With its magnificent past, Turkey is a land rich in remarkable treasures . . . the remnants of 13 successive civilizations spanning 10,000 years. Having been embraced by three mighty empires, its fascinating culture – past and present – is reflected in a wealth of museums, religious monuments and archaeological sites that are covered in our tour.
Turkey is also a paradise of sun, sea, and mountains. Our visit in October is timed to take advantage of the ideal climate. The itinerary is comprehensive and you are sure to experience a memorable visit to this extraordinary place, where the art of warm hospitality from its people has been a cultural tradition for centuries.
*Delta Flight Schedule from New York JFK to Istanbul IST:
Please note that flight schedules are subject to change. * Denotes next day arrival.
DL 1630 OCT 14 JFK/IST 4:30 PM 9:55 AM+1
DL 073 OCT 28 IST/JFK 11:30 PM 4:50 PM
Other Flights and Gateways Available
We have other options to offer you on Delta, with fabulous rates for add-on flights from other cities. Call us!
Exclusively for Women
- Round-trip regularly scheduled air transportation on Delta Airlines from JFK to Istanbul. Fuel surcharges included (valid at time of printing).
- All Airport/Hotel ground transfers in Istanbul based on the group air schedule.
- Hotel accommodations for 13 nights, all at 4- and 5-star hotels, including taxes and service charges.
- Private transportation on all tours in air-conditioned vehicles.
- Meals at the Hotels to include 13 buffet breakfasts and 10 dinners, 1 additional dinner at a local restaurant in Cappadocia.
- A rich schedule of half-day and full-day sightseeing tours in 8 cities as listed with entrance fees included.
- Professional English-speaking local tour escort throughout the program.
Not Included:
- Airport transportation outside of our main group transfer each way. If you do your own air to Istanbul, your transfer is included if your times coincide with the group’s. For everyone else, we will match you up with others, if possible, so that you can share expenses.
- Other meals – 13 lunches, and 2 dinners in Istanbul – plus cocktails (refer to the codes B, L, D in the itinerary to see what’s included).
- Personal incidentals.
- Optional activities not included in the itinerary.
- Tips to the bus drivers and tour guides.
- Turkish Visa, available upon arrival in Istanbul ($45)
- U.S. Airport taxes, government fees and September 11th security fee
Turkey Entry Requirements:
*** Valid Passport and Turkish Visa required. U.S. citizens do not need Inoculations***
You must present a valid passport that will not expire for at least 6 months after arrival, plus a roundtrip airline ticket. Passports must be in good condition and not damaged in any way. Upon arrival at the Istanbul Airport, we will assist you in the simple administration of obtaining a Turkish Visa. Please have exact change for the $45 in U.S. currency. For citizens of other countries, please check your specific entry requirements.
Day 1 - Wednesday, October 14: Depart the U.S. on Overnight Flights to Istanbul
Day 2 – Thursday, October 15: Arrive Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey’s largest city! Istanbul is the only city in the world situated on two continents (Europe and Asia) and is the country’s cultural and financial center. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our personable and knowledgeable tour guide, who will escort the private group transfer to our hotel for the next two nights the 5-star Holiday Inn Istanbul. The afternoon is at leisure. Later, a welcome briefing will be held. We deliberately leave dinner this night as optional for those club members who are interested.
Day 3 – Friday, October 16: Istanbul
 We begin today with a full day tour of the Old City to include Topkapi Palace with entrance to the Harem; the former official Residence of the Ottoman Sultans, the Roman built Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, which gets it popular name from the mismatch of Iznik tiles covering its interior surfaces, St. Sophia, considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture, and the Grand Bazaar. We will offer an optional lunch at a restaurant serving excellent Ottoman cuisine! Tonight dinner is at leisure and your tour guide will have many suggestions for your free time and special interests. (B)
Day 4 – Saturday, October 17: Istanbul / Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Canakkale
 After breakfast, we depart for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, the site of the WWI landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, Lone Cemetery, Chunuk Bair and Gabatepe War Museum.
We will cross the Dardanelles, a long, narrow strait dividing the Balkans in Europe along the Gallipoli peninsula from Asia Minor. The strait has a long tragic role in history from the Trojan War to WWII. Later, we arrive at Canakkale and check-in at the 4-star Kolin Hotel. (B, D)
Day 5 – Sunday, October 18: Canakkale / Troy, Pergamum, Kusadasi
Today, we visit Troy, the legendary city and center of the Trojan War, famous for its  Wooden Horse. The archeological remains of Troy is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will also visit Pergamum, the ancient Greek city, which is steeped in history through biblical times. Later we continue on to Kusadasi for our next two nights at a 5-star hotel, most likely the Korumar, or possibly the 5-star Charisma. (B, D)
Day 6 – Monday, October 19: Kusadasi
 A tour Kusadasi begins with a visit to the famous ruins of Ephesus, an ancient Greek City, famed for its Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The city was once important center for a commerce and early Christianity. It contains the largest collection of Roman ruins east of the Mediterranean.
