Turkish Odyssey

Day 1 Thu: Istanbul | Upon
arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Welcome briefing will be
held.

Day 2 Fri:
Istanbul | Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace
Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding harem).
Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the center of life where chariot racing
and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and
1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Next see St. Sophia, a church built in
the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and
now a museum and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Your last
stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered
market with over 60 streets. Join an optional dinner
with belly dancing entertainment. B

Day 3 Sat:
Gallipoli – Dardanelles - Canakkale| In the morning depart for Gallipoli,
thesite of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and
Chunuk Bair, then cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale for overnight. B D

Day 4 Sun:
Troy – Pergamum – Izmir | Visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, best
known for being the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of
each other. Before arriving into Asclepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a
traditional local village. Then continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient
Medical Center in Asclepion and continue to Izmir for overnight. B L D

Day 5 Mon:
Ephesus & St.Mary’s House – Izmir| Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an
important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old
marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s
Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed
Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a
regional rug production center to have a firsthand experience of this unique
art form. Optional :Dinner at local restaurant. B

Day 6 Tue:
Izmir – Pamukkale Drive through lush valleys to Pamukkale, the Cotton
Fortress, with white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Visit ruins
of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and enjoy a swim in your hotel’s thermal
pool. B D

Day 7 Wed:
Pamukkale – Bodrum After breakfast drive to Bodrum to visit the Castle of
St.Peter and the renowned Underwater Museum that was awarded the best
Underwater Museum of the World in 2000s. Overnight in Bodrum. B

Day 8 Thu:
Bodrum – Fethiye |After breakfast, late morning departure to foundations of
the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World. Afterwards, depart to Fethiye. Rest of the day at leisure.
Dinner and overnight in Fethiye. B D

Day 9 Fri: Fethiye – Myra –
Antalya  | After breakfast depart for Antalya, en route visit famous
Church of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) in Demre and ancient sight of Myra, then
continue to Antalya for dinner and overnight. B D

Day 10
Sat: Perge –Aspendos – Antalya | This morning visit Perge and Aspendos
afternoon is free for personal activities. Dinner at local restaurant. B D

Day 11
Sun: Antalya – Konya – Cappadocia |Early morning departure for Konya visit
mausoleum of the sufi philosopher Mevlana. Afterwards departure to Cappadocia
on the way visit 13th century Caravansaray and later visit underground city of
Saratli. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. B D

Day 12 Mon: Cappadocia | Early Morning Optional: Hot Air Balloon Tour.
Experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at
sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located
among the rock formations, which was first settled back in the Roman period.
Many rock churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the
prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for
its high quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi, Red Valley and attend a
brief regional pottery workshop. Dinner at a special local restaurant. Join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. B D

Day 13 Tue: Cappadocia –
Ankara | Early morning departure to the capital city of Ankara through the
salt lake area, Enjoy an afternoon tour Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a
historic caravanserai, holding artifacts from up to 7500 years old, including
the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artifacts in the world.
Dinner and overnight at Ankara. B D

Day 14 Wed: Ankara – Istanbul|After
breakfast depart for Istanbul. In the afternoon, join an optional half-day Bosphorus cruise enjoying the strait
that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighborhoods,
Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens,
restaurants and cafés. Finish your last minute shopping at the Spice Market
filled with the fragrance of the exotic east. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner. B D

Day 15 Thu: Istanbul|Transfer to the airport for your
return flight home. B

Price Includes:

• First Class hotels with
private facilities

• Meals are indicated on
itineraries by B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner

• Licensed guides throughout
Turkey

• Private air-conditioned
transportation

• Luggage handling

• Local taxes and service
charges

• Arrival/departure transfers:
only on arrival and departure days. Pre or post stay transfers are not included

Price Excludes:

• Personal expenses

• Optional tours

• Customary tips to guide and drivers