Depart the USA. Overnight flight to Istanbul.
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will proceed to board your domestic flight to Ankara. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for overnight.
Ankara, the ancient Ankuwash or the Angora, has been the capital of the Turkish Republic since 1923. In the morning, we will visit the Museum of Ancient Anatolian Civilizations, the best museum in Turkey for pre-classic exhibits. In the afternoon, we will travel to Gordion, the city of legendary King Midas and the capital of the Phrygian Empire, where Alexander the Great cut the "Gordion Knot".
Today we will travel south to the fascinating region of Cappadocia, stopping en route at the Hittite capital of Hattusas, which dates from 3,000 BC. Highlights include: the Great Temple, Lion's Gate, and the Citadel. At the famous Shrine of Yazilikaya you will see reliefs of 63 gods and goddesses carved on the rock walls. Then we will continue on to Cappadocia, whose unique landscape was created eons ago by volcanic eruptions.
The special composition of the rock in this fascinating area allowed the carving of underground cities where thousands of people lived. We will visit one of these underground cities and the Byzantine cave churches here, as well as Pasabagi with its unique "fairy chimneys". According to the legend, these odd-shaped rocks housed fairies, capable of casting spells. We will climb the Uchisar Fortress for a panoramic view of the beautiful Goreme Valley; visit Urgup, known for its Selcuk and Ottoman historical works, its kilims, handicrafts and local wines; as well as tour Avanos, which is famous for its pottery.
En route to Konya we will visit the Selcuk's Caravansary (camel palace) where caravans stopped to rest along the trade route. Konya is the city, where Mevlana founded the Mevlevi Order of Whirling Dervishes. Once we arrive there, we'll visit the Museum of Mevlana.
Our final destination today is Pamukkale (ancient Hierapolis).
This morning we will explore Pamukkale before heading to Kusadasi via Aphrodisias. The cliffs of Pamukkale are covered with brilliant white mineral deposits, the pools of clear warm water are fed by thermal springs, creating a unique and beautiful natural wonder. This site was a famous health spa in Roman times and is still in use today. You can soak in the pools and view the beautiful marble columns, toppled by earthquakes that lie at the bottom; then explore the ruins of ancient Hierapolis with its theater, Temple of Apollo, colonnaded street, bath and its extensive necropolis.
It is time to visit Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. This is one of the most interesting sites in the country which has very impressive ruins and beautiful museum with splendid collection of marble statuary.
We will continue on to Kusadasi, which has a beautiful location and houses a splendid boat harbor and fortress.
Today we will explore the fascinating Hellenistic and Roman city of Ephesus including its beautiful theater, Celsus Library, Temple of Artemis-one of the wonders of the ancient world, and intriguing ruins. In the nearby charming town of Selcuk, we will tour the Museum of Ephesus where, among many artifacts, we will see the famous statue of Artemis.
In the morning we will head to Pergamum, which has an interesting ancient medical center and acropolis. It is especially famous for its library, once one of the most extensive in the world. Pergamum is also famous for the origination of parchment, from which we derived our modern writing paper.
Just before arriving in Canakkale, we will visit Troy, the site of Homer's classic epic "the Iliad", where nine different layers of civilization have been uncovered and partially excavated.
We will cross the famous Dardanelles by ferry to Gallipoli, where we will visit some of the memorials to those who died in World War I during the famous Battle of Gallipoli. Then we will travel through Thrace (the European section of Turkey) along the Sea of Marmara to the fascinating cross-road city of Istanbul to spend the night.
Today we will explore Istanbul by walking to the Hippodrome, arena for political, cultural, and sports activities during Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman times, the Blue Mosque, famous for its Iznik blue tiles; and St. Sophia, the largest Christian church in the world for more than 1,000 years. Nearby is the Underground Palace, or Basilica Cistern, with its mystical atmosphere and marble columns surrounded with water. Finally, we will visit the most famous museum in Turkey, Istanbul Archaeological Museum, which is the part of the complex including Ancient Orient Museum and tile museum (kiosk) as well.
Our motor coach will follow the ancient city walls of Istanbul to the Chora Museum, which has the most beautiful mosaics in Turkey. Afterwards we will have a Bosphorus cruise between the continents to see some of the interesting historical buildings, as well as the fabulous palaces and villas that hug the shoreline. Later we will have a tour of the old and new city, including the Galata and Pera regions.
Today we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
We recommend travel insurance.
