12 Days Weekly Tour of Turkey

Day 1 - Depart USA to Istanbul

Day 2 - Istanbul Arrival
Arrival in Istanbul, the only city in the world built on two continents. Transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon. Overnight: Istanbul.

Day 3 - Istanbul
Full day Historical Istanbul tour. Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. Visit the Royal Topkapi Palace (home of the Ottoman Sultans), the Blue Mosque (unique with six minarets), the Roman Hippodrome Square and the St. Sophia Church which is considered one of the world' s greatest architectural marvels. Then visit the Grand Covered Bazaar with over 4.000 tiny shops.

Overnight: Istanbul. (B, L)

Day 4  - Istanbul
Full day Bosphorus & Asia tour. Visit the Egyptian Spice Market, and then embark on a Bosphorus Boat Tour viewing the beauty of the European and Asian shorelines on either side. Cross to the Asian side to visit the Camlica Hill and tour the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans with its magnificent gardens. Overnight: Istanbul. (B, L)

Day 5  - Istanbul - Izmir
Transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight to Izmir. Izmir arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight: Izmir. (B)

Day 6  - Izmir - Pergamon
Full day Pergamon tour. Drive to Pergamon. Visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena, the famous Library, the Royal Palaces, the Temple of Trojan, the steepest Theatre of the world, the Temple of Dionysos, the Altar of Zeus (Seat of Satan), and the view of the Red Basilica (St. John’s church). After lunch, visit the ruins of Asclepion (Medical Center of the ancient world). Overnight: Izmir. (B, L)

Day 7  - Izmir - Ephesus
Full day Ephesus tour. Leave for Ephesus, the veritable cradle of early Christianity. Visit the Shrine of the Virgin Mary where she supposedly spent her later days. Proceed to Ephesus and see the spectacular ruins from the period of St. Paul, some of which have only recently been excavated. See the Odeon, the Bouleterion, Fountains, the Temples, the Brothel, the Library, the Agoras, the Great Theatre, the Roman Baths, the Gymnasiums. After lunch visit the Archaeological Museum, the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world). Overnight: Izmir. (B, L)

Day 8  - Izmir - Ankara - Cappadocia
Early morning transfer to Izmir airport for your flight to Ankara. Ankara arrival and morning regular visit to the worldwide famous Anatolian Civilizations Museum also known as Hittite Museum and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the Turkish hero. Then departure for Cappadocia and lunch on the way. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake visit to the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. Arrival to the Cappadocia region and overnight. Overnight: Cappadocia. (B, L, D)

Day 9  - Cappadocia 
After having breakfast in the hotel regular visit to the Pigeon Valley near Uchisar; then proceed to the Open Air Museum in Goreme through Avcilar Valley and visit to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Lunch in a restaurant and then visit to Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors, Pasabagi in Zelve region and Avanos. Overnight: Cappadocia. (B, L, D)

Day 10  - Cappadocia - Antalya 
After breakfast drive on to Ankara. Transfer to Ankara airport for your flight to Antalya. Antalya arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight: Antalya. (B, L, D)

Day 11 - Antalya
Full day Antalya city tour; including visits to Hadrian’s Gate, the old Harbor, the Old City Walls, and highly praised Antalya Archaeological Museum. Then visit the ancient city of Termessos and the Lower Duden waterfalls cascading over a cliff into the Mediterranean. Return to the hotel for Dinner.

Overnight: Antalya.(B, L, D)

Day 12  - Antalya - Perge - Aspendos - Antalya Departure
Full day excursion to the ancient Pamphylian cities of Perge (which dates back to 1000 BC and where St. Paul preached his first sermon) and to Aspendos (with its well preserved 15,000 seat theater famous for its excellent acoustics). Proceed to Antalya airport after the tour. Drop off at the airport. Continue with transatlantic flight to U.S.A  (B, L)

Legend :(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch