See for yourself why our 13 Day Turkish Treasures program has been so enormously popular with our passengers. Travel the breadth of the country as a professional guide takes you to key historical and cultural sites, including the site of the famed city of Troy, the Acropolis at Pergamum, and the Necropolis at Pamukkale. From Istanbul to Izmir to Cappadocia, you'll be amazed at everything this illustrious land has to offer. Best of all, the program balances included sightseeing with time at leisure to explore independently, which can be one of the most rewarding travel experiences. Plus, details like transfers and farewell dinner arrangements are taken care of, ensuring that you have a wonderful, hassle-free trip!

DAY 1, Thursday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Turkey. Your flight includes meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Istanbul
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Saturday - Morning City Tour of Istanbul
This morning, enjoy a half day morning tour of Istanbul, the only city that straddles two continents. Your tour includes a visit to the Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous with its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles. Continue to the Hippodrome, the place chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. You will also visit the Spice Market, a famous and exotic food market, which sells dried fruits and spices. Finally, visit the Grand Bazaar, world famous shopping center where you will have the opportunity to shop for carpets, jewelry, leather and more. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, exploring this city that blurs the line between East and West, with incredible architecture that is rivaled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait

Optional: Half Day Istanbul with Topkapi Palace & St. Sophia (PM)
Optional: Traditional Turkish Night with dinner
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Sunday - City of Troy Sightseeing, Travel to Canakkale
This morning, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and drive via Gallipoli to the classical city of Troy. Tour this 4000-year-old city and legendary center of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer's epic poem The Iliad. Continue to the Canakkale province, located in northwest Turkey, where you will arrive in the early evening

Overnight: Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Monday - Pergamum Asclepion Tour, Travel to Izmir
Drive to Pergamum, a powerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period (289-129 B.C.), and visit the Asclepion, the ancient Roman spa center. Modern treatments that have been used for centuries such as psychotherapy, massage, mud bathing, and herbal medicine were practiced here. Continue to Izmir, a city believed to be the birthplace of Homer

Overnight: Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Tuesday - Full Day in Izmir
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Izmir. With over 3500 years of history, the port city known historically as Smyrna offers a variety of impressive archaeological sites, not to mention easy access to ancient Ephesus. Or perhaps simply relax in the city and sip Türk kahvesi, authentic Turkish coffee, at a café set along the scenic Pasaport Quay

Optional: Full Day Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary
Overnight: Izmir
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Wednesday - Necropolis & Hieropolis at Pamukkale
Today, depart in the early morning from Izmir and drive to Pamukkale en route to Antalya where you will arrive in the evening. Visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hieropolis ("Holy City"), situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs, which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pamukkale hot springs have served as a thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C., primarily for the ailing and elderly, many of whom have retired here

Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Thursday - Full Day in Antalya
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Antalya. Founded by King Attalos of Pergamum as "Heaven on Earth," Antalya is an international resort city that has become a prime destination in Turkey. Long popular among yachters, the city also offers the liveliest nightlife on the southern coast, fantastic beaches, and world-class shopping, in addition to historic ruins in the surrounding region

Optional: Perge, Aspendos & Antalya Archaeological Museum
Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Friday - Cappadocia Caravanserai Sightseeing
Today, depart in the early morning to travel to Cappadocia and visit the 13th-century Caravanserai of Agzikarahan en route, a large abandoned city and shelter in Cappadocia, built on the Silk Road, whose main portal gate is considered a fine example of Turkish Seljuk art. During the Seljuk period, trade flourished, requiring roads for caravan transport and inns for the traveling traders. The Caravanserai provided these traders, both foreign and native, with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences. There was even a small mosque, known as "Kosk Mescid," in the courtyard's center where the travelers could conduct religious practices. Continue to Urgup in Cappadocia where you will arrive in the evening

Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Saturday - Full Day in Cappadocia
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the area independently. A region of surreal rock formations and incredible cultural heritage, Cappadocia is home to rock-cut temples, ancient underground cities, and unparalleled landscapes

Optional: Cappadocia Balloon Ride (AM) *
Optional: Full Day Cappadocia (AM) *
Optional: Whirling Dervishes Performance (PM)
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Sunday - Travel to Ankara, Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk
This morning depart for Ankara, the capital and the second largest city of Turkey. Upon arrival, visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum, also known as the Anitkabir, lies a vast brick courtyard and monumental avenue lined with NeoHittite stone statues and cenotaphs beneath its colonnades. The most noted cenotaphs within the complex are those of General Ismet Inonu, a close comrade of Ataturk's and his successor, and that of Ataturk himself, a large and highly decorative marble cenotaph, beneath which lies his tomb. Continue with Anatolian Civlizations Museum – built in two Ottoman buildings located near Ankara Castle. The Museum, being among exceptional museums with its unique collection, has Anatolian archaeological artifacts, artifacts from the Paleolithic Age to the present are exhibited. It was elected as the first "Museum of the Year" in Switzerland on April 19, 1997

Overnight: Ankara
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Monday - Return to Istanbul
This early morning, depart for your hotel in Istanbul. Spend the afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with local Turkish specialties and a glass of wine or raki

Optional: Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise (PM)
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13, Tuesday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight

Meals: Breakfast

* The Cappadocia Balloon Ride tour ends before the Full Day Cappadocia tour begins. Both tours can be done on the same day.

Escorted Package Includes
11 nights First Class accommodations
3 nights Mosaic Hotel, Istanbul
1 night Akol Hotel, Canakkale
2 nights Kaya Prestige, Izmir
2 nights Resort Dedeman Antalya, Antalya
2 nights Peri Tower, Cappadocia
1 night Barcelo Altinel Hotel, Ankara
All transfers
19 meals: 11 breakfasts, 8 dinners
Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
Entrance fees per itinerary

Special Features
Asclepion at Pergamum
Pamukkale hot springs
Hieropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk
Farewell dinner

OPTIONALS
Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling may cost an extra 10% or even more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.

