​
The Richness of Turkey with Ertunga Ecir
Its people, history, culture, religious variety and natural beauty.
April 22nd - May 12th, 2025
Turkey has had the most profound affect on us of any place we have every visited. We have been trying to go back ever since our last visit in 2019 and decided the best way to get back there, was to put it into a tour. We can guarantee that this will be one of the best adventures you have ever been on and that you will fall in love with Ertunga just as much as we have. His knowledge of Turkey is immeasurable, but it is the love for the places he takes us that really shines out. From the vast richness of the Hagia Sofia to the ancient cave dwellings, you will be inspired, awed and thrilled at every step. I must warn you that in Turkey I am known as the 'snow god' because it can snow in places it never does when I am there! It all adds to the adventure.
Price includes breakfast each morning and all meals as indicated in itinerary. 20 nights in 4 or 5 Star Turkish Tourist Board rated accommodations. We try to show you as many different kinds of accommodations as possible so you may stay in several types of accommodation all on the same visit! Guided minibus tour with luggage handling. All sightseeing including any entrance fees. Tour guide for all venues. All taxes and service charges.
​
$8995US per person. 1 Single available.
$1495 Single Supplement.
$500 per person deposit to reserve.
​
​
Day 1 - April 22nd - We will meet at our accommodation in Istanbul and then spend the full day touring Istanbul. Istanbul is one of the world's great cities. For millennia, it's been at the crossroads of civilizations, where Europe meets Asia. Few places on earth have seen more history than this sprawling metropolis on the Bosphorus. Over the centuries, Istanbul served as the capital of two grand empires: the Byzantine (as "Constantinople"), then of the conquering Ottomans.The places we will visit are St. Sophia (Hagia Sofia), Underground Byzantine Cistern (Yerebatan), the Hippodrome of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque (The Sultan Ahmed Mosque), We will also visit Topkapi Palace including the Harem section and Grand Bazaar. Mario and I fell in love with Istanbul. It is a vibrant city full of charming people and sights, sounds and smells that will stimulate your senses in every way. We were so surprised by the unbelievable amount of bakeries. Yes, we know some you must try! Tonight we gather together for a Welcoming Dinner and to discuss the upcoming adventure. Welcoming Dinner and Overnight Istanbul. (B,L,D)
​
Day 2 - April 23rd - We will have another full day in Istanbul with a first visit to the Old Spice Bazaar. I have wanted to go to the Spice Bazaar my whole life and it did not disappoint in any way. We actually loved it so much that we went back to it again! After our visit we will have a Bosphorus Cruise by Private Yacht to see the Anadolu Hisari, Rumeli Hisari (no interior visits to medieval fortresses), old mansions, waterfront wood houses, imperial palaces, hunting lodges, modern villas on both the European and Asians shores of the strait while cruising. Our boat cruise was an absolute highlight as it is impossible to get a visual of the city from on land. On the Bosphorus you get to easily see both the European and the Asian sides of the city. After our boat tour we will visit Suleymaniye Mosque and Taksim Square before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Istanbul. (B,L,D)
​
Day 3 - April 24th - First stop this morning is at TekirdaÄŸ to visit Barbare Vineyards for a vineyard tour followed by a Traditional Turkish meal paired with wines. I discovered Turkish wines a few years and knew immediately that I wanted to include a wine experience in this tour. We are very excited about this.. Then make our way to the Gallipoli Peninsula where we see Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), The Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial and visit the poignant Lone Pine Cemetery, the Dardanelles. We then take the ferry crossing from Eceabat across to Canakkale to get checked into our hotel before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Canakkale. (B,L,D)
​
Day 4 - April 25th - This morning we visit the ancient city of Troy, made famous in Homer’s epic poem; and see the replica of the wooden horse, On the day we were in Troy it was freezing cold. Even as cold as we were, we were in complete awe that we were standing in Troy! Troy, with its 4,000 years of history, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The first excavations at the site were undertaken by the famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in 1870. In scientific terms, its extensive remains are the most significant demonstration of the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world. We then make a short drive to Assos and visit the Temple of Athena located on the Acropolis. In ancient times, travelers who approached Assos from Lecton and Polimedion to the west or from the direction of Gargara and Antandros to the east saw the silhouette of a building, raising towards the blue sky, on a rocky hill behind which there was the sea. This was a Temple dedicated to the Goddess who protected the city. From here we take the coastal Aegean Sea route to Burhaniye with some coastal stops along the way. This coastline is spectacular and you will enjoy every moment of it. Dinner and Overnight Burhaniye. (B,L,D)
​
