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Day 1 Depart USA - Overnight flight to Istanbul
 Day 2 Istanbul at leisure
- At the beginning of a tour you'll treasure forever in your memory,
you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Tonight,
get together with your Tour Director for a welcome Drink.
Day 3 Istanbul-Bursa - This morning we embark on a superb highlight cruise along the
Bosphorus. Take in the grandeur of the Ottoman palaces, old mansions
and fortresses as we cruise towards the Black Sea. Leaving Istanbul,
we take a short ferry trip and drive to Iznik, where Christian
history was made during two ecumenical meetings. We visit the ruins
of St. Sophia and see the city walls before continuing to beautiful
Bursa for our overnight stay. We have time this afternoon to find
some bargains in the Bazaar and colorful Silk Markets. (Buffet
Breakfast/ Dinner
Day 4 Bursa-Ankara
- This morning we visit the glorious Green Mosque and Mausoleum
complex and Grand Mosque in Bursa. Then we drive to the charming
Cumalikizik Village with its traditional wooden houses, and narrow
cobblestone streets. We then visit Gordion, where Alexander the
Great cut the famous Gordion Knot, en route to Turkey's modern
capital Ankara. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 5 Ankara-Cappadocia
- Our sightseeing this morning includes visits to the Hittite Museum
and Anit Kabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, Turkey's greatest leader
in modern times. Later we visit the mausoleum of the Sufi
philosopher, Haci Bektas. We then head to Nevsehir in the historical
Cappadocia's region. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 6 Cappadocia-Göreme Excursion
- In this unique region of volcanic landscapes and 'fairy-chimneys',
we go to Göreme to visit the rock-carved churches containing ancient
frescoes in the open air museum and the Zelve valleys, where the
scenery is dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. We also visit
the underground city of Kaymakli and see the cone of Uçhisar.
Tonight we enjoy dinner at the hotel followed by a colourful
folklore show in an underground cave, featuring dances from the
different regions. (Buffet Breakfast/ Highlight Dinner)
Day 7 Cappadocia-Konya
- We visit the Caravanserai of Sultanhani before driving to Turkey's
most religious city, Konya which was once the home of the mystic
sect of Whirling Dervishes and the old capital of the Anatolian
Seljuk Empire. Here, we visit the Mevlana Museum, with its beautiful
fluted turquoise dome. We also see the Karatay Medrese and Ince
Minaret. (BB/ D)
Day 8 Konya-Antalya-Today we descend the Taurus mountains and drive to Aspendos, to
visit what is considered the best preserved Roman Theatre anywhere.
Next, we drive to the Hellenistic or Roman city of Perge to visit
the extensive ruins, including the great Theatre, the Stadium, and
the gate-towers leading into a street where ancient chariot ruts can
still be seen! Then on to or hotel in Antalya This evening, we enjoy
a walking tour of the old town. (BB/ D)
Day 9 Antalya at leisure
- Today is at leisure to relax and explore Antalya on our own, or
enjoy all the leisure facilities of our comfortable hotel. Perhaps
take a stroll around the harbour area or take a boat trip? (B
B/ D)
Day 10 Antalya - Pamukkale
- We pass pine forests and cross the Taurus mountains today on our way
to Pamukkale. On arrival, we visit the ruins of Hierapolis, and the
beautiful 'Cotton Castle' an apt description of its dazzling white
limestone terraces. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner
Day 11 Pamukkale Kusadasi
- This morning we visit the Temple of Aphrodite at amazing Aphrodisias
before continuing to our beautiful beach front hotel in the lively
coastal town of Kusadasi. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 12 Kusadasi
- Izmir There's a highlight in store today, as we tour, Ephesus, one
of the world's finest archeological sites. We walk along the
Arcadian Way and view the splendid facade of the Library of Celsus.
We also visit the Amphitheatre, the largest structure to survive
from Hellenistic Ephesus. We also visit the House of the Virgin
Mary, spectacularly situated above the ruins, and the archeological
museum at Selçuk, where many of the excavated artifacts of Ephesus
are displayed. We now continue to the pretty Aegean port of Izmir.(BB/ Dinner)
Day 13 Izmir-Çanakkale
- Our first stop today is Pergamon, the impressive site of an ancient
kingdom, where we visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena and the
famous library, before viewing the Red Courtyard and the ruins of
the Asklepieon. From here, we drive to Homer's Troy, where we see
the ruins of nine cities built on top of each other, and an enormous
reconstruction of the famous wooden horse. Now on to our hotel in
Canakkale.(BB/ Dinner)
Day 14 Çanakkale Istanbul
- This morning we cross the Dardanelles Straits by ferry and continue
to the Gallipoli Peninsula, scene of fierce fighting in World War I.
Here, we pay our respects at Anzac Cove and visit the emotive Lone
Pine Cemetery before returning to Istanbul. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 15 Istanbul Sightseeing
- In Istanbul today we visit the Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome,
where Roman chariot races were held. We also visit St. Sophia, which
has been a cathedral and a mosque, but is now a magnificent museum.
From here we continue to the fabulous Topkapi Palace where the
treasures of the Sultans are displayed. After seeing the Roman
aqueduct we'er off to Istanbul's Grand Bazaar where there are more
than 4,000 shops. This evening, perhaps enjoy watching some
flamboyant belly-dancing? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 16 Return to USA
- Our tour ends after breakfastn with a transfer to the airport.
(B B)
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