Half Day Istanbul with Topkapi Palace & St. Sophia Day #3 01 Apr 2012 - 31 Dec 2012 $79
This tour's highlights include the Underground cistern – water source of the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, the largest of its kind in Istanbul, the structure's interior includes a few hundred marble columns. You will also visit St. Sophia – the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century, which remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, it was later converted to a mosque and now serves as a museum. In addition, your tour will take you to the Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans housing the richness of 700 years. Visit of the Treasury section with the crown jewels and the unique collection of Chinese porcelains.

Traditional Turkish Night with dinner Day #3 16 Nov 2011 - 31 Dec 2012 $86
Enjoy a traditional Turkish Show for an unforgettable evening at one of the most popular nightspots of the city. Experience world famous Turkish cuisine with half a bottle of wine, while watching spectacular oriental shows performed by well known belly dancers, folk groups from various regions of Anatolia and Turkish singers.

Full Day Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Day #6 16 Nov 2011 - 31 Dec 2012 $72
Ephesus is situated in the fertile Ionian landscape and famous throughout history for its temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. Ephesus is considered to be the showpiece among all the antique cities of the world. Leave hotel for Ephesus and first visit the house of Virgin Mary. Virgin Mary accompanied St. John to Ephesus, where she spent her last years living near a grove of olive trees close by to Ephesus. A visit is considered to be a Pilgrimage by the Vatican. You may collect holy water from the sacred spring. Visit the Basilica of St. John who came here and wrote his gospel and the temple of Artemis. Ephesus was undoubtedly, one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world and among its impressive structures you will marvel at the library of Celcus, temple of Hadrian, the theater and the Odeon.

Departs approximately 9 a.m.; returns approximately 4:30 p.m.

Perge, Aspendos & Antalya Archaeological Museum Day #8 11 Apr 2009 - 31 Dec 2012 $64
Drive to Perge, a Pamphylian city. Perge was founded between BC12-13. It is the most attractive and well preserved Pamphylian city. The ancient theater, stadium, towers, Agora, Acropol and the Palaestra which is given to Imperial Claudius are the highlights of the ancient city. Continue to Aspendos, founded in BC 4-5 by the colonists from Argos. Though it is well-known for its theater with a capacity of 30000 people, the city also boasts a stadium and a fountain. All the ruins in the city have remained from the Roman period and the theater is still being used for contemporary concerts. Later, return to Antalya and visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum which houses artifacts and antiques from 2500 years of Anatolian culture.

Departs approximately 8:30 a.m.; returns approximately 2:30 p.m.

Cappadocia Balloon Ride Day #10 16 Nov 2011 - 31 Dec 2012 $239
Depart early in the morning for a fantastic hot air balloon tour that takes you soaring over the magnificent Cappadocian landscape with its incredible fairy chimney rock formations. A hot-air balloon flight is unique from all other methods of flying in that there is no sensation of motion, creating an experience of tranquility unlike any other. Traveling at heights of up to 1500 feet, the feeling is both serene and sublime. Within moments of lifting off, drift over the treetops and discover the spectacular landscape from an unrivaled perspective. The deep canyons and lush, fertile valleys of Cappadocia provide an ideal setting for a memorable flight and it may even be possible to pick apricots from the trees when they are in season.

Departs at 5:00 a.m. Pick-up and drop-off details to be advised locally.

Please note that the take-off time and the duration of the flight may vary due to weather conditions. Balloon rides will vary between 50 & 75 minutes according to the wind.

Whirling Dervishes Performance Day #10 01 Apr 2012 - 31 Dec 2012 $39
Also known as the "Sema Ritual", Whirling Dervish performances began with the inspiration of Mawlana Jalaleddin Rumi who is one of the greatest mystical poets of Islam. The Mevlevi Sufi order was founded to follow his teachings. The captivating dance of the whirling dervishes, which displays infinite spinning in perfect harmony, is part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture. It is a rare opportunity to experience a seven-century old ritual, featuring beautiful costumes, live music with flutes, string and percussion, and the amazing sight of the Dervishes whirling on the stage.

Departs approximately 8 p.m.; returns approximately 11 p.m.

Full Day Cappadocia Day #10 16 Nov 2011 - 31 Dec 2012 $68
Leave hotel for a full day tour in Cappadocia. Visit the Open Air Museum in the Goreme Valley to see the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Later, visit the Kaymakli Underground City, which was hollowed out of volcanic rock and going seven to nine floors into the earth. It is made up of a labyrinth of corridors, chambers, store rooms, kitchens and churches. Lastly, visit the village of Avanos that is famous for its beautiful old houses, pottery and onyx.

Departs approximately 8:45 a.m.; returns approximately 5:30 p.m.

Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Day #12 16 Nov 2011 - 31 Dec 2012 $58
Depart from the hotel for a delightful Bosphorus cruise. No stay in Istanbul would be complete without this traditional and unforgettable cruise by a private boat along that Bosphorus, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia. The boat leaves from the Eminonu pier, zigzags up the Bosphorus passing by the loving Ottoman villas and palaces of marble. The humble fishing villages set against the dramatic outline of the Strait of Istanbul and the Bosphorus Suspension Bridges exemplify the newest symbols of the link between East and West.

Departs approximately 2:30 p.m.; returns approximately 5 p.m.

PRICES
From approx $1,599 US per person double occupancy