DAY 1: DEPART HOME
DAY 2: ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL
Arrive in Istanbul Int’l Airport… Upon arrival, you will be met outside the customs area by our representative and be transferred to your hotel... Depending on the time of your arrival and upon your will, the remainder of the day can either be at leisure or can also be dedicated to an optional half day tour. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul. (B)
DAY 3: ISTANBUL
After breakfast, meet your guide at the lobby and depart your hotel... Enjoy a full day exploring Istanbul... Our first stop is at the Church of Divine Wisdom (Aya Sofya in Turkish, Sancta Sophia in Latin, Hagia Sofia in Greek). Now a museum, Aya Sofya was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th Century and reigned as the grandest church in Christendom until its conversion into a mosque by Sultan Mehmet II just after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. The Ottomans added minaret and buttresses, plastered over the Byzantine mosaics in the interior, and installed exquisite calligraphies medallions. Much of the plaster has now been removed and several of the original mosaics restored. The Hippodrome served as the center of Byzantine civic life for 1000 years, including coronations, Roman chariot races and more than one royal execution. At the opposite end of the Hippodrome (At Meydani) is the elegant ‘’Blue Mosque’ of Sultan Ahmed I, with its six minarets. Built in the early 17th century, its popular name is derived from the 20.000 predominately blue Iznik tiles lining the interior walls. Lunch at a local restaurant… Turkish and Islamic Art Museum has a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts. In the numerous rooms of this historic building have been collected the most ancient, the most precious and the rarest of the Moslem works of the epoch. This constitutes a separate treasure. The collection includes spectacular pieces from ancient Babylon, Persia and Mesopotamia… Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul. (B)
DAY 4: ISTANBUL
After breakfast, meet your guide at the lobby for your private full day tour and spend a second day exploring Istanbul. Explore the magnificent Chora Museum, an 11th century church with Byzantine mosaics and frescoes considered to be among the worlds most important. After lunch within Topkapi complex, visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for three centuries. Now a museum, it consists of gardens and buildings of the former palace restored to hold a wealth of treasures. Among the most notable are one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese porcelain, a spectacular collection of jewellery, gems and gold, and the wardrobes of the Sultans, consisting of more than 13.000 customers... Our last stop will be the Grand Covered Bazaar; the largest covered marketplace in the world where a dazzling array of items-from Furniture and carpets to jewellery and clothing are sold in the bazaar’s 4000 shops. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul. (B)
DAY 5: ISTANBUL
Today will be at leisure to visit the city on your own. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul. (B)
DAY 6: ISTANBUL
Enjoy a last full day exploring Istanbul... After breakfast, depart your hotel and cross the Bosphorus Brigdge to Asian Side of the city and visit the adorned Beylerbeyi Palace. It's a beautiful 19th century palace right by the Bosphorus... Built on orders of Sultan Abdulaziz (1861-1876), it's a delightful, if ornate, imperial residence with a fountain in the main salon, the usual sumptuous chambers, Bohemian crystal chandeliers, Sèvres and Chinese vases, and pleasant gardens... The palace was often used as a guest house for visiting royalty. Empress Eugénie of France, Shah Nasruddin of Persia, Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia and other worthies enjoyed its comforts. Leaving Beylerbeyi, continue to Balat; old Jewish quarters and Eyüp... From Eyüp through interesting Ottoman cemeteries, a path leads to the top of a hill from where Pierre Loti, an officer of the French navy who lived in Istanbul at the end of the 19th century (read his novel called “Aziyade”), loved to contemplate the Golden Horn. There is a superb view from the Café Pierre Loti and watching sunset from here should not be missed...
After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul (B)
DAY 7: ISTANBUL / IZMIR / PERGAMUM / KUSADASI
(Izmir- Pergamum 62 miles, 1,5 hours / Pergamum – Kusadasi 125 miles, 3 hours )
Transfer to the airport for flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir airport and drive to Pergamum. As we approach, one can see the ancient acropolis a top the hill rising above the modern town. This was the seat of the Pergamene rulers who stretched their territories to the Eastern Mediterranean. It housed the second largest library of the ancient world. We will see the temple of Athena, Trojan, the famous Altar of Zeus and the steepest theatre in the world. After lunch, we continue to the most important healing center in Asia Minor which was dedicated to the God of healing, Asklepios. This is where Galen practiced and taught medicine. We drive to Kusadasi and check into the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
DAY 8: KUSADASI / EPHESUS / KUSADASI
(10 miles, 20 minutes one way)
Today we drive to Ephesus, the greatest of all the Roman cities in Asia Minor. Not only it was a political center as being the capital city of the Roman Province of Asia but also a very important and reputed economical center with its harbor. Famous throughout history for its Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this city was also the most important shrine of the Asia Minor and was amongst any of the cities visited by St. Paul where he stayed longest. It is here that St. John lived and died and according to a legend where Virgin Mary spent her last years.
We can start our tour with a visit to the Temple of Diana which is a must in order to understand the dynamics and logistics of Ephesus. It was built in honor of the Greek goddess of hunting, wild nature, and fertility, Artemis and was counted among the seven wonders of the ancient world. After that, we will proceed on to the main site. Our tour of the main site of Ephesus will include the Gymnasium, Odeon, Agora, Prytaneion, Nymphaion, Domitian Temple, Celsius Library, Commercial Agora, the Grand Theater, Harbor Street etc..., and also a special visit to the Roman villas of Ephesus with their elaborate wall paintings and with their mosaic decorated floors. These beautiful and sophisticated houses were the residences of the rich Ephesians and had heating systems and hot and cold running water in the bathrooms, kitchens and dining rooms. After a lunch break, we will either visit the house of Virgin Mary which is located on top of the Nightingale Hill and which can be reached after a bendy but very scenic drive up the hill or continue touring with a visit to the museum of Ephesus. Our tour day will end with a visit to the Basilica of St. John where he was buried. Return to Kusadasi in the late afternoon. Overnight at your hotel in Kusadasi. (B)
DAY 9: KUSADASI
Today will be at leisure to explore the town on your own. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Kusadasi. (B,D)
DAY 10: KUSADASI / BODRUM
(Kusadasi – Bodrum 85 miles, 2,5 hours one way )
Today we will head south and drive to Bodrum, Upon our arrival, drive to the Castle of St. Peter built in the 15th century, dating from the time of the Crusades and which now houses the Museum of Nautical Archeology. Bodrum was named as Halicarnassus in the ancient times, the birthplace of Herodotus and the home of one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Mausoleum which is now totally ruined. The rest of the day is at leisure for swimming, sunbathing or shopping as per your preference. Overnight at your hotel in Bodrum. (B)
DAY 11: BODRUM / DAILY GULLET CRUISE TO THE NEARBY BAYS
Today is dedicated to discovering the beautiful bays of Bodrum peninsula on board a privately chartered wooden boat called “gullet” on a day basically for relaxation. We set out to cruise the turquoise seas of the Bodrum coastline. We will visit several of the most beautiful bays where you can swim and snorkel in crystal-clear water or simply relax in the mild breeze, enjoy the stunning views and perfect your suntan to the sound of the gently lapping waves. You will be taken to some bays for swimming and relaxation and your day on board the gullet will definitely give you a touch of a gullet experience. “Gullet” is a typical wooden sailing vessel mostly built in the shipyards of the southwestern coast of Turkey. During your exploration of the beautiful bays around Bodrum Peninsula, you will be cruising on one of these traditional wooden sailing vessels which were once used by fishermen in these bountiful waters. Master craftsmen, working primarily out of Bodrum, has adapted these vessels for deluxe motor-sailing, while preserving their charm and grace. Lunch will be served on board and you will have the opportunity of swimming, snorkelling or simply relaxing in the mild breeze. Return to Bodrum Harbor in the late afternoon. Overnight at your hotel in Bodrum. (B)
DAY 12: BODRUM
Today will be at leisure to explore the beautiful town and peninsula of Bodrum on your own. If you like, you can also request your guide to accompany you if needed. Overnight at your hotel in Bodrum. (B)
DAY 13: BODRUM / MARMARIS / RHODES
( Bodrum – Marmaris 95 miles, 2,5 hours )
Early in the morning, depart from the hotel and drive to Marmaris. Explore the resort town of Marmaris and in the afternoon, transfer to Marmaris port to embark the ferry to Rhodes. (Around 1-1,5 hour by ferry) Overnight at your hotel in Rhodes.
DAY 14: RHODES
Today will be at leisure to explore Rhodes on your own. Overnight at your hotel in Rhodes.
