Sat., 1 th dayWelcome to Turkey 'Hos geldiniz'.

Arrival in Istanbul - a fascinating city of sounds and sights.  Once part of the Roman Empire, when it went by the name of 'Byzantium' Istanbul later became part of the great Ottoman Empire. We meet and transfer you from the airport into the city in our comfortable bus and check you into your boutique hotel.  Enjoy a welcome cocktail. Then relax and get your bearings in this wonderful city & enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Sun.,2 th day
After your traditional (kahvalti) breakfast,  we will start to  introduce you to some of the wonders of Istanbul. We will visit the Blue Mosque, famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles, and the beautiful church of Hagia Sophia.   Hagia Sophia, now a museum, once dominated the skyline for 1000 years until Sinan's mosque minarets took over in the 16th century. Later we visit Topkapi Palace - built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul and the seat of Government for the Ottoman Empire for many centuries. 
Mon., 3 th day
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and visit the colorful, oriental covered Bazaar - Kapali carsi - largest covered market in the world. The many items piled high in the narrow labyrinths will arouse your senses. Perhaps you would like to mellow over a glass of sweet cay and find that special souvenir ‘bargain’.  We will have lunch in the Grand Bazaar and then visit the Egyptian Spice Bazaar.  When you are "all shopped out" we will relax on our drive to the Canakkale region, south to the ancient site of Troy, where you can see the celebrated Trojan Horse..  We will check into our hotel and then go for seafood dinner in Assos, a small fishing village with tiny fishing cottages wrapped around the harbour.
Tues., 4 th day
After a delightful Turkish first meal of the day - so healthy with salad, fruits and cheeses - Later, we will drive towards Izmir (or ancient Smyrna, dating back to 3000 BC, the name associated with a beautiful Amazon Queen who had her stronghold on Mount Pagos). On the way, we will stop at The Olive Oil Museum, Kucukkuyu. Here you will savour the taste of freshly pressed olive oil with bread and learn how this precious food is produced. Then we visit Sirince, an idyllic village dating to 5000 A.D. where Greek villagers settled. In a restaurant beside olive trees, we will serve a traditional lunch and sample some locally produced wine.   After a satisfying lunch, we check into our restored boutique Sirince hotel with its magical setting. Later you can stroll in lemon groves and peach orchards and visit vineyards in the green lush countryside. Meet us back at the hotel for a mouthwatering dinner. The evening is free for you to relax.
Wed., 5 th day
;After breakfast, we take you towards Selcuk to tour Ephesus - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Here you can see the famous Library of Celsus and the Temple of Artemis and walk where Roman legions marched centuries ago. We will visit St John Church in Selcuk. Ephesus is the largest and best-preserved ancient city in the Mediterranean.  You will marvel at the ancient ruins.  After a pleasant lunch in the countryside, we will drive to Pamukkale for our overnight stay in a thermal spa hotel.  Driving there gives us an opportunity to see the famous white travertine springs of Pamukkale - one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.   After check-in, a multi course dinner is served and then the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the comforts of this hotel.  Included with your room is the use of the thermal spa water swimming pool.   Both Ephesus and Pamukkale are mentioned in Patricia Schultz’s book “1000 places to visit before you die.”
Thurs., 6 th day
After breakfast, we will check out and visit the travertine springs of Pamukkale.  We will then drive to the town of Denizli, where we will eat an authentic Turkish lunch in a quaint little restaurant.  After lunch, we will drive to the mediterranean town of Fethiye, on the “Turquoise Coast”, so called because of the beautiful colour of the sea.  We will check into our boutique hotel and then walk into town where you can enjoy a cup of Turkish cay in a local tea garden and then stroll through the old lanes of Paspatur, with its old mosque, shops and cafes, and shopping opportunities.  We will have dinner at the famous fish market, where you select your fish, fresh off the quay, and take it to one of the surrounding restaurants where it will be grilled for you.
Fri.,7 th day
After breakfast, we will visit Kayakoy.  Greek inhabitants occupied this deserted village during the 1923 population exchanges.  You can feel the eerie atmosphere as you walk among the deserted old stone cottages and see the ancient Panayia basilica dating from 1888 with its floor mosaic and a grisly charnel house in its grounds.  Abundant, wild oregano fills the air with a sweet scent.  We will have lunch at the Kayakoy Wine House where you can sample some more wonderful Turkish cuisine and wine.  After lunch, we will take a short drive to Olu Deniz, the beautiful resort, referred to locally as Dead Sea, because of its blue lagoon.  It is here where you will be able to relax on the beach or explore the little village.  We will then take a short drive to a local Hamam for a relaxing Turkish Bath before returning to our hotel to freshen up for dinner.  Dinner will be served in a kebap restaurant favoured by the locals.   (if you like we can drive to saklikent gorge and have lunch there after we can visit the kayakoy )
Sat.,8 th day
After breakfast, we drive to Fethiye Marina to embark on our gulet cruise to Olympos. This is an excellent opportunity to sunbathe, relax and take a swim. We can try fishing from the boat using a simple hand reel and line. A delicious lunch will be served. This is your chance to see the beautiful islands and inlets, dotted around the Turquoise Coast. Dinner is served on board in the evening beneath the stars. (we can add cooking here on the boat)
Sun., 9 th day On gulet
After a hearty breakfast, we sail southeast to the pretty town of Kas with its souvenirs and craft shops nestled in narrow, cobbled lanes and remaining ancient Lycian tombs. We then sail to Kekova Island - the historical sunken city; a lovely area littered with many Lycian settlements submerged under translucent, shallow waters and an excellent location to take photographs. You can swim or snorkel off the boat in lovely turquoise, clear waters.  After lunch you may go back on land and visit Siena. Climb up to its castle fortress or just browse the tiny village with its bazaar wares. In the evening, we will eat dinner (BBQ) on board.
Mon.,10 th day
We disembark at Demre port and visit the Church of St Nicholas, famed for the Bishop of Myra, born in Patara and known as our present day Santa Claus. Then we take a short visit to Myra where you can wander among the wonderful remains of a Greco-Roman style theatre and view the impressive nearby Lycian rock tombs. We then drive to the ancient city of Olympos. Check into our boutique hotel in this ancient city which first sprung up here in 2000 B.C and is now christened the and Mountains of the Gods.  Afterwards we drive north to Cirali to see the eternal burning flame of Chimeara.   You will witness panoramic views from the mountain as the sun sets.  Dinner will be served in a local restaurant near our hotel.
Tues.,11 th day
After breakfast we drive to Cappadocia via Antalya . We stop here for Turkish lunch. Then onto Konya - we visit the famous Konya Mevlana Musezi, a wonderful cultural centre housed in the first former Mevlana tekke (lodge). The Mevlevi sect are known for their whirling dances, where they reach a meditative state to become closer to God and his Prophet. Then we drive onto the Sultanhani Kervansaray for a cultural and historical performance. The Kervansaray , built in 12th C entury is situated on the old Silk Road , in the Selcuk architectur al style with stone from this period. After our Tour we drive to Cappadocia (meaning the Land of Well-Bred Horses from Hittite language). In Cappadocia you can see surreal landscapes of volcanic ash formed 3 million years ago, spectacular red rock cones, troglodyte churches and cave dwellings dating from 4000 BC.  In this fascinating landscape w e check into our luxury Boutique House for the evening and enjoy a relaxing local style dinner.
Wed.,12 th day
An early dawn start as we take a balloon flight over Cappadocia valley. See the magical rock formations from above in the early light and indulge in a glass of champagne after your flight.  After breakfast at our hotel, we will walk in Imagination Valley (walking shoes needed!) and we will then drive to the open-air museum at Goreme, where you will see the famous rock formations. After, we will visit Avanos, a region famous for pottery because of the rich, red clay found here. Lunch will be served in a Cave restaurant and you will taste traditional, delicious stew cooked in the oven (tas) inside a sealed clay pot.  After lunch, we have the opportunity to see some of the wonderful pottery produced in this area. Later we drive to Urgup, where will see the famous Fairy Chimneys. There we visit a traditional winery for a wine production demonstration with the opportunity to taste the locally produced wine. We will then return to our hotel to freshen up before going to a local restaurant for dinner.
Thurs.,13 th day

