Embedded Files
This is our daily schedule at a glance. Our tour staff will make daily announcements with specifics and times during the trip. Note that our itinerary may shift due to the weather or to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.
A typical day’s activities begin with buffet breakfast at the hotel. We then set out around 9:00 a.m. for our day's excursion, armed with sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle, hat, camera and our comfortable walking shoes. There will be some coach travel, with up to three miles of walking on uneven surfaces and perhaps climbing stairs without handrails. We stop along the way to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we are off again in the afternoon for an excursion before returning to our hotel. On arrival at our hotel, we have time for a shower and some rest, then perhaps a lecture before dinner.
Meals included in the program are indicated next to the hotel name with the following designations:
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner R = Reception
Thursday, June 16
Arrive Istanbul, Turkey
Arrive Istanbul, Turkey
2:00 p.m.
Check in time at the Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel. Luggage can be left with the bell captain if you arrive before your room is ready.
7:00 p.m.
Gather for a welcome reception and dinner in the Karakoy 1 room of our hotel.
NOVOTEL ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS (R,D)
Friday, June 17
Istanbul
Istanbul
Morning:
Begin our exploration of Turkey with a visit to Topkapi Palace, former fortress and pleasure dome of the Ottoman sultans. Highlights include the palace’s treasury, wardrobe, kitchens and decorated apartments.
Afternoon:
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Archaeological Museum, built on the site of the palace’s outer gardens and showcasing a large collection of Turkish, Hellenistic and Roman artifacts, many gathered from the vast former territories of the Ottoman Empire. Conclude the day at the Grand Bazaar and enjoy some free time to wander this labyrinth of shops and cafes.
Evening:
Dinner is on your own. The hotel concierge can assist you with restaurant recommendations.
NOVOTEL ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS (B,L)
Saturday, June 18
Istanbul
Istanbul
Morning:
Continue our exploration of Istanbul with a visit to the Hippodrome; the Blue Mosque, named for its glorious 17th century-painted tiles; and Hagia Sophia, with its impressive domed basilica and Byzantine mosaics.
Afternoon:
Following lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a tour of the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, housed in one of the city’s oldest palace buildings that dates back to the late 15th century . Continue to the Nakilbent Cistern, an amazing 6th-century Byzantine underground water tank beneath what is now a carpet shop. The cistern is used today as an exhibition and performing arts space.
Evening:
Dinner is on your own. The hotel concierge can assist you with restaurant recommendations.
NOVOTEL ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS (B,L) – Please remember to settle any bills with the hotel this evening.
Sunday, June 19
ISTANBUL / DALAMAN / FETHIYE / EMBARKATION
ISTANBUL / DALAMAN / FETHIYE / EMBARKATION
Morning:
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to the airport. Fly to Dalaman on Turkey’s southwest coast. Lunch will be served on the plane.
12:05 p.m. TK 2556 departs Istanbul
1:20 p.m. TK 2556 arrives Dalaman
Afternoon:
Upon arrival in Dalaman, transfer to the seaside town of Fethiye (approx. 1 hour drive), where we board our private gülets at the marina. Enjoy our first afternoon of cruising and dinner onboard.
Evening:
Cruise to a nearby cove for an overnight anchorage.
OVERNIGHT ABOARD GÜLETS (B,L,D)
Monday, June 20
LYDAE / EKINCIK / DALYAN
LYDAE / EKINCIK / DALYAN
Morning:
Call at the ancient city of Lydae and enjoy a short hike up to a hilltop studded with Roman and Byzantine ruins. Then continue sailing in our gülets to the cove at Ekincik and spend some time exploring the tiny town.
Afternoon:
Return to our gülets for lunch and then cruise to Dalyan. Disembark for a boat cruise up a river to the site of Kaunos and visit the site’s theater, baths and temples before returning to our vessels for dinner onboard.
OVERNIGHT ABOARD GÜLETS (B,L,D)
Tuesday, June 21
MARMARIS
MARMARIS
Morning:
Today call at the bustling port of Marmaris, where our gülets can dock directly at the marina and you can explore the town’s covered market, cafes, restaurants and shops as you please.
Afternoon:
Later this afternoon, reboard our vessels and enjoy dinner as we sail toward Bozburun.
