Ottoman Highlights with Rhodes Tour

Upon your arrival, be met by a representative for transfer to the luxurious Avantgarde Levent Hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided tour to Topkapi Palace , St. Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. The day ends wıth an overnight stay in Avantgarde Levent in Istanbul. (B)

After breakfast, depart for Ankara to visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk and its Museum. This is the burial place of the national hero who founded the modern Republic of Turkey. Afterwards depart for Cappadocia. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake arrive in Cappadocia for an overnight stay at the Yusufyigitoglu Hotel. (B, D)

Optional: Early morning Balloon Tour over Cappadocia. Afterwards enjoy a full day excursion through Cappadocia including visits to the Kaymakli Underground City, Open Air Museum in Goreme and natural fortress in Uchisar. Stop for lunch in a Cave Restaurant to taste the famous pottery kebabs. Discover and understand the rich history behind local handicrafts like hand-made carpets, Turkish tiles, onyx and potteries. Optional evening Turkish show with dinner available. Overnight Yusufyigitoglu Hotel. (B, L)

Early departure for Pamukkale. visit the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai before arrival in Konya. After visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana, continue to Pamukkale for an overnight at Adem Pira Hotel. (B, D)

In the early morning transfer to Fethiye for its natural harbor, blue water and numerous rock tombs including the 4th-century B.C. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at Alesta Yacht (B, D)

After breakfast transfer to Fethiye Harbour to board a local motor boat. Enjoy the spectacular blue waters, sail pass by various islands on this trip, some that can only be seen from the boat. Our captain will stop on a few of them so there will be time for swim and lunch break. After the day on the water transfer back to hotel. (B, L, D)

Day at leisure. Visit the famous beach at Oludeniz which is sheltered by a lagoon, and Butterfly Valley is a designated nature reserve or relax by the hotel pool. (B, D)

After breakfast, disembark boat and transfer to Marmaris port for embarkation on ferry to Rhodes. Upon arrival transfer to hotel in Rhodes (B)

Day at leisure. Explore town on foot or book an optional local sightseeing tour. Start your tour with a drive to Mount Smith, once the Acropolis of Ancient Rhodes. From the tumbled massive pillars of the Temple of Athena, the view encompasses the Temple of Apollo, the Stadium of Diagoras and the port. Entering the fortified city through the Amboise Gate, you shall continue your tour on foot, following your guide through the narrow, cobblestone streets. The most imposing building of medieval Rhodes, the Palace of the Grand Masters dominates the end of the street of the Knights. Built in the 14th Century, it astonishes you with its unique architecture and an unrivalled patina of time. Walking down the street of the Knights and passing through numerous, colourful shops, one can admire the 15th Century Hospital of the Knights, which now houses the Archeological Museum. (B)

Today we recommend optional tour to Symi island. At around 09:00 in the morning, the boat sets sail from Mandraki harbour to the beautiful island of Symi. After a relaxing cruise near the Greek and Turkish coastline we reach our first stop being the tiny cove of Panormitis, on the island of Symi. Here you can visit the very famous monastery of St Michael before sailing to the main harbour of Symi. Upon arrival, you will have time at leisure to explore the quaint shops in search for natural sea sponges and cooking spices or have lunch in one of the local taverns overlooking the harbour before returning back to Rhodes. The return to Mandraki harbour will be at approximately 17:30. Symi is one of the most picturesque and unspoilt of the Dodecanese Islands. (B)

Transfer to Rhodes port for ferry to Marmaris. On arrival transfer to Pamukkale for dinner at Adem Pira Hotel and use the hotel’s thermal pools. (B, D)

After breakfast, visit the ancient Hierapolis with the magnificent Necropolis, graveyard and the lime cascade. Afterwards continue the drive to Selcuk to visit Temple of Artemis ‘one of the seven wonders of the ancient world’ then continue to Izmir for overnight stay at Kaya Thermal Hotel. (B, D)

Morning short drive to Ancient city of Ephesus to visit its magnificent library, theatre and temples. Enjoy lunch in nomadic tent in Selcuk to taste Turkish Gozleme. Then, continue to the marvelolus village of Sirinice to experience one of the most beautiful villages in Turkey. Do some shopping or taste the delicious wines of the village. Return hotel for overnight. (B, L, D)

Early departure for Pergamum to visit the Asklepion with its well preserved remains before continuing to the site where the legendary Trojan War took place. Continue to Canakkale for an overnight stay at Kolin Hotel. (B, D)

After breakfast, cross the Dardanelles then continue to Gallipoli to visit Anzac Cove, Nek, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine and 57th regiment memorial. Continue to Istanbul for an overnight stay at Kent Hotel. (B)

After breakfast transfer to Ataturk airport at 9am or 13:00. (B)