Day 1 Thu: Istanbul | Arrival and transfer to hotel. Welcome briefing.
Day 2 Fri: Istanbul | Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, 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 | Morning departure for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, then across 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 D
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: Hierapolis – Gocek or Fethiye | Visit the Hierapolis Roman health spa ruins and then motor south to the resort city of Gocek or Fethiye to board a gulet yacht. B D
Day 8 Thu: Yacht cruise (Lycian coast) | Sail across beautiful bays surrounded by high-forested hills. B L D
Day 9 Fri: Yacht cruise (Lycian coast) | Continue cruising the Mediterranean coast explore nearby Lycian ruins,swim or simply relax. B L D
Day 10 Sat: Marmaris | End your cruise with breakfast in Marmaris. B
Departure Dates (2018)