Treasures of Turkey

Day 1 London – Istanbul
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® transports you from your front door to London Heathrow (2013) or London Gatwick (2014) Airport for a direct, scheduled Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul. We transfer to the 5★ Holiday Inn Istanbul City.

Day 2 Istanbul
Few cities compare to this historical gem, Istanbul is a bridge between Europe and Asia, and showcases architecture from every era of its glorious heritage. Today we are introduced to the city with guided tours of the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Roman-era Hippodrome. The afternoon is at leisure, for you to explore.

Day 3 Istanbul – Ankara
We depart by coach to Ankara, which takes approximately 4.5 hours. On arrival we take a panoramic drive through the city to familiarise you with the sights. We overnight at the 4★ Radisson Blu Hotel Ankara.

Day 4 Ankara – Cappadocia
We leave Ankara and travel to Cappadocia, which takes approximately 3.5 hours by coach. It’s a region famed for its lunar landscape, underground cities, cave churches and troglodyte dwellings. We arrive at the 4★ Lykia Lodge or 4★ Perissia Hotel where we enjoy an exclusive Titan drinks party.

Day 5 Cappadocia – Uchisar – Ortahisar
Today we experience Cappadocia. Far-reaching views over the ‘fairy chimneys’ can be appreciated from Uchisar. At Ortahisar we see a troglodyte settlement set around a citadel created from a colossal chimney of rock. Lastly, no visit would be complete without a demonstration on the intricate art of carpet making.

Day 6 Cappadocia – Konya
We depart for Konya by coach, which takes approximately 3 hours. We visit the 13th century Sultanhan Caravansaray, and the Mausoleum of Mevlana, a splendid shrine to the founder of the order of ‘whirling dervishes’. We overnight at the 5★ Dedeman Hotel Konya.

Day 7 Konya – Perge – Aspendos – Antalya
Today we drive through the rugged Taurus Mountains to Antalya. We visit Aspendos, which is noted for its magnificent Roman theatre, considered to be the best preserved in the world; and Perge, with its fine ruins set on the rolling Anatolian steppe. We take a walking tour of Kaleici ‘Old Antalya’, before transferring to the 5★ Crowne Plaza Antalya.

Day 8 Antalya – Pamukkale
We visit Antalya Archaeological Museum, home to over 5,000 works of art. Enroute to Pamukkale we explore the ancient city of Hierapolis. Pamukkale is set on a plateau with its chalk-white stalactites shaped into terraces, waterfalls and pools. We overnight at the 5★ Colossae Thermal Hotel.

Day 9 Pamukkale – Kusadasi
Today we visit the beautiful city Aphrodisias, one of the finest archaeological sites. The name of the city is derived from the goddess of love, Aphrodite. Marble temples and columns shine out – as they have done for 2,500 years. We continue to Kusadasi, and the 5★ Korumar Hotel or 5★ Charisma Hotel, our base for the next three nights.

Day 10 Kusadasi
A day at leisure and time perhaps for shopping, sightseeing or just relaxing. Dinner is included at our hotel this evening.

Day 11 Kusadasi – Ephesus
An undoubted highlight of Turkey is Ephesus. Once a wealthy capital of Roman Asia, its former glory is apparent in the ruins of the Library of Celsius, and the world’s largest surviving outdoor classical theatre. We continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, and conclude with a visit to St John’s Basilica.

Day 12 Kusadasi – Pergamum – Troy – Canakkale
We journey to Canakkale and visit Pergamum, with its library that was reputedly given to Cleopatra by Mark Antony, as a wedding present. We also see, the legendary Troy, which was thought to be fictional until it was rediscovered in the 19th century. We stay at the 5★ Kolin Hotel, Canakkale.

Day 13 Canakkale – Istanbul
We cross the Dardanelles by ferry to visit Anzac Cove and Helles Memorial, which commemorates the fallen in the Gallipoli campaign of the First World War. We continue to Istanbul and the 5★ Holiday Inn Istanbul City.

Day 14 Istanbul
We have a guided tour of the iconic St Sophia Mosque, and the Yerebatan Basilica. Following this we will enjoy an exclusive lunch at a rooftop restaurant with views across the city. Your afternoon is free.
Optional excursion:
‘Egyptian Spice Market & Cruise on the Bosphorus’ from £21.00 per person

Day 15 Istanbul – London
We transfer to Istanbul Airport for our scheduled Turkish Airlines flight to London Heathrow (2013) or London Gatwick (2014) Airport. On arrival our staff will greet and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home to your own front door.

IMPORTANT TOUR INFORMATION

Please note:
Smoking is commonplace in Turkey and while every effort will be made to secure non smoking hotel rooms, this cannot be guaranteed.
There are not always plugs in Turkish sinks and there may be a charge for tea and coffee in the room.
With so many highlights to see, this is a fast-paced and busy itinerary. This is not suitable for clients with walking difficulties. The order of excursions may vary.
A Turkish visa is required for UK nationals which is purchased on arrival at Istanbul Airport. This is not included in the cost of the holiday and currently costs £10 per person.

Titan Travel have a reputation for innovative and enthralling escorted holiday itineraries, and through the guidance of their founding principles, “quality, service and value” which have remained unchanged since the 1970′s, their expertise and experience are second to none.

Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.

Our Opinion
“Titan Travel’s guiding principles of customer service, quality of product and value for money are undoubtedly a contributing factor to them being voted, on many occasions, the UK’s best tour operator.”