Day 01:
ANKARA
Arrival in Ankara. Transfer to the hotel where a welcome cocktail awaits, followed by dinner. (D)
Day 02:
CAPPADOCIA
Our City Sights Tour visits the Mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to discover the historical background of Anatolia. In the afternoon depart for Cappadocia. (B,L,D)
Day 03: CAPPADOCIA
The first stop in Cappadocia is Göreme Open Air Museum with it's beautiful frescos hidden in rock carved churches. Next tour the mysterious underground city at Derinkuyu, climb Uçhisar Citadel and visit the famous pottery town of Avanos. (B,L,D)
Day 04:
ANTALYA
Depart for Antalya. On the way visit Sultan Hani Caravanserai, an historic inn used by merchants on the famous Silk Road. Lunch in Konya where we visit the Mausoleum of the 13th century Mystic Mevlana and the Museum of the Whirling Dervishes. (B,L,D)
Day 05:
ANTALYA
We visit the Archeological Museum to prepare us for our tour to Aspendos, the site of the best preserved ancient roman theater and the ancient city of Perge. The evening is yours to enjoy, perhaps a harbourside fish restaurant. (B,L)
Day 06:
KALKAN
Departure to Kalkan. Visit the ancient Lycian city of Phaselis. Next the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Myra, the home town of Santa Claus. We spend the afternoon relaxing on a boat trip and swim amidst the ancient ruins of the sunken city of Kekova. (B,L,D)
Day 07:
BODRUM
Departure to Bodrum (Ancient Halicarnassus). Visit the ruins of Xanthos once the capital of ancient Lycia. In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely boat trip to see the beach where the rare Caretta Caretta turtles lay their eggs. Indulge in the Cleopatra mud baths. (B,L,D)
Day 08: KUSADASI
Our day starts at Bodrum Castle and the Underwater Archeological Museum - announced as one of the best ten museums of the world in 1995. We will then visit Halicarnassus Mausoleum - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. After departing for Kuþadasi, we visit the Temple of Apollo in Didyma and the ancient city of Priene. (B,L,D)
Day 09:
KUSADASI
Today we tour the magnificent ancient city of Ephesus and visit the local museum with its collection of beautiful statues and reliefs. In the afternoon we visit the famous Basilica of St. John and the House of Virgin Mary. Finally, photograph one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Artemis Temple. (B,L)
Day 10:
KUSADASI
Today is free from planned activity. An optional daily tour may be booked to the ancient city of Aphrodisias, dedicated to the deity of love, and Pamukkale or "cotton castle" with its gleaming white travertine terraces of calcium rich minerals. (B,D)
Day 11:
ÇANAKKALE
Departure to Çanakkale. Visit the impressive site of the Acropolis at Pergamon and one of the most important medical centres of classical times Asclepion. (B,L,D)
Day 12:
BURSA
Departure for Bursa visiting the ruins of the mythological city of Troy - the setting of Homer's Illiad. (B,L,D)
Day 13:
ISTANBUL
In Bursa we visit the Muradiye Complex built early in the Ottoman period. Next we visit the Grand Mosque, the famous Green Mosque and the Green Tomb. In the afternoon we depart for Istanbul. (B,L,D)
Day 14:
ISTANBUL
Our tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, completed in 1616 and famous for its beautiful blue mosaics. Next the Byzantine Hippodrome and St Sophia Cathedral the greatest church of christiandom in its time and still the 4th largest cathedral in the world. Enjoy the tranquility of the Byzantine Underground Cistern before returning to the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 15:
ISTANBUL
We visit the Spice Market and continue with a cruise along the Bosphorus. Later, St. Chora (Church) Museum and the 16th Century Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent. There will also be a shopping opportunity in the Covered Bazaar which boasts over 4000 shops. The evening is yours to enjoy. (B,L)
Day 16:
ISTANBUL
Today is free from planned activity leaving time for you to relax or to explore on your own. Your day and tour will end with a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,D)
Day 17:
Transfer to the airport. Departure to HOME. (B)