Turkey | 9D8N
DAY 1: ISTANBUL-CANAKKALE
Arrive in Instanbul and proceed to Canakkale to the West of Istanbul to visit Troy which was a city, both factual and legendary, best known for being the focus of the Trojan War, as described in the Epic Cycle and especially in the Lliad, one of the two epic poems attributed to Homer. See a reconstruction of the fabled Wooden Horse, the city ruins from a succession of 9 civilizations, the Roman Bouletarion, Theater. Overnight in Canakkale.
DAY 2: CANAKKALE-KUSADASI
Drive to Pergamon and visit the ancient medical center, the Asciepion. This was the home town of Galen, the second century renowned doctor and surgeon and his temple, the Asciepius was devoted to healing. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 3: KUSADASI-PAMUKKALE
Visit Ephesus where our tour includes The Great Theatre, which was built by the Romans between 41 and 117 AD and is still used today; Gymnasium of Vedus; the magnificent Library of Celsius; the Temple of Hadrian, guarded by a head of Medusa; and the House of Virgin Mary. Then continue onto Pamukkale to visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, the white chalk calcium cascades of the area, overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 4: PAMUKKALE-ANTALYA
Drive to Antalya and visit the City of Perge. Perge had one of the oldest Christian communities in Asia Minor. The city prospered under Alexander the Great and the Romans. The substantial remains of a great theatre, stadium, Agora, Bath Complex, huge Hellenistic and Roman Gates and an impressive colonnaded street are highly worth to see. Overnight in Antalya
DAY 5: ANTALYA-KONYA-CAPPADOCIA
Drive to Cappadocia via Konya
DAY 6: CAPPADOCIA
Today visit one of the most impressive underground cities in the area. Walk through the unusual rock formations and rock-cut dwellings, hidden vineyards, orchards, and tiny farmlands, which are embroidered into the characteristic tufa rock. At Zelve you can explore cave dwellings and a rock mosque complete with a minaret made of volcanic stuff. Explore this area, home to a wide variety of local crafts, e.g., onyx carving, pottery, carpet weaving, and wine-making. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 7: CAPPADOCIA-ANKARA
Today, begin your tour to visit The Goreme Open-Air Museum, a monastic complex of rock churches and chapels covered with frescoes, is one of the best known sites in central Turkey. Most of the chapels date from the 10th to the 13th century. After lunch drive for Capital Ankara. Overnight in Ankara.
DAY 8: ANKARA-ISTANBUL (via Safranbolu)
We will drive to Istanbul via Safranbolu, a town of full of traditional old Ottoman houses. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage this city a place to see amazing collection of Turkish Artand interesting panoramas of daily life of the locals. A guided walking tour in this well-preserved town among the hundreds of years old streets and houses the will capture you to feel like going back in history next we will make our way to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 9: ISTANBUL
Today, begin your tour for full day sightseeing of the city. We will begin our tour with a visit to Topkapi Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans, with its jewel encrusted treasury and elegant four courts. Visit the main sights around Sultanahmet Square including the famous Hagia Sophia Museum, once the largest church in the world for 1000 years, and decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Then visit the Blue Mosque, designed with 6 delicate minarets and a striking blue Iznik tiled interior. Nearby, take a stroll through the site of the ancient Hippodrome, once the sporting ground of chariots and political riots, and see the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Fountain of Wilhelm II. Finally, visit the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop or haggle with local merchants over unusual antiques, colorful spices, beautiful jewelry and richly textured fabrics. End of the services and transfer to the airport.
