Day 2: Istanbul

Today you will visit Topkapi Palace, the ancient residence of the mighty Ottoman Sultans. (B)

After enjoying your first breakfast in Turkey, you will be led on a walking tour of the impressive Topkapi Palace! As this is a walking guide, make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle. The Topkapi Palace once served as the royal palace for the Ottoman Sultans between the 16th and 19th centuries. The iconic Topkapi Palace offers you a glimpse into the life and wonder of the Sultans and their Harems. In this vast complex of pavilions, gardens, towers, and monumental gates, you will find spectacular vistas, and hidden treasures of gold and silver. You may even have the opportunity to view the famous Spoon Maker’s Diamond, an 85-karat diamond. Your guide will then escort you through the highlight of this magical palace; and if lucky, you may have the opportunity to access the Harem palace for an additional fee.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Hagia Sofia museum and the famous Sultanahmet Mosque, more commonly known as the Blue Mosque.

After finishing lunch, your guide will escort you through the incredible Hagia Sofia Museum. This magical location stands a vibrant example of the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture. Since its construction in 537, this structure has stood one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels. Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, and famous the massive dome that adorns the roof of this ancient structure. The Ottoman’s converted this ancient building into a mosque in the mid 15th century. After visiting this wonder, your guide will escort you the fascinating “Blue Mosque” also known by its historical name: Sultan Ahmed Mosque. This breath-taking temple gets is name from the striking blue tiles that adorn much of the interior. Before heading back to the hotel, you will visit the ancient Hippodrome, famous for its horse, and chariot races. The building no longer stands; however the ancient Obelisk of Theodosius, which was transported along the Nile, stands in its place today.

Visit the famous Grand Bazaar.

After the Blue Mosque, you will visit the world famous Covered Grand Bazaar! This marketplace is the world’s largestcovered market featuring 4,000 shops covering 61 streets. Over 400,000 visitors peruse the Grand Bazaar every single day! Here you will find an overwhelming selection of furniture, carpets, jewelry, clothing, and much more!

Free evening to enjoy the nightlife of Istanbul.

The remainder of the day is yours to explore, and pamper your self. You can choose between enjoying a traditional Turkish bath, or enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Bosphorus River.

Day 3: Istanbul

Visit the district of Eyup. (B)

Today’s tour will begin with your guide escorting you to the sacred burial place of Eyup. This important historical figure was in fact the best friend of the Prophet Muhammad! So many people wanted to be buried around the Prophet that this area became a Necropolis around the beginning of the 15th Century. Your guide will take you on a walking tour of the many tombs explaining Turkish funeral customs.

Ascend the Pier Loti Hill and visit Chora Church.

After the Necropolis, you will board a cable car to the top of Pier Loti Hill! From this vantage point you have a fantastic view of The Golden Horn. Here you will relax while you enjoy a traditional Turkish Coffee, before you are driven to Chora Church.Here, some of Turkey’s most impressive late Byzantine mosaics and frescos are found. Watch as stories from The Old Testament, New Testament, and some not even approved by The Vatican unfold before your eyes!

Explore the Asian side of Istanbul.

After lunch, you will drive to The Golden Horn to catch a ferry to Kadikoy on Istanbul’s Asian side. Here you can sample some of the local delicatessens, fish markets, grocery stores, and immerse yourself in Turkey’s Asian influences. Afterwards, your tour guide will escort you back to your hotel in Istanbul.

Free evening at your leisure.

The rest of the evening is to be enjoyed at your leisure in Istanbul. An optional evening activity is to attend a Turkish Folklore Dance at Hodja Pasha

Day 4: Istanbul  – Cappadocia

Morning flight to Cappadocia. (B)

After checkout, you will catch the morning flight to Cappadocia in the ancient region of Anatolia. In Cappadocia you will find incredible ancient natural rock formations as well as a rich history that dates back to 3000 B.C. You will spend your next two nights exploring this amazing city. This majestic city has been the hub of many civilizations and served as a shelter for Christians who fled the Roman Empire during the Hittite period. Christian followers fled to the houses and churches carved into the rock walls of this great city. Upon arrival you will check-in to the hotel and then explore some of the breathtaking sites of Cappadocia.

Afternoon visit to Zelve Open Air Museum.

Cappadocia is full of unbelievable history and amazing scenery. On this tour you will learn why Cappadocia is known as the land of “Fairy Chimneys.” You will thoroughly enjoy familiarizing yourself with the lunar-like landscape caused by these captivating rock formations. This unique volcanic landscape took shape as a result of eroding layers of volcanic soil deposited many centuries ago. The combined eruptions of Erciyes, Hasandag and Gulludag volcanoes approximately 60 million years ago caused the resulting pillars and cones to be formed here. These unique structures will capture your intrigue and wonder and you will quickly discover why they are referred to as “Fairy Chimneys”.

The tour guide will escort you to Zelve Open Air Museum where some of Cappadocia’s most impressive Fairy Chimneys can be found. Zelve is an important Christian center. It was at Zelve that the first religious seminars for priests were held. In the area you will find cave houses, pigeon houses, various chapels and walls decorated with their original frescos. This tour will include visits to Devrent Valley, and The Pasabag Valley. A visit to some of the living houses is possible, upon request.

Free evening at your leisure.

After Zelve, you will be driven back to the Hotel. The rest of your evening is free to discover Cappadocia. You may consider visiting a Whirling Dervish Ritual!

Day 5: Cappadocia

Optional: Morning Balloon Ride.

