Depart for Turkey.

Arrive in Istanbul, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. 

*2 Arrival transfers at Istanbul IST Airport are scheduled for pick-up at 14:00 and 17:00. These times are subject to adjustment based on the actual arrival times of the flights.

Spend your day delving into Istanbul, the only city that straddles two continents, where modern and ancient coexist. Your tour includes a short briefing and the picture stop at the courtyard of the Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior made of blue tiles. Continue to the Hippodrome, an ancient Grecian stadium for horse racing and chariot racing during the Roman period. Then, gain insights into the Ottoman Empire’s power during your guided tour of the Topkapi Palace and see the 4th century Egyptian obelisk. Today, you may join the Optional Half Day Istanbul with St. Sophia & Underground Cistern (USD$108, Min. 10 Guests). This tour’s highlights include the Underground Cistern - water source of the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Then visit St. Sophia, the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century, which remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, it was later converted to a mosque.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast transfer to Safranbolu. visit Safranbolu Old Town, it is a UNESCO-protected site, where narrow cobblestone alleyways wind up the hillside, lined by squeezed-together Ottoman timber-framed mansions. Cinci Hammam Outside Photo Stop, this famed bathhouse (hammam) has been wonderfully restored. Koprulu Mehmet Pasa Mosque, there are several good examples of mosque architecture in Safranbolu, but this one is regarded as the most interesting. Cinci Han “Caravanserai” Outside Photo Stop, it is a reminder of the town's importance as a stop on the trade route to and from the Black Sea. Built in the 17th century, the han would have been used by merchants as their hotel while in town. Safranbolu Bazaars “Yemeniciler Arastasi”, it has traditional leather and felt workshops, as well as stalls selling textiles and traditional lace work. Turkish Coffee Experience at Leyla Hanim Mansion, discover tradational techniques to making a perfect cup of Turkish coffee during this. Alongside your profesional guide, enjoy learning the craft of coffee production at a shop, plus sip delicious coffee at local coffee shop. Dinner and overnight in Safranbolu.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast continue to Cappadocia. A region of surreal rock formations and incredible cultural heritage, Cappadocia is home to rock cut temples, ancient underground cities, and unparalleled landscapes. Visit “Fairy Chimney”- its iconic volcanic cones. The thick clusters of rosy rock take on peculiar shapes-look for a dolphin, Napoleon's hat, or the Virgin Mary as you gaze upon them. Your guide explains how the formations were naturally carved. You may also see the remarkable mushroom-shaped, chimney like rock formations that monks used as shelters, and get the chance to climb inside one to visit the quarters within.  Overnight in Cappadocia.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning you may join the Hot Air Balloon Ride (USD$380). Then begin the day very early on a visit the Open Air Museum in Goreme. It’s a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings, and one of the earliest centres for religious education. There are at least 10 churches and chapels in the museum area, dating between AD900 and 1200. Later, visit the Ozkonak or Kaymakli Underground City. The city has many strata made up of volcanic granite. Its larger areas are connected to each other by tunnels. Underground city had a built-in communication system of pipes on each of its levels, which have no such systems. Each carved out room had ventilation provided by holes when the city was closed against enemies. Lastly, visit the village of Avanos that is famous for its beautiful old houses, pottery and onyx. Today you may join the Optional Jeep Safari Tour (USD$120, Min. 4 Guests) and Traditional Turkish Night Dance Show with unlimited drinks (USD$75, Min. 10 Guests).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, depart to Konya. En route, visit the 13th century Caravanserai of Sultanhan, a large abandoned city and shelter in Cappadocia, built on the Silk Road, whose main portal gate is considered a fine example of Turkish Seljuk art. Continue to Konya, a city renowned for its Selijuk architecture also as the home of the " Whirling Dervishes". Here we will gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. Overnight in Konya.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast transfer to Pamukkale, and visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hierapolis ("Holy City"); a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's hot springs have drawn people since the 2 nd century BCE as it is known for its healing and therapeutic properties. Next, you will visit Pamukkale, known as "The Cotton Castle" is best described as a calcium cascade of snowy white stalactites -reminiscent a frozen waterfall. It is recognized as the 8th wonder of the World by Turkish people. Then relax and enjoy the blissful
thermal pools at your hotel before dinner.
Overnight in Pamukkale.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast departure to Kusadasi. Upon check in to the hotel, free time at your leisure. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free time at your leisure. You may join the Optional tour to Ancient Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary & Basilica of St John (USD$108, Min. 10 Guests), considered one of the greatest ancient cities of the world. Here, you'll meander through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John, the library of Celsius, temple of Hadrian, the theater, and the Odeon. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, proceed to the classical city of Troy. Tour this 4000-year-old city and legendary center of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer's epic poem The Iliad. See the  symbolic replica of the famous Wooden Horse that the Greeks used to break their siege of this ancient city. Transfer to Istanbul “Crossroads of Europe and Asia” and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul 

Today you may join the Optional Half-day Tour to Bosphorus cruise & Spiced Bazaar & Grand Bazaar (USD$60, Min. 10 Guests). Visit the Spice Market with its unforgettable aromas.  Then take the boat cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia. The humble fishing villages and contrasting suspension bridges set against the dramatic outline of the Strait demonstrate the link between the East and West. Then continue to the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop for carpets, jewelry, leather and more.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to the airport to fly back home.

Meal: Breakfast