We do offer this same program on different dates then Wednesday, check with us the for the best suitable date.

- Program

- Wednesday - Day 1 - Istanbul to Canakkale - (B/L/D)
In the early morning we will drive west, heading towards the Aegean Sea. We will visit Gallipoli on the way
*Gallipoli and The Dardanelles -- After our lunch we will stop to visit Gallipoli, a place of fierce World War 1 fighting between Allied forces and the Turks. At ANZAC Cove thousands lost their lives in one fateful dawn morning. We will also see other famous battle sites of World War 1 in this area, such as Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. From here we go to a ferry and cross the Dardanelle. For World War 1 buffs, you will know the Dardanelle Straits were a strategic crossing point for the allied armies to cross from Europe to Asia Minor.
*Canakkale will be our final destination for today and where we will spend the evening. After dinner, you might want to stroll the harbor walk and experience the local culture. Overnight in CANAKKALE.

- Thursday - Day 2 - Canakkale to Kusadasi - (B/L/D)
We continue our scenic drive along the Aegean, stopping for photo opportunities and perhaps to indulge the taste buds at one of the many farmer road side stands that sell olives, figs, seasonal fruit and pistachios. We then will head east towards our first site of the day.
Sites you'll see today
*Troy --is the ancient site written about by Homer in the Iliad. It dates back as far as 3000 BC and has been the site of nine different cities through the thousands of years it has existed. As you enter the site a large wooden Trojan horse dominates your view. You will definitely want to climb up and get your picture taken!
After lunch you will depart from Canakkale, driving along the Aegean Sea down to Kusadasi, evening arrival in Kusadasi, Check in the hotel, Overnight stay.

- Friday - Day 3 - Kusadasi - (B/L/D)
We will visit Turkey's most impressive Roman and Biblical site today, in what may well be one of your most memorable days in Turkey. We will also visit other significant sites of the area.
Sites you'll see today
*Ephesus is one of the best preserved cities from Roman times. At the time St. Paul lived in Ephesus in the 60's AD, it was at it's Roman heyday with a population around 250,000. Ephesus was a great ancient city and much of it has been preserved for you to see. More than any other site, you can walk the streets, stand in the great theatre, wander in the library, see the ancient Roman toilets and baths, and feel that you are walking back into ancient history.
* Temple of Artemis Artemis was a Greek goddess, the virginal huntress and twin of Apollo, who supplanted the Titan Selene as goddess of the Moon.
*The House of The Virgin Mary is where it is believed St. Mary came to live with St. John in the last years of her life. After the tour we will return to Kusadasi where we will spend the night.

- Saturday - Day 4 - Kusadasi to Pamukkale - (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will depart Kusadasi and drive to Pamukkale, upon arrival we will continue on the guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis.
*Pammukale means cotton castle in Turkish. It is the result of limestone formations built over thousands of years. Warm calcium rich mineral water flowed over the cliffs and as it cooled it deposited the calcium into the formations that are seen today. Pammukale is now a world heritage site.
*Hierapolis was founded as a healing care center in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral
waters in the area. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centers of the Roman Empire. Overnight stay in Pamukkale.

- Sunday - Day 5 - Pamukkale to Cappadocia - (B/L)
After breakfast we will depart from Pamukkale and drive to Cappadocia, on the way we will stop and visit Mevlana Museum in Konya.
*Mevlana Museum is a holy site for Muslims because it is the former lodging place for the whirling dervishes. The architecture and turquoise tiles are a beautiful site for all.
( Note today is not a guided tour, you explore these site on your own.)
In the afternoon we will provide a transfer to Cappadocia, after arrival you will check in the hotel & have a free day to relax and explore Cappadocia on your own. Overnight stay in URGUP Cappadocia.

- Monday - Day 6 - Cappadocia - (B/L)
Today will be spent walking through an underground city where ancient people once fled for their lives escaping the Arab invaders, wandering through Ihlara Gorge and spending time in an Anatolian village. As we will need to drive for awhile in order to reach our first destination, we will be starting out quite early this morning.
Sites you'll see today
*Underground City of Derinkuyu--You will gradually stroll your way down into the depths of the earth in this ancient underground city that has 18-20 floors as deep as 40 meters below the ground. Don't worry, you will only go down to the 8th floor. Cappadocia has around 36 underground cities. Archeologists date these back to the time of the Hittites which lived 4000 years ago.
*Ihlara Gorge will seem like an oasis in the middle of the Anatolian plain. Delve into the gorge and see the beautiful greenery as you follow the river. Around you will see ancient monasteries complete with pigeon holes cut into the cliffs by the monks. They used these pigeons as messengers to communicate with their monk friends!
*Traditional Anatolian villages--The head-scarved women out at work in the fields from sun up until sun-down, and the mustached, vest-wearing men hard at work playing cards in the coffee shops. You will get time to stroll in such a village and see the average Turkish villager at work...or play. Overnight in URGUP - Cappadocia -

- Tuesday - Day 7 - Cappadocia to Istanbul - (B/L)
This day will be spent exploring the amazing sites of Cappadocia. (For those who have bought optional hot air ballooning tour of Cappadocia ) Very, very early in the morning we will wake up to take a hot air balloon ride over the area. After this we will come back to the hotel for breakfast and a rest before setting out in late morning to see the rest of the sites.
Sites you'll see today
*The World Heritage Site of Goreme Open-Air Museum --This is a cluster of rock cut Byzantine churches, chapels and monasteries which include some wonderful 11th and 12th century frescoes on the cave walls.
*Fairy Chimneys--These geological phenomenon have been shaped over millions of years. They were formed during volcanic eruptions in the region. Reaching at times 40 meters in height, they are conical in shape and have a "hat" top to them.
*Devrent Valley--This valley is know as "the pink valley" because of the color of it's soil. This is a lovely place to wander around and look at the magical rock formations indicative to Cappadocia, including the Fairy Chimneys.
*Uchisar Castle--Also called a fortress, this is actually a formation of two gigantic rocks surrounded by smaller rocks that together form a natural fortress with towers. These formations were inhabited during both the Byzantine and Ottoman times.
*We will also get the chance to visit local craftspeople and learn how they make dolls and create traditional pottery.
After the tour we will provide a transfer to Nevsehir Airport and put you on a 1 hour flight back to Istanbul, After arrival we will take you to your hotel. Overnight stay.

- Thursday - Day 8 - Istanbul to Home - (B)
Gule, Gule! It is time to go home. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey and all of us in your hearts, and hoping that our paths cross again in this life!

Total cost: 885 Euro per person in a double room & 1115 Euro in a single room.

Price includes
* All of the hotels ( Each of them individually chosen )
* All of the land transfers with comfortable vehicles
* All of the meal mentioned in the itinerary ( B-breakfast, L-lunch & D-dinner )
* Professional English speaking tour guides
* Domestic flight tickets from Cappadocia to Istanbul
* Addmissions to Gallipoli Museum, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, all of the sights in Cappadocia
* All of the TAX and service charges

Excludes
* International flight tickets to Istanbul
* Drinks with meals
* Hot Air Balloon ride on Cappadocia (15 percent discount if booked with this tour )