Description

Full Itinerary

Day 1: ISTANBUL
You will be met at Istanbul Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight: Istanbul

Day 2: ISTANBUL
First stop is at the Mosque of Soliman the Magnificent, one of the best works of Sinan, the famous Ottoman architect. After lunch explore the Spice Market with its exotic aromas and then wander along the bustling streets of the Beyoglu district, all the way from Tunnel Square to Taksim Square. During the walk discover the fish market, flower passage, catholic, Greek and Armenian churches, markets and coffee-houses. Return to the hotel.
Overnight: Istanbul (BL)

Day 3: ISTANBUL
Start the day’s activities with a discovery of Istanbul’s historical heart. Visit Topkapi palace, the court and the residence of Ottoman Sultans. Then see the Hagia Sophia ‘The Church of Holy Wisdom’, the marvellous basilica built in the 6th century and known as a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It was the largest church in the world for 1000 years. After lunch visit the Blue Mosque topped by six elegant minarets. Then take a stroll through the ancient Hippodrome, the centre for sports and entertainment in the old Constantinople.
Overnight: Istanbul (BL)

Day 4: ISTANBUL – ANKARA
Visit the Grand Bazaar this morning, the largest and most diverse covered bazaar in the world. Thereafter, you will have time at leisure to explore this fascinating city on your own. After lunch depart for Ankara, the modern capital of Turkey. The city became Turkey’s capital in 1923 and, though it was just a small town then, has grown to become the second-largest city in Turkey.
Overnight: Ankara (BLD)

Day 5: ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA
Visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, home to numerous historical artifacts and remnants from the Stone Age, Neolithic Age; civilizations such as the Hittites and Phrygians, as well as many other interesting historical attractions. Continue to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded the modern Republic of Turkey. Travel to Cappadocia after lunch. Cappadocia has a very unique geology which sometimes almost makes it seem as if one has suddenly been transported to a different planet.
Overnight: Cappadocia (BLD)

Day 6: CAPPADOCIA
Today’s first visit will be to Goreme Valley, home to numerous magnificent churches cut right out of the surrounding rocks, such as St. Barbara Church and St. Basil Church, to name just two. After a lunch stop at Uchisar Village from where you’ll be able to witness some of the most dramatic panoramas of Cappadocia’s unique landscape. The last visit of the day will be to an underground city.
Overnight: Cappadocia (BLD)

Day 7: CAPPADOCIA – KONYA – PAMUKKALE
After breakfast depart to Konya city, the capital of the Seljuk Turks. On the way visit Caravanserail Sultanhani. After lunch in Konya, visit the Mevlana Museum, the burial place of the Persian Sufi, known as both Mevlana and Rumi, who founded the order of the Whirling Dervishes. He was a renowned poet and humanist who preached humility, wisdom and love. This museum, which has been built over his tomb houses various relics that belonged to him and his disciples. Travel to Pamukkale, which translates to “cotton castle”, named such due to the natural white rock formations surrounding the city. Overnight: Pamukkale (BLD)

Day 8: PAMUKKALE – EPHESUS – IZMIR
The day’s first visit will be to the ruins Hierapolis, this ancient city built on hot springs is essentially an ancient spa retreat which today is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to ancient Ephesus, the Roman capital of Asia Minor and one of the most interesting archaeological sites in the world. See the Odoen, the Hadrian Temple, Celsius Library, Fountain of Trajan as well as numerous other ruins of buildings surrounded by marble streets. Sit in the same Theatre, where St. Paul preached and the Romans performed their dramas. Then after lunch visit the House of St. Mary. Depart to Izmir.
Overnight: Izmir (BLD)

Day 9: IZMIR – PERGAMUM – TROY – CANAKKALE
Drive from Izmir to Pergamum. Here visit Asceplion, an ancient Medical Centre, and then have lunch. Proceed to Troy, the site of one of the most well-known wars in ancient times. This legendary city was lost for many years and was finally re-discovered in 1871 by Heinrich Schliemann. Troy is actually the site of numerous excavated levels of cities but the current theory is that it’s Troy VII which is the almost mythical city described in Homer’s Iliad. Continue to Canakkale.
Overnight: Canakkale (BLD)

Day 10: CANAKKALE – ISTANBUL
After breakfast, ferry across the Dardanelles Straight in order to visit the battlefield of Gallipoli including Anzac Cove, and Lone Pine, where in 1915 one of the bloodiest battles of modern times took place. Despite the bloodshed the battles at Gallipoli are known as “The Gentleman’s War” because a mutual sense of respect and camaraderie developed among the rival armies over the long conflict. Then continue to Istanbul with lunch along the way.
Overnight: Istanbul (BL)

Day 11: ISTANBUL
After breakfast departure transfer to Istanbul Airport. (B)

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