Turkey is a land of immense cultural diversity and artistic importance. Here, you will discover art, architecture and crafts that date back 10,000 years. In ancient times, Turkey was a crossroads for many civilizations. Today, it is a showcase of world history.
Discover the culture and  history of Turkey
Visit workshops of Anatolian craftsmen

The nature in Anatolia has granted the people a gift of beauty in everything that surrounds them. The Anatolians did not take the heart warming splendors for granted. They absorbed the colors of the wild flowers and imitated them in their OYA, the crochet work that framed their head covers. The roots of the plants, the minerals, the insects supplied the dyes and the sheep gave the wool for the carpets and the kilims. The creative women of Anatolia added their patience to the looms and the stories woven in the carpets and kilims became the main of records of their ethnic and cultural identities. The dew shining on a clove leaf became an inspiration for the jewelry makers. On this tour we will see the "creators" of Anatolia and what inspired them
 

Tour Dates

For 18 - 21 persons in a group US$3,200.00 per person.
See below for details.
Reserve seats on any tour without obligation.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Istanbul
The tour starts with a short orientation meeting at 5 PM in the lobby of Hotel Ayasofya
After visiting the Blue Mosque dinner will be at a nearby resturant
Overnight at Hotel Ayasofya, an old Ottoman house recently renovated to an excellent condition located within walking distance to all the must-see places in Istanbul.

Day 2  - Istanbul
In the morning, visit the Byzantine Cistern, and the Turkish Islamic Art Museum. The art style of the muslim culture displayed in this museum will be a nice introduction to what will be experienced in the workshops of the artists and the craftsmen later on the tour. After lunch visit St Sophia, the grandest standing monument from 1500 years before our time and the first grand palace of the Ottomans. The Topkapi Palace will be the last site to visit on this day.
Dinner will be served at a very colorful quarter of Istanbul where the ambiance is just as memorable as the food we will be served in this fish restaurant .
Overnight at Hotel Ayasofya

Day 3  - Istanbul
Drive to Sadberk Hanim Museum, the first private museum in Turkey with a superior collection of ethnographic and archaeological artifacts. After the museum, drive to Besiktas and take a short boat ride to Uskudat on the Asian side of Istanbul to visit a batique artist at her house-workshop. Bedia Hanim is a world famous artist of calligraphy who combines the intricate work of batique and "hat" in a philosophic manner on textile. (Sounds complicated but that is the beauty of her unique work.)
The rest of the afternoon will be spent at the work shop of the Jewelry artist Pinar Ivedi

Dinner will be served at Turkistan Restaurant near the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Ayasofya.

Day 4  - Istanbul
Visit the Covered Bazaar (GRAND BAZAAR).
Visit Chora Church /Mosque to see the Byzantine mosaics from the 11th-12th century. This site has the most exquisite mosaics and frescoes of its era describing the theology of the orthodox world.
After lunch (on your own) spend some time at the 19th century quarter of Istanbul and enjoy coffee at Pera Palas Hotel which was the terminating point of the famous Orient Express. Agatha Christie wrote her book " Murder On The Orient Express" in of the rooms of this hotel.
Visit the Spice Market where the precious goods of the Silk Road found clients from the other of the Old world, Europe. Cruise on the Bosphorus by our private boat
Dinner on the Asian side of Istanbul .
Leave for Ankara on the overnight train. The night train cars have been recently renewed. Passengers will have their luggage with them in their two person compartment. There are showers (one shower for 10 compartments) and breakfast is served in the elegance of the "Orient Express" the train leaves at 10.30 pm and arrives in Ankara the next day at 07.30 am

Day 5 - Ankara & Cappadocia
Breakfast on the train. In Ankara, visit the most beautiful museum of Turkey, the Anatolian Civilization Museum. The 15th century building houses the museum which was given the "Best Museum Of Europe Award." It contains the displays of 23 civilizations of Anatolia going back 2,300,000 years before our time. After lunch visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of the Turks.
4.5 hrs bus ride to Cappadocia.
Dinner & Overnight at Museum Hotel

