Tour T4 - Essential Turkey
11 Days / 10 Nights Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pergamum, Troy, & Gallipoli

Day 1 (Fri) - Arrival Istanbul
Upon arrival at Istanbul airport you will be met by our representative assisted through formalities and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 (Sat) - Istanbul
After breakfast you will visit the Hagia Sophia Church the architectural glory of the 6th. century Byzantine basilica, the Blue Mosque, the imperial mosque famous for its six minarets and interior tiles; Byzantine Hippodrome, now an open-air exhibition park with a number of monuments. After lunch you will visit the Topkapi Palace, great residence of Ottoman Sultans, now a world famous museum, and the Grand Bazaar containing more than 4000 shops. Overnight at your hotel. (BL)

Day 3 (Sun) - Istanbul / Ankara / Cappadocia
The morning you will fly to Ankara. Upon arrival our representative will meet you and you will start your visit to the capital of Turkey Ankara. Your visit will include the Anatolian Civilizations Museum where archaeological pieces dating as far back as the prehistoric age are exhibited; the Mausoleum of Ataturk, where the founder of the Turkish Republic lies. You will also visit the Ancient Citadel. Depart for drive to Cappadocia via the Salt Lake. Overnight at your hotel. (BLD)

Day 4 (Mon) - Cappadocia
A full day of sightseeing with visits to the natural citadel of Uchisar, then visit the Subterranean City of Kaymkli, built in the 7th. Century Christians fleeing persecution. After lunch visit the Goreme Open Air Museum to see 10th century churches cut out of soft rock, and the Pasabag Valley, and finally Avanos Village which is noted for its pottery. Overnight at your hotel. (BLD)

Day 5 (Tue) - Cappadocia / Konya / Pamukkale
Drive to Konya (Iconium) with a visit to the Sultanhani Caravansary en route. A stop is made at the Mausoleum of Mevlana, master of the whirling dervishes. On arrival in Pamukkale watch the sunset on the petrified calcium cliffs. Overnight at your hotel. (BLD)

Day 6 (Wed) - Pamukkale / Aphrodisias / Kusadasi
After breakfast drive to Hierapolis to visit the Roman and early Christian remains. A stop is made to bath in the thermal spring water pools before continuing to Aphrodisias, named for the Greek goddess. After lunch you will visit the antique city where you will see the Odeon, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Stadium and the Theatre. The afternoon is at leisure in Kusadasi. Overnight at your hotel. (BLD)

Day 7 (Thu) - Kusadasi / Ephesus
Drive to Ancient City of Ephesus, where you will see the marble streets, Antique Theater, Arcadian Way, a Roman Bath, Celcus Library, and the Basilica of St. Joseph. You will also visit the Shrine of the Virgin Mary where she spent her final years. Return to Kusadasi and overnight at your hotel. (BLD)

Day 8 (Fri) - Kusadasi / Pergamum / Troy / Canakkale
Depart for Pergamum after breakfast to visit Pergamum Antique City. You will also be able to see the Asklepium Sanctuary, Acropolis, Altar of Zeus, Trojan Temple and the wold’s deepest Theatre. Later visit the fabled city of Troy, famed in Homeric legend. Return to Canakkale and overnight. (BLD)

Day 9 (Sat) - Canakkale / Gallipoli / Istanbul
After breakfast depart for Istanbul, Cross the Dardanelles by ferry for a brief visit to Gallipoli the famous battlefield. Return to Istanbul and overnight at your hotel. (BL)

Day 10 (Sun) - Istanbul
Day at leisure in Istanbul to do some last minute shopping. (B)

Day 11 (Mon) - En Route
Transfer to Istanbul airport for your departure. (B)