In ancient times, Turkey was a major player in the Mediterranean. It’s in vogue once again, but now it’s the historic sites, natural wonders and value for money that are drawing the crowds.

Tour Pace: A well paced tour. In Antalya you have a free day to relax. In towns and cities with one-night stays, the driving days are not too long and have frequent stops for sightseeing.

Hotel: The Istanbul Conrad hails from the “luxury brand of the Hilton family” while the Swissôtel Grand Efes is a member of “The Leading Hotels of the World”. The Kolin overlooks the Dardanelles and the Colossae Thermal in Pamukkale specialises in health, beauty and fitness.

Anzac Day Gallipoli: There is an optional excursion to participate in the Gallipoli memorial service available on 13 April departure. This tour operator also offers an exclusive 21 day Turkey & Egypt tour including the Anzac Day Dawn Service, plus a Nile cruise and visit to El-Alamein.

Day 1 - DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2 - ISTANBUL AT LEISURE
Welcome to Turkey! You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and relax, or start exploring the wonders of this glorious city, uniquely located on two continents! This evening join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and light informal meal.

Hotel: Conrad/Hilton/Crowne Plaza Harbiye
Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 3 - ISTANBUL – BURSA
Embark on a superb Highlight cruise along the Bosphorus past Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses. Leaving Istanbul, take a short ferry trip and drive to Iznik. Visit the ruins of St Sophia and see the city walls before continuing to Bursa. In the afternoon there is time to haggle in the bazaar and silk markets.

Hotel: Thermal Kervansaray
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 4 - BURSA – ANKARA
Visit the glorious Green Mosque and Mausoleum complex and Grand Mosque in Bursa before driving to the charming Cumalikizik Village with its traditional wooden houses and narrow cobblestone streets. Visit Gordion, where Alexander the Great cut the famous Gordion Knot, en route to Turkey’s modern capital, Ankara.

Hotel: Hilton
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 5 - ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA
Sightseeing includes a visit to the Hittite Museum, portraying the fascinating history of Asia Minor from earliest times. You also visit Anit Kabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, Turkey’s greatest leader in modern times. Visit the mausoleum of Sufi philosopher Haci Bektas before heading to Nevsehir in the Cappadocia region.

Hotel: Dedeman
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 6 - CAPPADOCIA – GÖREME EXCURSION
In this unique region of volcanic landscapes and ‘fairy-chimneys’, visit Göreme’s rock-carved churches, and see ancient frescoes in the open-air museum. Visit the underground city of Kaymakli and see the cone of Uchisar. Dinner at the hotel is followed by a folklore show in an underground cave, featuring dances from different regions.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner

Day 7 - CAPPADOCIA – KONYA
Visit the Caravanserai of Sultanhani before driving to Turkey’s most religious city, Konya, which was once the home of the mystic sect of Whirling Dervishes and the old capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire. Visit the Mevlana Museum, with its beautiful fluted turquoise dome, and see the Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret.

Hotel: Dedeman
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 8 - KONYA – ANTALYA
Descend the Taurus mountains and drive to Aspendos to visit what is considered the best preserved Roman Theatre anywhere in the world. Drive to the Hellenistic or Roman city of Perge to visit the extensive ruins, including the great Theatre, the Stadium, and the gate-towers leading into a street where ancient chariot ruts can still be seen. As night falls, enjoy a walking tour of Antalya’s Old Town.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza & Harrington Park Resort
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 9 - ANTALYA AT LEISURE
The day is set aside for you to relax and enjoy the leisure facilities of the hotel. Alternatively, explore Antalya at your own pace, suggestions include a stroll around the harbour area or taking a boat trip off the coast.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 10 - ANTALYA – PAMUKKALE
Pass pine forests and cross the Taurus mountains on your way to Pamukkale. On arrival, visit the ruins of Hierapolis and the beautiful ‘Cotton Castle’ – an apt description of its dazzling white limestone terraces.