DAY 15: RHODES / MARMARIS
Take a return ferry to Marmaris. Afternoon arrival in Marmaris. The rest of the day will be at leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Marmaris. (B)
DAY 16: MARMARIS / ANTALYA
(Marmaris – Antalya 183 miles, 5 hours one way)
Today we drive to Antalya, the most famous resort center on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (B,D)
DAY 17: ANTALYA / KONYA
(Antalya - Konya 152 miles, 4 hours drive one way)
After breakfast, depart for Aspendos, visit the best preserved Roman Theatre built by Marcus Aurelius in Asia Minor. Then, drive to the impressive aqueducts of the city better preserved than the ones in France, Campagna. After lunch at a local restaurant, proceed to Perge which was once the greatest learning center and visited by St. Paul. It is still one of the most impressive Greco-Roman sites of Turkey. In the evening, arrive in Konya which was once the capital of the Seljuk Empire and was adorned with elaborate monuments of the 12th and 13th century. Dinner and overnight there, in Konya (B,D)
DAY 18: KONYA / CAPPADOCIA
(Konya – Cappadocia 139 miles, 3,5 hours drive one way)
In the morning after breakfast, we visit the Mevlana Museum which houses the tomb of the world famous mystic philosopher Mevlana, a sacred Islamic shrine and object to pilgrimage from all over Turkey. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to the beautiful region of Cappadocia, the land of fairy chimneys. Cappadocia has an interesting and remarkable topography and a dream-like landscape, complete with beautiful villages and houses carved from soft volcanic tuff, worth-visiting underground cities and frescoed churches. The so-called fairy chimneys and troglodyte dwellings will take you to another world and will definitely leave an unforgettable impression. The monastic cave churches some of which date back to the 3rd century and which are decorated with beautiful frescoes are worth-visiting. Some are very well preserved and well guarded. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Cappadocia. (B,D)
DAY 19: CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast in our hotel, we continue for our full day tour of the region. We may start our tour from Goreme, a former monastic complex where we will see a lot of rock cut churches with beautiful frescoes. Goreme is like an open-air museum comprised of dozens of early Christian chapels and churches carved from the soft stone and covered with impressing frescoes. We will then continue exploring the area with a visit to Zelve Open Air Museum which was one of the earliest monastic settlements in the area. Time to visit local craftspeople before we get to our hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Cappadocia. (B)
DAY 20: CAPPADOCIA
Today we will start the day early in the morning with a hot air balloon ride. They fly early in the morning because this time of day provides calm, cool air for gentle and stable flights, soft landings and maximum lifting capacity of the balloon. It is also the ideal time for photography, with splendid colors and contrasts and the beauty of the sunrise. They are normally in the air for about an hour and a half... The whole experience lasts 3 to 4 hours with farewell drinks, so you will have the rest of the day to enjoy for the many attractions of Cappadocia. After breakfast in our hotel, we will visit Urgup, Sinasos, and Ortahisar, a view of troglodyte houses and artisan at work. We will have lunch in a local restaurant, and then proceed on to one of the underground cities, either Derinkuyu or Kaymakli, which are both fascinating, surprisingly large and complex. These underground cities were used in times of danger by the local population to hide when invading armies were passing through. Dinner is on your own, overnight at your hotel in Cappadocia. (B)
DAY 21: CAPPADOCIA
Today will be free to explore the region on your own. Overnight at your hotel in Cappadocia. (B)
DAY 22: CAPPADOCIA / ANKARA
(Cappadocia – Ankara 165 miles, 4,5 hours one way drive)
After breakfast at our hotel, drive to Ankara the capital of modern Turkey. Upon arrival in Ankara, we will have lunch and then visit of Ankara including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which houses the richest collection of artifacts brought from various parts of the country. These artifacts include pre-historical materials, Neolithic cave drawings, utensils from Catalhoyuk, the earliest known city in the world. We will see thousands of objects brought from different parts of the country and gives us an overall picture of Hittite, Phrygian, and Lydian and Urartian civilizations. At the end of the day, return to your hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Ankara. (B)
DAY 23: ANKARA / ISTANBUL
Today, after breakfast, proceed to The Mausoleum of the founder of Modern Turkey, Ataturk which would well be worth as a visit. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your internal flight back to Istanbul. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul. (B)
DAY 24: ISTANBUL DEPART / BACK HOME
Transfer to the airport for your outgoing flights. End of our services. (B)
Please kindly let us underline that the course of this above program can be subject to some modifications when deem necessary to facilitate your journey and to let you explore as much as possible by considering your preferences, your ease and comfort.
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