Affordable Best of Turkey in 13 Days Tour

Istanbul - Troy - Canakkale - Pergamon - Ephesus - Izmir- Sardes - Pamukkale - Hierapolis

Aphrodisias - Antalya - Konya - Cappadocia - Ankara

DAY 1: En Route

Depart the U.S.A. on your flight to Turkey.

DAY 2: Arrive Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul, the city which has been the capital of three empires in a time span of 3000 years and the unique link between east and west, past and present. Transfer to the hotel for greeting briefing. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 3: Istanbul

Discover the ancient city highlights with a guided tour. Explore the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. Visit the Royal Topkapi Palace, the main residence of Ottoman sultans, the Blue Mosque, unique with six minarets and famous for unequaled ceramic tiles. Continue to the Roman Hippodrome Square, which was used for chariot races and the St. Sophia Church which is considered one of the world's greatest architectural marvels with its Byzantine Mosaics. Visit to Grand Covered Bazaar with its labyrinth streets and passages housing with over 4,000 tiny shops.

DAY 4: Istanbul - Troy - Canakkale

Drive to Galliapoli, through the European lands of Turkey. Cross the Dardanelles strait by ferryboat. Visit the site of one of the most famous wars of ancient times, the legendary city of Troy with its walls and the replica of the wooden horse, during the times of immortalized in Homer's Iliad, beautiful Helen of Troy, the Queen of Sparta, and Paris, the Trojan Prince. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

DAY 5: Pergamon - Izmir

Visit the Acropolis, once the ancient worlds' major power center of learning and the arts, the Theatre of Pergamon the steepest raked Hellenistic theater of the ancient world. The temple of Trojan, Library, once hold 200.000 books, Asclepion, the ancient healing center, home to the famous physician, Galen, and the Red Basilica dedicated to God Serapis, also one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse (rev: 2-12). Evening at leisure. Overnight in Izmir.

DAY 6: Ephesus - Izmir

Visit the House of the Virgin Mary which is recognized as her final resting place by Vatican. Leave for the ancient city of Ephesus, the Celsus Library, the marble paved Arcadian Road, the Brothel, the Roman Baths, the Theater where St. Paul preached and the Temple of Artemis which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. See the statue of Ephesians' Artemis while touring the Archeological Museum of Ephesus in Selcuk. Continue for an observation of carpet weaving at one of the local workshops. Overnight in Izmir.

DAY 7: Sardes - Pamukkale

Drive to Sardes (rev: 3-1-6) capital of ancient Lydia state on 600 BC, home to both early Judaism and Christianity. Also, where coins were first introduced. It is one of the most interesting ruin in Turkey with its monumental buildings and location. Visit the Temple of Cybele which later became a church, the famous Synagogue from the third century, the Gymnasium the new excavation area. See the Golden River Pactolos. Proceed to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8: Hierapolis - Aphrodisias - Antalya

Morning tour of Pamukkale, created by the deriving springs in a cliff almost 200m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters. Also called Cotton Castle, being one of the natural wonder of the world, has an unreal landscape made up of mineral forests, snow white cascades and a series of terraced basins. Drive to Aphrodisias, the city of the Goddess of Love, see the well preserved stadium, the Odeon, the Theater and the Agora. Continue to Antalya for dinner and overnight.

DAY9: Antaya

Full day excursion to the ancient Pamphylian, the largest city on the turquoise coast. Visit the Hellenistic and Roman cities of Perge and Aspendos. Perge being an important trade route, is also famous by the fact that; when St. Paul started his journeys, he visited Perge in 46 A.D. and preached his first sermon here. Aspendos famous for its best-preserved theater of antiquity built in the 2nd c. AD with a capacity of 20,000 people, still used today for performances. Visit the remains of a basilica, agora and one of the largest aqueducts in Anatolia. Enjoy acropolis of the city with a wonderful view of the river. Visit the award winning Antalya Museum. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 10: Antalya - Konya - Cappadocia

Early departure to Konya. Visit the Mevlana Museum, 13th century Whirling Dervish Monastery. After lunch continue to Cappadocia where nature has scoured surrealistic moonscape shapes and where persecuted Christians dug underground cities and churches during the 9th century. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 11: Cappadocia

Full ay Cappadocia excursion. Visit Goreme Open Air Museum where you will view the numerous rock carved churches and monasteries. Continue to Avanos the famous pottery making town, the natural citadel of Uchisar and the underground city of Kaymakli. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. Optional Cappadocia Balloon Ride You will leave to hotel before sunrise for an unforgettable balloon trip over Cappadocia. The balloon trip is available between April-October, when the morning weather is calm. The ride ends with a champagne breakfast.

DAY 12: Cappadocia - Ankara

Morning sightseeing in Cappadocia. After lunch, visit the Agzikarahan Caravanserai located on the Ancient Silk Road, built in the 13th century by Selcuk Turks. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Ankara.

DAY 13: Ankara - Istanbul

Escorted transfer to Ankara airport for the flight back home. End of our services.

* Rates and availability subject to change without notice.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner