| Day of Week |
Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| Saturday |
Arrive Istanbul |
Arrive Istanbul
|
|
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On arrival in Istanbul you will have a short orientation tour before checking into your hotel, the Istanbul Galata Anemon. Following a welcome briefing at the hotel, the evening is at leisure.
|
|
| Sunday |
Istanbul |
Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Spice Bazaar
|
B |
|
|
|
Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul today. Visit the Royal Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans, the Blue Mosque, unique with six minarets, the Roman Hippodrome Square and the St. Sophia Church, which is considered one of the worlds greatest architectural marvels and the Spice Bazaar. Evening at leisure.
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| Monday |
Istanbul / Canakkale |
Gallipoli, Troy
|
B |
|
D |
|
Depart by road this morning for Gallipoli, through the European lands of Turkey. Cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferryboat to reach ancient Troy. See its legendary walls and a replica of the wooden horse. Proceed to Canakkale for dinner and check-in at the Iris Hotel for overnight.
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| Tuesday |
Canakkale / Izmir |
Bergama, Trojan Temple, Red Basilica
|
B |
L |
|
|
Depart this morning for Bergama, for a tour of the ancient city of Pergamon. Visit the Acropolis, the steepest theatre of the ancient world, the Trojan Temple and Library. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Asclepion, the ancient healing centre and the Red Basilica which is one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Continue to Izmir and check into the Izmir Anemon Hotel. Evening at leisure.
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| Wednesday |
Izmir |
Ephesus: House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Diana
|
B |
L |
|
|
Take an excursion today to Ephesus, cradle of early Christianity. Visit the House Of The Virgin Mary, ancient Ephesus, the Archaeological Museum and the Temple Of Diana, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Return to Izmir. Evening at leisure.
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| Thursday |
Izmir / Pamukkale |
Sardes: Temple of Cybele, Synagogue, Gymnasium
|
B |
|
D |
|
Depart this morning for Sardes, capital of ancient Lydia. Visit the Temple of Cybele, which later became a church, the famous Synagogue from the third century, the Gymnasium and the new excavation area. See the Golden River Pactalos. Lunch en route. Proceed to Pamukkale for dinner and check into the Hotel Pamukkale Colossae.
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| Friday |
Pamukkale / Antalya |
Travertine Terraces, Carpet Weaving Workshop, Aphrodisias
|
B |
L |
D |
|
This morning, enjoy a tour of Pamukkale, noted ancient spa, where pure white travertine forms frozen waterfalls. There will also be an opportunity to observe carpet weaving at one of the local workshops. Continue to Aphrodisias, the city of the Goddess of Love. See the well-preserved Stadium of Aphrodisias, the Odeon, the theatre and the agora. Continue to Antalya for dinner and check into the Antalya Dedeman Hotel for overnight.
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|
| Saturday |
Antalya |
Pamphylia, Perge, Aspendos
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Full day excursion to ancient Pamphylia, the Hellenistic and Roman cities of Perge and Aspendos and to the award winning Antalya Archaeological Museum with more than 5,000 archaeological works displayed in 14 exhibit halls.
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| Sunday |
Antalya / Cappadocia |
Konya: Mevlana Museum, Whirling Dervish Monastery
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Early departure to Konya this morning. Visit the Mevlana Museum, the 13th century Whirling Dervish Monastery. After lunch, continue to Cappadocia where nature has scoured surrealistic moonscape shapes and where the persecuted Christians dug underground cities and churches during the 9th century. Check into the Cappadocia Lodge this afternoon. This evening, you may wish to attend an OPTIONAL Folk and Belly Dance Show at one of the cave restaurants in Cappadocia.
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|
| Monday |
Cappadocia |
Goreme Open Air Museum, Avanos, Uchisar, Kaymakli
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Cappadocia, including Goreme Open Air Museum, the pottery making town of Avanos, the natural citadel of Uchisar and the underground city of Kaymakli.
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|
| Tuesday |
Cappadocia / Ankara |
Agzikarahan Caravansery, Salt Lake
|
B |
L |
|
|
Complete your sightseeing in Cappadocia this morning. After lunch, visit the Agzikarahan Caravansery (resting place for caravans) from the Selcuk period. Continue to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, via Salt Lake. On arrival, check into the Ankara Dedeman Hotel for overnight. Evening at leisure.
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| Wednesday |
Ankara / Bursa |
Anatolian Civilization Museum, Ataturk Mausoleum
|
B |
|
D |
|
Visit the Anatolian Civilization Museum, containing the finest archaeological collection in all of Turkey and the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk in Ankara. Continue to Bursa this afternoon and check into the Celik Palas Hotel.
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| Thursday |
Bursa / Istanbul |
Green Mosque, Green Tomb, Silk Bazaar
|
B |
|
|
|
Your sightseeing in Bursa this morning includes the 15th century Green Mosque, and Green Tomb and Bursas colourful Silk Bazaar. Continue to Istanbul this afternoon, and check into the Istanbul Galata Anemon Hotel. Balance of the day is free at leisure.
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