Experience the best of Turkey. From the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in bustling Istanbul to the underground city of Sarhatli near Cappadocia and the excavations of ancient Ephesus to the 'Cotton Castle' springs near Pamukkale - explore the diversity of this ancient land.

Highlights: Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Antalya, Perge and Aspendos, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara, Gordion, Bursa, Istanbul

Day 1 DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Istanbul.

Day 2 ARRIVE ISTANBUL
Welcome to Istanbul. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Relax after your journey and in the evening attend a Welcome Reception with your Travel Director and meet your fellow travellers.
Meal(s): (Welcome Reception)
Hotel: Dedeman Istanbul (SF)

Day 3 ISTANBUL - GALLIPOLI - CANAKKALE
Explore the Gallipoli Peninsula and see Anzac Cove, the site of a bitter battle in WWI. Visit Lone Pine and Chunnuk Bair Cemeteries, the final resting place of many allied soldiers. See the Dardanelles and stay overnight in Çanakkale. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)
Hotel: Kolin (F)

Day 4 CANAKKALE - TROY - PERGAMON - IZMIR (SMYRNA)
Visit the ruins of Troy, and see the famous Wooden Horse. Explore the ancient Asclepion Medical Centre at the ancient city of Pergamon. Dine at your hotel in Izmir this evening.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)
Hotel: Swiss Hotel/Moevenpick/Kaya Thermal (SF)

Day 5 IZMIR - EPHESUS - ST. MARY'S HOUSE - PAMUKKALE
Visit the impressive excavations at Ephesus. See the House of the Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos en route to the hot springs at Pamukkale. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)
Hotel: Pam Thermal (F)

Day 6 PAMUKKALE - HIERAPOLIS - ANTALYA (2 NIGHTS)
Visit the impressive excavations at Ephesus. Spend the afternoon exploring the narrow streets of Antalya. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)
Hotel: Rixos (F)

Day 7 ANTALYA - PERGE AND ASPENDOS EXCURSION
Visit the impressive Antalya Archaeological Museum and the Roman cities of Perge and Aspendos. Here see one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 8 ANTALYA - KONYA
This morning travel inland and enjoy a unique Be My Guest ?lunch in a century-old traditional Ottoman-style house hosted by a local family. Visit the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum, the final resting place for members of the Whirling Dervish mystic sect. Then continue on to the Karatay Tile Museum. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Be My Guest lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Anemon (F)

Day 9 KONYA - CAPPADOCIA (2 NIGHTS)
Visit the well preserved Sultanhan Caravansary. Journey on to biblical Cappadocia. Here you visit the underground city of Sarhatli on the ancient Silk Road just outside Konya and see the cone of Uchisar. This evening, dine at your hotel.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)
Hotel: Dilek Kaya (F)

Day 10 CAPPADOCIA - URGUP AND GOREME EXCURSION
Spend the day exploring the volcanic landscape in and around Urgup, dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. Visit the Goreme Open-air Museum and learn about pottery making in Avanos. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 11 CAPPADOCIA - ANKARA
Your Local Guide takes you on a tour of the capital Ankara. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisation and Ataturk's Mausoleum. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)
Hotel: Moevenpick (D)

Day 12 ANKARA - GORDION - BURSA
Hear the fascinating legend of King Midas at Gordion, and see the Great Tumulus, the city's largest burial mound. Explore the Green Ottoman Complex and Grand Mosque at Bursa. Spend the afternoon seeing the sights of your choice. Finish the day with dinner at your hotel.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)
Hotel: Thermal Kervansaray (F)

Day 13 BURSA - ISTANBUL (2 NIGHTS)
Cross the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul by ferry. Plan your day as you wish. Enjoy the exotic atmosphere and shop for souvenirs at the bustling Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest markets.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Dedeman (SF)

Day 14 ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING
Gain an insight into the Ottoman Empire's power and influence during your guided tour of the Topkapi Palace. Explore the Hagia Sophia and the wonderful Blue Mosque. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner, with your Travel Director and travelling companions.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast/Farewell Dinner)

Day 15 ISTANBUL - USA
This morning bid a farewell to this wonderful city as your memorable vacation ends. Transfers are available conditions apply.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

What's Included:

Sightseeing Highlights:
Gallipoli See Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemeteries and Chunnuk Bair Cemeteries.
Troy Visit the ruins of the ancient city and see the Wooden Horse.
Pergamon Visit the Asclepion Medical Centre.
Ephesus Visit the Great Theatre, Library of Celsius, Gymnasium, Temple of Hadrian and House of the Virgin Mary. Pamukkale See the Cotton Castle springs.
Hierapolis Visit the ruins of the Roman health spa.
Antalya Visit the Archaeological Museum.
Perge and Aspendos Visit Pamphylian, Hellenistic and Roman cities.
Konya Visit the Mevlana Museum, home of the Whirling Dervishes, and Karatay Tile Museum.
Cappadocia Marvel at the underground city of Sarhatli, and visit Urgup and the Open-Air Museum at Goreme.
Ankara Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisation and Ataturk's Mausoleum.
Gordion See the Earth Tumulus.
Bursa Visit the Green Ottoman Complex and the Grand Mosque.
Istanbul Sightseeing includes the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

Insider Experiences:
Be My Guest lunch in a traditional Ottoman-style house with a local family.
Hidden Treasure - Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure experience, unique to your itinerary, courtesy of your expert Travel Director.

Dining:
13 Buffet Breakfasts.
Be My Guest Luncheon in a century old Ottoman-style house.
12 evening meals including:
Welcome Reception with your Travel Director in Istanbul.
10 three-course or open-buffet dinners.
Farewell Dinner on your final night in Istanbul.

Travel Highlights:
First Class hotel accommodation featuring twin rooms and private facilities.
ll hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats.
Ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Çanakkale.
Ferry across the Sea of Marmara from Yalova to Istanbul.
The services of a professional Travel Director throughout your journey.
Airport transfers will be provided for guests who have provided us with their flight details and are staying in an Istanbul hotel booked by the tour operator.
Audio Headsets Provided throughout your tour to enhance your included sightseeing experiences.
A travel wallet with your documentation.
Complimentary keepsake photo.