17 Day Antiquities Of Turkey With Gulet Premium Small Group Tour

Your premium small group tour through Turkey awaits! Your holiday will begin with your flight to Istanbul. Prepare to receive a warm welcome to this continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all called home. Upon arrival into Istanbul you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your 5 star hotel to relax after your journey.

Please note: Some flights may depart the day before.

Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.

This morning your guide will meet you in the lobby for a welcome meeting, where you'll discuss the trip ahead and meet your fellow travellers.

Afterwards, we start our journey by following in the footsteps of the city’s most famous ruler, Sultan Ahmed, and head to the district of Sultanahmet, within Istanbul's old city. The historic centre of Istanbul, here you'll explore the legacy of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

Take in the majesty of the sixth-century Hagia Sophia, whose stunning construction is said to have changed the history of architecture. When not erecting splendid buildings, the Byzantine Emperors loved a bit of entertainment, and the Hippodrome of Constantinople was their stadium. Inspect some of the decorative statues and obelisks that remain, harking back to a time when this space would play host to thousands of chariot racing fans. Witness the majesty of the Blue Mosque, and spend time meandering through the narrow lanes that burrow through the huge Grand Bazaar, packed with more than 3000 stalls of handcrafted jewellery, textiles, books and spices.

Tonight, your guide will take you to his favourite restaurant to have a real meyhane (Turkish tavern) experience at the heart of Istanbul!

This morning you will be transferred to the airport to fly to Cappadocia. After you settle to your beautiful rooms at your hotel, your guide will then take you on a leisurely hike of the beautiful surrounding valley. Afterwards, spend the rest of the day at your leisure. 

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast before your walk to the most beautiful valley in Cappadocia, Kizilcukur. You'll see fascinating rock formations such as cones, peaks and fairy chimneys made from tuff – a light, porous rock formed by consolidaed volcanic ash – as well as man-made cave chapels from early Christian times.

You will enjoy your first Inspiring Taste with a local specialty called a Pottery Kebab – Cappadocia's traditional, must-try dish, prepared in a clay pot.

In the evening, your guide will take you to a beautiful lodge to watch the spiritual Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervish Ceremony – an 'active meditation' that is said to show devotion to god, and a practice that been recognised by UNESCO.

Today, we visit the incredible underground city of Derinkuyu. Prepare to be blown away by this vast subterranean site, which comprises ancient dwellings that span seven levels beneath the ground, extending to a depth of approximately 60 metres.

Later in the afternoon we'll visit Kizil Irmak, or the Red River of Cappadocia, famous for its clay, which is still used to make magnificent pieces of art today. You’ll learn about this ancient craft when we visit a local potter.

We leave Cappadocia today and head towards the Mediterranean coast. The drive is long, but it's also incredibly scenic. We'll enjoy a pit stop in Konya to try the local food before continuing to the jewel in the Mediterranean crown – Antalya. The ancient city is the eastern gateway to Turkey's southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast for its magnificent blue waters. Remnants from Antalya's time as a major Roman port remain: from Hadrian’s Gate, built to honour the Roman emperor’s visit in 130 CE, to the 2nd-century Hidirlik Tower, which boasts stunning harbour views.

This morning you’ll enjoy a walk to see Hadrian’s Gate, the old Roman Harbours and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean before enjoying lunch. We will then be travelling on to the Greek ghost town of Kayakoy, which is said to be the setting for Louis de Bernières' novel Birds Without Wings. Stroll around and take in the eerie atmosphere. From here we continue to Fethiye, a beautiful town surrounded by pine forests and dotted with islands.

This morning will be at your leisure. After lunchtime, we will board a traditional Turkish sailboat known as a gulet – your home for the next three days. A gulet is a wooden yacht usually built in Bodrum or Marmaris in Turkey that measures 20 to 30 metres in length on average. Handcrafted from mahogany, pine and teak, the gulets follow a design developed for these waters in Byzantine times, with a sharp bow, broad beam and rounded aft. They are stylish, graceful, fitted for comfort and full of character. We cruise in style along the spectacular coastline of Turkey for the next three days on a journey that promises Kodak moments at every turn.

