11 Days / 10 Nights

Day 1 Thu: Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul. After completing arrival formalities, you are welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 2 Fri: Istanbul
Start a leisurely day, visiting the historical Spice Market, and continue by boat for an excursion along the Bosphorus. After lunch, drive to the Asian side via Bosphorus Bridge and visit Beylerbeyi Palace & Camlica Hill. (BL)

Day 3 Sat: Istanbul
Today take a full day classical tour of Istanbul, including the ancient Roman Hippodrome (center of the chariot races) and the Blue Mosque. We continue on to Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia Museum, and the historical Grand Bazaar. (BL)

Day 4 Sun: Istanbul / Ankara / Cappadocia
In the morning, transfer to the airport for an early flight to Ankara. On arrival, we begin our sightseeing of the Capital of modern Turkey, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Ataturk. After lunch, drive to Cappadocia for dinner and overnight. (BLD)

Day 5 Mon: Cappadocia
Full day tour of the area, including the underground city of Sarhatli, Goreme Open Air Museum, the Villages of Cavusin & Avanos and the Valley of Pasabag. (BLD)

Day 6 Tue: Cappadocia / Konya / Pampukkale
Depart early this morning for Pamukkale. On the way, visit Konya, the home of Whirling Dervishes. After lunch, continue to Pamukkale, the ancient spa center and the unique natural site of white limestone terraces cascading down the mountain slope. Overnight in Pamukkale. (BLD)

Day 7 Wed: Pamukkale / Kusadasi
Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis (a world heritage site) and on to the city of Aphrodisias with lunch en route. Continue to Kusadası for dinner and overnight. (BLD)

Day 8 Thu: Kusadasi
Full day tour of the Greco-Roman ruins at Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John. Enjoy lunch en route. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi (BLD)

Day 9 Fri: Kusadasi / Canakkale
Drive to Pergamum and visit the Greco-Roman city with its Acropolis and Asclepeion, the first hospital in history, offering treatment to the Gladiators. After lunch, drive to Canakkale, the base from where we visit Troy. (BLD)

Day 10 Sat: Canakkale / Istanbul
Drive to Troy, site of the Trojan War, as documented in the legendary Iliad of Homer. After our visit, we will return to Istanbul by crossing the Dardanelles by ferry. Overnight Istanbul. (BLD)

Day 11 Sun: Istanbul / Home
After breakfast transfer to airport for your departure flight home. (B)