GLORIES OF TURKEY

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. BD

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. Join an optional afternoon tour of Sirince. B D

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

Day 8 Thu: Bodrum – Kos | After breakfast, the day is free for personal activities. Optional day island Kos Dinner and overnight in Bodrum. B D

Day 9 Fri: Bodrum – Antalya | After breakfast depart for Antalya, en route visit famous Termessos Ancient City, then continue to Antalya for dinner and overnight. B D

Day 10 Sat: Perge – Aspendos – Antalya | This morning visit Perge and Aspendos afternoon is free for personal activities. Dinner at the hotel. B D

Day 11 Sun: Antalya – Konya – Cappadocia | Early morning departure for Konya visit mausoleum of the sufi philosopher Mevlana. Afterwards departure to Cappadocia on the way visit 13th century Caravansaray and later visit underground city of Saratli. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. B D

Day 12 Mon: 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 were 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. Dinner at a special local restaurant, Join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. B D

Day 13 Tue: Cappadocia – Ankara | Early morning departure to the capital city of Ankara through the salt lake area, Enjoy an afternoon tour 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. Dinner and overnight at Ankara. BD

Day 14 Wed: Ankara – Istanbul | After breakfast depart for Istanbul. In the afternoon, join an optional halfday 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 15 Thu: Istanbul | Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. B