*Upon request, optional overnight stay in Istanbul on Day 2 and Ankara flight connection on the following morning can be arranged at 125.US$ extra instead of night train transfer.

Day 1: Istanbul

Arrival at Istanbul airport. You will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2: Istanbul

After breakfast, full day city tour including Roman Hippodrome, Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, St.Sophia Museum, TopkapiPalace, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. At the end of our tour, transfer to the Haydarpasa train station for our overnight journey to Ankara.(B,L)
(For those who may prefer an additional overnight stay in Istanbul and Ankara flight connection on the following morning instead of night train transfer, transfer to your hotel Istanbul)

Day 3: Ankara

(For those who would flight to Ankara, transfer in the morning to the airport. Welcoming in Ankara Airport)

Welcoming and visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake pass by the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. After visiting Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel in Cappadocia for overnight. (D).

Day 4: Cappadocia

Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at 09.30-10.00 depending on the arrival time of the participants and visit the valleys where animal-like natural formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. In the afternoon visit to Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Shopping time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)

Day 5: Konya-Pamukkale

Early departure for Pamukkale. On the way, we will stop by Konya. After visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana -the world-wide famous mystic figure. Proceed to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B,D)

Day 6: Aphrodisias-Kusadasi

Tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Dinner and overnight at our Kusadasi hotel (B,D)

Day 7: Ephesus-St. Mary’s House-Kusadasi

Morning tour to Ephesus area with Artemis Temple, Ephesus Antique City, one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. Selcuk Ephesus Museum. Time for shopping. Dinner and overnight at our Kusadasi hotel. (B,D)

Day 8: Troy-Canakkale

Early departure for Bergama and visit to the Asclepion and Acropol with the well preserved remains. In the afternoon continue on to Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Canakkale for overnight (Due to the limited hotel availability we also keep the right to stay in the surroundings of Canakkale). (B,D)

Day 9: Canakkale-Istanbul

After breakfast sail to the other side of Dardanelles by a ferryboat and drive to Istanbul with visit to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles - particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. Arrive in Istanbul late afternoon and transfer to the hotel.(B)