Western Anatolian Tour 1

Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia - Konya - Antalya
(Side, Perge, Aspendos)
This tour takes in some of the highlights of ancient and modern Turkey, including the natural wonders of Cappadocia, the mysticism of Konya and the rich history of Antalya.
2 nights in Istanbul
1 night on sleeper train on way to Ankara
3 nights in Cappadocia
2 nights in Antalya

1. UK to Istanbul
Fly to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines from London, Birmingham or Manchester where you will be met by your tour guide and taken to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

2. Istanbul
Take a full day city tour to discover the splendours of Istanbul. Visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, monuments to Islam and Christianity, which stand facing each other. Marvel at the wealth of Topkapi Palace with its awe-inspiring jewels and intriguing harem. Take in the Hippodrome and the magnificent Süleymaniye Mosque.

3. Istanbul to Ankara
Explore Istanbul at leisure or take some time to shop for souvenirs in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar. In the evening, catch the night train to Ankara from Istanbul’s impressive Haydarpasa Station, where you will be allocated a comfortable sleeping compartment.

4. Ankara to Cappadocia
Visit the fascinating Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, where you will have an introduction to the 16 different civilisations which have inhabited Anatolia. Continue to Atatürk’s Mausoleum, the resting place of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, still revered as a great national hero. Drive to Cappadocia.

5. Cappadocia
Explore the lunar landscape of Cappadocia visiting the Devrent Valley, the Pasabag Valley with its surreal mushrooming pinnacles and Avanos, renowned for its handmade pottery. Continue to the citadel of Üçhisar and the stunning valley of Göreme, the open air museum where the remains of churches and early Christian dwellings, hewn from the rock, date back thousands of years.

6. Cappadocia
Visit the famous rock churches in the Red and Rose Valleys and hike the 5km through the Güllüdere Valley. Stop at the houses and churches of the Christian clergymen in Çavusin Village before continuing to Pigeon Valley and Kaymakli, the underground city where the early Christians sought refuge. End the day with a visit to the natural castle at Ortahisar.

7. Konya
Head for Konya, which is an important centre of Islamic culture and home to the renowned religious movement of Mevlana, known as the ‘Whirling Dervishes’. You will visit the Mevlana Museum and Theological School. Continue on to Antalya to stay overnight.

8. Antalya
Antalya is one of the country’s most important regions and you will visit a wealth of ancient sites including the Pamphylian trading cities of Side, Perge and Aspendos. Particularly impressive is the free-standing theatre at Side, which seated 20,000, the stadium at Perge, which is the largest in Asia Minor and the theatre at Aspendos, one of the best preserved in the world. Visit also the beautiful natural setting of the stunning Manavgat Waterfalls.

9. Antalya to UK
Fly back to UK via Istanbul.

8 nts small group tour from £1099
Prices are per person (min 2 people sharing) per person, single supplement £225. Departure dates: 2nd May, 5th Sep, 3rd Oct. Price includes: scheduled flights (inc. meal & drinks) from London, Manchester or Birmingham, 4* Hotels (or 3* where 4* is not available) on HB basis, lunch, entrance fees, professional guide, caring driver, air-conditioned non-smoking minibus/midibus.