Turkey:
Time: Oct. 3 – Oct.27 (25 days)
Good food, culture, adventure, and history galore.  Our time spent in Turkey will be a mix off all four.

Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, roots of Christianity, and the Muslim religion, are just a very brief overview of Turkey’s historical past leaving the country littered with fascinating ruins, mosques, palaces, and places describe in famous literature, such as Homer’s Iliad.  Some of the better known places on the itinerary; Aya Sofya (at one time was one of the greatest churches in Christendom until later converted into a Mosque), Blue Mosque (built to surpass the grandeur of Aya Sofya), Troy, Ephesus (location of Paul’s letter and a testimony to the grandeur of Roman cities), and the area of Cappadocia (location of deep underground cities and ancient churches).

Turkish delight(lokum) and kabobs!  This is one country where our families will not have to worry about us losing weight.  A trip to the Grand Bazaar will also allow us the opportunity to collect spices to flavor the rest of our trip.

With 98% percent of Turks being Muslim (although relaxed about their religion compared to other Islamic countries), it will be a unique experience to see how their religion impacts daily life.  We will be arriving in the midst of Ramazan (Ramadan), a month long Muslims holiday when they fast throughout daylight hours.  We also hope to view the cultural and religious spectrum by visiting both the cosmopolitan cities of the capital Ankara and Istanbul, as well as smaller towns which retain a more conservative, traditional feel.  

As an underlying theme throughout our travels, we anticipate combining the above experiences with adventure.  A multiday trekking trip along the Lycian Way, visiting unique formations at Pamukkale (“Cotton Castle”) and Cappadocia’s “chimneys” created by nature, and a stop at Ala Daglar National Park to hike are the plans.

October 3rd - 7th
Istanbul

October 8th
City of Selcuk & Ruins of Ephesus with a detour to Virgin Mary's house

October 9th
Hierapolis (Ruins from Roman City) and Pumakkale (Cotton Castle)

October 10th - 15th
Oludeniz, Lycian Way Hike, Olympos Ruins and Chimaera

October 17th - 21st
Cappadocia region

October 21st - 24th
Tokat and Amasya

October 25th - 26th
Amasya and Ankara

Turkey Country Summary