Start your discovery of Istanbul with a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1453 to 1852 (excluding harem). Visit the Hippodrome which was once the centre of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Continue to the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616 and famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Next see St. Sophia, a church converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, now a museum, and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets. Tonight optional dinner with belly dancing. (Supplement applies)

Morning departure for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WW1. On arrival visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine cemetery, and Chunuk Bair. Then across the Dardanelles to Canakkale for your overnight accommodation at your hotel.

Today visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trogan War and many cities built on top of each other. Lunch with locals in a traditional local village. Then continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Centre in Asclepion and continue to Izmir for two nights.

Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus an important cultural centre of the ancient world and explore the 2000 year-old marble streets, the theatre, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium, and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St John. Continue to a regional rug production centre to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. Optional: Dinner at local restaurant (Supplement applies)

After breakfast drive to Bodrum to visit the castle of St.Peter and the renowned Underwater Museum that was awarded the best Underwater Museum of the World in 2000s. Dinner & Overnight in Bodrum.

Day at leisure.Optional day trip to the Greek island of Kos

This morning drive through lush valleys to Pamukkale, the Cotton Fortress, with its white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Visit the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and time for a swim in your hotel's thermal pool. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast depart and drive to Antalya for dinner & overnight.

This morning visit Perge and the ancient city of Aspendos known for having the best-preserved theatre of antiquity. Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Early morning departure to drive via the Taurus Mountains to Konya where you will visit the Mausoleum of the Sufi philosopher Mevlana. This was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order better known as the Whirling Dervishes. Later continue to Cappadocia, the land of the fairy chimneys. En route visit a 13th century caravanserai. Visit the underground city of Saratli, one of the many underground settlements built for protection and religious reasons.

Optional: Consider an optional early morning hot air balloon tour and experience floating through volcanic valleys fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey located among the rock formations which was first settled back in the roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi Red Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. Dinner is at a special local restaurant. Tonight: optional Whirling Dervishes performance. (Supplement applies)

Morning drive to Turkey’s capital, Ankara through the salt lake area. Afternoon tour of Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai holding artifacts up to 7500 year-old, including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite treasures in the world. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Ankara.

After breakfast depart on a scenic drive to Istanbul for one night with dinner & breakfast. Afternoon at leisure for your last minute shopping or option to join an afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus plus visit to the Spice Market. Farewell dinner tonight.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight.

• Superior First Class hotels with private facilities
• Arrival/departure transfers
• Meals as per itinerary
• Professional licensed guides
• Sightseeing
• Local taxes and charges
• Air conditioned transportation
• Travel Notes

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Airport transfers are only included on days of the tour ex Istanbul Ataturk (IST) Airport - a surcharge will apply for transfers to/from Sabiha Gocken (SAW) airport. If you are arriving or departing Istanbul on any days other than the arrival and departure days of the tour transfers will not be included in the price of the coach tour. Porterage for one suitcase is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity the single bag should not exceed the dimensions of 30”x18”x10” and not weigh more than 50lbs (23kg). A charge of US $4 per travelling day is collected by the tour director for each additional piece of baggage or if the suitcase exceeds established weight and/or dimension limitations.

**DOUBLE BEDS** Please note we have requested a double bedded room but cannot guarantee one will be available. In Turkey double rooms are very limited. Please ask on check-in with the hotel to see what is available.