Meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel. Today’s tour will start with a visit to the Roman Hippodrome, that used to be one of the Roman World's largest stadiums where chariot races and gladiator fights took place.

Next will be the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), the masterpiece of 17th century Ottoman imperial mosque architecture; famous for its unique, handmade, original Iznik Tiles, impressing visitors with their rich, predominant blue colors and oriental patterns, which have become collective items auctioned at celebrated houses like the Sotheby’s.

Then proceed to the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD as the biggest and the most impressive Christian cathedral of its style. It is one of the most extraordinary masterpieces in the history of world architecture. This awesome building inspired countless generations with its colossal definition of what the ideal interior space in a domed basilica should be, and with its innovations in weight-support and construction techniques. This exemplifies the very best of Byzantine, Renaissance, Christian and Islamic Art, due to Hagia Sophia’s unique religious and cultural heritage.

Today’s last visit will be the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the first residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years, perfectly nestled at the Historical Peninsula where they ruled three continents and seven seas. Currently, Topkapi Palace offers its visitors great displays of the Ottoman Family Dynasty Collections including; 86 carat Kasikci (Spoonmaker’s) Diamond, the Topkapi Dagger, The Golden Throne, The Holy Relics and many more.

Return back to the hotel for overnight.

Today’s tour will start with a visit to the 6th century Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici), perhaps the most unusual structure in Istanbul, exhibiting the engineering marvels that solved water supply problems of the Byzantines.

Next will be the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi). No bazaar, however, is more dazzling than the Grand Bazaar, built in 1461 and has been in service ever since. Along with magnificent mosque complexes, the mother of all bazaars was a monument to the “Rise of Istanbul”- the great master plan of the Turks for the rejuvenation and reanimation of an old imperial capital. It contains 4,000 shops, employing more than 20,000 people all under one roof. Everything imaginable is for sale including; gold and silver jewelry, rugs, carpets, antiques, tiles, leather, souvenirs, but just seeing and experiencing this mother of all bazaars is worth the trip.

Afterwards, you will change continents from Europe to Asia through the Bosphorus Bridge (Bogaz Koprusu) for a unique “local experience” of discovering the Kadikoy neighborhood, where you will be surrounded by locals at their famous open air street market, which is in synch with the way most people in Istanbul cook and eat. Indulge yourself in the huge variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, with plenty to discover for the “foodies”. Feel the real bazaar shopping experience with the fish mongers, bakers, butchers, and grocers singing out to attract you to their stall.

Finally, you will continue to Bolu, a charming little mountain town wonderfully located by the outskirts of the Koroglu Mountains, surrounded with beautiful pine forests.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to the capital city of Turkey, Ankara. The first visit will be to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, housed in the Historic Castle of Ankara, built by the order of Grand Vizier Mahmut Pasha in 1471. Exhibits heavily favor the earlier Anatolian Civilizations: Urartu, Hittite, Phrygian and Assyrian. Among the most fascinating items are those brought from Catalhoyuk, the earliest known human community.

Afterwards, continue to Anıtkabir, Ataturk’s mausoleum, where we pay our respects to the revered founding father of modern Turkey, and will learn about modern Turkish Republic’s recent history.

After a smooth drive of an hour, you will arrive to the shores of the Salt Lake, second largest lake of Turkey, occupying a huge area in the arid central plateau of the country. Especially during dry summer months, most of the water evaporates in huge quantities, leaving a thick salt crust on the surface, creating an awesome scenery.

This afternoon, we will continue driving through the yellow, beige, barren plains of Anatolian highlands, to the “lunar landscape” Cappadocia.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will proceed to Cappadocia, and start your excursion in the mesmerizing “Land of Beautiful Horses” featuring visits to; Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where towering fairy chimneys are on display. We will step inside the rock-cut churches and chapels, to admire fresco decorations from early Christian and Byzantine era.

Uchisar, the highest point of the region for taking great pictures of volcanic landscape and troglodyte dwellings.

Pigeons’ (Guvercinlik) Valley, where you will admire countless little niche-style carved bird houses, used by human beings since the Neolithic period for obtaining guano for fertilizing their fields.

One of the other highlights of the day will be an educational experience of The Major Turkish Art of Weaving at its birthplace. Not only will you be amazed by the artistic creations; but rolling, and flying internationally awarded carpets, kilims, cicims, and more, which will all take your breath away.

Last call of the day will be one of the hundreds of Underground Cities of Cappadocia, for discovering how early Christian missionaries survived from the Arab and Sassanid persecution in these gigantic underground caves.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast we leave the hotel for Konya.

Next will be a great educational experience of another major art of the Turks, Turkish Ceramic and world famous Iznik Tiles’ making, at one of the world’s celebrated master potters’ workshops in Avanos village.

