13 Days 12 Nights Grand Turkey Tour

DAY 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
(Only Lunch, Dinner) Your exciting holiday begins with a pleasant flight to Turkey, steep up history as the cradle of many civilizations and the center of the Greek, Roman and Ottoman Empires.Arrival Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Welcome to Istanbul, the magic city gateway to Aegean and Mediterranean Coast, land of fascinating history and beauty. It is a metropolis of exquisite palace, magnificent mosques and museum of great interests, as well as the leading city of modem Turkey! Let’s embark on an exciting tour, visiting the various landmark of Istanbul. Meet by tour guide and transfer to old city. Visit the Roman Hippodrome where Horse Chariot races were held in Constantinople, then visit Blue Mosque-Sultan Ahmet I set out to build a mosque that would rival and even surpass St. Sophia (Aya Sofya). The layout of the Blue Mosque is classic Ottoman design. The forecourt has an ablutions fountain in its center. The portico around three sides could be used for prayer, meditation or study during warm weather. Continue to visit Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi)-was the residence of Ottoman sultans for almost four centuries and is Istanbul’s premier must-see attraction. Unlike European-style palaces, Topkapi is not one large building with outlying garden Its form-inspired and informed by Islamic architectural sensibilities-consists of series of pavilions, kitchens, audience chambers and kiosks built around a series of garden court yards.After lunch, proceed to visit St. Sophia (Aya Sofya)-is one of Old Istanbul’s most imposing sights. Emperor Justinian had it built as part of his effort to restore the greatness of the Roman Empire. It was constructed on the site of Byzantium’s acropolis, which had also been the site of an earlier Sancta Sophia destroyed in 532, Mehmet the Conqueror had it turned into a mosque and so it remained until 1935. When Ataturk proclaimed it a museum. Transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 2: ISTANBUL-CANAKKALE
Drive to Canakkale. After lunch, proceed to Gallipoli where World War I had started. Visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine. Transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

DAY 3: CANAKKALE-PERGAMUM-KUSADASI
After breakfast, visit the Ruins of Troy-the first thing you see as you approach the ruins is a huge replica of the wooden Trojan horse designed by Turkish artist Izzet Senemoglu. Today it holds models and superimposed pictures that should help you understand what Troy looked like at different points in its history, as well as information on the importance of the Troy myth in Western history. As you approach the ruins, take the stone steps up on the right. There bring you on top of what was the outer wall of Troy V1II/IX from where you can gaze on the fortifications of the east wall and the tower of Troy VI. Later, proceed to Pergamon. Upon arrival, we will visit the Acropolis-it was under Eumenes II that Pergamon really made its mark on the world stage. Rich and powerful, Eumenes n added the library and the Altar of Zeus to the Acropolis, and built the “middle city” on terraces halfway down the hill. After lunch, depart for Izmir, 3rd biggest city of Turkey at the coast of Aegean Sea. Dinner and overnight at Kusadasi

DAY 4: KUSADASI
After breakfast, we begin our memorable visit to Ruins of Ephesus— are among the best places in the world to get A FEEL for what life was like in Roman times. As you walk along the side road from Dr Sabri Yayla Bulvari the first rum you will pass was once the Gymnasium of Vedius, with exercise fields, baths, toilets, covered exercise rooms, a swimming pool and ceremonial hall. Proceed to visit House of Virgin Mary. Since at least the Renaissance, some people have believed that the Virgin Mary came to Ephesus with St John towards the end of her life. Then visit Leather Outlet Center for live fashion show. Free time for shopping. After lunch, transfer to hotel for the night.

DAY 5: KUSADASI / PAMUKKALE
After breakfast,drive to Pamukkale. Today’s visit includes the extensive Ruins of Hierapolis. The ruins of this once-grand city brilliantly evoke life in die early centuries of the modem era. It was here mat the mix pagan, Roman, Jewish and early-Christian elements evolved into a distinctly Anatolian environment. Proceed to the unique Cotton Castle, a magical and spectacular natural phenomenon which was» created by deposits from the thermal waters that tumble down the mountain over thousands of years, forming into myriad of pools.After lunch,transfer to hotel.Free time for enjoying at thermal Pool.

DAY 6: PAMUKKALE-ANTALYA
After breakfast, drive to Antalya. Visit Duden Waterfalls and Old City & Castle of Antalya. After lunch, transfer to hotel. Free time for swimming or shopping.

DAY 7: ANTALYA
A leisurely visit to three cities situated close to the hotel. With its architectural and archaeological wealth, Perge is one of the most interesting ancient cities. Even though there is not much left to see on The Acropolis, there are wide porticoed streets, lined with many fine buildings, market places and gymnasiums. Next on our itinerary is Aspendos whose Theatre is the best preserved in the world with marvelous acoustics. Two of the other highlights will be the Agora, and the Nymphaeum. Our last stop will be Manavgat waterfalls. Transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

DAY 8: ANTALYA-KONYA
After breakfast drive to Konya. Visit Tomb of Mevlana which is one of the famous Turkish philosophers whose students created Whirling Ceremonies. Then visit Karatay Medrese which was used as a university during early Turkish period in the capital of Anatolia. Transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Konya.

DAY 9: KONYA-CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast, drive to Cappadocia. Visit Sultanhani Caravanserai enroute. After lunch, visit Ihlara Valley which was formed by Mt. Hasan which was active a few million years ago. Your journey continues Cappadocia Transfer to Hotel. Dinner and overnight

DAY 10: CAPPADOCIA
Three million years ago, the region was covered with tuff after a violent eruption of 2 volcanoes. Through the years, the unique landscape of Cappadocia evolved from erosion of the ash sedimentation by wind, sun, rain and snow, sculpting (he land into countless, strangely shaped pillars, cones and “fairy chimneys”. Visit the Underground City of Kaymakli for sheer fascination and mystery, you could hardly beat the underground cities of Cappadocia it should be one of your top priorities to visit one of the estimated 36 underground cities that have been identified. Some archeologists date the earliest portions of these underground cities to Hittite time 4,000 years ago. As you go down, it is like entering a huge and very complex Swiss Cheese, holes here, holes there, windows from room to room, paths going this way and that and more levels of rooms above and below. Continue your sightseeing at Cappadocia which includes the Goreme open-air Museum and Zelve. Visit the Avanos Village -a small town famous in pottery and carpets. You may visit one of the factories and learn the art of pottery making and carpet weaving. Purchases are also possible. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 11: CAPPADOCIA / ANKARA
After breakfast, drive to Ankara. After lunch, visit Mausoleum of Ataturk-the beautiful gardens is the Ataturk Museum Pavilion, richly furnished early 19* century pavilion that was Ataturk’s country retreat in the early days of Ataturk’s dotted throughout the country, the various historical documents and personal effects here make this one of the best to visit.. Then visit Anatolian Civilizations Museum where you can see early Hittite Civilizations artifacts. Transfer to Hotel. Dinner and overnight in Ankara.

DAY 12: ANKARA / ISTANBUL
After breakfast, drive to Istanbul. After lunch, drop to Grand Covered Bazaar of Istanbul which covered by hemispheric domes-houses 4, 000 shops. World known carpets, hand printed ceramics, copper, brassware and leather goods at inexpensive prices. Following dinner, transfer to hotel Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 13 
(Only Brunch) Flights