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

Day 2 ISTANBUL - Today we visit the Blue Mosque built in 1616 with Iznik tiles and stained glass. Adjacent is the site of the Hippodrome with the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi and fountain of Willhelm II. Next we admire Saint Sophia, built during the reign of emperor Justinian in 535. Afterwards we tour the Ottoman Empire's Topkapi Palace, walk through its rooms full of exquisite art and view its priceless treasures. Free afternoon. (B,L)

Day 3 ISTANBUL - TROY - CANAKKALE - We go to the dazzling Grand Bazaar which houses many artisans and is a shopper's paradise with over 4,000 shops. Next we drive to Canakkale, visit the ANZAC Cove and Cemetery of Gallipoli, the infamous battlegrounds of World War I. After crossing the Dardanelles by ferry we visit Troy the site of the Trojan Wars, immortalized in Homer's Iliad. Overnight in Canakkale. (B,L,D)

Day 4 CANAKKALE - PERGAMUM - IZMIR - We begin by going to Pergamum, an important city of antiquity where parchment was invented and is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Explore the remnants of the Acropolis famous for its library, a very steep theater, Athena, Dionysos, Trajan Temples, figure of Nike. Next we go to the ancient medical center Asklepion where Galen taught, Archaeology Museum and Red Basilica. Overnight in Izmir. (B,L)

Day 5 IZMIR - EPHESUS - IZMIR - Today we take you to Seljuk and visit Ephesus, the most important and best preserved antique city. We walk on marble paved roads, see the sites: Celsus Library, Great Theater, Roman Baths, Agoras, fountains and temples including the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Artemis Temple. We visit the House of Virgin Mary, St. John Basilica and Archaeology Museum. Overnight in Izmir. (B,L)

Day 6 IZMIR - SARDIS - PAMUKKALE - We drive to Sardis, the ancient capital of Lydia, once the world's richest city. The first coins were made here. Sites in Sardis include a temple of Artemis, Roman stadium, Roman baths, theater, one of the world’s oldest synagogues with some intact mosaic pavements and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B,L,D)

Day 7 PAMUKKALE - APHRODISIAS - ANTALYA - We take you to "Cotton Castle" where we see tiers of white limestone cascading down the hillside. Near the waterfalls are the ruins of Hierapolis, a Roman city. Next we go to the city dedicated to Aphrodite (Venus), Aphrodisias, and explore its superb antiquities. We end the day in Antalya (B,L,D)

Day 8 ANTALYA - Today we tour this beautiful Mediterranean city from majestic Hadrian’s Gate to the unusual medieval Grooved Minaret and visit the Archaeology Museum. We visit the remarkably well preserved theaters and remnants of the past in the Pamphylian cities of Perge, and Aspendos. Overnight in Antalya. (B,L,D)

Day 9 ANTALYA - KONYA - CAPPADOCIA - We depart early for Konya, Turkey’s oldest city and the capital of the Seljuk Empire. Throughout we witness outstanding characteristics of the Seljuk architecture: tall gateways with ornamental stalactites, ogival archways, ceramic tiling, Konya is home to the world famous Whirling Dervishes. Its founder, Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, lived in the 13th century, was a mystic, poet and humanist philosopher. We visit the Mevlana Museum where he is buried. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)

Day 10 CAPPADOCIA - Today we will visit one of the most unusual sites in the world, the open-air museums of Cappadocia. We explore rock-carved churches, monasteries, Christian frescoes from the 7th-13th centuries, Uchisar's citadel, cities carved into the fairy chimney like landscape, the valley of Zelve, Avanos known for its famous handmade pottery and Underground City of Kaymakli that goes down to a depth of over 300 feet. (B,L,D)

Day 11 CAPPADOCIA - ANKARA - In the morning we continue the sightseeing tour of Cappadocia. Afterwards we drive by the Salt Lake to the 13th century Seljukian Agzikarahan Caravanserai and then to the capital of Turkey, Ankara. Overnight in Ankara. (B,L,D)

Day 12 Departure or Extension - After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the trip back home or if arrangements are made we go on another tour or a sea cruise or to a holiday resort. (B)