Day 1: Arrival Istanbul
Following our arrival in Istanbul we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel where we will have our overnight stay.
Welcome Gift, Nazar Boncuk ( Turkish Blue Eyed Bead ) Nazar Boncugu is a glass bead that protects the holder from evil eye. It is pretty common in Turkey. Have a look around and you might discover countless Nazar Boncuks dangling from cars, from rear-view windows, backpacks, on necklaces and bracelets, pinned to the sweaters of babies and small children, and hanging above doors in restaurants, hotels, stores, and apartments.
Day 2: Istanbul (B/L)
After breakfast we set off on a full day of sightseeing in Istanbul. We will start with a visit to the renewed Sultanahmet Mosque, known popularly as The Blue Mosque an incredibly beautiful mosque known for its blue Iznik (Nicaea) tiles are unique for the fact that it has six minarets. We continue on to the Hippodrome once the vast arena that functioned as the heart of sporting (chariots races and athletics) events and political activities of the old city. From here we go to the nearby Hagia Sophia the Church of Divine Wisdom. Ranking as one of the greatest marvels of world architecture, this awe-inspiring building was constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. After lunch our next visit will be Topkapi Palace which for more than 400 years was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans; now home to the priceless collections porcelain, jewelry, calligraphy and many masterpieces of art. The tour will end with the visit to the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry and carpets.
Day 3: Istanbul / Canakkale (B/L/D)
Following breakfast we begin our drive to Canakkale. Our drive will first take us to Gallipoli, the site of the incredible battle played out here during World War I. Tour of the Gallipoli battlefield, scene of the aborted Allied invasion of 1915. Visit Cape Helles, Suvla Bay and Anzac Cove. Here we will cross the Dardanelles and then will proceed to Canakkale for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Canakkale.
Day 4: Canakkale / Troy / Pergamon / Kusadasi (B/L/D)
After breakfast we visit the Unesco world heritage site of Troy, where we will see its legendary walls and the replica of the wooden Trojan Horse. From here we begin our drive towards the Aegean and Izmir. Along the way we will stop at the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon, including visits to the Acropol, the steepest theatre of the ancient world, the Temple of Trojan and the Library. From here we continue on with visits to the ancient healing center of Asklepion and the Red Basilica, which is one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation
Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 5: Kusadasi (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will drive shortly to the town of Selcuk. From this point, a wide-open view overlooking the former harbor of the ancient city of Ephesus can be seen. Also, the only single standing column of the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world can be seen. After the visit of the Basilica of St John, we will walk downhill to visit the 14th century Isabey Mosque. Following this visit, our driver will pick us up to drive shortly to the ruins of Ephesus the city mentioned in the Bible several times. We will stroll through the extensively excavated archeological site with the Great Theatre where St Paul had preached and the Church of the Councils (two of the Christian Councils were held here). Ephesus was once a thriving port town of 250,000 people and it was one of the 4 biggest cities of the Roman Empire during their heyday. That day you can still see the spectacular excavations on the major streets in this ancient city, where we also see the library, Agora, theatre, and mosaic covered sidewalks. Heading up the hills behind Ephesus, you will see where Virgin Mary is believed to have spent the last days of her life. Presently, there is a charming chapel, consecrated by Pope, at the very spot where the House of Virgin Mary stood. The local tradition suggests that Virgin Mary lived and died at this holy place with the company of St. John to whom she was entrusted by Jesus Christ before he was crucified. Concluding your sightseeing, you may spend some leisurely time in the town center of Kusadasi. You may stroll through the charming market that is right across the port to hunt for bargains in fine jewelry, silverware and leather products at a great variety of stores offering handmade souvenirs of Turkish culture.
Day 6: Kusadasi / Pamukkale (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel to visit Aphrodisias, was built from a marble quarry near Baba Dağ (ancient Salbakos) that was extensively exploited in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and the sculptors from Aphrodisias became famous in the Roman world. In Greek times, the site was dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility. The site was named Aphrodisias during the 2nd century BC and the great Temple of Aphrodite was built in the 1st century AD.Afterwards, you will visit Hierapolis founded during the Hellenistic period as a control point of trading routes connecting East to West. In the Roman Period, Hierapolis became a center of worship to Hades and Apollo as well as a thermal center where massive Roman Baths were built to serve the Romans that visited the city from around the ancient world. Upon arrival at the site, you will be welcomed by the spectacular views of calcium pools that have been irrigated by the spring waters of Hierapolis for thousands of years. After a short break to take pictures and enjoy the view, you will continue on to the ancient site that is still being excavated by Italian archaeologists. Wandering through the colossal tomb chambers of Necropolis, you will comprehend the wealth of the society that could afford such impressive graves to be buried in the grounds of the “Sacred City”, as what Hierapolis meant in ancient Greek. You will keep exploring the ancient site by touring the Gate of Domitianus and the Byzantine Baths. Once you reach the lower slopes of the hills that rise behind the site, you will note one of the best preserved Roman Theatres of the world of archaeology. Built during 2nd century, the theatre of Hierapolis was used for both theatrical activities and shows of violence.
Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 7: Pamukkale / Konya (B/L/D)
Today, travel from Pamukkale, the "Cotton Castle," to Konya, a city renowned for its Seljuk architecture and also as the home of the "Whirling Dervishes." Arrive in the afternoon and visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana with its distinctive fluted dome of turquoise tiles. View works of the 13th century leader Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, one of the greatest mystical poets of Islam. The Mevlevi Sufi order was founded to follow his teachings. After exploring the museum, join your fellow travelers for dinner together.
Day 8: Konya / Cappadocia (B/L/D)
Depart for Cappadocia, visiting the magnificent Caravanserai of Sultanhan en route. Afterward, visit Guzelyurt, a fine example of cave dwellings and Greek influences in the Cappadocia region. Following lunch, continue to Nevsehir in Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, visit a carpet atelier and have a demonstration of carpet weaving. After, check in to your hotel with free time before dinner. Tonight, attend the optional Whirling Dervish performance; their captivating mystical ritual connects one in infinite spinning to perfect harmony
Day 9: Cappadocia (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will explore the famous valleys of Cappadocia. It is a unique location in the world with one of a kind natural rock formation. Very long time ago volcanic eruptions caused the lava flow that dried above the Earth’s crust and formed the tufa rocks. Erosion shaped them into famous formations, which are called “fairy chimneys”. But it is not only the landscape that makes this place unique. Hittites chiselled the soft tufa stones to carve out this fairy tale world into homes, stables, shops, churches, hospitals, etc. etc. Early Christians carved caves and made frescoes of Biblical scenes on the walls of these rock-carved chapels. Some of these frescoes are still incredibly vivid, attesting to the skills and religious fervor of the faithful. We will visit Goreme Open air Museum, Kaymakli Underground Cistern, Devrent, Pigeon, Pasabag and Avanos valleys, the latter providing us with the opportunity to purchase some pottery made with kick-wheel method that has been shaped here for millennia.
Day 10: Cappadocia / Ankara (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive to Ankara. On the way a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake pass by the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. Upon arrival to Ankara, we will visit to the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. After than, visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display.
We will have dinner and overnight at our hotel in Ankara.
Day 11: Ankara / Istanbul (B/L)
Depart for Istanbul, arriving in the early afternoon. Leisure time to explore on your own on this last day in Turkey.
Day 12: Istanbul / Fly Back Home (B)
After breakfast, we transferred to Istanbul airport for our departure flight back home.