Day 5 - April 26th - This morning we depart from Burhaniye driving to Pergamon where we will see the Acropolis, Temple of Athena, Serapis Temple, Heroon, Sanctuary of Athena, Library of Pergamon, Temple of Trajan, Theatre, Zeus Altar and Red Court. Pergamon is the third of the ‘Seven Churches of Asia’. Our second stop today is Asclepion which was perhaps the world’s most famous ancient medical center, and is the second-most important site in Bergama. As the world's best and most versatile ancient hospital that served in the Hellenistic and Roman Empire periods, it has been a treatment center for patients from various parts of the world for 900 years. This was one of our favorite stops and we still cannot believe how many historic spots we are seeing and their significance. We then drive to Kusadası to get settled into our accommodation before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Kusadası. (B,L,D)
​
Day 6 - April 27th - This morning we make the very short drive to Ephesus. St. Paul visited Ephesus briefly during his second missionary journey and stayed there more than three years. Both Paul and Apostle John wrote letters to the Ephesians. We also visit Baths of Scholastica, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Theater, Temple of Artemis which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Our second stop will be the Basilica of St. John where you will see the burial place of St. John. Then we will visit the House of Mother Mary. No matter what you believe, the feeling of walking into this house is something you will never forget! We next visit the Carpet Cooparative and learn about Turkish Art along with having a local lunch. Yes, we did buy a Turkish Carpet and it is still one of my favorite holiday buys. After lunch we return to Kusadasi where you will have the evening free. Kusadasi is one of the most popular touristic cities in Turkey. It is home to turquoise beaches, the oldest historical places in the world, and very important religious sites. Overnight Kusadası. (B,L)
​
Day 7- April 28th - After breakfast this morning we will drive to Priene, an ancient city from the 4th century B. C. The temple of Athena, the theatre and the house of Alexander The Great are the highlights of this site. Although it doesn’t require a lot of walking, we don’t suggest this to our guests who have mobility problems because the city was founded on a steep hill. This again was one of my favorite stops. I am a huge fan of Alexander the Great and to sit in the house where he stayed will stay with me for the rest of my life! After Priene we will drive to Miletos, the city of philosophers; the Faustina Baths and the Theatre are the places not to be missed there. After about thirty minutes driving we will be in Didyma. For lunch you will have a chance to taste the local Daily Fish of the Aegean region. After lunch we will visit the Temple of Apollo in Didyma, the second biggest temple after the one in Delphi, and definitely one of the best preserved ancient Greek Temples. We then return to Kusadasi before dinner. Overnight Kusadası. (B,L,D)
​
Day 8 - April 29th - After breakfast we will drive to the ancient city of Nysa, an ancient city built on the slopes between the mountains. Nysa has magnificent ruins where nature and forest meet with marble and trees that dance with historical buildings. Nysa is the city of Dionysus who is the God of ancient times, wine, entertainment and decadence. The city is an attractive stop for visitors with its stadium, bridges, theater and other ruins built on arches and vaults. Then we continue driving to the ancient city of Aphrodisias. The most interesting points of Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, are a big stadium, odeon, monumental gateway and the Temple of Aphrodite. The stadium is probably one of the best preserved examples in the world. We then make our way to Pamukkale to get settled into our accommodation before dinner. Dinner and Overnight in Pamukkale. (B,L,D)
​
Day 9 - April 30th - After breakfast we will visit Pamukkale (Hierapolis), deriving from springs in a cliff almost 600 feet high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins. At the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis and the ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site. Mario and I really enjoyed our walk through this amazing landscape! We will also see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, Necropolis and Philip’s Tomb before a short drive to Laodicea. The final letter of the churches of ancient Asia Minor is to the church in the city of Laodicea. We visit the Christian Ruins as well as the Statue of Emperor Augustus, Aquaduct, Stadium and Ephesian Gate. We then settle in for the long drive to Fethiye where we find our accommodation and dinner waiting. Dinner and Overnight Fethiye. (B,L,D)
​
Day 10 - May 1st - As we are about half way through the tour you will have the full day in Fethiye to relax, regroup, unwind or just rest up for the second half of the tour. Fethiye is located at the junction of Aegean and Mediterranean seas. The ancient name of the city is Telmessos and you will see a fortress on the hill overlooking the city which was built by Knights of Rhodes Island. Fethiye is also known for its rock tombs carved into the faces of the high cliffs by the Lycians. There are numerous restaurants and it is a lovely place to walk in. Overnight Fethiye. (B)
​
