Day 1: ISTANBUL

Welcome to Istanbul. You will transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore Istanbul. At 18:00 pm. you will have a meeting with your guide at the hotel lobby and will be informed about the tour.

Day 2: ISTANBUL

After breakfast, City tour of Istanbul, the exotic city that spans both Europe and Asia, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome. The Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior, dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial Mosque with six minarets. Agia Sophia Mosque is known as one of the oldest standing churches in Istanbul dating back to 6th century. It is early domed-basilica architectural plan of famous Agia Sophia which was applied here first time in the history. Topkapi Palace was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th century. Hippodrome, the place where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period, held 100.000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. In the afternoon cruise along the Bosphorus (optional), the beautiful strait that divides Europe from Asia. Winding between wooded hills, it is lined with mosques, castles, 19th century mansions, picturesque villages and extravagant baroque places of the late Ottoman Sultans.

Day 3: ANKARA / CAPPADOCIA

After breakfast we drive towards 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. We continue on to the surreal landscape of Cappadocia.

Day 4: CAPPADOCIA

Today we tour the Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabag, Uchisar Castle and Kaymakli Underground City. The Goreme Open-Air Museum resembles a vast monastic complex composed of scores of refectory monasteries placed side-by-side, each with its own fantastic church.It contains the finest of the rock-cut churches, with beautiful frescoes (wall paintings) whose colors still retain all their original freshness and has been a member of UNESCO World Heritage List. Uchisar is situated at the highest point in Cappadocia and on the top of the Uchisar Castle, provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area with Mount Erciyes in the distance. Kaymakli underground city is built under the hill known as the Citadel of Kaymakli. The Kaymakli Underground City has low, narrow and sloping passages and consists of 8 floors below ground, of which 4 are open to the public today, in which the spaces are organized around ventilation shafts. Photo opportunities are everywhere so have your cameras ready! Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at a carpet village we learn how carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. Enjoy a Turkish folklore evening (optional) featuring folklore and belly dancers.

Day 5: KONYA / PAMUKKALE

Leaving Cappadocia we head south along the ancient Silk Road just as the ancient traders did. Along the way we visit Sultanhani Caravansary, before stopping at Konya, a city renowned for its Seljuk architecture and also as the home of the "Whirling Dervishes", to tour the Mevlana Museum, which is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic also known as Mevlana or Rumi. It was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes.

Day 6: PAMUKKALE / APHRODISIAS

Visit the ruins of Hierapolis ("Holy City"), a UNESCO a World Heritage Site situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs, the Temple of Apollo, Necropolis, and stroll over the magnificent white calcium terraces of Pamukkale. The Pamukkale hot springs have served as a therapeutic thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C.We then drive to Aphrodisias, the City of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, is one of the Aegean region's most interesting archeological sites.

Day 7: EPHESUS

Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ancient Ephesus where the Temple of Artemis, one of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" once stood. Walk along the 2000 year old marble streets; see the Great Theatre, the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian, and the Library of Celsus. Visit the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be her last residence and the Basilica of St. John. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre. This afternoon we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before driving to Kusadasi.

Day 8: KUSADASI / AIRPORT

After breakfast, our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight.