DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Turkey
Depart for Turkey

DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting at approximately 7:30 PM with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers, followed by a Welcome Dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in Istanbul no later than 4 PM on Day 2 of the itinerary, or earlier if possible
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Saturday - Morning City Tour of Istanbul
Embark on a half day morning tour of Istanbul, the only city that straddles two continents. Your tour includes a short briefing and a picture stop at the courtyard of the Rustem Pashe Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque. Continue to the Hippodrome, the place chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Then, head to Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans. Afterwards, explore the Spice Market with its unforgettable aromas. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. In the afternoon, join the optional tour to the St. Sophia, the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century
Optional: Half Day Istanbul with St. Sophia (PM)
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Sunday - Anzac Cemetery, Travel to Canakkale
This morning, drive to the town of Gallipoli, site of the famous Ottoman victory against the Allies during World War I. Visit the Anzac Cemetery, a memorial to the casualties of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Afterwards, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and continue to the Canakkale province, located in northwest Turkey, where you will arrive in the early evening
Overnight: Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Monday - Visit Troy, Pergamum, Travel to Izmir
This morning, proceed to the classical city of Troy. Tour this 4000-year-old city and legendary center of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer's epic poem The Iliad. Then, drive to Pergamum, a powerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period, and visit Asklepion, the ancient Roman spa center. Enjoy lunch in a local village before continuing to Izmir, a city believed to be the birthplace of Homer
Overnight: Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Tuesday - Full Day in Izmir
Spend a full day at leisure in Izmir. With over 3500 years of history, the port city known historically as Smyrna offers a variety of archaeological sites, not to mention easy access to ancient Ephesus. Don't miss the optional tour to Ephesus. Here, you'll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus Archaeological Museum, the library of Celsus, temple of Hadrian, the theater and the Odeon. After lunch at a local restaurant return to Izmir
Optional: Full Day Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary with Lunch
Overnight: Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Wednesday - Necropolis & Hierapolis at Pamukkale
Today, depart in the early morning from Izmir and drive to Pamukkale en route to Antalya where you will arrive in the evening. Visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hierapolis ("Holy City"), situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs, which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pamukkale hot springs have served as a thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C., primarily for the ailing and elderly, many of whom have retired here
Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Thursday - Full Day in Antalya
Spend a full day at leisure in Antalya. Founded by King Attalos of Pergamum as "Heaven on Earth," Antalya is an international resort city that has become a prime destination in Turkey. A fascinating optional tour is offered to the Pamphylian city of Perge and to the ancient city of Aspendos. On the return trip, visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum with its artifacts dating back over 2500 years
Optional: Perge, Aspendos & Antalya Archaeological Museum
Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Friday - Cappadocia Caravanserai Sightseeing
Today, depart in the early morning to travel to Cappadocia. En route, visit the 13th-century Caravanserai of Sultanhan, a large abandoned city and shelter in Cappadocia, built on the Silk Road. During the Seljuk period, trade flourished, requiring roads for caravan transport and inns for the traveling traders. The Caravanserai provided these traders, with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences. Continue to Nevsehir in Cappadocia where you will arrive in the evening. Tonight, be sure to attend the optional performance of the world-famous Whirling Dervishes
Optional: Whirling Dervishes Performance (PM)
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Saturday - Pigeon Valley, Three Graces
Awake very early to participate in the optional hot air Balloon Ride* that takes you soaring over the Cappadocian landscape with its fairy chimney rock formations. Cappadocia is home to rock-cut temples, ancient underground cities, and unparalleled landscapes. Head to Pigeon Valley to explore the unique rock formations and admire the breathtaking scenery. Next, visit the Three Graces, a set of fairy chimneys that resemble three women and the rock citadel of Uchisar. The afternoon is free, or choose the optional half day Cappadocia tour, visit the Open-Air Museum in the Goreme Valley to see the early Christian churches and the Ozkonak Underground City. Afterward, visit a carpet atelier and watch a demonstration of traditional Turkish carpet weaving. The tour ends at the village of Avanos, famous for its pottery-making tradition. Return to the hotel with free time before dinner tonight
Optional: Cappadocia Balloon Ride (AM)
Optional: Half Day Cappadocia (PM)
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Sunday - Travel to Ankara, Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk
This morning depart for Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. Upon arrival, visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum, view the vast brick courtyard and monumental avenue lined with Neo-Hittite stone statues and cenotaphs beneath its colonnades. The most noted cenotaphs within the complex are those of General Ismet Inonu, a close comrade of Ataturk's and that of Ataturk himself, beneath which lies his tomb. Continue to the Anatolian Civlizations Museum and view exhibits featuring Anatolian archaeological artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic Age
Overnight: Ankara
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Monday - Return to Istanbul
This morning return to Istanbul. Arrive in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure or join the optional cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia. Then, continue to the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop for carpets, jewelry, leather and more. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel and bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Optional: Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise (PM)
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13, Tuesday - Depart Turkey
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

Please Note: Land Price does not include airfare, departure or arrival transfers, airline taxes and fuel surcharges.