This 16 day tour, starts from Istanbul, Turkey, and ends at Fethiye, Turkey. See all that is iconic to Turkey, magnificent Istanbul, ancient Ephesus, unique Cappadocia and dream-like Pamukkale. Then the tour ends with total relaxation sailing on the Mediterranean visiting secluded coves and islands, swimming, sunbaking and relaxing. All meals are cooked and served for you.
Welcome to Istanbul. You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore Istanbul.
Tour the exotic city that spans both Europe and Asia visiting the Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene), Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum and the Hippodrome. Cruise between two continents on the stretch of water that separates Europe from Asia in the afternoon with an optional 'Half day Bosphorus cruise'.
After breakfast we drive towards the nation's capital, Ankara to visit Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Ataturk before continuing on to the surreal landscape of Cappadocia.
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, and explore the many levels of an underground city. Photo opportunities are everywhere so have your cameras ready! Tonight, don't miss the optional Turkish folklore evening featuring folklore and belly dancers... a night you won't forget!
Leaving Cappadocia we head south, towards Konya, along the ancient Silk Road, visiting Sultanhani Caravansary, just as the ancient traders did. Once in Konya we tour the Mevlana Museum, the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi and Alaeddin Mosque.
Today we head for Pamukkale and it's calcium travertines. Along the way we visit the ancient site of Sagalassos. Conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC, earthquakes and plague saw its demise in 541-2. Today it is one of the best preserved sites in Turkey and is on the UNESCO Tentaice list.
Visit the ruins of Hierapolis, the Temple of Apollo, Necropolis, and stroll over the magnificent white calcium terraces of Pamukkale. This afternoon we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods.
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
Today we drive to Fethiye where we begin boarding the Gulet at Fethiye Harbour. Relax at the pre-cruise information session. Enjoy an onboard dinner while meeting the other passengers.
After breakfast set off along the coast of Fethiye Peninsular to Oludeniz and Butterfly Valley for visit and swim.
The night is spent at St.Nicholas Island, where you can explore the ruins of a Byzantine settlement as the sun sets.
An early start for Yesilkoy, where we have breakfast and time to swim in this quiet bay surrounded by olive groves. Then it's off to Kas, a small harbour town with a charming bohemian atmosphere, where you'll spend the night.
Climb up to the castle on Simena for a spectacular view of the ancient city. Out in the bay, overlooked by a theatre carved into the rock, a single Lycian sarcophagus sits on its pedestal in the water. The night is spent in the wide bay surrounded by green hills, at nearby Ucagiz.
A short cruise along the Mediterranean coast to the ruins at Kekova - the Sunken City. Swim and lunch at Tersane Bay where you'll see the ruins of a Byzantine church and a Roman dockyard on the beach. Sailing to Gokkaya to spend the night.
After breakfast, a short cruise to the sheltered bay at Bayindir Limani for a swim. The rest of the day is spent in Kalkan, a picturesque harbour town set on the hillside, where you can explore the cobbled winding streets or take an optional trip to nearby Patara Beach or the ruins at Xanthos and Letoon.
After an early start to Camli Burun, a natural bay edged with pine-clad hills, your last night on board is spent in Batikkaya Bay. Another day of relaxing, sunbathing and swimming has past.
Arriving back in the harbour of Fethiye, we disembark at approximately 09:00 am.
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