PLEASE NOTE - These traditional gulets boats are not meant to be luxurious, but the cabins are very comfortable and nicely appointed with private ensuites. Aircon is turned on at certain times and most of your time will be spent on deck enjoying the view and the ocean breeze. Sailing on a gulet is a unique and memorable way to spend three nights and whilst discovering stunning bays!

IMPORTANT: Electricity supply is very limited and so aircon is turned on at certain times. The electricity of most yachts runs at 12 V/24 V. Please consider this if you wish to bring battery-operated equipments. Electrical appliances may only be connected while the yacht is tied up to land.

After breakfast onboard, we'll sail to Bedri Rahmi Bay for our very first swimming stop. In the afternoon, we'll sail to Tersane Bay where you can disembark the gulet and enjoy the serenity of a hidden, untouched beach.

After another breakfast onboard, we'll sail to Gocek – a magnet for high-end yachts and yet another beautiful town on the Aegean Coast. We will then continue along the coast where we’ll be sailing, swimming and enjoying the crystalline water of the Turkish Riviera for the rest of the day.

This morning we leave our beautiful Gulet and drive to Pamukkale, also known as 'Cotton Castle' and a truly unique sight.

We will visit Hierapolis and travertines. Travertines phenomenon was created by deposits from thermal waters that cascaded down the mountainside over hundreds of years, forming a myriad of pools and terraces. As the water overflows from the pools, dazzling cream-colored stalactites are formed that, from afar, resemble cotton or snow. The pools are filled with hot spring waters that supposedly have healing properties for a person's circulation and digestive systems. 

Close to Pamukkale are the ruins of Hierapolis, which was founded by the King of Pergamon in 190 BC and by the 2nd Century AD it had become an important Roman bath center. The extensive ruins of Hierapolis are well worth exploring and include a theatre, temple, holy area, monumental fountain, bath, basilica and necropolis. 

Enjoy a glass of wine on the top of the travertines, while watching an amazing sunset.

This morning enjoy some free time before departing from Pamukkale and heading to Kusadasi, which is approximately 3-hours drive.

Our day will start with an orientation walk around the town of Selcuk, which lies at the base of the partially restored ancient Ayasuluk Fortress. Here, you'll visit the last remaining fragments of the Temple of Artemis – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – as well as a Roman and Byzantine aqueduct.

This afternoon, visit Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Eastern Mediterranean, and arguably the greatest Greco-Roman site in the world. Marvel at the vast amphitheatre, stroll the marble streets once walked by Cleopatra and Mark Antony, and wander through the gymnasium, baths and beautifully restored Library of Celsus. After Ephesus, we drive to Sirince village to join a very special cooking class led by an amazing cook, Mujde!

The highlight for today is a visit to the legendary city of Troy. You’ll see the remnants of the ancient city walls and the famed wooden horse as you learn about the groundbreaking archaeological digs and how the site has baffled historians. At lunch time, we pay a visit to a weavers' association in Bergama and see first-hand how Turkish carpets are made and enjoy your local lunch out there. You will continue to Canakkale after your visit to Bergama.

After breakfast we will travel to the Gallipoli peninsula, where we'll visit the beach and cemeteries of Anzac Cove. From here, we'll head up the hill toward the poignant memorials of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. We'll spend a moment in quiet contemplation, looking down upon the rough hills and gullies that became the graveyard for so many thousands of young men from both sides. We’ll tour the former battlefields and find remnants of trenches used by the Turkish soldiers. Afterwards, we continue on to Istanbul.

As they say, all good things must come to an end. Today marks the end of your incredible tour through Turkey. 

Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. 

If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.

Arrive home today, with memories to last a lifetime.