CAPPADOCIA Ancient civilisations of Asia Minor

11 days | £5395 per person with flights |  26 May - 5 June 2026

Ancient civilisations of Asia Minor

Volcanoes, fairy chimneys, cities built in caves and beneath the ground: appropriately for a landscape that seems to have sprung from a storybook, the history of the region of Cappadocia is hard to separate from its myths. Among its legendary kings were Croesus, Midas, and Gordias, whose knot was cut and eponymous capital occupied by Alexander on his path through Asia. It was also once the heart of the empire of the Hittites, whose traces can still be observed today in Boghazkale. They were succeeded by Phrygians, Persians, and Greeks, whose city at Amaseia was the capital of the kings of Pontus. But it was in the Christian era that Cappadocia saw its richest period of artistic and architectural achievement, in the shape of the extraordinary, honeycombed cave-churches that were built in the unearthly landscapes of Goreme and the Ihlara valley. Built by monks in the early Christian and medieval periods, many such churches are painted with astonishingly beautiful and well-preserved frescoes.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Antalya and transfer to our first hotel in the old town. Enjoy our first group meal together at the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 2 - ANTALYA

Morning visit to the ancient Pisidian city of Termessos on a mountainside in Mount Gulluk National Park. Within the city walls remains from the Hellenistic and Roman periods include the agora, temples and the magnificently situated theatre with spectacular views over the Pamphylian plain more than 1000m below. After an independent lunch in Antalya, we visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum and take a walking tour of the old town. This evening, we enjoy a group dinner at a restaurant by the harbour.

Day 3 - KONYA

Check out and drive to Perge in Pamphylia, birthplace of Greek mathematician Apollonius, and visited by St. Paul. We see the Roman stadium and theatre, walk through the imposing Hellenistic Gate to the agora and follow the grand colonnaded avenue to the palaestra and nymphaeum. Continue to Beysehir for a group lunch by the lakeside, followed by a visit to the 13^thC Esrefoglu Mosque, its roof supported by 42 cedarwood columns. We drive on to Konya where we check in to our hotel for the next two nights. Tonight, a dinner is included.

Day 4 - KONYA 

Today a busy modern metropolis, Konya (Iconium to the Greeks) has a long and storied history as a Phrygian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Seljuk town. Visit the splendid Alaeddin Mosque, which contains the tombs of eight Seljuk sultans, and the Ince Minare and Karatay medreses. See too the Mevlana Tekke which houses the mausoleum of the Sufi mystic and poet Rumi, who died here in 1273, and a museum of carpets, manuscripts and musical instruments. After lunch, explore nearby Catal Huyuk, one of the world’s largest Neolithic sites, where wall paintings, reliefs and artefacts over 7000 years old have been found. Tonight, a dinner is included.

Day 5 - ankara 

By coach to Gordion, the capital of ancient Phrygia. The ancient necropolis is dotted with burial tumuli, including the enormous ‘Midas Mound’, traditionally associated the legendary king, but now more commonly believed to be that of his father, Gordias. We also visit the Gordion Museum which displays finds from the archaeological excavations. Continue to Ankara. Today, a lunch and dinner are included.

Day 6 - boghazkale   

Morning visit to Ankara’s Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, a rich repository of artifacts dating from the Palaeolithic to the Classical period. Assyrians, Hittites, Phyrgians, and Lydians are all well-represented. After lunch, by coach to Boghazkale, a small town beside the Hittite capital, Hattusas. Tonight, a dinner is included.

Day 7 - BOGHAZKALE 

A full day to explore the Hittite archaeological sites, including the UNESCO-listed Hattusas, with the famous Lion Gate, impressive fortifications and remains of several temples. Visit the rock shrine of Yazilikaya, containing magnificent reliefs of Hittite deities, and northeast of Hattusas, the settlement of Alaca Huyuk, originally occupied by the pre-Hittite Hatti people, its city gate flanked by two great stone sphinxes. Today, a lunch and dinner are included.

