The Best Route Tour

Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul, Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Dinner not included.

Day 2 Istanbul
In the morning, visit impressive Haghia Sophia which was built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. It was the biggest church back in 6th century. It was converted into a mosque in 1453. back in 1930s Ataturk took a decision and opened it as a museum. After the museum the next one is Chora whose mosaics and frescoes are among the most beautiful in the Byzantine World. After lunch free time in Spice Market. You will enjoy its exotic colors and aromas. As an optional tour you can take a Bosphorus cruise excursion. Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Istanbul
A full day tour to discover Istanbul which is a unique city. It is not only famous for its historical places but also its beauty. It lies on two continents and has two bridges which play a great role in its silhouette. It witnessed three big empires as their capital city, Romans, Byzantine Empire and Ottomans. So today you can see remains from all. You will start your visit with Blue Mosque which has six minarets, was built between 1609 and 1616 for Sultan Ahmet I by architect Mehmet Aga. It was adorned with 21,043 tiles in blue color give the mosque its name. Right behind the Blue Mosque see the Hippodrome where political, cultural, and sports activities took place during Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods. Topkapi Palace will take couple of hours to explore. It was the residence of the Ottoman sultans between the end of the 15th and the first half of the 19th centuries, you will be fascinated by its treasures and Harem. Finish the day in Grand Bazaar by shopping.
Lunch during sightseeing. Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Canakkale-Gallipoli
In the morning, cross the Strait of the Dardanelles by ferry. Continue to Gallipolli Peninsula where the Dardanelles War took place. Start with Anzac Cove then continue to Lone Pine, 57th Regiment the Turkish Memorial, Chunuk Bair where Ataturk was hit by a bullet. Brief glance at the battlefields, trenches and memorials that remind us of the Turkish, English, French, Australian and New Zealander (ANZAC), and Indian soldiers fought against each other 1915-1916. Continue to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Canakkale.

Day 5 Troy- Bergama-Selçuk
In the morning, drive straight to Pergamum, the capital of the Attalid dynasty. Visit the ancient city where parchment was invented: the Acropolis with the ruins of the Agora, temples, palaces, the library which contained 200,000 volumes, the podium on which once upon time the Zeus Altar was standing, today it is displayed in Berlin museum. The theater is the steepest theater in Anatolia. Near the orchestra you can see the ruins of Dionysus temple. After lunch continue to the ancient city of Troy whose history covers a period of about 3,400 years with nine layers of settlements (Troy I to IX). King Priam's glorious city, which can be found in the Iliad, Homer's epic poem, was immortalized through mythological characters: Helen, Menelas, Paris, Agamemnon, Achilles, Hector...and the legendary Trojan Wooden Horse, a reconstruction of which stands at the entrance of the site. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Selçuk

Day 6 Ephesus-Pamukkale
In the morning, we drive to Ephesus. It was the capital of the Romans in Asia Minor with its 250.000 population. As it was the capital, The Great Rome built the best structures. That is the reason why Ephesus has become one of the most fascinating cities in the world now. At the site you will see the Marble Street, the Agora, the Odeon, the Nympheum of Trajan, the Temple of Hadrian, the Celsius Library, the Theatre, the remains of the Temple of Artemis which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Also visit the House of the Virgin Mary which is located on top of a hill. Virgin Mary house was described by a German nun had never been abroad before. She saw a dream and in her dream she saw where Virgin Mary was buried. It was discovered after that event. This place was recognized by Vatican as the pilgrimage place for the Christians.
Drive to Pamukkale.

Day 7 Pamukkale-Fethiye
In the morning visit Pamukkale, a unique natural site. Visit this “Cotton Castle" where the hot waters, leaving their limestone deposits, have created a unique landscape with petrified waterfalls and basins cascading down the hillside in the midst of a dry, barren landscape. In Pamukkale, you will also visit Hierapolis, an ancient city and Roman health spa where Philip moved before 70 AD, and later he was martyred. Hierapolis has a well preserved necropolis (necro in Greek means death, polis means city) which has 1200 tombs today. It is the largest Roman cemetery of Anatolia now. After lunch continue to Fetiye. Visit Kayaköy, a Greek village was abandoned completely by the Greeks in 1924. Overnight in Fetiye.

