Suggested Itineraries

Turkey is a country of diverse scenery, climate, and historical monuments, so travelers are sometimes overwhelmed by the choice of places to visit. Therefore, some 15-day itineraries have been suggested below. For assistance in organizing your route, consult any Turkish Tourist Information Office or private travel agency organizing package tours in Turkey.

Istanbul is the obvious place to start and end your tour. It is a fascinating city, rich in historical treasures left from its days as the capital of the Byzantine and, subsequently, the Ottoman Empires. There are also many places of natural beauty, the Istanbul Bogazi (Bosphorus) being one of the most popular.

I – Unforgettable Wonders Of The Aegean

1st day, depart from Istanbul to Canakkale via Tekirdag and Eceabat. 2nd day, depart from Canakkale to Ayvalik. On the way visit the ruins of Truva (Troy), Behramkale (Assos) and the Gulf of Edremit (Olive Riviera). Spend the 3rd day in Ayvalik, visit ruins of Bergama (Pergamon). 4th day, in Izmir. 5th day, visit ruins of Efes then to, Kusadasi. 6th day, in Kusadasi visit the ruins of Priene, Miletus and Didyma. 7th day, in Pamukkale, visit Aphrodisias en route. 8th day, in Bodrum. 9th day, in Marmaris. 10th day, in Marmaris. visit the ruins of Knidos and the resort town of Datca. 11th day, in Marmaris. visit the ruins of Kaunos and the canal of Dalyan. 12th day, in Fethiye. 13th day in Fethiye, visit the ruins of Kinik (Xanthos) and Leton. 14th day in Fethiye, sail to Gocek Gulf. 15th day, transfer to Dalaman Airport and fly to Istanbul.

II. - The Turquoise Mediterranean

1st day, fly from Istanbul to Antalya. 2nd day, visit the ancient mountain city of Termessos and historical Karain Cave. 3rd day in Kemer. 4th day, visit the ruins of Phaselis and Olympos. 5th day, visit the towns of Demre (Myra), Kas (Antiphellos), Kalkan and Patara. 6th day, visit the ruins of Perge and Aspendos en route to Side. 7th day, in Side. 8th day, journey to wonderful Koprulu Canyon National Park. 9th day, in Alanya. 10th day, in Tasucu, stop at Anamur and Aydincik on the way. 11th day, up into the mountains, visit the ruins of Uzuncaburc, 12th day, leave Tasucu, visit the ruins of Korykos, the Grottos of Heaven and Hell (Cennet ve Cehennem), and Kanlidivane, then to Mersin. 13th day, depart for Antakya via Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. 14th day in Antakya visit the Mosaic (Archeology) Museum and the first missionary port of CevIik (Seleucia Peria). 15th day, transfer from Antakya to Adana Airport, fly to Istanbul.

III - Pastoral Central Anatolia

1st day, depart from Istanbul to Ankara via Abant Lake. 2nd day, in Ankara visit the capital of Turkey. 3rd day, on the way to Amasya visit Hattusas, the ancient capital of the Hittites, Alacahoyuk, and Sapinuva (Ortakoy). 4th day, depart for Sivas via Tokat. 5th day, in Kayseri. 6th day, in Nigde. 7th day, in the fantastic Goreme National Park (Ancient Cappadocia). 8th day, in Goreme visit the Kaymakli and Derinkuyu underground cities. 9th day, en route to Konya visit the IhIara Valley and the friendly town of Gazelyurt. 10th day, in Konya. 11th day, depart from Konya to Egirdir via Beysehir Lake. 12th day, in Eskisehir visit Gordion, the ancient capital of the Phrygians and Midas City (Yazili Kaya) en route. 13th day, depart from Eskisehir to Iznik, visit the beautiful town of Sogut en route. 14th day, to Bursa. 15th day, depart from Bursa to Istanbul via Yalova.

