Turkey

On arrival in Istanbul, you will be met and transferred by our local representative to your hotel. In the afternoon enjoy Bosphorus Cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding waterstrait separating USDope and Asia and visit of Spice Market. Overnight in Istanbul. (-

Istanbul

In the morning visit to the Anatolian Civilizations ,Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and manyothers are on display, Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia. After a picturesque trip along the SaltLake pass by the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. After visiting KaymakliUndergroundCity, the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel in Cappadocia for overnight .

Capadocia - Kaymakli Underground city , uchisar valley

Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at 09.30-10.00 depending on the arrival time of the participants and visit the valleys where animal-like natural formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey,meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. In the afternoon visit to Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Shopping time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia

Hot Air Balloon

Today’s ride will be fairly long and tiring due to the long distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale and lack of convenient lodging location. Drive to Konya tovisit to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic figure. Then continue on to Pamukkale and overnight

Konya

Tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop'sPalace. Proceed to the hotel in Kusadasi for overnight

Kusadasi -Eshesus Antique City

Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded, entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with manyacres of carefully excavated ruins Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last yearstogether with St. John. In the afternoon Selcuk Ephesus Museum or St. John Church. Time for shopping anddrive to Izmir and transfer to the hotel or airport. End of our services

Ephesus antique city

Early departure for Bergama and visit to the Asclepion and Acropol with the well preserved remains. In the afternoon continue on to Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Canakkale for overnight (Due to the limited hotel availability we also keep the right to stay in the surroundings of Canakkale).

Canakkale - Troy ,Trojan War

After breakfast sail to the other side of Dardanelles by a ferryboat and drive to Istanbul with visit to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles - particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. Arrive in Istanbul early afternoon (Due to the possibility of some participants might have scheduled flights in the afternoon) and transfer to the hotel or airport. Overnight in Istanbul.

Gallipoli - Istanbul

Tour of "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. Hagia (St.) Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture,constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. Hippodrome, center of sportive events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome.Grand CoveredBazaar, most attractive shopping center and the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops sellingantiques, jewelery , gold, carpets, leather ware and souvenir.Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant. Topkapı Palace,residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics, kitchen, Chinese porcelain,weapons, calligraphy section etc. (Harem section is not included in the program and due to extra entrance feeif requested) Rustem Pasa Mosque, designed by the court architect Sinan for the Grand Vizier of Suleyman The Magnificent. A typical sample of Islamic architecture amidst the rows of shops near the Spice Bazaar, famed with its exquisite and colorful tiles set in floral and geometric designs. also versioned during the tour GALATABRIDGE • GOLDEN HORN • LEANDER’ S TOWER . In the evening transfer to the Istanbul airport for your flight back home.

Istanbul - Grand Bazar /Topkapi Palace / Blue mosque /Bosphorus Cruise