- Visit the popular pilgrimage site of The Virgin Mary's last residence

- Soak in the medicinal waters of Pamukkale, an ancient spa-resort once favored by the Romans!

- Explore Ephesus, the best preserved classical city of the East Mediterranean, where you can see everything from their theaters and libraries, to their brothels and toilets....

- Imagine drifting effortlessly over the fantastic panorama of Cappadocia in a whisper quiet air balloon at sunrise. Upon landing, enjoy a champagne breakfast to celebrate your successful trip!
 

Day 1 - Welcome to Istanbul!
We meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or gather your first impressions of this exciting new city. Speed travel will help you get your bearings with a travel survival kit which will provide you with invaluable maps, directions, tips and recommendations! Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 – Old City Tour
Following breakfast, we set out on a private tour of the 'Old City' where we visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the famous Blue Mosque, and Santa Sophia. Once a church, then a mosque, and now a museum, Santa Sophia will take your breath away with its sheer size and magnificent dome. Next we will visit the spectacular Topkapi Palace. Explore the mysterious Harem where women planned and plotted their way into Ottoman history and view the extravagant Treasury, home of the world-famous Topkapi Diamond and millions of dollars of priceless gems and jewels. Following lunch we will travel by coach to the Suleymaniye Mosque, built by master architect Sinan during the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. The last stop will be Grand Bazaar which is the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets and leather apparel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 –Egyptian Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, and Dolmabache Palace
Your morning starts with a visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme, rise from hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every store-front. We then board our ferryboat for a relaxing cruise along the shores of the legendary Bosphorus, the natural gateway that divides Asia and Europe. As you sit back and enjoy Turkish coffee or well-brewed tea, summer palaces and palatial homes pass by on either side. At the northern end of the Strait, we stop at our favorite restaurant for a tasty meal of local seafood. In the afternoon, we tour Dolmabache Palace for the last stop of ther day. Private tour.Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4 - Priene, Miletus, Didyma
Depart from Istanbul after breakfast, and fly to Izmir. Spend the early morning among the Hellenic ruins of Priene, an ancient Ionian city dramatically overlooking the fertile plains of the Meandre Valley. Afterwards, continue to the second archaeological site of the day; the ancient city of Miletus, formerly a prosperous commercial harbor city and the most prominent in Anatolia in its heyday.  Eventually, the tour reaches Didim, where we stop for an open buffet lunch. Then on to the ancient city of Didyma, the setting for one of the most colossal temples in the Hellenic World, venerating the God Apollo. We also see the ancient Temple of Athena and Alexander the Great’s house. Private tour. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 5 – Seven Churches Tour: Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira
After having breakfast at the hotel, depart for ancient Smyrna, the first of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor included in this tour. In the afternoon we will visit the celebrated Roman city of Pergamon, the site of an enormous library built with Roman tiles, visit the Asklepion and the Acropolis, and the place where parchment was invented. We visit the steep Theater, and the Sacred Way. Here we will also visit the famed Red Basilica. Private Tour. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6 – Seven Churches Tour: Ephesus, Virgin Mary’s House
After having breakfast at the hotel, depart for a private tour of the premiere Greco-Roman City of the ancient world, Ephesus. We explore the Temple of Hadrian, the famous Celsus Library, and the Temple of Artemis. We then visit the House of Virgin Mary, where the Mother Mary spent her final days. Finally, we visit the Basilica of St. John, where the Saint is said to have been buried and the basilica built around his tomb. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7 – Seven Churches Tour: Pamukkale, Laodicea, Philadelphia, Sardis
 After having breakfast at the hotel, depart for Churches at Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.  All of these sights where extremely important in the development of Christianity in Asia Minor.
After we depart for Pamukkale to enjoy ourselves in the spas, pools, and terraces of this natural wonder. We also spend time in Hieropolis, the site of the Martyrdom of Saint Phillip and home to the largest and most diverse necropolis in the world. In the afternoon visit the ancient city of Collassae. In the evening, take an overnight bus to Cappadocia. Another private tour.

