14 Days / 13 Nights

Highlights Included in your tour:

• ISTANBUL – Guided sightseeing tours of Topkapi palace, the Hippodrome, Saint Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and

  the Grand Bazaar.

• BURSA – The Green Mosque, the Green Tomb

• ANKARA – Museum of Anatolian civilizations, the Mausoleum of Ataturk.

• CAPPADOCIA - The underground city of Ozkonak, Red Valley, Pasabagi and Goreme with its rock chapels.

• KONYA - Caravan Inn of Agzikarahan, the Mevlana Museum, Karatay Koran School.

• ANTALYA - Guided sightseeing of ancient cities: Perge and Aspendos.

• PAMUKKALE – Visit the Roman ruins of Hierapolis and swim in your hotel’s hot spring pools.

• EPHESUS - Guided tour of glorious Ephesus, the Virgin Mary’s House.

• PERGAMUM&TROY - Full day excursion to Pergamum & ancient Troy.

• DARDANELLES & GALLIPOLI - Ferry across the Dardanelles Waterway, visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery.

Day 1 - Thursday: Istanbul

Your representative awaits to greet you as you land in Istanbul. After transferring to your hotel, the remainder of the day is free. Tonight meet your tour companions at a welcome cocktail hosted by your tour director.

Day 2 - Friday: Istanbul

Your day begins with a guided tour exploring the ancient city with highlights to include the magnificent Topkapi Palace (excluding the harem), the Hippodrome where Roman chariot races were held. Continue to the Blue Mosque with its magnificent blue tiles decorating the inside of this Mosque. Visit Saint Sophia built by Constantine now a museum, finally the Grand Bazaar with its 3,000 exotic shops along the covered lanes and alleyway. Optional: Dinner with belly dancing entertainment. (B)

Day 3 - Saturday: Gallipoli / Dardanelles / Canakkle

Morning departure for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery. Cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 4 - Sunday: Troy / Pergamum-Kusadasi

Visit the ruins of Troy where Greek Trojan heroes fought the Trojan war for the beautiful Helen. Tour ancient Pergamum, famous for work done by the great Roman physician, Galen. Continue to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 5 - Monday: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House / Kusadasi

This morning we head across the fertile Menderes Valley to glorious Ephesus, capital of Roman Asia Minor, to see extensive ruins which include 2,000 year old marble streets, a huge theatre, the library of Celsius, a gymnasium and the temple of Hadrian. In the afternoon, visit the nearby Virgin Mary’s stone cottage. Afternoon at leisure or take an optional tour of Sardis or Sirince. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B, D)

Day 6 - Tuesday: Aphoridisias / Pamukkale

Drive though fertile valley’s to Aphrodisias city of Aphrodite, then continue to Pamukkale to visit the ancient Roman health spa Heirapolis and the spectacular white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

Day 7 - Wednesday: Pamukkale / Antalya

Morning depature for Antalya arriving at noon. Afternoon at leisure or take an optional tour of the Archaeological museum and Old Harbour. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (B, D)

Day 8 - Thursday: Perge / Aspendos / Antalya

A half day of exploring includes a tour of ancient Pamphylian, Hellenistic and Roman cities: the unspoiled ruins of Perge with its colonnade street, and Aspendos with its huge theatre, the best preserved one in the Mediterranean area with a capacity of 15,000 spectators and still in use for special events. Afternoon free in Antalya. (B, D)

Day 9 - Friday: Antalya / Konya / Cappadocia

After breakfast depart for Konya, capital of the mighty Seljuk Empire form 1078 to 1307, where we visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, founder of the Order of Whirling Dervishes and then continue to beautiful Karatay Koran school, now a museum displaying richly coloured Turkish tiles. Continue to Cappadocia for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 10 - Saturday: Cappadocia

A full day touring the ”moon-like” topography of Cappadocia at Goreme, with its rock chapels carved by early Christians Visit the underground city at Ozkonak and Avanos with its Byzantine Monastic as well as Pasabagi and the Red Valley. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia (B, D)

Day 11 - Sunday: Cappadocia / Ankara

Morning departure for Ankara on the way visit the 13th century Agzikarahan caravansary. In the afternoon visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish republic and then the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. (B,D)

Day 12 - Monday: Ankara / Bursa

Morning departure for Bursa and visit the Green Ottoman Complex and an opportunity for a Turkish bath in the hotels outstanding facilities. Dinner and overnight in Bursa. (B, D)

Day 13 - Tuesday: Istanbul

After breakfast cross the Marmara Sea to Istanbul. In the afternoon an optional half day Bosphorus Cruise, including last minute shopping in the Spice Market. Farewell dinner this evening in Istanbul (B,D)

Day 14 - Wednesday: Istanbul / Departure

Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight home or elsewhere. (B)