DAY 1, Monday - Depart for Turkey
Depart for Turkey

DAY 2, Tuesday - 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. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM, followed by a light dinner at the hotel. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Wednesday - Full Day Istanbul Tour
Begin your day at the newly renovated Blue Mosque, showcasing an impressive combination of blue Iznik tiles and intricate stonework. Then, on to the Hippodrome, the place where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Continue with a visit to St. Sophia, the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century, which was later converted to a mosque. Afterward, arrive at Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans housing the richness of 700 years. End the day at the Grand Bazaar, where bargaining is an art
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Thursday - Travel to Ankara
This morning, depart Istanbul and drive to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. Upon arrival, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with exhibits featuring Anatolian archaeological artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic Age. Continue to the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum, view the monumental avenue lined with Neo-Hittite stone statues and cenotaphs. The most noted cenotaphs are those of General Ismet Inonu, and that of Ataturk himself, beneath which lies his tomb
Overnight: Ankara
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Friday - Visit Hattusa en route to Cappadocia
Today, depart Ankara and head south towards Cappadocia. Along the way, stop at the ancient city of Hattusa, which was the capital of the Hittite Empire in the late Bronze Age and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. View Lion's Gate, with its rich ornamentation and King's Gate, with its large-scale relief. Visit the citadel that was also the royal residence and explore the Great Temple, dedicated to the supreme deities of the Hittites. Afterward, continue the drive to Cappadocia. Arrive at the hotel in time for dinner
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Saturday - Full Day in Cappadocia
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. Afterward, embark a full day tour of the area, famed for its temples and houses that are cut directly into the region's rock formations. Visit the Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Goreme Valley to see early Christian churches. During the panoramic drive to Pigeon Valley, Avcilar Valley and Pasabag Valley, view the surreal landscape of mushroom shaped rock formations. Afterward, visit a carpet atelier and watch a demonstration of traditional Turkish carpet weaving. Return to the hotel with free time before dinner tonight
Optional: Cappadocia Balloon Ride (AM)
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday - Full Day Cappadocia Tour
Today, the exploration of Cappadocia begins at the village of Avanos. Visit a local pottery shop before heading to the Ozkonak Underground City, built on the northern slopes of Mt. Idis that features a maze of narrow tunnels and rooms carved from soft volcanic rock. Continue to Güllüdere (Rose Valley) boasting the best views of fairy-chimneys, before returning to the hotel. Spend time at leisure before dinner. 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 8, Monday - Cappadocia Caravanserai Sightseeing, Konya, Antalya
Today, visit the 13th century Caravanserai of Sultanhan. The caravanserai provided these Silk Road traders with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences. Afterward, head to Konya, a city renowned for its Seljuk architecture. Visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, housing the tomb of the 13th century leader Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, one of the greatest mystical poets of Islam. The Mevlevi Sufi order was founded to follow his teachings. Continue the drive towards Antalya, passing through lush forests, orchards and olive groves. Arrive in Antalya for overnight and dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday - Full Day in Antalya
Spend the 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. Join the optional Cruise by Wooden Boat & Antalya Archaeological Museum. Board a charming wooden boat and cruise along the beautiful coast. Take in the magnificent views of the rugged cliffs, hidden coves and golden sandy beaches. After disembarkation, visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum with its artifacts dating back over 2500 years. Take a city tour of Antalya that includes Hadrian's Gate, the Clock Tower, city walls dating back to the 2nd century
Optional: Cruise by Wooden Boat & Antalya Archaeological Museum
Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Wednesday - Necropolis & Hierapolis, Pamukkale
This morning, depart for Pamukkale. Along the way, stop to visit the Necropolis, a burial ground covered in limestone with ornately decorated marble tombs and the ancient city of Hierapolis "Holy City", situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs, which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Roman ruins of the ancient city and health resort since the 2nd century BC. Afterward, continue to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Thursday - Aphrodisias, Bodrum
Depart Pamukkale this morning and drive to Bodrum. En route, stop to visit Aphrodisias, an archaeological site of ancient Roman ruins that were once was a major center of Aphrodite worship. View the many monuments dating back to the first century. Later, arrive in the seaside city of Bodrum and check into your hotel
Overnight: Bodrum
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Friday - Bodrum City Tour
Begin your morning city tour of Bodrum at Crusader Castle, housing Turkey's Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Later, view the historical windmills standing near the Bodrum harbor before heading to the imposing Myndos Gate. It was constructed in the 4th century BC by King Mausolos and is the only surviving gate of the two original entrances to ancient Halicarnassus. Continue to the Bodrum Amphitheater, one of the city's great historic monuments. Finish the tour at the market before heading back. Balance of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Bodrum
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 13, Saturday - Full Day in Bodrum
Spend a full day at leisure in Bodrum to explore on your own. Perhaps, head to the beach for a swim in the clear blue waters of the Aegean Sea
Overnight: Bodrum
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 14, Sunday - Ancient Ephesus, Izmir
Depart Bodrum this morning and travel to the ancient city of Ephesus, an open-air archaeological museum. Walk along the 2000 year old marble and cobblestone streets. The Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the steam baths of Scholastica, Temple of Hadrian, and the two-storied Library of Celsus are some of the ancient sites you'll behold on the walking tour. Visit the Great Theater, and the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be her last residence. Afterward, continue to Izmir for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 15, Monday - Izmir City Tour
Embark on a morning tour of the port city of Izmir, known historically as Smyrna with over 3500 years of history. View the ancient Roman Agora and one of the city's famous landmarks the Clock Tower. Afterward, visit the bazaar and browse the colorful stalls for souvenirs. The afternoon is free. Tonight at dinner, share wonderful memories of your journey and bid farewell to Turkey and your Tour Manager
Overnight: Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 16, 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.