Day 1, Sat: Istanbul
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2, Sun: Istanbul
Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (Excluding Harem). Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the center of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Your last stop, St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and now a museum and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment (B).
Day 3, Mon: Istanbul - Ankara
Optional: Morning tour of Bosphorus cruise enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighborhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants and cafés. The tour will be ended in Asia side and drive for the capital city of Ankara for overnight. (B, D).
Day 4, Tue: Ankara - Cappadocia
Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai holding artifacts from up to 7500 years old including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artifacts in the world. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravanserai en route. Pay a visit to the Underground City of Saratli, one of the many underground settlements built for protection and religious reasons. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel (B, D).
Optional: Whirling Dervishes performance at night
Day 5, Wed: Cappadocia
Optional: Early morning hot air balloon flight to experience of floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at the sunrise.
After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which was first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi, Red Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave (B, D).
Day 6, Thu: Cappadocia - Pamukkale
Today’s ride will be relatively long and tiring due to the long distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale and lack of convenient lodging location. Overnight Pamukkale (B, D).
Day 7, Fri: Pamukkale - Kusadasi
Visit the unique Cotton Fortress of Pamukkale, with its white lime cascades formed my mineral springs, and the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Proceed to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight (B, D).
Day 8, Sat: Ephesus - St. Mary’s House - Kusadasi
Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, the Theater, the Library of Celsius, the Gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a regional rug production center to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form (B, D).
Optional: Afternoon tour of Sirince
Day 9, Sun: Pergamum - Troy - Canakkale
Visit the ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamum and continue to Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of each other. Continue to Canakkale for overnight (B, D).
Day 10, Mon: Canakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul
In the morning depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, and then drive to Istanbul. Visit to Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Istanbul (B, D).
Day 11, Tue: Istanbul
Transfer to the airport for the flight to next destination (B).
Our Rates Include:
* Deluxe and superior class hotels with private facilities
* Meals where indicated
(B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner)
* English speaking licensed guides throughout the tour
* Private air-conditioned vehicle the size of which depends on the number of the participants
* Admission fees as per designated itinerary
* Local taxes and service charges
* Arrival and departure transfers – only – on the arrival and departure days
Our Rates Exclude:
* Personal expenses
* Optional tours
* Customary tips to the guides and drivers