Day 8 - An early morning start for Cappadocia!
 In the morning you will find yourself in the heart of Turkey - within the lunar landscape of Cappadocia; a magical place of rock formations unlike anywhere else on earth! We start our tour by viewing the unique rock formations of Devrent valley and visiting picturesque fairy chimneys of Pasabag. We stop for lunch in Avanos, a centre of terra cotta works of art since 3000 BC. and take in a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. At the next stop are the cave houses and fairy chimneys of Urgup, where we also stop at a winery and sample some of the local wines. The old Greek village of Mustafapasha is next, where the old Greek mansions are being restored to their former glory. In the afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Lastly, we stop at Uchisar Rock-Castle for a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia, before returning to your hotel for a good night’s rest. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 9 – Hot Air Balloon Ride and Walking Tour of Goreme
Another early morning start! One hour before sunrise, you are transferred to the launch site of Cappadocia’s hot air balloons. Enjoy breakfast while the balloons inflate and then you are off just as the sun rises for a truly unique perspective on this already fascinating landscape. Upon landing, there is a champagne toast and you will be transferred back to the hotel for a little rest and relaxation. In the afternoon, enjoy a light walking tour of Goreme with a local guide on hand to answer your questions. The rest of your afternoon is free for you to take in this lovely heritage-protected town. Overnight in Cappadoccia.

Day 10 – Underground City and Ihlara Valley
 After breakfast at the hotel, we pick you up for a day of exploring the outer edges of Cappadocia. Visit the fascinating Derinkuyu Underground City, where whole villages of Christians hid underground from prosecutors and invaders.  Next, hike through the cool, green Ihlara Valley, visiting some of the rock-cut churches along the way. Stop for lunch at a well-known local restaurant the end of your walk and then on to Selime for a panoramic view of a rock-cut village. Also stop at the remote Agzikarahan Caravansarai, an ancient rest stop along the silk road for traders and their camels. Evening flight back to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 11 – Free day in Istanbul
Your last day is free for shopping for those last-minute souvenirs, enjoying the city’s nightlife or relaxing in one of the cool cafes near the Bosphorus! Your choice! But whatever you do, don’t overdo it! Save some energy for Turkish night, an evening of good food and live entertainment, featuring high-energy dances from the black sea to the mesmerizing spinning of the Whirling Dervishes.  Overnight in Istanbul.

Our suggestions…

Taksim Square and Galata Walking Tour - A wonderful and enjoyable half day walk includes these places: Taksim, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Pera, Galata Tower, Tunel, Galata Bridge and the Egyptian Bazaar and the flower market.

Old City Walls and The Kariye Museum - Built by Constantine the Great, the Kariye Museum (Church of the Holy Savior in Chora) has the best Byzantine mosaics in the region. If you can spare a few hours, you must see them. (Note: the museum is closed Wednesday.)

The Princess Islands – Sandy beaches, pinewood scenery, and restored wooden houses, once the pleasure island of Byzantine princes. Tour the islands with horse-drawn carriages, (there are no cars on the island) before lunch at a local restaurant. There is also a 6th century Byzantine monastery on the island, which is open to visitors.

Traditional Turkish Bath (Hamam) – Featured on several “100 things to do before you die” lists, this is one of those unique experiences you’ll be telling your friends about for years! Don’t be shy! Where else can you bathe in a luxurious marble bath built by Mimar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect for sultans? The entrance fee includes a locker for your belongings and a wash and massage. (Ask your guide for recommendations as quality varies greatly.)

Day 12 - Transfer to airport.
We transfer you and your belongings to the airport in plenty of time for your flight. Good-bye and we hope to see you again next year!

- All hotels (4 Star)
- All private on-tour transportation
- All entrance fees
- All professional, licensed tour guides
- All breakfasts and lunches (excluding drinks) and some dinners
-All transfers to and from airports and/or bus stations

Hotels used in this package are based 4 star accommodation. This package can be changed to budget class, three or five star hotel accommodation upon request.