Adventure Travel by Big Earth Adventure

Europe

With each country's diverse history, archeology, culture and languages make it very appealling and rewarding to visit - and visit more than once - many times. You now have the opportunity to experience many different travel styles. Take guided or self-guided trips through Italy, France, Germany. Take the Eurorail from Zurich to Munich, walk the Danube Canal. Whether you want to stay in a villa in France, bike the Loire Valley or take a guided walk through Tuscany.
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BEST OF EAST AND WEST

Trip code:

 im-ttew

Trip length:

 23 days

Group size:

 Maximum 15

Transportation:

 Private air-conditioned coach, boat trip on Lake Van.

Trip Overview

Turkey's eastern provinces offer a dramatic contrast to the south coast. On this tour we offer the best of our 'Best of East & West' trip and take you to the Black Sea coast via the Pontic Mountains. A truly outstanding region the East of Turkey is blessed with natural beauty. Don't miss out on Kars, Mount Ararat the Church of the Holy Cross, Mount Nemrut,Cappadocia and the ancient and modern cities of Antalya, Selcuk, Ephesus and Istanbul.
This is a trip for you if you love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. You enjoy the freedom of using privately charted vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. Whether a seasoned or a first time traveller, you love to explore without roughing it.

Itinerary & Departure Dates

Day 1 Ankara. Arrival day. No meals.
Day 2 Ankara - Hattusas - Amasya. A guided tour of Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilisations before heading east to the ancient Hittite Capital of Hattusas. Overnight in Amasya, historic capital of Pontic Empire. (BD)
Day 3 Amasya - Trabzon. Time to explore Amasya before heading for the Black Sea Coast where you may have the opportunity to swim. (BD)
Day 4 Trabzon - Sumela - Barhal. Morning visit to the striking Sumela Monastery. Later, travel via the tea producing region of Rize to Coruh river valley in the picturesque Kackar Mountains. We spend two nights in a traditional mountain house as guests of a Turkish family. (BD)
Day 5 Barhal. A truly outstanding area of natural beauty. You are free to either take a day hike or just relax in the magical surroundings. (BD)
Day 6 kars - Ani. An early start as we drive to the grasslands of Kars and visit the fabulous ruins of the 10th century Armenian capital of Ani on the border with the modern Armenian Republic. Return to Kars for the night. (BD)
Day 7 Mt Ararat - Ishak Pasa - Van. Visit Mt Ararat and the stunning Ishak Pasa Palace. Afternoon drive to Van. (BD)
Day 8 Tatvan. An excursion by boat to Akdamar Island on Lake Van to visit the Church of the Holy Cross. Continue to Tatvan, a small town on the shores of Lake Van. (BD)
 Day 9 Mardin. Drive to Mardin via Hasankeyf, where you can see the remains of old Artukids and a picturesque citadel. (B)
Day 10 Mt Nemrut. Free morning in the old quarter of Mardin with time to visit the castle. Afternoon drive to Kahta, near Mt.Nemrut. (BD)
Day 11 Cappadocia. A wonderful sunrise excursion to Mt Nemrut. A short walk takes us to the summit where we see the massive Commagene stone heads. After breakfast we leave for Cappadocia. (B)
Day 12 Cappadocia. Visit Uchisar 'castle' for a panoramic view of Cappadocia's bizarre rock formations, then hike through some of the most spectacular valleys. (B)
Day 13 Konya - Egridir. Continue to Konya, home to the famous Whirling Dervish sect, and Egridir - Turkey's Lake District. (B)
Day 14 Egridir - Termesos - Kas. Crossing the Taurus Mountains we visit the spectacular hilltop fortress of Termessos then follow the coast to Kas, with its picturesque old fishing harbour. (B)
Day 15 Kalkan - Fethiye. Following the exquisite Turquoise coast we drive to Kalkan, a beautiful village that tumbles down the hillside. We continue to Fethiye where we stay for 2 nights. (B)
Day 16 Fethiye. A full free day to enjoy the delightful town of Fethiye. (B)

Day 17 Fethiyi - Pamukkale. Drive to Pamukkale, famous for its calcified falls or 'cotton castles'. Afternoon drive to Selcuk. (B)
Day 18 Ephesus. Guided tour of the ancient Ionian city of Ephesus. (B)
Day 19 Assos. Drive to Bergama and visit the Acropolis, before continuing to the small fishing village of Assos. (BD
Day 20 Canakkale. Free morning to explore Assos. Afternoon drive to legendary Troy where we have a guided tour. (B)
Day 21. Gallipoli - Istanbul. We cross the Dardanelles and visit the poignant World War I Anzac memorials at Gallipoli. Afternoon drive to Istanbul. (BD)
Day 22 Istanbul. Free day to explore this fabulous city. (B)
Day 23 Istanbul. Tour ends. (B)

Look below for departure dates.

Accommodations

19 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night historic building, 2 nights local mountain house (multi-share).

Meals

As per itinerary B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner.

Departure Dates

07 Aug - 29 Aug
21 Aug - 12 Sep
04 Sep - 26 Sep
18 Sep - 10 Oct
Pleae contact us for 2005 departures.

Please contact us for a detailed trip dossier, free brochure, availability and prices.