OVERNIGHT ABOARD GÜLETS (B,L,D)
Wednesday, June 22
BOZBURUN / LORYMA
BOZBURUN / LORYMA
Morning:
Disembark at the small fishing village of Bozburun and explore the town. Then sail to Loryma to visit the old fortress of Rhodian (note: we’ll need to walk up a very rocky path to the top of a hill to reach the fortress).
Afternoon:
Return to our gülets and cruise to a small cove near Knidos, where we enjoy an afternoon of swimming and relaxing onboard.
OVERNIGHT ABOARD GÜLETS (B,L,D)
Thursday, June 23
KNIDOS
KNIDOS
Morning:
Anchor at Knidos, where Praxiteles’ statue of Aphrodite once stood.
Afternoon:
Enjoy lunch on board and then an afternoon at leisure, swimming or enjoying a good book.
Evening:
The whole group will gather for a festive reception on one of our vessels.
OVERNIGHT ABOARD GÜLETS (B,L,D)
Friday, June 24
BODRUM / DISEMBARKATION
BODRUM / DISEMBARKATION
Morning:
This morning disembark our gülets at Bodrum, a picturesque city set on the Aegean Sea. First explore the Castle of St. Peter, which dates to the time of the Crusades and now houses the Museum of Nautical Archaeology. Continue to the Mausoleum, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was built by Artemisia before being destroyed in an earthquake, and the ruins were used to build the Halicarnassus castle.
Afternoon:
Arrive at our hotel and check in. Lunch and the remainder of the afternoon are on your own.
Evening:
Dinner is on your own. The hotel concierge can assist you with restaurant recommendations.
MANASTIR HOTEL (B) – Please remember to settle any bills with the hotel this evening.
Saturday, June 25
EPHESUS / IZMIR / ISTANBUL
EPHESUS / IZMIR / ISTANBUL
Morning:
Today drive approximately 2.5 hours to the famed site of Ephesus, which was first settled nearly 3,000 years ago and was subsequently one of the most beautiful cities in the ancient world. Much has been done to restore the white marble streets, theaters, baths, gymnasium, market and beautifully carved library. We’ll also have an opportunity to see the inside of some of the excavated private homes built on terraces opposite Hadrian’s Temple and see the grand theater where St. Paul is said to have preached.
Afternoon:
Continue to Izmir (approx. 1 hour drive) and board a domestic flight back to Istanbul.
2:50 p.m. TK 2325 departs Izmir
4:05 p.m. TK 2325 arrives Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul, transfer to our hotel.
Evening:
We are invited to a special reception and dinner at a local restaurant hosted by a Turkish Stanford alumnus.
NOVOTEL ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS (B,L,D)
Sunday, June 26
ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL
Morning:
Visit the Sveti Stefan Church, beautifully constructed of prefabricated iron and one of the most important structures of the Bulgarian Orthodox community. Explore the neighborhood of Balat, one of Istanbul’s oldest, which is a melting pot of Jewish, Christian and Turkish cultures. Then visit the 18th century Church of St. George, located on the grounds of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the spiritual seat of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Conclude the morning at the Spice Bazaar, where valuable spices and imported goods have been traded since medieval times.
Afternoon:
Return to the hotel and enjoy lunch and the remainder of the afternoon on your own.
**Mandatory Covid-19 testing for those returning to the U.S. tomorrow will be provided today at the hotel.**
Evening:
Depart the hotel and transfer to a local kebab restaurant for a festive farewell dinner to celebrate the end of our journey.
NOVOTEL ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS (B,D) – Please remember to settle any bills with the hotel this evening.
Monday, June 27
ISTANBUL / DEPART
ISTANBUL / DEPART
Transfer to Istanbul’s international airport for flights back home. Or continue your travels in Turkey in Cappadocia (please refer to the Final Extension Itinerary).
(B)
ACCOMMODATIONS
ACCOMMODATIONS
This centrally located 4-star Istanbul hotel boasts modern and stylish architecture, comfortable rooms and beautiful views of the Bosphorus.
Built on the site of an 18th-century monastery, this stylish hotel features a striking hilltop location overlooking Bodrum Bay. The original stone gate dominates the tree-framed outdoor pool area. Rooms are spacious and air-conditioned.
gÜlets
gÜlets
Our privately chartered gülets have from 6 to 8 two-person cabins each and feature individual in-room toilet and shower, indoor and outdoor common areas, a cushioned lounge area and wide sun decks.
Specifications:
Length: 98 feet
Width: 25 feet
Room features: air-conditioning, private toilet and shower
Equipment: fishing equipment, snorkel gear
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