Day 1 : Arrival
Arrive into Antalya where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Overnight in Dogan Hotel, Antalya
Meal plan: n/a
Culture | Archaeology | Silk Road
Uncover historical secrets in the west
Journey back in time as you make a fascinating tour of some of the world’s most important archaeological sites. Visit the legendary city of ancient Troy, fascinating Pergamon, Satan’s biblical abode, and the beautiful, slender, coastal-set remains of Ephesus. Explore the mountain city of Sagalassos and the ancient ruins of once-glorious Olympos. Visit Nicaea, where a critical Christian council took place in 325 AD and the fortress of Termessos that withstood Alexander the Great. See the Church of St Nicholas, a man that inspired the stories of Santa Claus and admire the sublime statuary of Aphrodisias.
This tour will help you trace the complex lines of history and entangled civilisations through this bountiful land – from Romans, Byzantines, Persians, Ionians, Seljuks and of course, Ottomans. Finally enjoy excellent cuisine and legendary Turkish hospitality on this trip of a lifetime.
Antalya - Perge - Aspendos - Termessos - Sagalassos - Burdur - Mount Olympos - Cirali - Demre - Xanthos Letoon - Patara - Dalyan - Aphrodisias - Pamukkale - Hierapolis - Kusadasi - Laodikeia - Ephesus - Priene - Miletus - Sardis - Pergamon - Ancient Troy - Çanakkale - Cumalizik - Iznik (a.k.a. Nicaea) - Istanbul
Arrive into Antalya where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Overnight in Dogan Hotel, Antalya
Meal plan: n/a
Today you will visit Perge, Aspendos and the Antalya Archaeology Museum. Overnight in Antalya.
Overnight in Dogan Hotel, Antalya
Meal plan: Breakfast
Today you will visit the beautiful remains of Termessos, before continuing to Burdur to visit its remarkable archaeology museum. Later continue to Sagalossos for overnight.
Overnight in Sagalassos Lodge & Spa, Burdur
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
Today you will visit the ancient site of Sagalassos before driving south to Phaselis. After visiting continue to Olympos for a visit of its ancient ruins. Overnight in Olympos.
Overnight in Villa Monte, Cirali
Meal plan: Breakfast
Today you will visit Demre and the nearby church of St Nicholas of Mira. Continue to Kas for overnight.
Overnight in Hera Hotel, Kas
Meal plan: Breakfast
Today you will visit the ancient ruins of Patara, as well the UNESCO heritage site of Xantos Letoon. Return to Kas for overnight.
Overnight in Hera Hotel, Kas
Meal plan: Breakfast
Drive to Dalyan to admire its beauty and visit its ancient sites. Overnight in Dalyan.
Overnight in Happy Caretta Hotel, Dalyan
Meal plan: Breakfast
Drive to Aphrodisias for an extended visit to the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue to Pamukkale for overnight.
Overnight in Melrose House Hotel, Pamukkale
Meal plan: Breakfast
Today you will visit the ancient site of Hierapolis as well as the natural formations known as the Travertines of Pamukkale. Drive to Laodikeia, the site of one of the seven ancient churches of Asia and visit this site, before driving to Kusadasi for overnight.
Overnight in Ilayda Hotel, Kusadasi
Meal plan: Breakfast
Full day visit of the main site of Ephesus including its museum and the famous Celsus Library. You will be allowed time to visit the terraced houses (requires a lot of steps, additional entrance cost) if you like. Also visit the nearby sites of the temple of Artemis, and the hill of St. John’s. Overnight Kusadasi.
Overnight in Ilayda Hotel, Kusadasi
Meal plan: Breakfast
Today you will visit Priene, Miletus and Didim. Return to Kusadasi for overnight.
Overnight in Ilayda Hotel, Kusadasi
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
After breakfast proceed to Sardis, the capital of the ancient Lydia. Then continue to Pergamon where you will visit the Acroplois, the Asclepion and the Red Basilica. Overnight in Pergamon.
Overnight in Berksoy Hotel, Pergamon
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
Drive to Canakkale. Visit the Ancient City of Troy. If there is time go for a quick swim at Dardanelles Sea. Overnight in Canakkale.
Overnight in Iris Hotel, Çanakkale
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
Early start. Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cumalizik for a visit before continuing to Iznik (a.k.a. Nicaea), where the famous Christian council took place. You will visit the Church of Hagia Sophia, a mosque and now small archaeology museum where you can stop to see Iznik's famous ceramics tiles being made. Drive to Istanbul for overnight.