Hotel: Thermal Colossae
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 11 - PAMUKKALE – KUSADASI
Visit the Temple of Aphrodite at amazing Aphrodisias before following the Maeander River valley, (so full of twists and turns gives us the word ‘meander’) to your beautiful beach-front hotel in the lively coastal town of Kusadasi.

Hotel: Charisma/Korumar
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 12 - KUSADASI – IZMIR
Tour one of the world’s finest archeological sites, Ephesus. Visit the Amphitheatre and walk along the Arcadian Way to view the splendid facade of the Library of Celsus. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, situated above the ruins, before continuing to the Selçuk archeological museum, where many artefacts from Ephesus are displayed. Stay overnight in the pleasant Aegean port of Izmir.

Hotel: Swissôtel Grand Efes/Hilton
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 13 - IZMIR – ÇANAKKALE
Stop in Pergamon, the impressive site of an ancient kingdom, to visit the Asklepion, one of the most famous shrines and therapeutic centres in the ancient world. Drive to Homer’s Troy to see the ruins of nine cities built on top of each other, and an enormous reconstruction of the famous wooden horse. The evening is spent in Çanakkale.

Hotel: Kolin
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 14 - ÇANAKKALE – ISTANBUL
Cross the Dardanelle Straits by ferry and continue to the Gallipoli Peninsula, scene of fierce fighting in World War One. Here are the battle-fields where for nine disastrous months Anzac Troops fought unsuccessfully to gain control of the strategic Straits, with the loss of over half a million lives. Pay your respects at Anzac Cove and visit the emotive Lone Pine Cemetery before returning to Istanbul.

Hotel: Conrad/Hilton/Crowne Plaza Harbiye
Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 15 - ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING
Visit the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held. Also visit St Sophia, a former cathedral and a mosque which is now a magnificent museum. The afternoon is dedicated to the Topkapi Palace, a walled city perched above the Bosphorous and the Golden Horn. Now it’s time to test your haggling skills in the Grand Bazaar. Don’t worry, your guide will give you a full explanation of the time-honoured ritual of bargaining! This evening, join a farewell Celebration Dinner at a colourful local restaurant!

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner

Day 16 - RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with transfers to the airport.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Included First Class Services
• Escorted by a professional multilingual Tour Director
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
•Traveller Welcome pack
• Arrival and departure transfers between the airport and your tour hotel

Included Premium Highlights
• Istanbul: Visit the fabulour Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and Basilica of St. Sophia. A complete guide on how to haggle in the Grand Bazaar! Embark on a cruise along the Bosphorus.
• Iznik: Visit the ruins of St. Sophia and see the city walls.
• Bursa: Visit the Grand Mosque and the Green Mosque.
• Ankara: Visit Ataturk's Mausoleum and Hittite Museum.
• Cappadocla: Visit the mausoleum of Haci Bektas and Sultanhani Caravanserai.
• Göreme: Explore the amazing underground houses and rock carved churches.
• Kaymakli: Tour this underground city.
• Konya: Visit famous Mevlana Museum.
• Aspendos: Visit the world's best preserved Roman Theatre.
• Perge: Visit the ancient ruins.
• Pamukkale: Visit Hierapolis and the 'Cotton Castle'. Visit the Temple of Aphrodite at Aphrodisias.
• Ephesus: Tour one of the world's finest archeological sites. Visit the House of the Virgin mary.
• Selcuk: Visit the Archeological Museum.
• Pergamon: Visit the famous shrine of Asklepion.
• Troy: View the huge reconstructed Trojan Horse.
• Gallipoli: Visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery.

Included Quality Dining
• A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
• A spectacular highlight folklore show in an underground cave in Cappadocia (HD)
• Enjoy a lively Celebration dinner at an Istanbul restaurant (CD) • 14 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 10 special-menu Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

PRICES
From approx $2,250 US per person double occupancy