Before the day’s scheduled activities, you may opt to go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride! This once in a lifetime opportunity departs at sunrise, where you will be treated to breathtaking views of Cappadocia’s Volcanic valleys, Fairy Chimneys, and the many caves in the area.

Explore the amazing sights of Cappadocia. (B)

After breakfast you will enjoy a full day experiencing the beauty of Cappadocia! You will start your day with a visit to theGoreme Open Air Museum. This Museum is an amazing small cave city structured by carving the soft rocks in houses and buildings. This museum is the product of a craftwork belonging to the Christians in Rome Period that consists of numerous monasteries situated side by side.

Afterwards, your guide will escort you to Kaymakli Underground City, the largest underground city in Cappadocia! It is well protected and maintained, the whole site is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Christians during the Roman Period built this splendid underground city around their homes for protection. The homes are connected by secret underground tunnels. When the city was attacked, they used these secret underground tunnels to navigate through the city safely. Up to 6,000 people could be in these tunnels at one time. You will conclude your day with a visit to Uchisar Castle. From it’s position on top of the mountain, you will see the city in a full panoramic view!

Day 6: Cappadocia – Konya – Paumkkale

Visit Konya the old capital of Seljuk Empire. (BD)

After checkout and an early departure from your hotel, we will drive to Paumkkale. Along your voyage we will visit Konya,which once served as the capital of the Seljuk Empire. Konya is adorned with elaborate monuments of the 12th and 13th century. While in Konya, you will visit The Mevlana Museum. Here you will see a sacred Islamic shrine, which is to this day a popular pilgrimage destination. This museum also houses the tomb of the famous Sufi mystic philosopher Mevlana, or Rumi. This museum also served as the dervish lodge, of the Mevlevi order, who in modern day are better known as the Whirling Dervishes.

Continue drive to Paumkkale.

After The Melvana Museum,  you will continue your drive to Paumkkale. This city has been an important destination since the second century B.C.!  The word Paumkkale literally means ‘Cotton Castle.’ Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel.

Day 7: Paumkkale  – Kusadasi

Explore Hierapolic, an ancient city hosting the greatest necropolis in Anatolia. (BD)

After finishing breakfast you will begin by exploring the ancient city of Hierapolis! This city overlooks the Lycus River valley. Highlights will include touring the preserved theatre and largest Necropolis in Anatolia. Paumkkale is incredibly popular for its pools and hot mineral springs that overflow to cover the rock deposits below. Here you will see the water splash over white deposits of lime that give the appearance of a frozen cascade. You may wish to take advantage of an optional trip to thePamukkale Antique Pools, which were at one point Cleopatra’s pools!

Drive to Kusadasi.

From here, you will continue your drive to Aphrodisias, through it’s ancient site. This is one of the most beautiful classical sites in all of Turkey! It is located near a marble quarry that was heavily used during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. After lunch, you will visit The Temple of Aphrodite which is today’s most complete standing stadium from the ancient world. After your visit to the Temple of Aphrodite, you will continue your drive to the gorgeous coastal town of Kusadasi for the night.

Free evening in Kusadasi.

Upon arrival, you will check in at your hotel, and the remainder of your day can be spent exploring Kusadasi.

Day 08: Kusadasi – Sirince Village – Kusadasi

Visit Sirince Village. ( BD)

Following breakfast,  you will drive to Sirince Village. This historic city was founded by the Greeks who had been living in Ephesus. Modern day Sirince Village is inhabited by Turks, and best known for the Turkish Pancake and their delicious fruit wines. Once called “Cirkince,” which translates as “ugly” this town, just 12km from Ephesus is now anything but! As the story goes, it was named Cirkince when it was settled by freed Greek slaves in the hopes that no one would follow them there with its unappealing name! It’s modern name: Sirince, in fact means “pretty.” In Sirince Village you will enjoy its impressive vineyards, Peach groves, olive trees and beautiful agriculture. You will spend a half day exploring Sirince Village before returning to Kusadasi to spend the evening at your leisure.

Day 09: Kusadasi – Ephesus – Istanbul

Explore the amazing sight of Ephesus. (B)

After your breakfast your guide will escort you on a tour of Ephesus, which is one of the most magnificent excavations in the world! At its historical peak, Ephesus enjoyed a period of extraordinary prosperity! It quickly become the most influential commercial cities in Asia Minor, and second largest city under the Roman Empire. Your tour will include a trip to the majesticTemple of Hadrian, one of the best preserved structures on Curetes Street. This structure was built before 138 A.D. by P.Quintilius and was dedicated to the late Emperor Hadrian.

Your tour will continue with a visit to the marble Library of Celsus. Easily one of the most beautiful structures in Ephesus, the library was built in 117 A.D., and stood as a monumental tomb for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaneanus, once the governer of the province of Asia. You will also enjoy the Great Theatre, the largest in antiquity, with a capacity of 24,000 seats. St. Paul himself once preached here. You can then walk along the Arcadian Way, the same path that Mark Antony and Cleopatra would have once rode in procession. Finally you may choose to end your tour with a visit to see The Virgin Mary, on the site of Meryemana. It is recorded that Mary Magdalene lived out her days here following the crucifixion of Jesus. This location is a popular pilgrimage destination for Christians worldwide, and has received an official sanction from the Vatican.

Afternoon flight to Istanbul.

Following an eventful day in Ephesus you will be escorted to the Izmir Airport to board an evening flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be driven to your Istanbul Hotel. The rest of your last night in Istanbul is free to spend as you wish!

Day 10: Istanbul

Tour ends after breakfast and transfer to airport (B)

Our representative will transfer you to the Ataturk International Airport.