This exotic old ancient country has so much to see and offer, where your dreams of new adventures become your reality! Whether you are a city person who has a heart for culture, a lover of history, or a foodie who wants to enjoy an endless indulgence of Turkish cuisine...join us! Explore Turkey’s expansive range of natural beauty with deserts, mountains, lakes, rivers, and hot springs... ending with a short luxurious sailboat cruise. Return home with Mediterranean sun-kissed skin from the warm sea and sandy beaches of South Turkey! This country will no doubt satisfy your wanderlust! So much ancient history to learn about and exquisite beauty to behold!

You are invited! Join us for this safe easy trip of a lifetime! 

Istanbul ~ Cappadocia ~ Southern Turkey

“You’ll often find yourself in a place that seems so unreal, you’ll wonder if you didn’t end up on another planet.

Mother Nature has treated Turkey well!”

~ Cynthia Bill (Journal of Nomads)

Itinerary:

Days 1-5: Istanbul

*Please arrive no later than Sept 21 to begin our adventure on the 22nd! You can depart late night on the 7th or morning of the 8th.

Visit the only city built on 2 continents - Europe and Asia- with it’s unique and mysterious atmosphere! Istanbul is one of the oldest classic historical cities and major capital in the history of Constantinople, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. It is the largest city and principal seaport in Turkey. We will visit the infamous Aya Sofia, a religious symbol of both Christianity and Islam and quite humbling for its size and beauty, see the Blue Mosque, tour the Ottoman Topkapi Palace, shop in the old Grand Bazaar, the oldest in Europe, walk across the infamous Galata Bridge and enjoy a relaxing massage and spa bath in a Turkish Hamam! We’ll have a scenic view of the city from the waters of the Bosphorus Strait by hoping on and off ferry boats as we travel to quaint local neighborhoods on both European and Anatolian of Istanbul. On our final day we ferry to the Prince Islands to relax on the beautiful Sea of Marmara.. Your opportunity to feast on the finest food the world, where east and west is blended beautifully to savor on the taste of these many delights of the Turkish cuisine and range of delicious baklavas!

Days 6-9 Cappadocia

One of the Wonders of the World and a must-see ‘gem’ of Turkey, this semi-arid desert region in central Turkey, is known for its distinctive “fairy top chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, Göreme and elsewhere. Other notables sites include Bronze Age homes carved into valley walls by troglodytes (cave dwellers) and later used as refuges by early Christians. We will see the hot air balloon festival (we will fly in one!), hiking around rock formations and desert valleys, exploring ancient underground cities and the Christians’ first rock face cathedrals, monasteries, and dwellings in hidden caves (1st century paintings of Christ) 

Days 10-16 ~ Southern Turkey (Daylan, Fethiye and Kas areas)

We begin with Dalyan, an unspoiled well preserved natural beauty of Turkey. Sandy beaches, blue lagoon, swim with turtles in crystal warm waters, explore lush green mountains, cruise the river while trying out the local delicatessen of famous blue crab, visit the kings tombs and ancient ruins of Kaunos, and relax at hot spring mud baths on a fresh lake, fed by tropical rivers of Dalyan. Next is Fethiye... to the Blue Lagoon, one of the most photographed beaches, where we will swim in turquoise clear waters, ride a cable car to enjoy magnificent views, watch paragliders (*option to ride along), and visit the ghost town of Kayakoy. Finishing our trip at the quaint seaside port town of Kas and embark on our ‘Blue Voyage’ gulet sailboat cruise on the Mediterranean sea for 3 days. Sail luxuriously, be pampered, relax in the sun, swim, dive, snorkel and paddle board in warm turquoise waters, see Kevoka sunken city, visit the old fishing village of Simena with its famous medieval castle on the hill top.