Day 11 - May 2nd - We leave Fethiye behind this morning and visit the ancient city of Tlos to see the Lycian Tombs, the Gorge of Saklikent a spectacular place that is home the second largest gorge in Europe. Turkey is occasionally referred to as "the cradle of civilization", with historic and cultural ruins dating back thousands of years, and Ancient Tlos recorded history dates back to Lycian times (500 to 300 BC), and there is evidence that the area has been occupied since the Bronze Age (3300 to 1200 BC), and was continually inhabited until the 19th century. That's a history of nearly 5000 years! The name means hidden city. We next visit Xanthos, made up of two neighboring settlements located in the southwestern part of Anatolia is a remarkable archaeological complex. It represents the most unique extant architectural example of the ancient Lycian Civilization, which was one of the most important cultures of the Iron Age in Anatolia. Finally we visit Patara, another Lycian city close to Patara Beach, one of the longest beaches in Turkey. Patara was a province in the Lycian kingdom dedicated to Apollo and eventually became part of the Roman province in 43 by merging with Pamphylia. While Patara always struggled with dunes and other natural forces, such as earthquakes, it was a rich port city with one of the first lighthouses in the world at the time. So, people from other civilizations would first travel to Patara to trade and recognize the city for its guidance in the sea. After a full day of exploring this lovely area of Turkey we then make our way to Kalkan before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Kalkan. (B,L,D)
​
Day 12 - May 3rd - Today we drive along the Turquoise Coast and eventually we will reach Kekova. In this little fishing town we will have a 1 hour boat tour. Kekova is not only known for its gorgeous turquoise sea but also its ancient and mysterious sunken city. Every summer, visitors arrive to look out over the water to see the remains of a once flourishing city now completely underwater with only a few remnants on land to speak of its existence. I love being on the water no matter where I am and this excursion was wonderful in every way. Then we drive to Demre and visit the St Nicholas Church, a Byzantine church that was originally used as a house of worship for Orthodox Christians between the 5th and 12th centuries, and is most notable for being the church where Saint Nicholas of Myra was a consecrated bishop. Who exactly was St. Nicholas of Myra? He was an Eastern Orthodox bishop born in nearby Patara in the 4th century, but is more commonly known as Jolly Old St Nicholas. This day on the tour is one of my very favorite days. I am a huge believer in St Nicholas, so the sites we see today will be etched on my memory forever! It is believed that Saint Nicholas lived and died in Demre (Myra). We also visit the ancient city Myra. Then we have a very long drive to reach to Antalya. Dinner and Overnight in Antalya. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - May 4th - This morning we drive south of Antalya city to see Kaleici (old Antalya) where visit the Clock Tower, the Old Harbour, the Kesik Minare, and the Hadrianus Gate. Then we visit Antalya Archaeological Museum. The museum, which is considered one of the leading museums of not only Turkey, but also the world, is among the masterpieces of its kind. Undoubtedly the main source of this wealth is Antalya’s location which is one of the first places where human traces are seen in Anatolia, hosting the magnificent cities of Lycia, Roman and Byzantine civilizations and witnessing continuously the history of mankind. After lunch, a visit to the Kursunlu Waterfall to relax and behold God’s beautiful creation dating back to the Roman period. The waterfall is on one of the tributaries of the Aksu River, where the tributary drops from Antalya's plateau to the coastal plain. It is situated in the midst of a pine forest of exceptional beauty, and the environs provide a perfect pleasure spot. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (B,L,D)
​
Day 14 - May 5th - This morning we will visit the Greco-Roman city of Perge where Paul gave his first speech on Christianity in the area. Then we will see the world’s best preserved Greco-Roman Amphitheater at Aspendos. The theater was built during the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and thanks to inscriptions on its walls, we know exactly who designed it: Zenon, son of Theodorus. The inscriptions also tell us that the Greek architect, who was born in Aspendos, was funded by two rich brothers, A. Curtius Crispinus Arruntianus and A. Curtius Crispinus, who gifted the theater to the city.We will also visit Side to see the ancient Theatre, Great Gate and Temple of Apollo. We then drive back to Antalya where you will have the afternoon and evening free. Antalya is the most popular destination along the Turkish Mediterranean Coast. It is a sprawling modern city with a small, charming historic center that tells of its past as an ancient Greco Roman city. Overnight Antalya. (B,L)
​
