BEST OF TURKEY TOUR (14 NIGHTS / 15 DAYS)

DAY 1 ISTANBUL
Arrival to Istanbul airport and transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (D)

DAY 2 ISTANBUL
After breakfast at the hotel proceed for a full day tour which takes you through splendid attractions of Istanbul. Visit St. Sophia, the magnificent Byzantine church of all times, mosque during Ottomans and museum today. Byzantine Hippodrome, the former center for sportive and political activities of Constantinople. Obelisk of Theodosius from Egypt, the Serpentine Column and the German Fountain. The Blue Mosque, a magnificent 17th century mosque famous with its six minarets and 25.000 pieces of Blue Iznik tiles decorating the interior. Following a lunch break in the old town, you will visit Topkapı Palace, the former Imperial residence from where the Great Ottoman Empire was once ruled. Today the 15th century Palace displaying the imperial treasury, 3rd richest Chinese and Japanese porcelain collection of the world and other collections scattered in 3 courtyards and vast gardens overlooking the Golden Horn and Bosphorus. Süleymaniye Mosque, the mosque of Sultan Suleiman the ‘Magnificent’, built in the 16th century by Sinan, the famous architect of all times. Overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 3 ISTANBUL / BURSA
After breakfast drive to Bursa the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, situated at the foot of mount Olympos in the history. After lunch in a special ‘Kebab’ Restaurant, visit the Green Mosque, Green Mausoleum, Grand Mosque and the Old Bazaar. Dinner and overnight at Bursa hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 BURSA / GORDION / ANKARA
Early depart to visit the Phrygian capital Gordion, where Alexander the Great cut the famous Gordion knot. After lunch continue to Ankara. Dinner and overnight at Ankara hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 ANKARA / CAPPADOCIA
Morning visit to Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the mausoleum of Atatürk. Drive to Cappadocia arriving late afternoon to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Cappadocia hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 CAPPADOCIA
In this unique region of volcanic landscapes and ‘fairy-chimneys’, we visit the open-air museum of ‘Göreme’, where situated the rock-carved churches containing ancient frescoes. After lunch, continue to Zelve valley and Uçhisar Castle and visit the underground city of Kaymaklı. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 CAPPADOCIA
Morning visit Ortahisar village and the pottery centre Avanos. Afternoon visit the valley of Ihlara. Lunch will be served in a typical restaurant. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 CAPPADOCIA / PAMUKKALE
Early drive to Pamukkale, the ‘Cotton Castle’ to see the white travertines and underground hot water springs. After lunch at local restaurant, visit the ruins of Hierapolis and the museum. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 9 PAMUKKALE / APHRODISIAS / KUŞADASI
Morning drive to Aphrodisias, city dedicated to the goddess of love and visit the temple of Artemis. After lunch continue to Kuşadası for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

DAY 10 KUŞADASI
Day at leisure in Kuşadası. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)

DAY 11 KUŞADASI / EPHESUS / IZMIR
After breakfast drive to Ephesus, one of the world’s finest archaeological sites, where we visit the Arcadian way, the splendid façade of the Library of Celcus and see the amphitheater which is still used. Following the lunch we visit the house of the Virgin Mary, spectacularly situated above the ruins and the Archaeological Museum at Seljuk. Continue to Izmir for overnight. (B, L, D)

DAY 12 IZMIR / PERGAMUM / ÇANAKKALE
Morning drive to Pergamum, once one of the small kingdoms in the Middle East. Visit the Acropolis where you will see the great amphitheater, the library which once held 200.000 volumes (that later Marcus Antonius gave to Cleopatra), the sanctuary of Athena, and the monumental altar of Zeus. After lunch at local restaurant, visit Asclepium, the world’s oldest medical center, built in the name of the god of healing, Asclepius. Dinner and overnight at Çanakkale hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 13 ÇANAKKALE / TROY / ISTANBUL
Early depart to visit the legendary city of Troy where we see the ruins of nine levels from different periods built on top of each other and an enormous reconstruction of the famous wooden house. After lunch continue to Istanbul for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

DAY 14 ISTANBUL
Complete day at leisure to explore the city or take an optional tour. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)

DAY 15 ISTANBUL
Tour ends after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for departure flight. (B)