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Ancient ruins, buzzing cities, colorful cultures, and extraordinary landscapes abound in Turkey—one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating and evocative lands for its location spanning both Europe and Asia. On this comprehensive 12-night journey, stride the marble streets of Greco-Roman Ephesus, walk among the surreal rock formations of Cappadocia, visit the battlefields of Gallipoli, and take in the minarets, markets, and magic of Istanbul—often considered the country’s crowning glory.
Itinerary at a glance
Depart today on your overnight flight to Ankara, Turkey’s capital.
Arrive at Ankara International Airport and transfer to your hotel in this vibrant city. The rest of the day is yours to re-energize, ready for the explorations ahead.
Enjoy a full-day tour of cosmopolitan Ankara, located in northwest Turkey around 125 miles from the Black Sea. Dating to ancient times, the city has many places of interest, from Roman remains to Ottoman buildings and rich museums. See its highlights, including the Anıtkabir, the monumental mausoleum complex of Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey; and Ankara Citadel, a charming stone quarter of fortifications with roots extending back to 476 BC. After admiring the views from the citadel walls, explore the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a treasure-trove of artifacts spanning 7,500 years housed in an 15th-century traveler’s inn (caravanserai). Your day concludes with dinner at your hotel.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Admire the scenery as we travel to Cappadocia, a region of soft volcanic rock landscapes carved by erosion into dramatic cone-shaped “fairy chimneys,” pinnacles, and caves—many of them hand-carved through the centuries into troglodyte dwellings, churches, and underground cities. On arrival, explore one of Cappadocia’s must-sees—the Goreme Open-Air Museum in UNESCO-listed Goreme National Park. Marvel at its rock-cut churches, many coated in medieval frescoes, before heading to your hotel where you’ll dine tonight.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
★★★★★ Yunak Evleri or similar
Get ready for many of Cappadocia’s star attractions today. Tour the Zelve Open-Air Museum, where three valleys of towers and fairy chimneys were used as dwellings, churches, and hideouts by early Christian settlers. Marvel at two of its churches—the Church of Grapes and the Fish Church—before heading for the Devrent Valley, which is peppered with surreal rock formations. Next is Avanos, a traditional village famed for its old houses, onyx, and potteries. Join a workshop to see artisans craft terracotta pottery and have a go at making an item yourself. Finally, wander through Kaymakli, a subterranean city sculpted from rock between the 6th and 10th centuries. This multi-story warren-like construction will astound you with criss-crossing tunnels, kitchens, store rooms, and chapels. Relax over dinner at your hotel tonight.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
★★★★★ Yunak Evleri or similar
Leave Cappadocia this morning for the sacred city of Konya, home to the shrine of 13th-century Sufi mystic, Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, who founded the Mevlevi whirling dervish order. Hear tales of Rumi's life and visit the Mevlana Museum and the medieval Mosque of Alaeddin, one of Turkey’s oldest mosques. Built by the Seljuk Sultans, highlights include its hypostyle hall of giant pillars and the tombs of several sultans.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
We make our way to Pamukkale, one of Turkey’s natural wonders, this morning. Here, calcium-rich, thermal waters cascade down dazzling-white travertine terraces, forming turquoise pools and creating the visual effect of an iridescent, fairy-tale-like castle. Take in its other-worldly landscapes and visit the ruins of the nearby Hellenistic spa town of Hierapolis, whose antiquities include one of Asia Minor’s biggest-ever classical cemeteries. Tonight have dinner at your Pamukkale hotel.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Today we leave for Izmir, one of Turkey’s largest cities, stopping on route to experience UNESCO-protected Ephesus. Once a great Greco-Roman city, its relics are among the best-preserved and most extensive on the planet. Stroll the marble thoroughfares—some still bearing grooves worn by long-ago carriage wheels—to view the crumbled Gymnasium, Odeon, temples, baths, and shops—not forgetting the magnificent 2-story façade of the Celsus Library. Cap your day by dining at your hotel in Izmir, your base for two nights.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
