Ancient Crossroads of Turkey & Armenia 17 Days, prices start at $8,795 > 여행/스포츠/레저

Vibrant and varied, these ancient lands welcome travelers and promise unforgettable experiences. With your expert local guides, shop the Grand Bazaar, marvel at the remarkable Hagia Sophia and explore the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. In the heart of the country, explore elaborate houses and sacred chapels carved out of Cappadocia�s stone landscape. Step into the past with privately guided tours of some of antiquity�s most famous sites in Pergamum and Ephesus. Then travel to the crossroads of continents in little-visited Armenia. Learn about this ancient civilization from your historian guides as you visit cathedrals, cave monasteries and ancient temples, as well as local markets and wineries.

 

 

DAYS 1 – 4
Istanbul, Turkey
Arrive in Istanbul on Day 2. Begin your journey on Day 3
by exploring the wonders of Istanbul, the meeting point of
European and Asian culture and one of the world’s great cities.
Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the fabulous Topkapi Palace and
savor a sumptuous lunch in one of its elaborate gardens. Then
try your hand at bargaining at the famed Grand Bazaar where
you can find everything from colorful carpets to handmade
jewelry. The next day, tour some of the city’s religious sites,
from the Hagia Sophia to the Blue Mosque, before embarking
on an evening cruise of the Bosphorus followed by dinner at one
of Istanbul’s best seafood restaurants.
Swissôtel the Bosphorus, Istanbul

 

DAYS 5 & 6
Cappadocia
Explore the surreal rock formations of Goreme National Park
and its open-air museum of houses and churches carved out of
sandstone. As you walk through this fairytale landscape with
your expert guide, you’ll come to understand more about

the people who lived here as well as the unique geology of the
area. Dine in an underground restaurant as you explore the
subterranean passages of Kaymakli and marvel at several of
the famed “fairy chimneys” in the nearby villages.
Lykia Lodge Hotel, Uchisar

DAYS 7 – 9
Ankara & Izmir
Leave Cappadocia and drive to Turkey’s capital of Ankara where
you’ll see the striking citadel, the mausoleum of Ataturk and
the fabulous Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Then board
a flight to the city of Izmir, your base for exploring some of
the country’s most spectacular archaeological sites. Spend a day
in the ruins of the great city of Pergamum, once a center for
culture and learning. Explore the magnificent Acropolis with its
library and temple to Dionysus. Back in Izmir, ascend Mount
Pagos for a panoramic view of the area, visit the archaeological
museum, and stroll the old market.
Swissôtel Grand Efes, Izmir

DAYS 10 & 11
Ephesus & Istanbul, Turkey & Yerevan, Armenia
Visit legendary Ephesus, home to the ruins of the enormous
temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World. On the evening of Day 10, fly back to Istanbul. After
a leisurely morning, visit the main cathedrals of the Armenian
Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Church. After
dinner in Istanbul on the evening of Day 11, you’ll be taken
to the airport for your flight to Armenia.
Swissôtel the Bosphorus, Istanbul; Armenia Marriott Hotel, Yerevan

DAYS 12 – 14
Yerevan, Lake Sevan & Echmiadzin
Begin your exploration of Armenia in its capital, Yerevan, with
visits to the Museum of Medieval Armenian Culture and the
Yerevan Brandy Company where you’ll have a private tasting of
some of their esteemed cognac. Venture into the mountains for
a day trip to the Dilijan region that is home to the 11th-century
Hagartsin Monastery and Lake Sevan, known as “the emerald
of Armenia.” The next morning your expert guides will take
you on a unique journey to the spiritual heart of the Armenian
Church in Echmiadzin.
Armenia Marriott Hotel, Yerevan

DAYS 15 – 17
Khor Virap, Yerevan & Depart for Home
Situated on a plain with an incredible view of Mount Ararat,
the monastery of Khor Virap has welcomed visitors for centuries.
Nearby, take a private tour of a local winery and, visit a remote
cave monastery, and enjoy a private concert at a Roman temple.
Then it’s back to Yerevan for a festive cocktail party and farewell
dinner. Depart Yerevan on Day 17.
Armenia Marriott Hotel, Yerevan

 

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise the Bosphorus and then dine at one
of Istanbul’s finest seafood restaurants
• Discover the fantastic cave houses of
Cappadocia
• Explore the ruins of the enormous Temple
of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of
the Ancient World
• Visit the site of the Supreme Patriarch of
the Armenians and learn about the religion
of this ancient land
• Gaze upon snowcapped Mount Ararat from
the most impressive monastery in Armenia,
Khor Virap
• Enjoy a private tasting of Armenian cognac

at one of the country’s finest distilleries