Day 01: Fly / Istanbul (-)
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel - check-in time is 1400 hours. In the afternoon, depart for a half-day Bosphorus Cruise. Take in the sights and sounds of this legendary waterway lined with historic villages, grand wooden mansions, imposing fortresses, and the Baroque summer palaces of the late Ottoman sultans. After the cruise, visit the Spice Bazaar, a thrilling riot of colours, sounds, and the rich smells of exotic spices. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 02: Istanbul (B)
After breakfast, depart for a half-day sightseeing tour of the Sultanahmet district at the heart of old Istanbul. Visit St. Sophia (On Mondays replaced by the Chora Church), built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. Next, visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets. Walk through the Hippodrome, the stadium of the ancient Byzantium that once held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Finish the tour a the Grand Bazaar, the commercial heart of the old city with 4,000 shops full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewellery, ceramics, icons and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, you may want to indulge in some shopping, Ottoman style. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 03: Istanbul / Ankara / Cappadocia (B/L/D)
After breakfast transfer to the airport to catch the 08:00 hrs flight to Ankara, capital of Turkey and one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a history dating back 3000 years. Upon arrival visit the Anatolian Civilisations Museum that also exhibits the remains of Catalhoyuk, the Neolithic village dating back to 6500 BC. Then, visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. After lunch at a local restaurant, your next destination is the mysterious Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 04: Cappadocia (B/L/D)
Sightseeing in this unique corner of the world. Visit Pasabag Valley and the natural citadel of Uchisar, followed by the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a mystical early Christian monastery. Visit caves on the cliffs to see Byzantine frescoes decorating early Christian churches. Later, drive to Kaymakli Underground City; carved out of rock and completely self contained. More than 200 people lived on each of seven floors with a total depth of 250 feet underground. After lunch, visit the picturesque town of Avanos, renowned for its pottery. Time for some shopping. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 05: Cappadocia / Konya / Antalya (B/L/D)
After breakfast transfer to Konya. On the way to Konya, visit a 13th century Selcuk caravanserai "Sultanhan". See the tomb of Mevlana, the great mystic poet and Islamic spiritual leader, who founded the sect of ''Whirling Dervishes''. After lunch, continue on to Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 06: Antalya (B/L/D)
After breakfast depart for the guided sightseeing tour of Perge ruins, the ancient city where most of the statues that are on display in Antalya Museum were unearthed. Visit Aspendos which bears one of the best preserved ancient Roman theatres in the world. End the tour at one of the picturesque waterfalls in the area. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 07: Antalya / Pamukkale (B/L/D)
Free time at leisure in the morning. In the afternoon depar for Pamukkale. Arrive in Pamukkale and check in to the hotel to enjoy the healing waters of the thermal baths dating back to Roman times. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 08: Pamukkale / Kusadasi (B/L/D)
Tour the picturesque snow-white "Cotton Castle" and the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. After lunch, continue on to 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. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 09: Kusadasi (B/L/D)
Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City, one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; Visit Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. After lunch, return to hotel to enjoy shopping at Kusadasi town or relax at the beach. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 10: Kusadasi / Canakkale (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Bergama (ancient Pergamon) where the parchment was invented. This was the hometown of Galen, renowned doctor and surgeon and site of his temple devoted to healing, the Asclepion. The library once held 200,000 books; all parchment. Lunch at a local restaurant in Bergama and in the afternoon drive to Troy, the immortal city of the legendary Helen of Troy and Trojan Horse, which was destroyed and rebuilt nine times. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 11: Canakkale / Istanbul / Fly (B/L)
In the morning drive to Istanbul by crossing the Dardanelles Strait. Lunch en route. Arrival to Istanbul and transfer to the airport for onwards flight.