This morning brings a half-day tour of this lively city, which frames the beautiful Bay of Izmir on Turkey’s Aegean coast. Tour the city’s ancient Agora, once a bustling Roman marketplace, to admire its colonnades, chambers, and reconstructed arch. Then, rewind 500 years at the Antique Bazaar, where old inns, marble fountains, mosques, and craft shops jostle for space and convey the quintessence of the city.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Depart early and travel toward Canakkale, a city on the Dardanelles Strait, which serves as the gateway to Turkey’s World War I Gallipoli battlefields. On route, absorb the picturesque coastline and stop to explore 4th-century Greco-Roman Pergamum, whose ruins include a stunning theater. Next, roam the ancient site of Troy, which featured in Homer’s Iliad and where legend has it that Ulysses devised the Wooden Horse strategy to end the Trojan War. Inspect the settlements unearthed here before continuing to your Canakkale hotel for dinner and overnight.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
★★★★★ Kolin Hotel or similar
This morning visit Gallipoli’s battlefields, spend time at several poignant sites on the peninsula, which was the scene of bloody fighting during 1916, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Australian, New Zealander, and Turkish soldiers. Later, continue to Istanbul, arriving in time for dinner at your hotel.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
A full day to savor Istanbul awaits. Once Constantinople—the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires—its long history and location straddling Europe and Asia makes it a melting pot of architecture, sights, and cultures. View the spectacular Blue Mosque, so named for the blue Iznik tiles of its interior; before strolling around the Hippodrome, where fragments of what was a grand Byzantine stadium for chariot races and other public events lie scattered across a park. Then, visit the astonishing Hagia Sophia, built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, and boasting some of the world’s finest Byzantine mosaics. Your last stop is the UNESCO-listed Topkapi Palace, a one-time residence of 25 Ottoman Sultans and home to a museum stuffed with imperial treasures.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Another day of discovery beckons, starting with Istanbul’s Spice Market. Savor the bustle of this 17th-century covered market as you pass stalls laden with fresh produce and shops hawking handicrafts. Next, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise, sailing the famous waterway past sights like the Dolmabahce Palace and Rumeli fortress. Afterward, tour the Underground Cistern, a pillared subterranean reservoir constructed in the 6th century to transport water to Constantinople. Your explorations finish at the Grand Bazaar, the world’s oldest covered market. Drink in the atmosphere—and scout out last-minute souvenirs—at this colorful bazaar, where 3,000 shops selling jewelry, ceramics, leatherware, and other goods line 60 streets. This evening, your vacation draws to a close with a final dinner at your hotel.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your homeward flight today.
Included: Breakfast at hotel
Create your ideal getaway with the following upgrade options. Extensions and upgrades can be added during the booking process or speak to one of our travel advisors to tailor your perfect trip.
Treat yourself to the most sought-after seats on our coaches — those in the first two or three rows. We assign 10 seats in the front rows on a first-come, first-served basis subject to availability. To pre-book these seats for less than $10 per day, select the front of coach seating option online in your Peony Tours account.
Airfares included in the advertised Land + Air Package prices are from Atlanta(ATL) / Boston(BOS) / Dallas(DFW) / Newark(EWR) / Houston(IAH) / New York(JFK) / Miami(MIA) / Washington, D.C.(IAD) on Turkish Airlines(TK), including fuel surcharge and taxes/fees, not including any baggage fees or seat assignment fees.
Departures from other gateway cities, please add appropriate U.S. domestic add-on fares. For time zone of your gateway city, please call Peony Tours.
Turkish Airlines:
*Fares are subject to availability; for detailed gateway fares please view our dates & pricing
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Located at the heart of Ankara, Latanya Hotel Ankara is in the meeting point of Ankara’s business world. Latanya Hotel Ankara is also in the middle of the shopping malls, Tunali Hilmi Street and Kızılay. With it’s elegant, well-crafted luxurious furnitures, Latanya Hotel Ankara has the privilege to be the first hotel in Ankara with it’s 7 different concepts in 7 floors along with 291 guest rooms, 11 ballrooms and meeting rooms in perfect condition for your meetings.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
In Cappadocia’s magical landscape of fairy chimneys, in the ancient village of Urgup, is a unique cave hotel carved into a mountain cliff, the Yunak Evleri. This hotel includes 10 cave houses, total 136 rooms dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries and a 19th century Greek Mansion. Yunak Evleri is an inspiring hotel – an ideal base for exploring Cappadocia’s elaborate underground cities, hidden cavernous churches and enchanting rock terrain.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Bayir Diamond Hotel & Convention Center Konya is located in the city center, 214 modern rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a friendly team has made it a principle to make your stay perfect.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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