Day 8 Fetiye- Kaş
In the morning we will have time in Oludeniz for swim, and continue to Xanthos, which was once the capital city of the Lycian League. Xanthosians were the bravest people in their time, they never accepted another kingdom sovereignty. It was proved that they went to mass suicide twice in their history. First they fought and never gave in against the Persians and second, against Brutus and his army. Today when you get to the site you can see very beautiful Lycians tombs examples. They are called the pillar type sarcophagi. The Harpies monument, Nereid tomb, the obelisk and the Roman theatre are remarkable on the side, you can also see a church. Overnight in Kaş.

Day 9 Kekova Boat Cruise - Kas
In the morning drive to Kekova where we will take our local boat for a spectacular cruise through the picturesque islands. The sunken city is impressive; don’t forget to check the houses under the water! Our boat will also take to Simena Castle; on the top of the castle you will be able to see beautiful Ucagız and the islands. After climbing up to the castle, down to the boat you can have local ice-cream with different flavors. Then we will carry on sailing from large bays to fascinating protected inlets where we will swim. Back to Kas.

Day 10 Kas-Phaselis-Antalya
After the breakfast, on the way the first Lycian city we visit is Myra. It was one of the most important lycian city, today it has very impressive Lycian rock-cut tombs and roman theater. The city is also famous for Santa Claus, St. Nicholas was born in another Lycian town, Patara, but he died in Myra. Today you can see a church built by Byzantine dedicated to him. After lunch, continue to Phaselis initially it was a pirate city later it was taken over by the Lycians. The most fascinating city on the cost for many visitors. It is known that Alexander the great spent a winter in this town. Today you can see three natural harbors. If time permits you will have time to swim. Drive to Antalya, there will be an orientation walk through the old city. Kaleici, Hadrian Gate, and fluted minaret are remarkable. After dinner back to the hotel.

Day 11 Antalya-Aspendos-Konya
After a lazy morning we will be headed to Aspendos. Today you can see Roman remains including aqueducts and the best preserved Roman Theater in Anatolia. It is almost, untouched theater, completely original. It was once changed into a caravanserai by Seljuk Turks. We can see the main difference between a Roman and Greek theater. Acoustics is the most important thing for the Romans while the view for the other side. Aspendos was built by the famous Aspendosian architect Zenon, in Marcus Aurelius’time. Right behind the theatre take a look the aqueducts. Continue to mystical city of Konya. Overnight at the hotel in Konya.

Day 12 Konya-Cappadocia
In the morning visit Mevlana Museum. Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi was born in Balkh, Afganistan. His family was welcomed by Seljuks because of the Mongols attacks. Mevlana’s father was known as the master of the scholars this was the main reason why they were so respected by the locals when they arrived. After his father’s dead, Mevlana took his place. His life entirely changed when he met Sems-i Tebriz. This guy influenced Mevlana too much, they spent all their time together that’s why they were jealous and this is why Sems disappeared mysteriously. He was either killed or went back to Damascus. After Mevlana Museum continue to Sultanhanı Caravanserai which is the largest one in Anatolia now. Then drive to one the most interesting landscape on earth, Cappadocia.

Day 13 Cappadocia
A full day tour to explore Cappadocia, a fantastic region with lunar landscapes. Hike through the Red Valley; then visit Goreme open-air museum with rock-cut churches (7th-13th centuries) adorned with fine frescoes: the Church of St Barbara, the Church of the Serpent, the Church of the Sandal, the Church of the Apple, the Church of the Buckle... Also visit the underground city of Kaymakli, a labyrinth organized on 4 levels and used as shelter by the local population during the time of invasions. Best place to learn about arts and handcrafts of rural Turkey. Visit a pottery workshop in Avanos and get free lecture by the experts on Turkish hand-made rugs. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 Cappadocia-Ankara
Early in the morning, drive to Ankara, the Turkey’s capital city since 1923. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which displays rich and unique collections from every era; Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze ages; Assyrians, Hittites, Phrygians, are exhibited in a chronological order. Before the hotel one more to see. Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 15
Take a flight or drive directly to Istanbul. Say goodbye to you guide and fellow travelers. If you want to be transferred to the airport let us know.

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Packed Paradise Turkey 2010