ITINERARY

DAY 1 – (Saturday) ISTANBUL

Arrive in Istanbul Atatürk airport where your tour leader/guide will meet you and assist you with your transfer to hotel. After checking in and freshening up, we highly recommend that you take a good rest, both because of the jet lag and also because you will be starting on your wonderful trip of Turkey early the following morning. You will meet your traveling companions at 18:00 for a Welcome drink.  Overnight Istanbul.

DAY 2 – (Sunday) ANKARA , 

Early transfer to airport and depart for Ankara, the capital of modern Turkey.

Start of  THE BEST OF TURKEY Tour

Upon arrival visit the world famous Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the mausoleum of Atatürk. (Father of Turks). Travel across the central Anatolian plateau to Cappadocia, a landscape of unique rock formations and ‘Fairy Chimneys’.  Beginning in primitive times, early Christians carved elaborate frescoed churches and underground dwellings out of the porous rock. En route a brief stop to visit the famous Agzikarahan caravanserai. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia (B, L, D)

DAY 3 – CAPPADOCIA

A full day exploring the unique beauty of Cappadocia.  Include: Goreme open air museum, Pasabag fairy chimneys, Cavusin dwellings, Ozkonak underground city, Avanos, Red & Rose valley panoramic stop.  Overnight in Cappadocia (B, L, D)

DAY 4 – CAPPADOCIA  – PAMUKKALE

Morning depart for Pamukkale via Konya, a clean and pleasant town on the southwestern outskirts of the Cappadocian region, birthplace of the spiritual leader “Mevlana” and Dervishes. Visit the Monastery / Museum. And continue to Pamukkale. In the evening swim in the warm thermal waters at our hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale (B, L, D)

DAY 5 –  PAMUKKALE – KUSADASI/SELCUK

Today we visit the Roman city of Hierapolis scattered around the natural beauty of Pamukkale and continue our journey to Kusadasi/Selcuk. En route we stop at the Roman city of Aphrodisias, the goddess of love set amongst the mountains in one of the most picturesque sites of Turkey. Overnight in Kusadasi/Selcuk (B, L, D)

DAY 6 –  EPHESOS

A full day reserved to visit the biblical city of Ephesos, the ancient Roman capital of Asia Minor. Ephesos is widely regarded as one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world and center of early Christianity. Visit the chapel of the Virgin Mary, The Basilica of St. John and the nearby Archaeological Museum, return to hotel.

Overnight in Kusadasi/Selcuk (B, L, D)

DAY 7 –  SELCUK – CANAKKALE

The scenic coastline of the Aegean Sea brings us to the Hellenistic city of Pergamon, a famous city of learning, medicine and the arts in ancient times. Also visit the fabled Homeric city of Troy, site of the Trojan wars and the famous wooden horse. Continue to Canakkale and Overnight in Canakkale (B, L, D)

DAY 8 –  CANAKKALE – ISTANBUL

Travel across the Dardanelle by ferry to Gallipoli for an extensive tour of the battlefields. Visit the moving sights of Anzac Cove, Ariburnu cemetery, Lone Pine, The Nec Plugges Plateau and Chanuk Bair. In the afternoon continue to Istanbul along the European shore of the Sea of Marmara. Evening at your leisure. (B, L)

End of  THE BEST OF TURKEY Tour

Overnight in Istanbul (D)

DAY 9 – ISTANBUL

A half-day spent exploring the magnificent sights and treasures of Istanbul “the city of Sultans”, including Topkapi palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome.  Overnight in Istanbul. Afternoon at your leisure. Overnight in Istanbul (B)

DAY 10 – DEPART ISTANBUL

Our representative escorts you to the airport for your ongoing destination flight. (B)