Day 6 - Cappadocia
In Cappadocia the Creator and man competed in creating the most unusual and the most beautiful. Enjoy the moon-like terrain of Cappadocia with endless forms of work of art. The colors of the frescoes of the twelve hundred year old churches are just as fresh as the colors of the carpets woven in the region. The rock formations are just as striking as the local pottery made of the clay obtained from the old river beds. In the morning easy hike to Zelve to see the 10-11th century churches, monasteries and houses carved in the rocks. Visit villagers at their rock dwellings. Visit the astonishing GOREME monastary to see how each monk had interpreted in their wall paintings the history of Christianity St Paul had visited the region, Ceaseria, to pass the word of God in his 1st Missionary Journey. As one visits the colorful "churches" of Cappadocia, he/she will have no doubt in his/her mind that what is surrounding you in forms of thrilling art form buried in nature, is the ideas and teachings of St. Paul that had sproughted into the life style of the Cappadocians for two thousand years. Visit the carpet cooperative to learn more about the Turkish Carpets which are inseperable part of the Turkish life.
Dinner and overnight at Green Motel

Day 7  - Nigde, Mersin, Tasucu
Leave Cappadocia at 07.30 Drive over the beatiful Toros mountains The grandeur of the mountans explains why they are called ''toro'' the bull traditional symbol of power. Visit the underground city in Kaymakli. The giant ant hole like underground refuge of the Christians explains clearly how difficult it must have been to be a Christian hiding away from the 2nd Century Roman Persecution. The road will take you through the Cillician Gates mentioned in the Bible into TARSUS, the city where St Paul was born. The strategic location of the city caught between the Toros Mountains and the Mediterranean stands as a living witness to the number of civilizations trespassed through this rich town. Alexander the Great, the Persians and the Romans all left their marks in the city and the vicinity of the town. But certainly the most important memory of the city lies in the fact that Saul or St Paul was born in Tarsus. Visit the Pompei of Anatolia, Pompeipolis. In this city, the remains of the older Soloi superimposed with the impressive Roman aquaducts, baths and temples will make it easy to picture what the cities were like at the time of St. Paul.
Overnight at Tasucu.

Day 8 - Alanya
Drive along the Mediterranean. Visit Anemurium Castle which was built in the 3rd Century AD. This fortress which is in a remarkable good condition, stands as a monument to the conflict between the fierce pirates of the Eastern Mediterranean and the endless resistance of the land people who wanted to protect the riches of their lands from the invaders from the sea. Today will be the longest bus ride. But driving through banana orchards and the white sand beaches along the Mediterranean might make this 6 hour drive tolerable.
Overnight at Alanya

Day 9 - Antalya
Today we will have a later departure. This will give enough time, either to swim or to go to the castle and take pictures. On the way to Antalya. visit the ancient city of Side, one of the most important cities of Pamphylia region with its amphitheater, the stadium, the temple of Apollo and the agora. Continue driving to visit the best preserved theater of the ancient world - Aspendos. Visiting the ancient site of Perge, where St. Paul preached during his 2nd missionary journey. We will try to picture how Paul and Barnabas were thought to be the God and the messenger of God!!

To give the tour members a break from the group feeling tonight's dinner is NOT included in the price of the tour.

On Day 9 and 10 the group will split in half and experience the Turkish bath which is a unique experience of Turkish traditions.

Overnight at Antalya. At this beautiful Meditteranean city we will stay at a 200 year old renevated house, Atelya Pansion.

