. Millions of years of erosion have carved rock towers here up to 40 metres tall, along with cones, pinnacles and fairy chimneys. It is a favourite with photographers and one of the strangest landscapes in Cappadocia.

You return to your cave hotel for the night. Breakfast is included.

• 07:00 AM – leave Cappadocia for the Nemrut Mountain region in a private vehicle or with a guided transfer. You can stop for breakfast on the way if you wish.
• 12:00 PM – optional stop in Kahramanmaraş to try the city's famous ice cream and stretch your legs.
• 02:30 PM – arrive in the Adıyaman area, the gateway to Mount Nemrut. Have lunch at a local restaurant and freshen up before the mountain.
• 04:00 PM – drive on to Nemrut National Park, passing scenic countryside and historical sites.
• 05:30 PM – reach the foot of Mount Nemrut and head for the summit, on foot or by shuttle if one is running.
• 06:30 PM – explore the summit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Look at the ancient statues and hear the story of the Commagene Kingdom.
• 07:00 PM – watch the sun go down as golden light falls on the statues and the wide landscape below.
• 08:30 PM – walk back down the mountain and drive to the centre of Adıyaman.
• 09:30 PM – check in at your hotel in Adıyaman and rest after a long day.

• 09:00 AM – a private transfer takes you from Adıyaman to Göbekli Tepe, often called the zero point of history.
• 10:30 AM – explore the site, thought to be the oldest known temple complex in the world. Its carved stones are more than 12,000 years old.
• 12:00 PM – leave Göbekli Tepe for Harran, known for its beehive-shaped mudbrick houses and long history.
• 12:45 PM – arrive in the historic village of Harran. See its ancient buildings, including the famous mudbrick houses, and learn about its role in the ancient world.
• 02:00 PM – when your visit ends, drive back to Şanlıurfa for the flight to Istanbul.
• 03:00 PM – reach Şanlıurfa and continue to Şanlıurfa Airport.
• 05:00 PM – fly from Şanlıurfa to Istanbul and relax on the way.
• 06:30 PM – land in Istanbul and check in at your hotel or carry on with your own travel plans.

After breakfast you check out of the hotel. Our representative helps with your transfer to the airport for your departure flight, and this is where our services end.

Would you like more time? Extra nights in Istanbul can be added to your stay.

Optional extras

• Hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia (Goreme): $310
• One extra hotel night in Istanbul, before or after the tour: $65
• Upgrade to a private tour: $800