Istanbul-Ankara-Cappadocia-Antalya-Side-Perge-Aspendos-Pamukkale-Aphrodisias-Ephesus-Pergamum-Troy-Gallipoli-Istanbul

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
Depart from your country arrival to Istanbul airport. Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Istanbul
Spend the day immersed in the culture and history of this unique city by visiting some of her best known sights. Marvel at the splendours of the blue Mosque and Ayasophia, monuments to Islam and christianity which stand facing each other; the wealth of Topkapi palace with ist awe-inspiring jewels and intriguing harem; the Hippodrome; and the grandeur of the Sulaymaniye mosque. Spend time honing your bartering skills in the labyrinthine maze of shops, which is Grand bazaar. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3: Istanbul
This is more relaxed day, where you have the opportunity to view Istanbul from the Bosphorus, the narrow strait which separetes Europe from Asia, as you cruise past fortresses, palaces and mansions. The boat heads up towards Rumeli Hisari, the closest point to the Black sea. where you visit the hilltop fortress to admire the spectacular views. After lunch drive to Ankara for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Ankara-Cappadocia
The tour starts in the morning from the hotel with a visit to the fascinating Hittite Museum, where the remains of the 16 differenct civilizations, which have inhabited Anatolia, are displayed. Continue to Atatürk's Mausoleum, the resting place of the founder of modern Turkey, who was responsible for revolutionising the country, turning it into the modern secular state it is today, and is still revered as a great national hero. After lunch drive to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Cappadocia
Breakfast at the hotel before exploring the lunar landscape of Cappadocia visiting the Devrent valley, the Pasabag Valley, with is surreal mushrooming pinnacles, and Avanos, renowned for its handmade pottery. Stop for lunch before continuing to the Citadel of Uchisar and the stunning valley of Göreme and the open air museum, where the remains of churches and early Christian dwellings, hewn from the rock, date back thousands of years. Overnight in Cappadocia. Cappadocia is one of Turkey's amazing naturel wonders with its other-worldly landscape of strange rock formations and underground cities and churches. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6: Cappadocia
Visit the famous rock churches in the red and rose valley & and hike the 5 kms through the Gulludere valley. Visit the houses and churces of the christian chergymen in the Cavusin village. After lunch in pigion valley continue to Kaymakli underground city where the early Christions sought refuge. Finally, visit the natural castle at Ortahisar. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Istanbul-Ankara-Cappadocia-Antalya-Side-Perge-Aspendos-Pamukkale-Aphrodisias-Ephesus-Pergamum-Troy-Gallipoli-Istanbul 
Day 7: Cappadocia-Konya-Antalya
After an early start,en route to Antalya, visit the 13 th century Selcuk Caravansarai, the traveller's inn of ‘Sultan Han'. The next stop will be Konya which is famous for its Mevlana Museum and the Theological school of the whirling dervishes. As in the past, Konya is today, still heavily influenced by Islamic culture. Konya is the home of the renowed religious sect of Mevlana, known as the ‘whirling dervishes'. Continue on to Antalya for overnight.
Day 8: Antalya
This is one of the Turkey's most important regions where you will visit a wealth of ancient Anatolian sites including the magnificent Pamphylian trading cities of Side, Perge and Aspendos. Particularly impressive are the free-standing theatre at side, which seated 20.000,
The stadium at perge, which is the largest in Asia Minor and the theatre at Aspendos which is one of the best preserved in the world. Continue to visit the beautiful natural setting of the stunning Manavgat waterfalls before returning to spend the night in Antalya.
Day 9: Antalya-Pamukkale
After breakfast we drive to Pamukkale. On arrival, check into the hotel and have lunch before visiting the ancient city of Hierapolis, the site of largest necropolis, or graveyard of the anciant world. Visit the Roman baths and basilica then continue to Pamukkale to visit the red water and calcium cliffs. Marvel at the strange formations caused by minarel deposits, which have given rise to its Turkish name, literally translated as ‘cotton castle'free time to swim in the thermal pool with its Roman columns and other remains. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 10: Pamukkale-Aphrodisias
After breakfast, visiting the ancient city of Aphrodisias. This Greco-Roman settlement, dedicated to the Goddess of Love, Aphrodit, is remarkably well-preserved. Set on a high plateau about 600m above sea-level Aphrodisias is in a beoutiful secluded setting. For more background information see page 23. After lunch continue to Selçuk and visit the village of Sirince, which has been inhabited by both Turkish and Greek people. Drive to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Ephesus
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Ephesus, the Roman Capital of Asia Minor and one of the most important of the ancient cities, home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Visit the ruins of the Odeon, Hercules Gate, the Temple of Hadrian, the magnificient library, Agora and spectacular Greco-Roman theatre. After lunch continue to Meryem Ana, the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent her last days, visit Basilica of St. John before returning to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. Ephesus is one of the most important and most impressive of all the ancient sites.

Note: you may wish to break your journey here. If you do not wish to continue, then we will transfer you the following day to Izmir Airport for return journey back. Please refer to the price panel Part Tour price.
Day 12: Pergamum-Ayvalik
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Pergamum, once the capital of one of the richest and most powerful small kingdoms in Anatolia. The ruins of the beautiful city of Pergamum are in a spectacular setting, on the summit and terraced slopes of the hill which rises above Bergama. After lunch in Bergama continue to the charming traditional Turkish beach resort of Ayvalik, a popular local holiday spot. Dinner and overnight in Ayvalik.
Day 13: Troy-Gallipoli-Istanbul
After breakfast drive to Troy where you can explore the site of the legendary town, made famous by Homer in his Iliad and visit the Temple of Athena. Cross the Dardanelles and visit the World War I memorials at Gallipolli. After lunch drive to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 14: Departure from Istanbul
Transfer to airport for return flight