Day 1: Arrive Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul. Meet and transfer to hotel. Afternoon we proceed for a city tour including Blue Mosque (17th century marvel of the Ottoman architecture famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets), H1ppodrome (romans held chariot races here and its adorned with the egyptian obelisks), Hag1a Soph1a (6th century byzantine church of holy wisdom, later converted to a mosque and now a showcase of Byzantine and Ottoman styles), Topkap1 Palace (Ottoman sultans' seat for many centuries, extensive collection) and Grand bazaar (a maze of 4.000 shops selling antiques, carpets, gold...). Lunch at the Topkapi Palace Konyali restaurant and then we return to hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Day 2: Istanbul – Canakkale
After breakfast, we proceed to Canakkale famous for the WW1 Battles, a brief look at the Anzac memorials, crossing the Dardanelles by ferry and visit the ancient city of Troy and the famous Wooden Horse of Troy.
Lunch & Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Day 3: Canakkale – Pergamon – Izmir – Kusadasi
After breakfast at hotel. We continue our journey to Bergama, visit the Acropolis at Pergamon, founded by a general of Alexander the great and wonder at the breathtaking amphitheater. Lunch and we proceed towards Izmir, Turkey’s largest export harbor and 3rd biggest city, panoramic tour and continue to Kusadasi, a cruise liner port on the Aegean Sea.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 4: Cappadocia – Ankara
After breakfast, discover this culturally rich area. Visit the house of Virgin Mary, where it's believed she spent her last years at the ancient city of Ephesus, Roman Ionian capital and largest archeological site in Turkey, attractions include the 25.000 seat capacity amphitheater, Celsus Library, Baths, Odeon, Temple of Hadrian. Lunch will be taken in nearby Selcuk, we continue to Pamukkale, visit the thermal springs and the ancient city of H1erapol1s, regarded as a holy city in the ancient times, people flocked here for their last days and there is a very large Necropolis with tombs reflecting the styles of various people of Asia minor.Pamukkale is famous for its calcium-rich thermal water cascades forming unique white terraces with small basins in them. The Turkish name of Pamukkale translates as the cotton castle.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Day 5: Pamukkale – Konya – Cappadocia
After breakfast, we proceed for Konya. Visit the Mevlana Museum, Mausoleum of Mevlana Jelaledin Rumi who was the founder of the Wh1rl1ng Derv1shes, lunch, before reaching Cappadocia, visit the Sultanhan1 Caravansera1, on the ancient caravan route of the Silk Road.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cappadocia.
Day 6: Cappadocia – Ankara
After breakfast, we proceed for city tour of Cappadocia; visit Gorome Valley, Cavusin, Kaymakli underground city and Avanos Pottery Center. Cappadocia region has an almost lunar landscape formed by volcanic lava eroded over the past millions of years and taking shapes which are called the fairy chimneys and other cave formations. Turkey’s longest river, Kizilirmak (red river) runs through Avanos and the area has turned into a delicate pottery center. After lunch continue to Ankara, Turkey's capital,
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Day 7: Ankara – Istanbul
After breakfast, we procced for the city tour covering a visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum (rich collection of pre-historic findings in Turkey, especially the Hittite civiliziation) and the Mausoleum of Ataturk (Anitkabir, resting place of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey). Visit Atakule tower, Presidential Palace at Cankaya, the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Ministries. Afternoon travel to Istanbul with lunch en route. Check-in at hotel in Istanbul.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Day 8: Depart Istanbul
Breakfast, day at leisure. Transfer to the airport for flight back home.