Overnight in Novotel Bosphorus Hotel, Istanbul
Meal plan: Breakfast
Transfer to Istanbul airport.
Meal plan: Breakfast
All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.
Dogan Hotel is located in the historic Kaleiçi District of Antalya only 100 metres from the beach. It has an outdoor pool with sun-lounger terrace and offers rooms with balconies and panoramic views. Guestrooms have hardwood floors and traditional décor. They include modern wood furnishings and come equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV and a private bathroom.
All rooms have a balcony with mountain views and there are extensive spa facilities, including an outdoor and indoor pool, sauna and hammam.
With a picturesque garden and cozy architecture, the hotel Villa Monte is only 200m from the Cirali beach. It offers comfortable rooms equipped with air-conditioning and a a restaurant with light Mediterranean cuisine made from fresh, local ingredients.
Found on the southern edge of Kas on Turkey’s beautiful Mediterranean coastline, the Hera Hotel offers excellent access to both relaxing beach and stimulating culture-based activities. Rooms are spacious and bright, and offer en-suites and all modern amenities as standard, with sea views subject to availability. Guests may dine in the hotel restaurant – also offering sea views – or in one of many nearby restaurants, and make use of the open-air pool area. Nearby historical attractions include the Antiphellos Ancient City, Kaya Mezarlari and Kral Mezan.
Caretta Caretta is a family-run hotel located in the centre of Dalyan and is named after the sea turtles who live on the nearby Iztuzu beach. The hotel provides comfortable rooms and a relaxed atmosphere and they use locally purchased and recycled materials to promote sustainability. There is a rooftop terrace where traditional breakfast is served and activities take place.
The Melrose House Hotel is located close to the centre of Pamukkale. It offers traditional Turkish meals in the restaurant and garden dining area by the swimming pool. Free Wi-Fi is available and all rooms have air-conditioning.
The air-conditioned units at Hotel Ilayda Avantgarde feature a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a safety deposit box. The private bathrooms include a shower, hairdryer and free toiletries. Free Wi-fi is available. The hotel also features a pool, bar, lobby bar, snack bar and restaurant as well as and outdoor swimming pool. 24 hour reception and room service available. The hotel is 50 meters away from the beach and is within easy access to the shopping area. Nearby attractions includes Pigeon Island.
Berksoy Hotel offers comfortable accommodation with modernly furnished rooms that feature private balconies looking out over the lush gardens. All of the rooms are air-conditioned and there is free Wi-Fi available. There is a restaurant providing quality dishes, and a bar/lounge to relax in at the end of the day.
Situated on the beach in Guzelyali, this 4-star hotel is only 10 km from the ancient city of Troy. It has a tennis court and a spacious outdoor pool with sun-lounger terrace.
Rooms at the Iris Hotel are decorated in neutral colours and feature balconies with panoramic views. They have modern furnishings and come equipped with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and satellite TV.
In the morning guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast with fresh fruit. There is a bar that serves cocktails and a restaurant with outdoor seating in the garden. Room service is available 24-hours a day.
Located in the trendy Karakoy harbour-side area of Istanbul, the contemporary Novotel Bosphorus Hotel provides an ideal base from which to explore the city - a stone's throw from the main sites of Sultanahmet but situtated in a more local area. Modern rooms offer flat-screen TVs, air conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi. Facilities at the hotel include an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, Turkish bath and massage services, and the on-site restaurant - with superb views over the Bosphorus - is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and serves excellent Turkish and international cuisine.
Tickle your taste-buds with a tour of Turkey's cuisine
Relax and unwind on Turkey's Mediterranean beaches
Unique history and fairytale landscapes
Explore two sites of enormous historical significance in this short extension
Explore European Turkey in the Thrace region, a fascinating and little seen region
Set sail aboard a Turkish Gulet and explore Turkey's coast
Day trip options from Konya
Extend your trip from Istanbul
From Bodrum to Istanbul, explore Turkey's historic cities
Discover Turkey's splendid and varied terrain on foot
Discover the best Turkey has to offer
East and west, see Turkey at its best
Uncover historical secrets in the west
Ancient trading routes, historic battles and striking scenery
Tread on antique footsteps through Central and Eastern Anatolia
Natural wonders, ancient sites & Kurdish culture
From Ancient Anatolia to the Heart of Georgia.
