Istanbul - Cappadocia - Zeugma Commagene - Mount Nemrut - Midyat - Dara Ancient City - Mor Hananyo & Mor Gabriel Monasteries - Mardin - Gobekli Tepe - Karahantepe - Gaziantep - Antioch - Pamphylia - Lycia - Rhodes
Itinerary
- Day 1; 10 June
- Flight to Istanbul airport and transfer to hotel. Stay for 3 nights in a boutique hotel in Sultanahmet district on BB (bed & breakfast) basis.
- Day 2; 11 June
- First of two days to explore this vibrant metropolis at your own pace. Visit Underground cistern, Topkapi Palace, Saint Sophie, Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the spice market.
- Day 3; 12 June
- Continue your exploration of Istanbul, or join a leisurely Bosphorus sightseeing cruise.
- Day 4; 13 June
- Early departure flight to Nevsehir, where you will be met by your guide. Visit open air museum at Goreme. Stay for 2 nights in a 4/5 star cave hotel on BB basis
- Day 5; 14 June
- Optional hot-air balloon ride in the early morning for a bird's-eye view of Cappadocia's unique landscapes.
Visit Underground City, pottery at Avanos, the Valley of Love and other sites in Cappadocia. - Day 6; 15 June
- Drive via Adiyaman to Arsameia, a royal seat of the Kingdom of Commagene. Continue to Mount Nemrut and visit the top in the evening to catch the sunset. Overnight stay in Kahta in the foothills of Mount Nemrut on BB basis.
- Day 7; 16 June
- Drive to Midyat, the centre of a centuries-old Hurrian town in Upper Mesopotamia. Overnight stay on BB basis.
- Day 8; 17 June
- Drive via the antique east Roman city of Dara, situated on in Northern Mesopotamia on the border with the Sassanid Empire, to Mor Hananyo Assyrian Monastery, also known as Deyrulzafaran (the 'Saffron Monastery') on account of the golden colour of its stone. Overnight stay in Mardin on BB basis.
- Day 9; 18 June
- Drive to Karahantepe and Gobekli Tepe, "the cradle of civilization". Dating back to the 10th millennium BC, this temple is considered to be the world's oldest ritual structure, predating Stonehenge and the pyramids by more than six millennia. Visit Balikligol (the Pool of Abraham) and the museum in Sanliurfa before proceding to Gaziantep, where we overnight on BB basis.
- Day 10; 19 June
- We visit Zeugma mosaic museum and the castle of Gaziantep. Overnight stay in Gaziantep on BB basis.
- Day 11; 20 June
- Drive to Antioch, Antakya, visit mountain-side cave church of St Peters from the early Christian period, the biggest one-piece mosaic and the bazaar. Overnight stay in Antakya on BB basis.
- Day 12; 21 June
- Drive via Tarsus (the birthplace of St Paul) and Kiz Kalesi (Maiden Castle) to Anamur. Overnight stay in Anamur on BB basis.
- Day 13; 22 June
- Drive to Faralya visiting the coastal archaeological site of Anamurium on route. Stay the remaining 7 nights at Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotels on HB basis (breakfast & 5-course dinner).
- Day 14; 23 June
- A well-deserved day at leisure to relax by the pool or in your private Jacuzzi at Mandarin & Mango.
- Day 15; 24 June
- Another relaxing day, with an optional boat trip in the Bay of Gemile around St Nicholas Island. Swim, snorkel and enjoy a BBQ lunch on the boat.
- Day 16; 25 June
- Visit the ghost village of Kaya, old Greek village called Levissi, known as Karmylassos during Lycian time, then drive to Lycian ruins of Tlos, Xanthos, and the gorge of Saklikent.
- Day 17; 26 June
- Day at leisure, to enjoy hiking in the countryside around Faralya, try paragliding or diving, or just laze by the pool.
- Day 18; 27 June
- Day at leisure, with optional visit to the nearby town of Fethiye for Market Day. Shop till you drop, or enjoy a drink by the picturesque harbour.
- Day 19; 28 June
- Day trip from Fethiye harbour to the Greek island of Rhodes by ferry/hydrofoil. Visit the medieval Crusaders' castle.
- Day 20; 29 June
- >Depart from Dalaman airport via Istanbul for your homeward journey.
Price includes:
- Scheduled flights from Heathrow or Gatwick to Istanbul and return from Dalaman via Istanbul. Regional departures on request and at a supplement.
- 19 nights' accommodation in 4/5 star or boutique hotels
- Daily Breakfast
- 8 dinners, 7 of which are 5-course dinners, and 1 buffet-style.
- Ground transportation with driver & interpreter in an air-conditioned mini or midibus/bus
- Tours in Cappadocia, Mount Nemrut, Dara Antique City, Mor Hananyo, Mor Gabriel, Gobeklitepe, Karahantepe, Zeugma, Tlos, Kayakoy, Saklikent, Rhodes.
- Transfer to Fethiye harbour & back to hotel, hydrofoil/ferry ticket to Rhodes
- leisure time for shopping & exploring
- 5 o'clock tea & cakes while at the Mandarin & Mango
Not included:
- Balloon ride at Cappadocia (pre-booking essential as it gets very busy)
- Day Boat trip in Gemile Bay & Saint Nicholas island.
- Any tips to guide/interpreter, driver, baggage handlers, housekeepers
- Entrance fees to archaeological sites.
- Lunches where not mentioned
- Drinks during lunch and dinner
To book, please call us on 020 8847 8700 or contact us by email.