Then you will continue on a short ride to the deepest and longest tectonically created canyon in the country, Ihlara Valley. Your visit will start by walking down the famous 450 stepped staircases, then continue with an easy trekking / hiking path of 2 miles in the valley, which offers its visitors unexpected natural beauties and great, early Christian era fresco decorations in the hidden rock-cut churches and chapels hewn in the cliffs of the canyon.

Today’s traditional light lunch will be offered in a picnic atmosphere on the Melendiz river under the shade of pistachio trees, at the midpoint of your walk to Belisırma village.

For your comfort and convenience, your bus will pick you up at the Belisırma village (exit of the Ihlara Canyon), for the continuation of today’s drive on the ancient Silk Road towards Sultanhani Caravanserai. You will visit this wonderfully restored 13th century Seljuk Caravanserai, which used to be a deluxe hotel of the merchants for almost 500 years.

Today’s journey will end at Konya, former capital of the Seljuk Empire and City of the Whirling Dervishes.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Following breakfast, your journey to Antalya will start with the visit of the Museum of Mevlana (Rumi), the revered Sufi mystic, and his mausoleum within.

Crossing colossal Taurus Mountain chains, elongation of westerns Alps in Turkey, surrounded with beautiful, forested sceneries and the nomadic tribes’ tent settlements, you will be welcomed by the turquoise blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Before reaching the city of sea and sun, Antalya, you will stop at Aspendos, a Greco-Roman ancient site where you will admire the best-preserved theatre of the whole Asia Minor with its 15,000 spectators.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Spend a full day at leisure to enjoy the facilities of your hotel. Antalya, founded by King Attalos of Pergamum at 4th century BC, has turned into an international resort city and a prime destination in Turkey.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we drive to Pamukkale (Cotton Castle), the ancient city of Hierapolis, beautifully settled on pure white limestone terraces created by underground natural hot thermal springs. Upon arrival, you will start your visit by walking on the marble avenues of Hierapolis, which was built to be an ancient Greek healing and pleasure center. Your guide will tell you about the famous Greek and Roman myths believed to have happened there while you enjoy views of the great theatre, Roman baths, temples of Apollo and Pluto and much more. You will also enjoy stepping on the terraces at your leisure. After a very short drive, you will arrive at your hotel for some relaxation at its private natural hot spring pools.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Start your morning with a trip to Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city and a vibrant destination on the Aegean coast. On the way, proceed to the remarkable Greco-Roman ancient site, Ephesus, dating back to 11th century BC. It has been excavated and restored since 1870. It is one of the world’s most fascinating sites of antiquity. You will start your walking tour through Royal Road, also known as the Arcadian Way, a 4th century white marble chariot road that leads to the most striking building, which is the two-story Library of Celsus, once housing 12,000 scrolls of Papyrus and parchment manuscripts, making it the 3th largest in the ancient world. Ephesus Theatre, seating 25,000, has exceptional acoustics and is still in use today for concerts and theatrical performances.

Next will be the House of Virgin Mary. A beautiful winding road offering wonderful views of the valley en route to the Shrine of St. Mary. The diminutive house, beautifully situated in the Solmissos Mountains, is considered by the Vatican to be the final resting place of Virgin Mary. Its idyllic garden contains a spring thought to have curative properties, which can be sampled by all.

Today’s Ephesus, Selcuk town, is known to be the epicenter of Turkey’s world-famous leather production region. If time permits, you may enjoy some leather shopping at those famous factory outlet stores before arriving in Izmir.

Upon arrival to Izmir, those who wish may join a walking orientation tour leaded by your guide to the famous old market neighborhood, Kemeralti.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we proceed to Bergama, ancient Pergamum started by Attalid dynasty kings at 4th century BC, afterwards turned into a health, wisdom, and intellectual center of the Greco-Roman world. You will visit Asclepieion, one of the world’s first healing and medical centers, which was dedicated to the God of Health Asclepius, where the first physiological treatment had been used.

Then passing through the lush valleys and olive orchards of the Northwest Aegean region and mythologically famous Mount Ida, you will reach the ancient city Troy. With its 4,000 years of history, Troy’s first excavations of the site were undertaken by the famous archeologist Heinrich Schliemann in 1870. Moreover, the siege of Troy by the warriors from Greece in the 13th century BC, immortalized by Homer in The Iliad, has inspired great artists throughout the world ever since.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Cross the Dardanelles back to Europe and the 21st century; visit the WW1 Battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula, where allied troops, mainly Australian and New Zealanders, suffered heavy casualties in a disastrous campaign. Pay tribute to the heroes of those tragic months of 1915 at the ANZAC Cemetery and Lone Pine Memorial.

Afterwards, drive along the European shore of the Sea of Marmara, back to Istanbul. Before your farewell dinner, enjoy a visit to the oldest neighborhood of the city, Balat, and some leisure time for last minute shopping at the Spice Market.

Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner accompanied by your “travelling family”.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning and we hope to see you again soon.

Transfers to Istanbul International Airport.