from $7,450* per person	14 Days	April, May, October
Comfort accommodations		Exertion level: 4
Operator: Geographic Expeditions		18 people max

“I have fallen a hopeless victim to the Turk,” Gertrude Bell once wrote in a letter to her family. “He is the most charming of mortals.”

We deliver this information (it’s hardly news) about the Turks because in all the world we can think of very few places whose people are so wonderful to meet and whose roster of places to avidly look at is so long and rich. We’ll have many charming Turks to meet, and many places upon which to lavish our gaze on this smartly designed trip, our tribute to the fun we’ve had in our three decades of traveling in Turkey.

We begin with a close look at Istanbul, we explore ancient Troy and the ruins of Assos, perched high on an Aegean hillside (proof that Aristotle, who lived here, had a good eye and a good noggin). We explore ancient Troy and the ruins of Assos, perched high on an Aegean hillside (proof that Aristotle, who lived here, had a good eye and a good noggin). We’ll wander creatively in magnificently preserved Ephesus (which was once the second largest city in the Roman Empire). We continue our classical theme in Sardis and the beautiful Aegean resort of Kusadasi, once the home of Mary, mother of Jesus of Nazareth. And after flying to Turkey’s capital, Ankara, we embark for a couple of days in the wonderland of Cappadocia. Now, there are unique landscapes and then there is Cappadocia. Its fairy landscapes are the result of seas of volcanic ash solidified into soft stone, or tufa, which in turn eroded magically into deep valleys, needle-like towers, and irregular cones, in which vast rooms have been carved. The Byzantine frescoes of Cappadocia’s famed cave churches are among the most moving expressions of early Christian art in the world. After a day wandering in this natural and human marvel, we’re off to Istanbul to continue our dalliance with the great city for another couple of days.