Day 1: Istanbul – Turkish Dinner
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, you will be taken to an exclusive night club to sample the delights of Turkish cuisine. A four course dinner including a drink will be served whilst a spectacular Oriental Show is performed by belly dancers and folk groups from various regions of Turkey.
Day 2: Istanbul – Full Day City Tour
After breakfast, enjoy a full day guided city tour which starts at Hippodrome Square. See the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi and the fountain of Willheim. Continue to the Blue Mosque, one of the largest in Istanbul, famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets. Then visit St. Sophia, one of the most magnificent Byzantine churches, nominated the 8th Wonder of the World by many historians. After lunch, continue to Topkapi Palace the imperial residence from which the Great Ottoman Empire was ruled but today a museum holding large collections of Japanese and Chinese porcelains and displaying holy relics. See the marvelous jewellery section. Proceed to Rustem Pasa Mosque, built in 16th century by architect Sinan. The tour ends at the Grand Bazaar, tempting souvenir-hunters with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewellery and leather. Overnight.
Day 3: Gallipoli – Dardanelles – Canakkale
After early morning breakfast, depart for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial Cemetery, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial and Gabatepe War Museum. The landing at Anzac Cove was part of the amphibious invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula by Australian and New Zealand forces on April 25, 1915. The landing, north of Gaba Tepe on the Aegean coast of the Peninsula. Then cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale for dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 4: Troy – Pergamum – Kusadasi
After breakfast, visit Troy with its legendary Trojan Horse from the times of beautiful Helen, the Queen of Sparta and Paris, the Trojan Prince. Next, tour Pergamum, one of the finest archaeological sites in Turkey. The city was a great cultural center and the capital of the East Roman Empire. On the Acropolis, see the ruins of the celebrated Library, the steepest theatre of Anatolia, the Temples of Trojan and Dionysos, the monumental Altar of Zeus famous for it's the relief of God and devils; the Sanctuary of Demeter, the Gymnasium situated on terraces and the lower Agora and continue to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Ephesus & St. Mary's House – Kusadasi
After breakfast, tour the famous ruins of Ephesus and St. Mary's cottage and visit a regional carpet production center. At the ancient city of Ephesus, see the spectacular ruins, some of which have only recently been excavated. See the Odeon, the Bouleterion, the Fountains, the Temples, the Brothel, the Library, the Double Church and the Stadium. Afternoon, an optional tour of Sardis or Sirince Village. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 6: Kusadasi – Pamukkale/Hierapolis
After breakfast, drive through fertile valleys to Pammukkale, home to Turkey's famous thermal springs. There's nothing quite like the unique experience of Pamukkale. It is known as the "Cotton Castle" as it looks like a dazzling white, petrified castle. Bring along your swimming suit and for a dip in the therapeutic pools. Also visit the Roman spa city of Hierapolis and the Apollo Temple. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Pamukkale.
Day 7: Pamukkale – Perge – Antalya
After breakfast, drive to Antalya, arrive at mid-noon and visit the ancient city of Perge, an important city of ancient Pamphylia. Visit the Theatre noted for the marble relief work of its stage and its three sectioned memorial fountain. Then visit the city gate flanked by two lofty towers, a long colonnaded way that was once lined with shops and mosaic pavements, the Agora and buildings that once housed the Baths and Gymnasium. In the afternoon, relax by the Mediterranean coast. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 8: Antalya: Optional Tours of Phaselis/Ucadalar or Yacht Cruise
Breakfast. Day free to take an optional tour of Phaselis, an ancient coastal city, one of the most charming on the Lycia coast, where you can wander among Roman and Byzantine ruins (a theater, tree agoras and the aqueduct are all scattered ruins waiting to be seen). In the afternoon, continue to the Ucadalar (Three Islands) or enjoy a lazy yacht cruise along turquoise coast of the Mediterranean. Overnight and dinner at the hotel.
Day 9: Antalya – Aspendos – Konya
After breakfast, depart for Konya, en route visiting the famous theatre in Aspendos. Dominating the site, is the best preserved Theatre of antiquity seating 15,000. The galleries, stage decorations and the acoustics all reflect the success of the architect. Close to the Theatre Basilica and Agora, see the remains of an aqueduct, which was one of the largest in Anatolia. Arrive Konya and visit Mevlana Mausoleum and Karatay Koran School. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 10: Konya – Cappadocia Underground City
After breakfast, depart for Cappadocia, visiting enroute the 13th century Agzikarahan caravansary. Some of the most beautiful examples of caravanserais where camel caravans used to stop for the night are in the region of Cappadocia.
Visit the famous underground city of Sarhatli before you check in at your hotel.
Optional: Whirling Dervishes performance.
Enjoy local dinner in a restaurant. Overnight.
Day 11: Cappadocia | Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride – Day Tour
Breakfast. This is one experience you'll never forget! Take an optional hot air balloon ride over volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves and see the breathtaking sunrise over Cappadocia. After breakfast, visit visit the Open Air Museum at Goreme where the remains of rock-cut churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years, Avanos, drive to Pasabagi (Monk's Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles. On to Red Valley, with its fairy chimneys to enjoy a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Cappadocia – Ankara – Afternoon Tour
After breakfast, depart for Ankara. Arrive and check into your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Ataturk Mausoleum and Anatolian Civilizations Museum. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Istanbul
After breakfast, drive to Istanbul. Afternoon, an optional half-day cruise on the Bosphorus, including last minute shopping in the Spice Market. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14: Istanbul
After breakfast, transfer to the airport.
