Turkey & Mauritius: History and Paradise

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your journey to Ankara, crossing the spectacular mountains of Bolu along the way. Arrive and enjoy a panoramic tour of Ankara, the Turkish capital and a modern and cosmopolitan city steeped in history and ancient culture.

Later, pay a visit to Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk. Inaugurated in 1953, it’s dedicated to the founder of Modern Turkey. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Ankara.

Estimated distance and travel time: 280 miles, 6 hrs approx.

The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn't consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, begin your journey to incredible Cappadocia, famed for its unique geological formations. Pass by the spectacular Salt Lake along the way.

Arrive in Cappadocia and transfer to the hotel. Head to a wonderful ceramic workshop where you’ll witness the traditional way of creating ceramic objects, from everyday artifacts to true works of art. Enjoy a visit to a precious stone shop and gain insight into the process of turning the raw material into stunning jewelry. Based on operative reasons this activities might be done the next day.

The remainder of the day is yours to begin discovering the landscapes of this magical region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To contemplate an unforgettable scene, we recommend our optional safari and sunset tour* for an adrenaline rush through the valleys of the city. Dinner and overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Estimated distance and travel time: 190 miles, 5 hrs approx.

The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn't consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.

*Optional Jeep safari and sunset in Cappadocia: Immerse yourself in the magical Cappadocia valley landscape, enjoying the sunset as you do impressive, adrenaline-pumping dips, donuts, and tricks, in a 4X4 jeep.

Breakfast at the hotel. Why not start the day with an optional hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia*, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Next, you have the chance to enjoy an optional visit to Kaimakli**, the incredible underground city*.

Mid-morning, discover the fascinating landscapes of Cappadocia, formed by the erosion of layers of lava and ash from ancient volcanic eruptions over 3 million years ago! Visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum, a Byzantine monastic complex with beautiful frescoes.

Explore the Valleys of Avcilar, Pasabagi and Güvercinlik, where the captivating "Fairy Chimneys" are located, followed by a visit to a local carpet workshop. Afterwards you can enjoy an optional Turkish night in Cappadocia***. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

*Optional Hot Air Balloon flight: float over Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, tuff valleys and rock-cut churches and experience the sunrise from a unique viewpoint on a 1-hour hot air balloon flight. Enjoy panoramic sunrise views, celebrate with a non-alcoholic beverage and a personalized flight certificate. Minimum age limit for children: 6 years old.

Please note: The hot air balloon flight depends on weather conditions at the destination and will be confirmed the day before. If the activity cannot take place, it will be refunded upon return.

**Optional visit to Kaimakli, the underground city: discover the maze of tunnels and rooms carved eight levels deep into the earth 12 miles from the city of Nevsehir. Believed to have been built in the Hittite period, it's the widest of the underground cities in the region.

***Optional Turkish night in Cappadocia: A fun evening filled with typical dances from the different regions in Turkey, including the famous belly dance. Enjoy this colorful event and the party atmosphere as you take in the traditions of the area! Unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic) during the show.

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart early this morning to Pamukkale. Take a tour through the ancient Hellenistic city of Hierapolis, famed for its unique geological features. Next, explore the Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of white waterfalls, stalactites and natural pools. 

Explore the otherworldly landscapes formed over the centuries by the passing of mineral-rich water from nearby hot springs, the perfect spot to practice your photography skills! As the day draws to a close, stop by a textile shop before you transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Pamukkale.

Estimated distance and travel time: 385 miles, 8 hrs approx.

The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn't consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.

Breakfast at the hotel. Delve deeper into the history of this land today. Pay a visit to an important pilgrimage site, the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the place where she spent the final years of her life.

Head to the Greco-Roman City of Ephesus, once the capital of Asia Minor and one of the best-preserved cities from this period. Discover the Temple of Hadrian, the Temple of Trajan, the Theatre and the Library of Celsus. Finally, check out an artisan leather shop to see how the local craftsmen work with this material.