IV - Verdant Beam of The Black Sea Region

1st day, depart from Istanbul to Sile via Polonezkoy 2nd day on the way to Akcakoca visit the resort towns of Agva, Kerpe, Kefken, and Karasu. 3rd day, depart from Akcakoca to Bartin via Eregli and Zonguldak. 4th day, in Bartin visit Safranbolu, the open-air museum, of Turkish architecture. 5th day, on the way to Inebolu visit the resort towns of Inkum, Amasra, Cakraz, Kurucasile, and Cide, 6th day, on the way to Sinop visit the towns of Abana, Catalzeytin and.Ayancik. 7th day, in Samsun. 8th day, drive along the panoramic coastal road to Giresun via Unye, Fatsa, Yalikoy and Ordu. 9th day, in Trabzon. 10th day, visit the mag. nificent Monastery of Sumela. 11th day, departure from Trabzon to Rize, visit tea plantations en route. 12th day, explore the Kackar Mountains National Park and Paradise Valley, lakes, springs and mountain villages. 13th day, depart from Rize to Hopa, visiting Sarp Village. 14th day, in Hopa visit the romantic, wild Coruh Valley and the city of Artvin. 15th day, transfer from Hopa to Trabzon Airport and fly to Istanbul.

V - Adventure In Eastern Anatolia

1st day, fly from Istanbul to Erzurum. 2nd day, in Erzurum. 3rd day, depart from Erzurum to Kars via Sankamis. 4th day, visit the ruins of Am and on the way to Dogubayazi pass along the foothills of Biblical Mt. Agri (Ararat). 5th day, visit the spectacular location of the well-preserved remains of Ishak Pasa Palace. 6th day, depart from Dogubayazit to Van visit Van Castle for the sunset. 7th day, visit Akdamar Island. 8th day, around Lake Van, visit the ruins of Adilcevaz, Ahlat and Nemrut Crater Lake. 9th day, depart from Van to Diyarbakir via Bitlis. 10th day, in Diyarbakir visit the quaint city of Mardin. 11th day, depart for Mt. Nemrut. 12th day, depart for the city of Sanli Urfa. 13th day, visit Biblical Harran. 14th day, depart from Sanli Urfa to Gazi Antep. 15th day, transfer to Gazi Antep Airport and fly to Istanbul.

VI – Natural Wonders

1st day, fly from Istanbul to Ankara. 2nd day depart from Ankara to Goreme via the Salt Lake. 3rd day in Goreme 4th day in Konya. 5th day in Alanya. 6th day in Antalya, visit the ruins of Side, Aspendos and Perge on route. 7th day in Kerner. 8th day, drive along the beautiful Lycian Peninsula to Fethiye via Phaselis, Finike, Kas and Kalkan. 9th day, departure from Fethiye to Marmaris via Koycegiz Lake. 10th day in Bodrum. 11th day spend a colorful day in Bodrum. 12th day in Kusadasi, visit the ruins of Didyma, Miletus and Priene en route. 13th day in Pamukkale, visiting Aphrodisias en route. 14th day in Izmir, visiting Efes en route. 15th day transfer to Adrian Menderes Airport and fly to Istanbul.

VII - The Crossroads of Civilization

1st day fly from Istanbul to Samsun. 2nd day drive along the coastal road to Trabzon. 3rd day in Trabzon, visit Rize tea plantations en route. 4th day depart from Trabzon to Erzurum via Zigana Pass. 5th day in Erzurum. 6th day depart from Erzurum to Kars via Sarikamis. 7th day visit the ruins of Ani, and on the way to Dogubayazit pass along the foothills of Biblical Mt. Agri (Ararat). 8th day depart from Dogubayazit to Van. 9th day in Van, visit Akdamar Island. 10th day depart from Van to Diyarbakir via Bitlis. 11th day depart to Sanli Urfa. 12th day visit Biblical Harran. 13th day depart for Mt. Nemrut, one of the wonders of Turkey. 14th day depart for Malatya. 15th day transfer to Malatya Airport and fly to Istanbul.

" Mavi Yolculuk " - Blue Voyage

The popular "Blue Voyage" itinerary extends from Cesme (Aegean Coast) to Antalya (Mediterranean Coast). Yachts depart from Izmir, Cesme Sigacik, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Datca, Marmaris, Gocek, Fethiye, Kalkan, Kas Kerner and Antalya. The "Blue Voyages" are arranged by various agents as well as by individual groups for 8-12 persons. These tours can be arranged between April and October.