We drive to Derinkuyu, an underground city to see further cave dwellings, before driving on to Uchisar and enjoying lunch and a look at the castle. Then we move on to Pigeon Valley and Red Valley to see the troglodyte dwellings and rock formations. In the evening, we will enjoy a tasty, traditional Anatolian style meal in an Avanos restaurant. We will see a spectacular performance of whirling dervishes or 'Sufi' dancers. You will hear soothing, mystical music and will be mesmerized by the panorama of the whirling silhouettes… just the thing to relax and fill you with ethereal feelings before retiring for the night. 

 
Fri.,14 th day
After breakfast, we will drive to Kayseri to catch our flight to Istanbul.

On arrival, we will check into our boutique hotel in Istanbul and take some time to recharge.  Tonight we will enjoy our farewell dinner together as well as a moonlit boat cruise along the wonderful Bosphorus, the strait where Europe meets Asian shores. Istanbul’s skyline will leave Admire Istanbul's skyline in the evening light.
Sat.,15 th dayAfter a traditional kahvalti (Turkish breakfast) our tour ends and we transfer you, our friends, back to Istanbul airport for your homeward flight.  .

Important note:  Every effort will be made to adhere to this program.  However, Tribe Travel Tours reserves the right to make changes or substitutions to the program due to circumstances beyond its control.

 

Untitled Document