Led by Diana Darke
Stunning eastern peaks including Mount Ararat
Journey through Turkey's iconic sites
Explore the Gulf of Gokova on a classic Turkish sailboat
Turkey's southern frontiers: the cradle of civilisation
Discover the exotic charms of this eternal city
Michael Wilson , Archaeology of Western Turkey, TurkeyWe greatly enjoyed visiting the ancient sites of Western Turkey with an experienced guide and seeing the remains of so many different periods and cultures. The scenery was spectacular and we felt that the tour gave us a wonderful introduction to the country.
Andrea Selfridge , Tailormade TurkeyI would not hesitate in using Travel the Unknown for any future journeys to off the beaten track destinations.
Jane Kimberley , The Magic of Cappadocia, TurkeyI had a lovely time in Turkey. Both of the tours that were part of the package were fabulous, both tour guides were very knowledgeable and made the trips very interesting providing plenty of information, and the places where we went for lunches as part of the trip were superb. David McGuinness is a credit to Travel the Unknown, he goes that `extra mile` to keep customer happy. I`d like to say a huge `thank you` for all the help you gave me organising and planning my trip. I certainly will recommend anyone to use you for planning their `unknown` destination holiday. The emails, telephone calls were all spot on, well done :-) :-)
Cynthia Bishop , Eastern Turkey Explorer, TurkeyI went on this trip rather than all the other interesting possibilities in the world because I wanted to go to Gobekli Tepe. Being there was all I could have hoped for. It was a stunning experience and I was moved to tears. Thank you so much for the opportunity. Regarding the food, the olives were the best I`ve ever tasted. And the yoghurt is fabulous. Also the cheese and pistachios and apricots. Oh yes, and the watermelon : ) Thanks to David too for being so patient with my endless questions
John Colligan , Eastern Turkey Snapshot & archaeology extensionTravel the Unknown were very responsive to my personal wishes, and flexible enough to make this a fantastic tour- we covered a lot in a limited time. Guides were pleasant and informative, and the transport was excellent.
Johanna, Shiree, & Madelein , Tailormade TurkeyWe were fortunate to book a private trip to Turkey with Travel the Unknown. All aspects exceeded our expectations: booking the trip, the guides and personalized tours, transport, accommodation and the food! Our tour operator on the ground was the best! She went out of her way to ensure a wonderful and special experience of Turkey and the private gulet cruise.
Neil , Ancient Anatolia & Eastern TurkeyTravel the Unknown is an excellent company to chose for a real travel experience. It was a fabulous holiday where we felt we saw a different side to Turkey and saw sights and had experiences that were once in a lifetime events. I would certainly recommend them to anyone wanting to have new experiences and see the true side of a country.
Stephen Kamin , Eastern Turkey ExplorerThis was my third trip with Travel the Unknown and I was just as fully satisfied as on our previous trips. Rahul and his staff are extremely responsive and knowledgeable. Our original itinerary involved areas that were affected by the recent earthquake in Turkey, so the itinerary had to be modified. Rahul accomplished this in a seamless fashion and created a trip that was as interesting, and more varied, than the original one. Kudos for that.
Tessa Skola , Tailormade Eastern TurkeyAs a worldwide traveller, explorer & author travelling through COVID times, my trip with Travel The Unknown was a perfect choice for my adventure in Turkey. As a solo booking , I didn’t need the usual tourist bling. I knew what I wanted to see and the company chose the best guide I could have wished for. No fuss. Dealing with my preferences. This company know exactly what they are doing with complete knowledge of their guests, countries and Travel passage. I highly recommend Travel the Unknown.
Caroline & Peter , Eastern Turkey Snapshot, TurkeyCharming people organising the trip and acting as guides. An inspirational visit taking us to out of the way places we would never have had the chance to visit. The personal touch Travel the Unknown brings sets them apart.
Joy Lawley , Eastern Turkey Snapshot, TurkeyThis trip was an amazing and very exhilarating experience. We had high hopes of Gobekli Tepe, which were totally fulfilled- it is utterly amazing, but we had not anticipated some of the other gems to be so exceptional as well. We were a small group, which made the trip very personal. Altogether it was a marvellous week, helped by having a caring guide and an excellent driver.
Marion McCallum , Eastern Turkey Snapshot, TurkeyA great way to travel to some of the more remote and interesting places in the world. It was a very interesting area and we saw a lot that we would never have managed on our own. I would recommend the holiday to others.