Day 1: ARRIVE Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul for a 3-night stay. Meet your escort and transfer to your hotel. Dinner at guests’ expense.

Day 2: Istanbul

After breakfast start your visits of the Highlights: The Hagia Sophia Church, built in the 6^th century AD by Justinian and became the largest church in the world for many centuries until its conversion into a mosque by the Ottoman Sultan where you can see beautiful mosaics of Byzantine art. The Byzantine Hippodrome where horses and chariots raced once upon a time. The Blue Mosque, famous for its tiles and interior decorations, the most important mosque of the city. Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years. The Grand Bazaar for a leisure afternoon with more than 4,000 shops. 

Day 3: Istanbul

At leisure, optional Bosphorus cruise and Asian side tour.

Day 4: DEPART Istanbul

In the morning transfer to the airport and depart. It’s possible to combine Istanbul with Cappadocia and/or Izmir Mini Packages or both. 

Day 1: ARRIVE Ankara / Cappadocia

Arrival at Ankara at AM and visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in the Citadel, one of the best museums in Turkey, housing an extensive display of ancient settlers in Asia Minor starting from Stone Age and especially dating back to Neolithic and Bronze Ages such as Catalhoyuk and the Hittites. Also see the Mausoleum of Ataturk where the founder of the Turkish Republic rests in peace. Proceed to Cappadocia by bus via Salt Lake. En route lunch in the restaurant. 

Day 2: Cappadocia

Breakfast and a full day visit of this extraordinary region. Today you’ll visit Kaymakli or Derinkuyu underground city carved like a maze by early Christians escaping from persecutions. The Goreme Valley, famous for its rock churches with incredible Byzantine frescoes. The Pasabag Valley reminding a lunar surface with its panorama and typical formations of “fairy chimneys”. Uchisar, a natural citadel in the region, a great opportunity of picturing these unusual formations. Avanos, which has the longest river of Turkey passing from it and thus making this small town an attraction for its pottery and other handicrafts. Lunch during visits and stay in the hotel. 

Day 3: Cappadocia / Ankara

After breakfast set off for Ankara. En route view more unique valleys and traditional villages of the region and then visit Agzikarahan Caravanserai, an ancient motel for caravans on the Silk Road. Lunch en route. Arrive at Ankara and stay in the hotel. 

Day 4: DEPART Ankara

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight. You can combine this tour with Izmir Mini Package. 

Day 1: ARRIVE Izmir / Ephesus / Pamukkale

Arrival at Izmir in the morning and drive to Selcuk to visit Ephesus, ancient capital of Asia Minor with its magnificent theater, library, temples and baths. The Temple of Artemis nearby was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The House of Virgin Mary is considered as a place of Christian pilgrimage, and there is a small chapel as well. After lunch, drive to Pamukkale for overnight. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Pamukkale/ Izmir

After breakfast visit Hierapolis which has the largest “Necropolis” in Asia Minor and a very well preserved theater. Pamukkale's white cascades are formed by calcium deposits and they are unique with their incredible views and thermal waters. After lunch proceed to Izmir.

Day 3: Izmir Pergamon

Breakfast in the hotel and drive to Pergamon to visit this great civilization dating back to the 4th century B.C. The Acropolis has a great view over the valley and the temple of Trajan is the most impressive building on top of a very steep theater. The Aesclepion was an important healing center/hospital dedicated to Aesclepius, god of medicine. Especially mentally ill people tried to get a cure here while it became the second most famous Aesclepion after the one on the island of Cos. After lunch drive back to Izmir and stay in the hotel.

Day 4: DEPART Izmir After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight. This can be combined with Cappadocia Mini Package.