Grand Turkey Tour
Small Group Special Interest Private Guided Tour

DAY 01:ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL
Arrival to Istanbul International Airport and meet for transfer to hotel
In the evening all participants will meet for a group dinner to get to
know each other. Orientation and discussion with the guide.
Overnight in Istanbul

DAY 02: ISTANBUL HISTORICAL SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast, then we move on to visit some of the most important historical
sights of Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Grand Bazaar
Hippodrome/Obelisk and Topkapi Palace (Harem roomsoptional extra).
In the evening Back to hotel,
Overnight in istanbul

DAY 03:ANKARA to CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast and check out and transfer to domestic airport
08:00 am morning flight to Ankara.
09:00 On arrival Ankara we move on to visit the Mausoleum
of Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, and the museum of Anatolian
Civilizations with its Hittite treasures and artifacts. Then en-route to
Cappadocia, famous for its "moon like" landscape and underground
cities, we will stop to tour the 13th century Agizikaran Caravanserai.
Overnight in Cappadocia

DAY 04:CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast then on to tour Goreme Open Air Museum with its 6th to
10th century rock chapels decorated with Christian frescoes after
which we will also make visits to Kaymakli Underground City and the
pottery making village of Avanos. The days touring also includes a
visit to Zelve's Byzantine monastic complex and fairy chimneys.
Overnight in Cappadocia

DAY 05:CAPPADOCIA to KONYA
Breakfast at hotel and some free time before we depart on the drive
to Konya where we visit the Whirling Dervishes (Mevlana) Mausoleum
and the Karatay Koran School, displaying colorful Turkish tiles.
Overnight in Konya

DAY 06:KONYA to ANTALYA via ASPENDOS & PERGE
Breakfast after which we drive on to Antalya which is located on the
Mediterranean Coast. En-route we will stop to visit the ruins of the
Hellenistic and Roman periods such as the colonnade street of Perge,
the magnificently preserved 15.000 persons capacity theatre of
Aspendos and the Manavgat Waterfalls.
Overnight in Antalya

DAY 07:ANTALYA to PAMUKKALE
Breakfast and we depart to Pamukkale, literally translated as "Cotton
Castle", describing the white lime cascades (travertens) formed by mineral springs. Here we will also visit the ruins of Hierapolis before check-in. At the hotel you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a thermal mineral spring bath.
Overnight in Pamukkale.

DAY 08:PAMUKKALE, APHRODISIAS and EPHESUS
Depart on the drive to Selcuk and along the way we will make a stop
to visit the amazing ruins of Aphrodisias which were dedicated to the
Godess of Love, Aphrodite. On arrival to Selcuk we visit the famous
site of Ephesus, one of the world's finest archaeological sites. Walk in
its well preserved 2000 year old marble streets to the theatre, Library
of Celsius, gymnasium, Hadrian's Arch etc. Also during the day visit
the House of Virgin Mary before driving on to Izmir.
Overnight in Izmir.

DAY 09:IZMIR, PERGAMUM to CANAKKALE
Breakfast, check out and drive on to Pergamum to visit the Acropol
where you will see the Altar of Zeus and also the Asclepion which
was the famous medical center of the ancient world. After touring
here we continue on the drive to Troy to visit this legendary and
mythological city along with the replica of the famous wooden horse.
Overnight in Canakkale

DAY 10:CANAKKALE, GALLIPOLI to ISTANBUL
Breakfast, check out and then cross the Dardanelles by car ferry to
Eceabat where we will visit the Battlefields and Memorials of Gallipoli
including sights like Anzac Cove and the Lone Pine Cemetery. Then
drive along the sea of Marmara to Istanbul.
Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 11:BOSPHOROUS CRUISE
Breakfast at hotel after which we drive Eminonu Port to board the regular city boat for a 2 hour Bosphorous Cruise. Enjoy this relaxing cruise along the shoreline while your guide explains to you the history of sights seen while onboard. We then continue on land to visit the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace and then also visit Camlica Hill for panoramic views over the city.
?n the evening a perfect way to end your time in Turkey, we proceed on to a special venue to enjoy our last meal accompanied by a show of traditional folklore dances and music.
Overnight in Istanbul

DAY 12:DEPARTURE FROM ISTANBUL
Breakfast at hotel, check out and as per your international flight
departure time, transfer on to Istanbul Airport.