Day 10 - Antalya (Boat)
Today will be a vacation in a vacation. We will sail and enjoy swimming in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. The delicious lunch served on board will add to the relaxation of the day. The joy of the evening will be the experience in the Turkish Bath.
Dinner tonight is NOT included in the price of the tour.
Overnight at Atelye Pansion

Day 11 - Pamukkale
Drive to Pamukkale, the most unusual natural phenomena of Turkey. Visit nomads en route. Visit the ancient site of Hierrapolis and swim in the natural pool which was a Roman spa. Enjoy feeling the roman ruins under your feet while soaking in the bubbling waters of the pool giving you a feeling of being in a champagne bottle.
Overnight at Pamukkale, Yoruk Motel

Day 12 - Didyma, Miletos, Kusadasi
Drive to Selcuk. Along the way visit the ancient sites of Didyma and Miletos. Didyma is an oracle center dedicated to Apollo. It was the 3rd largest temple of its time. This 3rd Century BC monument is the best standing building of its age. Miletos as mentioned in Acts 20 is where St. Paul left his homeland Anatolia in his sail boat Teckla. St. Paul had taught the elders of Ephesus one of the best teachings of Christ "Giving is more blessed than taking."
Tonight Kusadasi offers a great variety of restaurants so we will not include dinner in the tour. Dinner will be on your own.
Overnight at Kusadasi

Day 13 - Ephesus
Visit the ancient site of Ephesus, the Ephesus Museum and the house of the Virgin Mother. Ephesus is the largest Roman excavation in Turkey. The grand avenues and intact social buildings help one build the city in their imagination with not too much of an effort. When one walks in the theater which had a seating capacity of 24,000 people, the sounds of the mad Ephesians led by Demitrius, the silversmith, can almost be heard. According to Acts 19 St Paul, who visited Ephesus twice, was never given an opportunity to speak in this theater when the Ephesians were reminded that St Paul and his teachings were a threat to the way they made their living. So Paul wrote everything he had to say to the Ephesians in his letters. Thus Ephesus is mentioned not only in Acts but there is a whole big chapter in the Bible named after the ''Epistle of Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.''
Overnight at Kusadasi

Day 14 -Kusadasi
Tour is over after breakfast
 

Tour Price

For 18 - 21 persons in a group US$2,600.00 per person

Tour price includes:

• Excellent English Speaking Guide
• 13 nights hotel, double occupancy
• Transportation Train/Bus/2 boats (Istanbul and Antalya)
• Transfers from the airport in Istanbul to the hotel and from the hotel in Kusadasi to the Izmir airport at the end of the trip.
• All the meals (except 1 Lunch in Istanbul 2 Dinners in Antalya and 1 Dinner in Kusadasi)
• All entrance fees to museums and ancient sites
• Tips at the hotels and the restaurants
• Turkish Bath in Antalya

Not included in the price:

• Flights to and from Turkey
• Tip for the driver
• Tip for the guide
• Beverages and drinks
• Cancellation insurance

Arrival Suggestions:
     VISA
US citizens need a visa to travel in Turkey. You may obtain this visa upon your arrival at the Istanbul airport. The fee is $ 20 in US currency for the USA citizens. The visa is valid for three months.
When you come out of your plane please proceed to the Visa  Booth. They only accept cash.
    POLICE CHECK AND LUGGAGE /
    MEETING MELITOUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR TRANSFER
After paying for your visa please proceed to police control. Baggage claim is immediately down the ramp after the police check. If you need a cart, you will need to pay one US dollar cash to a person who stands by the carts. It will be nice if you have a change. The Melitour representative for transfer to the hotel will meet you out side the custom area. Look for a MELITOUR sign as soon as you leave the customs gate.

  EMERGENCY INFO FOR TRANSFER
In case of unexpected delay or change of your  flight, should there be a problem in meeting the person who should be waiting for you at the airport please call Hotel Ayasofya at 0212-51694-46 or take a taxi to Hotel Ayasofya. Your taxi fare will be refunded.

Hotel Ayasofya
Kucuk Ayasofya Mahallesi
Demirci Resit Sokak
Sultan Ahmet Meydani Alti

PRE TOUR ARRANGEMENTS
If you plan to arrive a few days before the tour to get over jet lag we can reserve a room at Hotel Ayasofya (Single Room US$60, Double Room US$85 Tax Included)

We can suggest itineraries for those who want to explore on their own or with a guide before or after the tour. Simply send us an e-mail with your request.