Day 15 - May 6th - After breakfast, we will drive about 2 hrs to visit Sagalassos which is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Turkey. Although humans settled here back in 8000 BC, the city was deserted shortly after the 14th century and this ancient city laid undiscovered until 1985. Researchers uncovered complete buildings intact as well as many marble sculptures. This once-prosperous city was utterly untouched, mostly due to the high altitude and rugged terrain which kept looters away. It is believed that the reason for the location on the slope of the mountain was for defense reasons. Despite the high elevation, the city was plotted on the south side of the mountain to take advantage of the warm sunny days.On the day we were here it had just snowed. The aged white stone against the backdrop of fresh white snow gave the site a magical feel. And again, my fascination with Alexander the Great was played out against the ruins on the hillside. We will see a fountain from the Hellenistlic and Roman Period and visit the library. After our visit, we will proceed to Konya (Iconium) via Beysehir Lake. We will see the Mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi (the founder of whirling Dervishes) before we settle into our accommodation. Dinner and Overnight Konya. (B,L,D)
​
Day 16 - May 7th - We will have about an hours drive to visit Çatalhoyuk large Neolithic and Chalcolithic Proto-city settlement in southern Anatolia, which existed from approximately 7500 BC to 5700 BC, and flourished around 7000 BC. In July 2012, it has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The taller eastern mound contains eighteen levels of Neolithic occupation that includes wall paintings, reliefs, sculptures and other symbolic and artistic features that testify to the evolution of social organization and cultural practices as humans adapted to a sedentary life. Çatalhöyük provides important evidence of the transition from settled villages to urban agglomeration, which was maintained in the same location for over 2,000 years. It features a unique streetless settlement of houses clustered back to back with roof access into the buildings.Having seen so many stone monuments built all over the British Isles, this site was the precurser that I had no idea existed. We just stood their with our mouths hanging open taking it all in as best we could. Then we will have another long drive to Cappadoccia where we will visit Kaymaklı Underground City (one of the most interesting examples among 36 underground cities in the area), at Cappadocia. Dinner and Overnight Cappadocia. (B,L,D)
​
Day 17 - May 8th - This morning if the weather is good we will have an early morning Hot Air Balloon Flight. We then visit the Imaginary Valley (also known as Dervent valley), Monks valley, Zelve (amazing cave town which housed one of the largest communities in the region) you can visit Local Ceramic Workshops and the Goreme Open-Air Museum (ruins of churches carved into volcanic rock). We love Cappadocia and the surrounding area. Mario and I walked through this valley on our own and felt like we were discovering it for the very first time in history. It is magical, mystical and beautiful all at the same time. You will then have some free time in Cappadocia where you can find some dinner. As if plucked from a whimsical fairytale and set down upon the stark Anatolian plains, Cappadocia is a geological oddity of honeycombed hills and towering boulders of otherworldly beauty. Enjoy every moment of your time here! Overnight Cappadocia. (B,L)
​
Day 18 - May 9th - This morning we have another long drive to reach the Capital City of Hitits ‘Hattusas’, located in Türkiye’s Anatolian heartland province of Corum. The remnants of the Hittite Capital date back to the Bronze Age, around 2000 BC. The site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1986 as the Hittites were a remarkable civilization. The kingdom stretched from the Aegean across Anatolia, northern Syria and to the Euphrates river. We will visit the Lower and the Upper city, and then drive to Yazılıkaya, the largest known Hittite rock sanctuary. Yazilikaya means 'inscribed rock' it is an open air, natural rock shrine at a place where a spring of fresh water once flowed. There are two galleries: the larger one, to the left, was the Hittite empire's holiest religious sanctuary, and the narrower one to the right, has the best-preserved carvings. We then have another long drive to Ankara to get settled into our accommodation before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Ankara. (B,L,D)
Day 19 - May 10th - Today we have a full day tour in Ankara. We will visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilization, housed in an Ottoman structure that was originally a storage building that dates back to the time of Mehmed II the Conqueror. It was part of the complex surrounding Ankara Castle that occupies a very nice position on a wooded hill in the older part of the city. The museum has gone through a number of restorations dating as far back as 1938, with the present layout dating from 1968.The exhibits cover a vast array of prehistoric and historic eras and civilizations that once were dominant in large parts of Anatolia. The earliest date from the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age and date back over 11,000 years and then span a period of 9,000 years up to and including the Byzantine era. So without further adieu, let’s view some of the many highlights of the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. We will also visit
Ulus, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the Temple of Augustus, the Roman Bath, the Column of Julian and the Ankara Citadel. Dinner and Overnight Ankara. (B,L,D)
Day 20 - May 11th - This morning we will fly from Ankara to the Istanbul Airport to prepare for the journey home. We will gather this evening for our Farewell Dinner. (B,D)
​
Day 21 - May 12th - Fly out of Istanbul Airport for the journey home.
​
​
