See the famous ‘Blue Mosque’, Hippodrome and Sunken Palace in Istanbul, discover the treasures in the Topkapi Palace, enjoy a scenic cruise on the Bosphorus by private boat! Discover amazing ruins in Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city in Asia Minor and shop for souvenir treasures in the Grand Bazaar. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
Day
2 Istanbul, Turkey
Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the airport by a representative of Mayflower Cruises & Tours and transferred to the
hotel. Dinner is included at a local restaurant this evening.
Meal: D
Day
3 Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel. City tour including the
Hippodrome Roman, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern.
In the afternoon, visit the Topkapi Palace built by Sultan Mahmet
the Conqueror and finally end at the Grand Bazaar. This is the
legendary market that is considered the best souk in the world
featuring antiques, jewelry and carpets.
Enjoy an included traditional Turkish coffee at a local coffee shop. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.
Meals: B, D
Day
4 Istanbul / Ankara
Breakfast at the hotel and then depart for a visit to the Basilica of Saint Sophia, one of the largest shrines
ever built. A highlight of the day will be the scenic cruise on the
Bosphorus by private boat. Sail past the medieval hilltop fortress
of Rumeli.
See the grand façade of the Dolmabahce Palace and
the elegant former summer residence of the sultan, the Beylerbeyi
Palace.
Afterwards drive to Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Dinner
and overnight stay at your hotel in Ankara.
Meals: B, D
Day
5 Anakara / Cappadocia
After breakfast, start exploring
the capital city of Turkey with the Anatolian Civilizations Museum
where you will have the chance to discover the archeological
findings that belong to Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many
other civilizations which had left traces in the cradle of civilizations,
Anatolia.
Continue by visiting the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial
place of the national hero who founded the modern Republic
of Turkey. In the afternoon, you will depart to Cappadocia. You
will have the chance to enjoy the picturesque view of Salt Lake
on route.
Once you arrive in Cappadocia, you will check into
your hotel, where you will dine and spend the night. Dinner and
overnight stay at your hotel in Cappadocia.
Meals: B, D
Day
6 Cappadocia
If you choose, start the day with an optional
early morning hot-air balloon ride.
After breakfast explore Cappadocia with its unique landscapes
formed by erosions of winds and water. Your expedition will start
with the Monastic Center of Goreme which was founded by St.
Basil as the first Monastic Center of Christianity during 4th century.
Continue to Pasabag Valley. You will adore the view of the towershaped
hermitages that look as if they have been sculptured by
contemporary artists! Your next stop is Kaymakli Underground City,
a subterranean settlement composed of troglodytic cave dwellings
providing shelter for early Christians protecting themselves from
invaders.
Continue to the rock-carved natural citadel of Uchisar
promising a superb view of the region from its top. The last stop of
today’s touring before returning to the hotel is Avanos, the famous
town of Cappadocia that was established by the Hittites on the
riverbanks of Halys River. You will visit one of the studios of a
pottery artist of Cappadocia and watch the interactive presentation
of creating masterpieces of pottery and ceramics.
Dinner and
overnight stay at your hotel in Cappadocia.
Meals B, D
Day
7 Cappadocia – Konya
After breakfast, you will be driven to
Konya that was called Iconium during the Roman period and was an
important post for Roman legion and control of the trade routes of
antiquity.
It served as the Capital of Seljuk Turkish Kingdom during
the 13th century. You will have the chance to visit the Mausoleum of
Mevlana, the founder of Whirling Dervishes, Sultanhan Caravanserai,
a building that ranks as one of the Seljuk masterpieces.
Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Konya.
Meals: B, D
Day
8 Konya – Hierapolis – Pamukkale
After breakfast you will
leave for Pamukkale. Start your exploration with Hierapolis founded
during the Hellenistic period as a control point of trading routes
connecting East to West.
In the Roman Period, Hierapolis became
a center of worship to Hades and Apollo as well as a thermal
center where massive Roman Baths were built. Today’s ancient
city of Hierapolis has recently been appointed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Wandering through the colossal tomb chambers
of Necropolis, you will comprehend the wealth of the society that
could afford such impressive graves. Get to see one of the bestpreserved
Roman Theatres of the world of archaeology. Built during
2nd century, the theatre of Hierapolis was used for both theatrical
activities and shows of violence. Dinner and overnight stay at your
hotel in Pamukkale.
Meals: B, D
Day
9 Pamukkale – Kusadasi
After breakfast, you will depart for
Kusadasi. Explore the timeless city of Ephesus where history and
archaeology will offer you their majesty with incredible richness.
Ephesus was the Capital of the Province of Asia Minor famed for
its flavorsome market during the Roman Era. You will pursue the
traces of the glorious past of Ephesus walking on the Marble Road
that runs through the city. You will get to see Temple of Hadrian,
Library of Celsus and the Great Theater of Ephesus.
Return to your hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and overnight stay.
Meals: B, D
Day
10 Kusadasi – Pergamon – Troy – Canakkale
After an early breakfast, you will depart from the hotel to explore the Greco-Roman
city of Pergamon famous for its Asclepion, the ancient medical
center of which its purpose was most like a spa of the 19th century.
Leaving the Asclepion, you will see the Acropolis, the Altar of Zeus,
and the Temples of Athena, Trajan, and Dionysus. It is from a
staircase leading from the Temple of Athena that the magnificent
10,000 seat theatre will be seen.
Continue your drive to a very wellknown
Ancient City. Troy. You will be thrilled by the ancient city that
witnessed the battle of heroes. While exploring the ruins of Troy, you
will enjoy the detailed narration of your guide about this legendary
city including both the historical facts and the mythological stories
that immortalized its name.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in
Canakkale.
Meals: B, D
Day
11 Cannakkale – Gallipoli – Istanbul
After breakfast, you will be driven to Istanbul. Your scenic drive will first take you to
Gallipoli, the site of the incredible battle played out here during
World War I.
Upon arrival to Istanbul, check-in to your hotel.
Afternoon will be at leisure. Farewell dinner will be at a local
restaurant serving traditional Turkish food. Overnight at your hotel
in Istanbul.
Meals: B, D
Day
12 Depart for USA
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to
Istanbul International Airport for your flight home.
Meals: B
Itinerary subject to change.