Archaeological Tours

Welcome to Turkey, the land of many civilizations. This tour will focus on the archaeological study of the many cultures and empires that ruled this land; from the Hittites to the Persians and Romans, including the Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans, and up to the present day Turks. When you arrive in Istanbul you will be met by our hospitable OMEGA TOURS staff who will then transfer you to your hotel for dinner and overnight. D

Istanbul, a city that has housed the Emperors and Sultans of 2 empires. A full day sightseeing tour will reveal the mixture of these two different cultures. The main attractions will include: Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Byzantine Cistern, Ancient  Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, Kariye Museum (St. Savior in Chora Church), and Covered Bazaar. We will have free time for lunch on your own along the way. In the evening, you can take advantage of an optional By Night Tour of Istanbul, followed by an exotic oriental show held in a popular night club. B

In the morning cruise Bosphorus with several ports of call on the Asiatic and the European coasts. After lunch on your own in Tarabya Bay, cross the Bosphorus Bridge and visit the Asiatic side of the city, along with the Camlica Hills for an exciting panoramic view of Istanbul. B

In the morning depart for Canakkale to have lunch on your own in Gallipoli, the battlefields of the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign in World War I, before crossing the Dardanelles by ferry-boat. In the afternoon visit the famous ruins of Troy, Homer’s land. Proceed to Canakkale for dinner and overnight. B & D

In the morning drive to Pergamum. Stop for lunch on your own in a local restaurant, and then visit  ancient Acropolis; Altar of Zeus, Temple of Athena, and the great library of Pergamum which is the most significant ruin. We will also visit  Archaeological Museum and Aesclapium, home of the first health spa. Arrive in the modern metropolis, Izmir for dinner and overnight. This evening you can take the opportunity to walk along the still waters of its tropical bay. B & D

Today is a special day! After a quick drive to Selcuk, where St. John spent his final years, visit his Basilica. Lunch is served in a local restaurant on your own ; and in the afternoon visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary which lies in a secluded, peaceful area with a heavenly view high up in the mountains. Descend into the valley to explore the remarkable ruins of the Roman city “Ephesus”. Let your imagination run wild as you walk down the marble streets as the Romans once did. This ancient city, once with a population of 300,000, is the best preserved and most complete in Turkey, and is still under exploration by world class archeologists. After a long days transfer to Kusadasi for a relaxing dinner and overnight at the hotel. B & D

We will use the whole day to visit three famous archaeological sites of the Aegean Coast: Priene which was discovered in the 12th century B.C. by the Athenian colonists, Miletus which was a military harbor that held up to 200 warships, and Didyma which houses the massive Temple of Apollo. We will stop for lunch on your own en route, and return to Kusadasi in time for dinner. B & D

En route to Pamukkale, stop and visit Aphrodisias, a Hellenistic city known as the center of the arts, specifically sculpture. The city contains a two mile long Byzantine wall which surrounds the city, the temple of Aphrodite, the Baths of Hadrian, and a 1st century A.D. stadium that seated 30,000 and has a length of almost two football fields. On arrival in Pamukkale experience its oasis pools, where many plateaus of limestone pools are created by the natural spring water that flows downhill. Advance to the hotel for dinner and overnight. B & D

In the morning depart for Antalya, one of Turkey’s most modern cities. On the way, visit the famous site the ancient city of Termessos, which is surrounded by the high peaks of the Taurus mountains. What a view this is! Only the ruins of Agora, Gymnasium, and theater remain due to an earthquake in 527 A.D. Ironically the cities only enemy was nature its self because of its formidable natural defenses to deny intruders; one of these being Alexander the Great who swept through Anatolia. Proceed to Antalya for a hearty dinner and comfortable overnight. B & D

Whole day is devoted to discover archaeological sites of ancient Pamphilia. In the morning visit Perge’s  and Aspendos ancient ruins where we can find one of the best preserved theaters in the world dating back to the 2nd century.  Lunch on your own  by the Mediterranean coast in Side and in the afternoon visit its ancient city and museum. Then proceed to Alanya to visit the fortified castle high up on the Mediterranean cliffs that protects the city in the valley below. Return back to Antalya for dinner and overnight. B & D

In the morning on the way to Konya, visit Catalhoyuk, which is undoubtedly the most important Neolithic site in Turkey and the oldest antique town in the world. Continue to Konya for dinner and overnight at  hotel. B & D

Begin the day by visiting Mevlana Tekkesi,  Museum of Whirling Dervishes, which contains the Dervishes’ tombs, ancient relics, and precious carpets dating to the 12th century. Continue on to Medresse of Karatay which was formerly a Coranic school, but now holds a priceless ceramic and tile collection. Also observe the unique architecture of Aladdin Mosque. Have  lunch on your own  and then visit the Caravansary of Sultanhani which is on the way to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight is in Nevsehir. B & D

Once inhabited by a unique civilization, Goreme Valley is famous worldwide for its rock churches decorated with remarkable frescoes made by the first Christians. After  lunch on your own , we will visit another of mother nature’s creation, the villages of Uchisar, known as the petrified valley of pigeon coats, Zelve, known as the valley of the fairy chimneys and erosion cones, Avcilar, Avanos, and Urgup. Still today the villagers live in these cone shaped rock homes! Proceed onward to Konya for dinner and overnight. B & D

In the morning depart for Turkey’s administrative district, Ankara. We will make a detour through Hattusa, known also as Bogazkale, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire. Lunch is on your own in a local restaurant, and then continue to Ankara for dinner and overnight. B & D

In the morning you will be transferred to the airport with enough time to check in before departure. B