Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul (Thursday)
Upon your arrival at Istanbul airport our transferman will be ready to meet and transfer you to your hotel. Time at leisure, stay overnight in Istanbul. (No Meals)
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Day 2: Full Day Old City Tour ( Friday)
Begin the day with visits to the most important sites of once imperial Constantinople ; Hagia Sophia, famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. Hippodrome was a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople. Sultanahmet Mosque, also named "Blue Mosque" by foreign travelers based on the tiles in dominant tones of blue, turquoise and green that cover most of its interior. Have free time in the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world. After lunch, discover the official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans. You will be amazed by 10,700 pieces of Chinese, Japanese and Turkish porcelain displayed in the palace kitchens once served to 4,000 people in a day. Imperial Treasury , a large collection exhibited in five different halls, consisting gifts of ambassadors, enthronement gifts, and belongings of the Ottoman dynasty as well as holy relics. End the day with a slow paced, relaxing walking tour inside the palace. (Breakfast & Lunch)
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Day 3: Istanbul / Ankara (Saturday)
Enjoy the magnificent shores of the Bosphorus, is a narrow strait seperates Europe from Asia. Cruise along the Boshorus by seeing Istanbul Modern Art Museum, Ottoman Summer palaces,Rumeli & Anadolu fortresses, forested hills, Bridges and shore villages with Ottoman architecture. Finally, stroll through the Spice Market also called Egyptian Bazaar, is filled with the athmosphere of the exotic East. After visits you will be transfered to the airport to take a flight to Ankara. Arrive in Ankara and transfer to your hotel for stay overnight. (Breakfast)
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Day 4: Ankara / Cappadocia (Sunday)
After breakfast visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others 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 Salt Lake pass by the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. After visiting Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel in Cappadocia for stay overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 5: Highlights of Cappadocia (Monday)
You can enjoy the optional hot air balloon tour before you start your day. After breakfast depart from the hotel 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. Stay overnight in Cappadocia. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 6: Konya / Pamukkale ( Tuesday)
Early departure for Konya. On the way visit the 13 th century Seljukian caravanserai "Sultanhan". The next stop will be Konya which is famous with Mevlana Museum and the Theological Scholl of Whirling Dervishes.Lunch enroute, drive to Pamukkale forr dinner and stay overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 7: Hierapolis / Aphrodisias ( Wednesday)
After breakfast at the hotel visit 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's Palace. Proceed to the hotel in Kusadasi for overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 8: Ephesus (Thursday)
After breakfast at the hotel drive to Meryemana and visit the House of Virgin Mary. Continue to Ephesus, the Romen Capital of Asia Minor. Visit the ruins of Odeon, Hercules Gate, the temple of Hadrian, the magnificient library, Agora and fantastic greco-roman theatre. After lunch visit the Basilica of St.John.Return to Kusadası for stay overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 9: Pergamon / Troy / Canakkale (Friday)
Early departure for Bergama and visit to the Asclepion and Acropolis 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. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 10: Gallipoli / Istanbul (Saturday)
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 and transfer to your hotel for stay overnight. (Breakfast & Lunch)
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Day 11: Departure (Sunday)
According to your departure time, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight home. End of our services.
(Breakfast)
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