Day 1 Arrival in ISTANBUL - We welcome you at the airport, transfer to your hotel and give an orientation.

Day 2 ISTANBUL - Visit Blue Mosque built in 1616 with Iznik tiles and stained glass. Adjacent is the site of the Hippodrome. Next is Saint Sophia, built during the reign of emperor Justinian in 535 and Ottoman Empire's Topkapi Palace, with rooms full of exquisite art and priceless treasures. Visit the dazzling Grand Covered Bazaar, a shopper's paradise with over 4,000 shops. (B,L)

Day 3 TRABZON - Fly to Trabzon (Trebizond), it was settled in 746 B.C. by Miletians, later became the Comnene Empire capital. In 1461 it fell under Ottoman rule. Visit St. Sophia and Boztepe Park where Irene Tower was erected by the Empress in 1340. Next go to the astonishing 14th century Sumela Monastery that clings onto a sheer rock wall 700 feet above the gorge. (B,L,D)

Day 4 TRABZON - AMASYA Amasya, named after warrior Amazon Queen Amasis, is a lovely town. See King Mausoleum, Pontic Tombs, Ottoman houses and Hazeranlar Mansion. (B,L,D)

Day 5 AMASYA - HATTUSAS - KAYSERI - Drive to Hattusas, the ancient city of the Hittites. Visit the rock shrine of Yazilikaya, the religious center of the Hittites. (B,L,D)

Day 6 KAYSERI - ADIYAMAN - Tour Kayseri, see Seljuk Medrese founded 1206. Go to Kahramanmaras, its copper market, then to Adiyaman, home to strategic city of Samosata, 708 B.C. (B,L,D)

Day 7 ADIYAMAN - MT. NIMROD - URFA - Early drive and hike up Mt. Nimrod, highest mountain in Northern Mesopotamia. See mesmerizing statues of gods Zeus, Hercules, Apollo, Tyche and others built by Commagene King Antiochus. (B,L,D)

Day 8 URFA - HARRAN - ANTIOCH - Sanliurfa is ancient Edessa, Abraham’s birthplace. Visit Abraham’s cave, holy carp pool, Archaeology Museum, medireview covered bazaars and inns. Next is Harran, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places. See city walls, beehive dwellings, castle, Great Mosque and Jacob’s Well. (B,L,D)

Day 9 ANTIOCH - TARSUS - MERSIN - Drive to Tarsus, birthplace of St. Paul. Visit Antakya Museum, St. Paul’s Well and Cleopatra's Gate. Then to Mersin, largest port on the Turkish Mediterranean. (B,L,D)

Day 10 MERSIN (ancient Korysos) tour. Go to Heaven (Cennet) and Hell (Cehennem) Caves. (B,L,D)

Day 11 MERSIN - TARSUS - CAPPADOCIA - See Hittite temple, ancient church and Ulu Cami in Tarsus. Drive through beautiful mountain ranges to go to Cappadocia, known for its surreal land formation and underground cities. (B,L,D)

Day 12 CAPPADOCIA - Visit Goreme Open Air Museum; rock-carved churches, monasteries, Christian frescoes of 7th-13th centuries, Valley of Zelve and Avanos known for its handmade pottery. (B,L,D)

Day 13 CAPPADOCIA - KONYA - Visit Kaymakli Underground City that goes down to a depth of over 300 feet. Early Christians hid from Romans. Visit Sultan Hani Caravansary and Karatay Medrese. (B,L,D)

Day 14 KONYA - ANTALYA - Konya, capital of Seljuk Empire, home to Whirling Dervishes. Visit the founder's Mevlana Museum. End the day in Antalya. (B,L,D)

Day 15 ANTALYA - Visit the famous Archaeology Museum of Antalya, the beautiful city of the Turquoise Coast. Tour the ancient Pamphylian cities of Perge and Aspendos. (B,L,D)

Day 16 ANTALYA - HIERAPOLIS - PAMUKKALE - We visit "Cotton Castle" where tiers of white limestone cascade down the hillside. Near the waterfalls are the ruins of Hierapolis, a Roman city. (B,L,D)

Day 17 PAMUKKALE - APHRODISIAS - IZMIR - We tour the city dedicated to Aphrodite (Venus), Aphrodisias. We explore its superb antiquities, museum, stadium, Agora, Roman Baths. (B,L)

Day 18 EPHESUS - IZMIR - Visit Ephesus: Site of Artemis Temple, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Celsus Library, Great Theater, Roman Baths, Agoras. Later visit House of Virgin Mary, St. John Basilica and Archaeology Museum. (B,L)

Day 19 IZMIR - PERGAMON - CANAKKALE - Pergamon, an important city of antiquity where parchment was invented and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. We visit the Acropolis and its ruins: the famous library, Athena, Dionysos, Trajan Temples. Afterwards see the remnants of the ancient medical center, Asklepion, where Galen taught, Archaeology Museum and Red Basilica. (B,L,D)

Day 20 CANAKKALE - GALLIPOLI - TROY - CANAKKALE - Cross the Dardanelles by ferry, visit Gallipoli War Memorial commemorating one of the bloodiest battles. Ferry back to Canakkale to the legendary city of Troy, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad. (B,L,D)

Day 21 CANAKKALE - ISTANBUL - Return to Istanbul. Enjoy the colors and aromas of the ancient Spice Market. (B,L)

Day 22 ISTANBUL - Today is at leisure or as an addition choose an Optional Day Tour from page 39. (B,L)

Day 23 Departure or Extension - Transfer to airport or if arrangements are made go on another tour. (B)