Day 1 Thu: Istanbul – Arrival | Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Welcome briefing will be held.
Day 2 Fri: 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. Next see 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. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. B
Day 3 Sat: Gallipoli – Dardanelles – Canakkale | In the morning, depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, then cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale for overnight. B D
Day 4 Sun: Troy – Pergamum – Izmir | Visit 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. Before arriving into Asclepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional local village. Then continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Center in Asclepion and continue to Izmir for overnight. B L D
Day 5 Mon: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House – Izmir | Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a 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
Optional : Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 6 Tue: Izmir – Pamukkale | Drive through lush valleys to Pamukkale, the Cotton Fortress, with white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Visit ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and enjoy a swim in your hotel’s thermal pool. B D
Day 7 Wed: Pamukkale – Bodrum | After breakfast visit ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and later drive to Bodrum to visit the Castle of St.Peter and the renowned Underwater Museum that was awarded the best Underwater Museum of the World in 2000s. Overnight in Bodrum. B D
Day 8 Thu: Bodrum – Fethiye | After breakfast, late morning departure to foundations of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Afterwards, depart to Fethiye. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Fethiye. B D
Day 9 Fri: Fethiye | After the breakfast, day at leisure for optional activities. B D
Day 10 Sat: Fethiye – Cruise | Depart early for Fethiye pier to board a gulet at 09:30am. Spend the afternoon visiting beautiful islands and finally hoist near Göcek Island. Following lunch and a swimming break, cruise to Yassica Island to spend the night and cherish the wonderfulscenery. B L D
Day 11 Sun: Bedri Rahmi Bay – Domuz Island – Aga Limani | After breakfast, cruise to Bedri Rahmi Bay named after the famous Turkish artist who set voyage on one of the first ‘blue cruises’ in Turkey. Continue to Domuz Island for a swim and anchor in Aga Limani for dinner and overnight. B L D
Day 12 Mon: Kumlubük – Cennet Island – Marmaris | Depart early and enjoy breakfast in Kumlubük Bay. Anchor at Cennet Island for our last swimming break and lunch. Proceed to Marmaris Harbor by 4:00pm. Overnight stay in Marmaris. Guests wishing to see more of Marmaris are recommended to go to the city center and experience the lively nightlife. B
Day 12 Fri: Kalkan – Fethiye – Cruise | Depart early for Fethiye to board a gulet at 10:30am. Spend the afternoon visiting beautiful islands and finally hoist near Göcek Island. Following lunch and a swimming break, cruise to Yassica Island to spend the night and cherish the wonderful scenery. B L D
Day 13 Tue: Marmaris – Cappadocia | Leave the boat and transfer to the Dalaman airport for flight to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. B D
Day 14 Wed: Cappadocia | Early Morning Optional: Hot Air Balloon Tour. Experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After break- fast 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, Devrent Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop. Dinner at a special local restaurant. B D Join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. B D
Day 15 Thu: Cappadocia – Istanbul | After breakfast depart to the airport for flight to Istanbul. In the afternoon, join an optional half-day 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. Finish your last minute shopping at the Spice Market filled with the fragrance of the exotic east. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner. B D
Day 16 Fri: Istanbul | Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. B
Departure Dates (2018)
May 03, 17, 31
Jun 14
Jul 19
Aug 23
Sep 06, 20
Oct 04