We will also visit St. Mary’s Cottage; believed to be the last residence of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The afternoon includes a visit to a regional carpet production center. (B, D)
Day 7 – Tuesday, October 20: Kusadasi / Pamukkale
Leaving Kusadasi, we will enjoy a scenic drive through fertile valleys to Pamukkale , meaning ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. The unusual natural and historic site boasts unbelievable terraced formations, and its water is famous for its benefits and curing properties.
Our visit includes Hierapolis, the ancient city built on top of Pamukkale, which served as a healing center. Here, Doctors used the hot, thermal springs as treatment for their patients. Bring a bathing suit as you will have the opportunity to enjoy the thermal pools at our hotel, the 4-star Colossae Hotel. (B, D)
Day 8 – Wednesday, October 21: Pamukkale, Perge, Antalya
This morning, we drive to Antalya and arrive in the mid-afternoon. Along the way we visit Perge, a large site of ancient ruins with an acropolis dating back to the Bronze Age. The remainder of the afternoon in Antalya is at leisure to sightsee on your own. As a thriving seaside resort, Antalya is a city that embraces the sun. You may wish to enjoy a swim in the pool of our hotel, the 5-star Dedeman Antalya. The city also offers many places of cultural and historic interest, not to mention the wonderful shopping. The most popular purchases all over Turkey are carpets and rugs, closely followed by various leather and suede goods, copper and bronze wares, 18- and 22-carat gold jewelry, silver jewelry, tiles, ceramics and pottery. (B, D)
Day 9 – Thursday, October 22: Antalya
Today is at leisure to enjoy the Mediterranean coast. Explore on your own or take a walking tour of Antalya’s Old Quarter, with its narrow, winding streets enclosed by ancient city walls. (B, D)
Day 10 – Friday October 23: Antalya / Konya
 After breakfast we depart on a scenic drive through the Taurus Mountain. En route, we visit the famous and best preserved theatre of Roman antiquity in Aspendos.
Later, we’ll make our way to visit Mevlana Mausoleum, erected in honor of the philosopher and mystic of Islam and founder of the Whirling Dervishes. The 13th century mausoleum, now a museum, continues to draw pilgrims from all parts of the Muslim and non-Muslim world. We will also visit the Karatay Koran School, with its display of colorful Turkish tiles. Our hotel for the night is the 4-star Ozkaymak. (B, D)
Day 11 – Saturday, October 24: Konya / Cappadocia
In the morning we depart for Cappadocia with a full day of attractions. We will stop along the Old Silk Route to visit the third largest caravansary or caravan palace.The 13th century Agzikarahan caravansary has weathered time to remain almost intact. Caravansaries were spaced out along the trade routes and served as military bases in wartime and as inns during peacetime. These fortresses provided protection to merchants traveling along trade routes.
 A visit to the land of Fairy Chimneys is fascinating as our tour guide shows us its surrealistic landscape that was formed by volcanic ash.
Next we will visit the famous underground city of Kaymakli, one of the largest such settlements in the region, which could have once accommodated about 5,000 residents. Please note that some sections are narrow and have low ceilings.  Anyone with severe claustrophobia should consider sitting out this part of the tour.
In Cappadocia, we check into the 5-star Dedeman Cappadocia Hotel for the next two nights. After some rest and relaxation, we will have dinner in a wonderful local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 12 – Sunday, October 25: Cappadocia
We start this day with a visit to Goreme and Avanos, famed for pottery factories, and on to Pasabagi formerly known as Monk’s Valley, followed by the Red Valley. Our tour will include a short regional pottery workshop in a cave. (B, D)
Day 13 – Monday, October 26: Cappadocia / Ankara
This morning we depart for Ankara, the capital of Turkey. In the afternoon we will tour the Ataturk Mausoleum, the memorial tomb of the first president of Turkey. A famous leader who lived from 1881 – 1938, he was beloved for bringing democracy to the country. Also planned for today is a visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, one of the richest museums in the world, with exhibits dating back to the Paleolithic Age. Tonight, we stay at the 5-star Dedeman Hotel Ankara. (B, D)
Day 14 – Tuesday, October 27: Istanbul
After breakfast, we return to Istanbul and check back into the 5-star Holiday Inn Istanbul. Your final day in Turkey is yours to enjoy. Tonight, we will host a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 15, Wednesday, October 28: Istanbul / Departure
In the morning we will have a group transfer to the airport and will assist you in checking into your return flights home. Be sure to leave room in your luggage for souvenirs! (B)
Note: When visiting mosques, women must cover their hair with a scarf as a sign of respect for those praying.
For additional information visit: Go Turkey
Tourism Turkey
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