Afterwards, head north to the city of Izmir or Kusadasi, depending on the confirmed hotel. Izmir is known for its expansive archaeological sites and is situated on the beautiful Aegean coast. Dinner and transfer to your hotel.

Estimated distance and travel time: 140 miles, 4 hrs approx.

The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn't consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.

Please note: During the summer months (May to November), accommodation may be in the city of Izmir instead of Kusadasi, but the order of the itinerary will remain the same.

Breakfast at the hotel. The first stop of the day is the ancient city of Pergamon, one of the most important cultural, commercial and medical centers of antiquity. Visit the Asclepion, the ancient world’s most prestigious hospital, once home to Galen, the famous Greek physician and philosopher.

Another exciting highlight awaits as you continue to the archaeological site of Troy, one of history’s most legendary cities! Discover incredible ruins and relive the famous saga of the siege of Troy, immortalized in Homer's Iliad.

Afterwards, continue to Canakkale. Spread across both sides of the Dardanelles Strait, this historic city is home to fascinating museums and sights related to its strategic location on the Dardanelles Strait. Transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay in Canakkale.

Estimated distance and travel time: 280 miles, 6 hrs approx.

The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn't consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Bursa this morning, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. The city is also known as 'Green Bursa' as it’s surrounded by lush forests and mountains.

Pay a visit to the spectacular Ulu Camii Mosque, Koza Han Silk Bazaar and the Green Tomb. After exploring Bursa, continue north to Topçular to cross the Gulf of Izmit either by ferry or by crossing the Osmangazi Bridge (decision based on operational reasons).

After crossing the Gulf, continue by road to Istanbul. Arrive, get settled at the hotel. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Estimated distance and travel time: 270 miles, 8 hrs approx.

The timing indication shows the effective time of driving, it doesn't consider the obligatory stops every 2 hours lasting an average of 15 minutes each.

Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the Cape Town airport to catch your flight to your next destination: Mauritius. Night on board.

*Depending on the flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Arrive and transfer in to the hotel. This island paradise is renowned for its crystalline waters, idyllic white sand beaches and exotic vegetation. Get settled in and if time allows begin exploring the area. Overnight stay in Mauritius.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you can choose to spend the day at your leisure, enjoying the beach or exploring the island independently. Alternatively, if you’re a nature-lover, we recommend taking part in an optional full-day catamaran cruise*, to admire Mauritius’ beautiful surroundings.

Or, if you want to soak up more of its culture, how about our optional Port-Louis excursion** to discover the capital city and thriving commercial center. Overnight stay in Mauritius.

*Optional full-day Catamaran Cruise to Île aux Cerfs: Cruise along the east coast while sipping on freshly-made drinks. Heading towards the waterfalls of the southeast to snorkel and swim! Spend the afternoon at Île aux Cerfs, and then cruise back to the jetty of Preskil Island Resort. Pure bliss!

**Optional Port-Louis Excursion: founded by the French Governor François Mahé de Labourdonnais in 1735. See historical monuments such as: The Robert Edward Hart Garden, Marie Reine de la Paix, St James Cathedral, Port-Louis theater among many others. Check out the buzzing central market and head to the Caudan Waterfront and find a wide selection of crafts and jewelry.

Please note: the optional Port-Louis excursion does not run on Sundays. Both optional excursions last all day. Please choose only one excursion.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today is your last day in Mauritius! Take part in the full-day Curepipe, Grand Bassin, Plaine Champagne, and Chamarel excursion. Enjoy the fresh air and panoramic view from the top of “Trou Aux Cerfs”, a 700,000 year-old extinct volcano.

Quick stop in Curepipe’s town center to visit a ship model factory and enjoy a spot of shopping. Before lunch, head to Grand Bassin, a sacred lake for pilgrims of the Hindu community. Only a stone's throw from this mystical site are the Black River Gorges, Mauritius’ largest nature reserve.

Finally head to the village of Chamarel to discover the  Land of Seven Colours, an astounding and beautiful geological formation where the mounds are naturally different colours. Overnight stay in Mauritius.

Breakfast* at the hotel. It's time to bid farewell to the magical Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board.

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.