TOURS

TURKEY EXPERT
13 Nights - 14 Days Land Only

Day 01 Monday / Istanbul Meet and greet. A short orientation tour. Then transfer to the hotel for a welcome briefing. Dinner at an outdoor local seafood restaurant. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 02 Tuesday / Istanbul
Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. Visit the Blue Mosque, unique with six minarets, the Roman Hippodrome Square and the St. Sophia Church, which is considered as one of the worlds greatest architectural marvels. After lunch visit Grand Covered Bazaar with over 4000 tiny shops. Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

Day 03 Wednesday / Istanbul-Troy-Canakkale
Drive to Gallipoli, through the European lands of Turkey. Cross the Dardanelle’s Strait by ferryboat. Visit the ancient Troy, see its legendary walls and the replica of the wooden horse. Dinner & overnight in Canakkale.

Day 04 Thursday / Pergamon-Izmir
Visit Acropolis, the steepest theater of the ancient world, Temple of Trojan, Library, Asclepion, the ancient healing center and the Red Basilica which is one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse (rev:2-12). Evening at leisure. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 05 Friday / Ephesus-Izmir
Leave for Ephesus, cradle of early Christianity (rev:2-1-7). Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the ancient Ephesus, the Archaeological Museum and the Temple Of Diana which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Return to Izmir. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 06 Saturday / Sardes-Pamukkale
Drive to Sardes (rev:3-1-6) capital of ancient Lydia. Visit the Temple of Cybele which later became a church, famous Synagogue from the third century, the Gymnasium and the new excavation area. See the Golden River Pactalos. Proceed to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

Day 07 Sunday / Hierapolis – Aphrodisias – Antalya
Morning departure to Pamukkale, noted ancient spa, where pure white travertine forms frozen waterfalls, observation of carpet weaving at one of the local workshops. Drive to Aphrodisias, the city of the Goddess of Love, see the well preserved Stadium, the Odeion, the in Theater and the Agora. Continue to Antalya for dinner and overnight.

Day 08 Monday / Antalya
Full day excursion to the ancient Pamphylian, Hellenistic and Roman cities of Perge, and Aspendos and to the award winning Antalya Museum. Dinner and overnight.

Day 9 Tuesday / Antalya – Konya – Cappadocia
Early departure to Konya. Visit the Mevlana Museum, 13th century Whirling Dervish Monastery. After lunch continue to Cappadocia where nature has scoured surrealistic moonscape shapes and where the persecuted Christians dug underground cities and churches during the 9th century. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. Tonight Optional Folklorique Show with belly dancers at one of the Cave Restaurants in Cappadocia.

Day 10 Wednesday / Cappadocia
Full day Cappadocia visit, including Goreme Open Air Museum, Avanos the pottery making town, the Natural Citadel of Uchisar and the Underground City of Kaymakli. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 11 Thursday / Cappadocia – Ankara
Morning sightseeing in Cappadocia. After lunch visit the Agzikarahan caravenserai from Selcuk period. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Ankara.

Day 12 Friday / Ankara – Bursa
Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk. After lunch drive to Bursa. Dinner and overnight in Bursa.

Day 13 Saturday / Bursa – Istanbul
Visit the Green Mosque, the Green Tomb and Bursa’s colorful Silk Bazaar. Drive to Istanbul, the only city in the world spanning two continents. Afternoon visit to the Royal Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 14 Sunday / Istanbul – End of tour
Escorted transfer to Istanbul airport for flight back. End of our services