Day 8 - CAPPADOCIA 

Check out and drive from Boghazkale to Cappadocia with its astonishing volcanic landscape. Goreme National Park contains an open-air museum that showcases the best of Cappadocia’s astonishing painted cave churches. Many date from the early Christian period, and are unusually well-preserved, having escaped Byzantine iconoclasm relatively unscathed. Tonight, a dinner is included.

Day 9 - CAPPADOCIA   

Visit an underground city, large enough to house and feed over two thousand people, which for centuries served as a refuge from military and religious conflicts. The subterranean tunnels, many of which remain unexcavated, contained stables, kitchens, and religious spaces, and connect with other underground cities elsewhere in the region. Continue to the beautiful Ihlara valley to visit more painted rock-cut churches and have a leisurely walk along the river. Today, a lunch is included.

Day 10 - cappadocia 

Drive to the beautiful and less-visited Soganli Valley which contains more painted churches and monasteries carved out of the spectacular rock formations. There are also dovecotes carved into the hillsides. After our exploration of the valley, we return to our hotel and enjoy a free afternoon before gathering for a farewell dinner.

DAY 11 - CAPPADOCIA 

Optional sunrise balloon flight from Goreme. Transfer to hotel and return flight to the UK.

Tuvana Hotel, Antalya

Tuvana is a charming boutique hotel located right in the centre of town near to the historic district; offering home comforts with all modern luxury and amenities with the ambiance and spirit of historical times.

Hich Hotel, Konya

 Located almost inside the Mevlana Museum garden, the Hich Hotel Konya is within walking distance of all historical sites in the centre. There are many restaurants, cafes and shops nearby.  Inside, stone, wood and metal are fused to offer a unique design of specially created furniture and accessories. Rooms overlook the Mevlana Tomb and the historical Asmalı Mescit. 

Crown Plaza, Ankara

The Crown Plaza is newly built offering a warm welcome to the capital city with its prime location on Fatih Sultan Mehmet Boulevard .  Rooms are modern and fully equipped with every amenity required.

Yunak Evleri, Cappadocia

Nestled amongst Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, Yunak Evleri is a special cave hotel carved into a mountain-side. The property boasts rooms dating back to the 5th century, alongside a 19th-century Greek mansion. Rooms are furnished with warm hardwood floors, traditional rugs, and handcrafted furniture and each has a spacious marble bathroom, complete with modern amenities.

With Flights:   £5395

No Flights:   £5195

Single Supp:   £695

Deposit: £550

Departure Dates:

26 May - 5 June 2026

Duration:

10 nights / 11 days

Your Holiday Includes:

• Return flights (Economy class) from London to Antalya, returning from Kayseri via Istanbul
• Ten nights’ bed and breakfast in locally 4-star rated hotels
• Private coach transfers and  excursions
• Nine evening meals and five lunches
• Guided visits to monuments and museums listed in the programme
• Services of the Tour Lecturer and a Tour Manager 
• Detailed programme and study notes 
• All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and waiters 

Guest Lecturer

Sue Rollin

Sue Rollin specialises in the ancient and Islamic Middle East, India and the Mediterranean. An archaeologist, historian and linguist by training, Sue lectures for the Arts society and the V&A and has led Study Tours in Spain, Sicily, Morocco, the Middle East, Central Asia and India. Sue speaks Spanish, Italian, French and German. She is co-author of two travel guides: the Blue Guide to Jordan and Istanbul: A Traveller’s Guide.

Travel Information
The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.

Please note that Art Pursuits use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.

Stamina

Please note that some of our tours can involve a fair amount of walking, sometimes across uneven ground. Please contact us if you would like more information.

Optional sunrise balloon flight

This option sunrise balloon flight on the final day is £275 per person. Please note, it is important to ensure your travel insurance policy will cover this type of activity.

Hotels

Please note that the listed hotels are subject to change based on the availability provided by our local agent. For further information, please contact the office or email us at abroad@artpursuits.com.