DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Turkey
Depart for Turkey

DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia; transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to rest, relax and acclimate to your new time zone. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by dinner at your hotel
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Monday - Underground Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar
Today, spend the day touring the city of Istanbul. First, an underground cistern, one of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie underneath the city. Continue to Istanbul's Hippodrome, where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Next, see the Blue Mosque, an Ottoman-era mosque constructed in the early seventeenth century. Afterward, visit Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, tour the Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the famous Grand Bazaar. Later, return to your hotel for the evening
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4, Tuesday - Flight to Gaziantep, Zeugma Museum, Coppersmith Bazaar
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Gaziantep, a city in southeast Turkey. Upon arrival, there will be time for lunch on your own in the city's center. After, visit the Zeugma Museum, known for its mosaic collection. Then, traverse the narrow streets of the Bey district and enjoy a local coffee or tea. Take a guided walk through the historic bazaars of Gaziantep and watch craftsmen practice their traditional trade at the Coppersmith Bazaar. Later check into your room. Time to freshen up before dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Gaziantep
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Wednesday - Gaziantep, Baklava Tasting, Halfeti, Zeugma Antique City
Start the day with a visit to one of the many baklava shops to savor the sweet Middle Eastern confection made of phyllo pastry and nuts. Drive to Halfeti, a picturesque town along the Euphrates River, founded by the Assyrian King Shalmaneser II. Eat lunch at a local restaurant before boarding a boat excursion on the Euphrates River. After, travel to the Zeugma Antique City, an ancient Hellenistic era city, inhabited by Greeks and Romans. Return to the hotel; the rest of the night is at leisure
Overnight: Gaziantep
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Thursday - Travel to Mardin via Gobeklitepe, Kasimiye Medresesi
Begin the day with a visit to Gobeklitepe, a Neolithic archaeological site and region where ancient farming communities emerged. Here, you'll find massive carved stones, dating back 11,000 years, which were crafted and arranged by prehistoric people. Eat lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Kasimiye Medresesi. Tour the old medrese (seminary) complex and ascend to the upper section to view Mardin's great panoramas. Tonight, savor dinner
Overnight: Mardin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Friday - Deyrulzafaran Monastery, Dara Ancient City, Old Mardin
This morning, set out for a full day tour of Mardin. Start with a visit to the Deyrulzafaran Monastery, located at the site of an ancient temple dedicated to the Mesopotamian sun god Shamash. Then, explore Dara Ancient City, known as the Ephesus of Mesopotamia, an important settlement along the Silk Road. Eat lunch at a local's home. Then, visit the old town of Mardin with a stop at the Kirklar Church. Return back to your hotel before dinner tonight
Overnight: Mardin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Saturday - Mor Gabriel Monastery, Ezidi Vilalge, Midyat
First, visit the Mor Gabriel Monastery, an old Syriac Orthodox monastery. Depart the monastery and travel to Ezidi Village, home to the indigenous Yzaidis. After, travel to Midyat and eat lunch. Visit the Anitli Virgin Mary's Church and have free time to explore the village independently. Return to Mardin for dinner
Overnight: Mardin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Sunday - Hasankeyf, Hasankeyf Museum, Travel to Van
Depart your hotel and travel to Hasankeyf, an ancient town located along the Tigris River in the Batman province of southeastern Turkey. Visit the Hasankefy Museum, which holds artifacts from the early ages of civilization. After lunch at a local restaurant, travel to Van. Arrive at your hotel in time for dinner
Overnight: Van
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Monday - Cavustepe, Carpet Atelier, Akdamar Island
After breakfast, visit Cavustepe, an ancient site also known as the Fortress of Hayk. After, stop at the Urartu Hali carpet atelier. Here, admire the exquisite handmade Anatolian carpets, distinguished by their colors, patterns, and techniques. Following lunch at a local restaurant, cruise to Akdamar Island in Lake Van, home to the 10th century Armenian Holy Cross Cathedral. Later, return by boat back to Van for dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Van
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Tuesday - Savat Atelier, Muradiye Waterfalls, Ishakpasha Palace, Drive to Kars
Begin the day with a visit to a Savat (silversmith) atelier, where new artists train in the important handcraft of the Urartians. Later, make a stop at Muradiye Waterfalls. Then, drive to Dogubeyazit for lunch. Enjoy panoramic views of Mount Ararat, considered the resting place of Noah's Ark. Afterward, tour Ishakpasha Palace with its 18th century Ottoman architecture. Following the visit, drive to Kars for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Kars
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Wednesday - Ani Ruins, Kars Castle, Kumbet Mosque
This morning, drive to the ancient city of Ani, former capital of the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia. This medieval city is located on a secluded hilltop along the Turkish and Armenian border. Visit the ruins and view the Ani Cathedral, the medieval walls, and the Citadel. Later, enjoy a tasting of Reyhan Serbeti, a special non-alcoholic drink, with a sampling of local Kars gruyere cheese. Afterward, visit Kumbet Mosque and drive by Kars Castle, whose imposing walls crown the ridge that dominates the city's northern edge. On the drive back to the hotel, view Russian style buildings, dating from the 19th century Russian occupation. Tonight, dinner is at a regional restaurant
Overnight: Kars
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Thursday - Old City Kars, Fethiye Mosque, Flight to Istanbul
Today, take a tour of the old city of Kars and visit the Fithiye Mosque and the Kars Museum, featuring exhibits from the early Bronze Age, Urartu and Roman periods. Free time to stroll through the local market. Transfer to the Kars airport in the afternoon for your flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, check into to your hotel. Tonight, celebrate your last night in Turkey with dinner and bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 14, Friday - Depart Turkey
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast