Istanbul ~ Ankara ~ Cappadocia ~ Konya ~Pamukkale ~Aphrodisias ~ Ephesus ~ Istanbul 8 Days / 7 Nights |
Day 1: Arrival Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in hotel. Day 2: Istanbul - Ankara Visit the St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years. See its intricate mosaics and huge central dome. (St Sophia is closed on Monday) Continue to the Topkapi palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We will also see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed. (Entrance to the Harem is extra). After lunch we will see the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. Visit the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Walk through the back streets of Old Istanbul and visit the elegant little Sokullu Pasa mosque and the hidden underground Theodosian Cistern (Or instead of the last two a visit to the Suleymaniye Mosque may be made). See the Grand Covered Bazaar. This tour may be done all or partially as a walking tour. EVENING DEPARTURE TO ANKARA. You have a choice of going by overnight train (private couchette) or flight the next morning (flight transfer and hotel is extra). Day 3: Ankara - Cappadocia You will arrive early morning in Ankara (breakfast may be taken on the train but it is not included) and the tour starts with the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is located in a restored bazaar. The museum has the most unique and priceless collection of artifacts dating back to the prehistoric era. Then we will continue with the mausoleum of Ataturk, which serves as a tribute to the founder of modern Turkey. We will then begin our drive to Cappadocia. Overnight in hotel. Today we explore Cappadocia with the underground city of Kaymakli and the natural citadel of Uchisar. We will then visit the Goreme Valley and the Open Air Museum featuring ancient churches with colorful frescoes, which are hewn from the rock. The next stop is Pasabagi Valley, with its vineyards, volcanic cones and monk's dwellings. We will then visit the famous pottery center of Avanos. Overnight in hotel. Day 5: Cappadocia - Konya - Pamukkale We will depart early in the morning for Konya, visiting the 13th century Seljuk caravansary of Sultanhan. The next stop will be Konya with the Mevlana Museum. Home of the famous "Whirling Dervishes. Arrive in Pamukkale and overnight in thermal hotel. Day 6: Pamukkale - Aphrodisias - Kusadasi In the morning visit the ancient site of Hierapolis, including theater, Apollo Temple and necropolis, then the calcium terraces of Pamukkale. Today we will also visit the Greco-Roman site of Aphrodisias. Continue to Kusadasi through the Meander Valley and overnight in hotel. Today we will visit the house of Virgin Mary, then Ephesus with the Library of Celsius, temple of Hadrian, agora and fantastic Greco-Roman theater and the Basilica of St. John. Overnight bus to Istanbul. (Flight, transfer and hotel is extra) Day 8: Departure |
