Arrive at Istanbul airport. Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Free time after check in until dinner. Meet your guide at 7 pm and have a light dinner. Overnight at Istanbul.
Begin your day at the Blue Mosque with its six minarets and stunning interior décor. Then, on to the Hippodrome that served as a stadium for chariot racing and public gatherings. Continue with a visit to the 6th century St. Sophia. Afterward, arrive at Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. End the day at the Grand Bazaar, a favorite place for shopping. You can wander the labyrinth of streets and passages with more than 4,000 shops displaying jewelry, leather goods, carpets and more. Overnight at Istanbul.
This morning, depart Istanbul and drive to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. Upon arrival, visit the Anatolian Civilizations with exhibits featuring Anatolian archaeological artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic Age. Continue to the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum, view the monumental avenue lined with Neo-Hittite stone statues and cenotaphs. The most noted cenotaphs are those of General Ismet Inonu, and that of Ataturk himself, beneath which lies his tomb. Overnight in Ankara.
Today, depart Ankara and head south towards Cappadocia. Along the way, stop at the ancient city of Hattusa, which was the capital of the Hittite Empire in the late Bronze Age and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. View Lion's Gate, with its rich ornamentation and King's Gate, with its large-scale relief. Visit the citadel that was also the royal residence and explore the Great Temple, dedicated to the supreme deities of the Hittites. Afterward, continue the drive to Cappadocia. Arrive at the hotel in time for dinner Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Embark on a full day tour of Cappadocia, famed for its temples and houses that are cut directly into the region's rock formations. Visit the Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Goreme Valley to see early Christian churches. Continue to the village of Avanos. Visit a local pottery shop before driving to Pasabag Valley. View the surreal landscape of mushroom shaped rock formations. Afterward, visit a carpet atelier and watch a demonstration of traditional Turkish carpet weaving. Return to the hotel with free time before dinner tonight Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, the exploration of Cappadocia begins at the Ozkonak Underground City, built on the northern slopes of Mt. Idis that features a maze of narrow tunnels and rooms carved from soft volcanic rock. Continue to Guvercinlik (Pigeon's Valley), an area that housed countless pigeons during ancient times, and Güllüdere (Rose Valley) boasting the best views of fairy-chimneys, before returning to the hotel. Spend time at leisure before dinner. Tonight, be sure to attend the optional performance of the world-famous Whirling Dervishes Optional: Whirling Dervishes Performance (PM) Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, visit the 13th-century Caravanserai of Sultanhan. The caravanserai provided these Silk Road traders with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences. Afterward, head to Konya, a city renowned for its Seljuk architecture. Visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, housing the tomb of the 13th century leader Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, one of the greatest mystical poets of Islam. The Mevlevi Sufi order was founded to follow his teachings. Continue the drive towards Antalya, passing through lush forests, orchards and olive groves. Arrive in Antalya for overnight and dinner at the hotel Overnight: Antalya Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore the Pamphylian city of Perge with a history that dates back to the Bronze Age. View the remains of the well-preserved stadium and amphitheater, along with the agora and Roman baths. Continue to the ancient city of Aspendos with its well-preserved Roman theater, known for its superb acoustics, that is still in use, as the stage for the Aspendos International Opera Festival. Later, visit to the Antalya Archaeological Museum with its artifacts dating back over 2500 years. Take a city tour of Antalya that includes Hadrian's Gate, the Clock Tower, city walls dating back to the 2nd century. Return to your hotel and spend time at leisure Overnight: Antalya Meals: Breakfast
This morning, depart for Pamukkale. Along the way, stop to visit the Necropolis, a burial ground covered in limestone with ornately decorated marble tombs and the ancient city of Hierapolis "Holy City", situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs, which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Roman ruins of the ancient city and health resort since the 2nd century BC. Afterward, continue to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight Overnight: Pamukkale Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Depart Pamukkale this morning and drive to Bodrum. En route, stop to visit Aphrodisias, an archaeological site of ancient Roman ruins that were once was a major center of Aphrodite worship. View the many monuments dating back to the first century. Later, arrive in the seaside city of Bodrum and check in to your hotel Overnight: Bodrum Meals: Breakfast
Begin your morning city tour of Bodrum at Crusader Castle, housing Turkey's Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Later, view the historical windmills standing near the Bodrum harbor before heading to the imposing Myndos Gate. It was constructed in the 4th century BC by King Mausolos and is the only surviving gate of the two original entrances to ancient Halicarnassus. Continue to the Bodrum Amphitheater, one of the city's great historic monuments. Finish the tour at the market before heading back. Balance of the day is at leisure late Bronze Age and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. View Lion's Gate, with its rich ornamentation and King's Gate, with its large-scale relief. Visit the citadel that was also the royal residence and explore the Great Temple, dedicated to the supreme deities of the Hittites. Afterward, continue the drive to Cappadocia. Arrive at the hotel in time for dinner Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Bodrum to explore on your own. Perhaps, head to the beach for a swim in the clear blue waters of the Aegean Sea! Overnight: Bodrum Meals: Breakfast
Depart Bodrum this morning and travel to the ancient city of Ephesus, an open-air archaeological museum. Walk along the 2000 year old marble and cobblestone streets. The Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the steam baths of Scholastica, Temple of Hadrian, and the two-storied Library of Celsus are some of the ancient sites you'll behold on the walking tour. Visit the Great Theater, and the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be her last residence. Afterward, continue to Izmir for dinner and overnight Overnight: Izmir Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Embark on a morning tour of the port city of Izmir, known historically as Smyrna with over 3500 years of history. View the ancient Roman Agora and one of the city's famous landmarks the Clock Tower. Afterward, visit the bazaar and browse the colorful stalls for souvenirs. The afternoon is free. Tonight at dinner, share wonderful memories of your journey and bid farewell to Turkey and your Tour Manager Overnight: Izmir Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast
What's Included 14 nights First Class accommodations
