ITINERARY:  (11 DAYS)
ISTANBUL BURSA AIZANOI KUTAHYA AFYON YAZILIKAYA
PAMUKKALE APHRODISIAS EPHESUS ASSOS TROY ISTANBUL
This tour is a combination of the best highlights of Western Turkey and also some rarely visited sites in central Aegean Turkey. Some thermal hotels are featured. No domestic flights are needed. This tour is a full-service escorted tour including entry fees and most meals. In Istanbul you are free to enjoy dinners in Istanbul's fine restaurants, or go to an optional Turkish night or a dinner in Kumkapi (fish restaurants).

DAY 2 (MON)
ISTANBUL- SULTANAHMET
Visit The St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years  (from the outside as it is closed). See its intricate mosaics and huge central dome. Continue to the Topkapi palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We will also see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed. (Entrance to the Harem is extra). After lunch we will see the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. Visit the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Visit the Grand Covered Bazaar. Walk through the back streets of Old Istanbul and visit the elegant little Sokullu Pasa mosque and the hidden underground Theodosian Cistern. We will also visit the Kariye Church (Chora museum) with its 14th c mosaics and frescoes, depicting scenes from the Bible and the Grand Covered Bazaar. Overnight in 4* or boutique hotel. B.L.

DAY 3 (TUE)
ISTANBUL - BURSA
We will depart Istanbul in the morning and cross the Marmara Sea by ferry to Yalova. We continue to Bursa and may have lunch in the famous "Iskender Kebab" restaurant. We visit the Ulu (Great) Mosque, the Silk Market, Green Mosque, Tombs of Osman and Orhan and the Muradiye Complex. We may also be able to visit the museum and see a performance of the shadow puppets Hacivat and Karagoz. Overnight in 4* thermal or special category hotel. B.L.D.
 

DAY 4 (WED) BURSA-CUMALIKIZIK-AIZANOI -KUTAHYA - AFYON
We will depart Bursa in the morning and visit the village of Cumalikizik. It is said that Osman Gazi, founder of the Ottoman Empire established seven villages for his seven sons nearly seven hundred years ago. This is one of the villages on the slopes of Ulu Mountain. The narrow streets have cobblestones and the ground floor of the houses have exterior stone walls reinforced by wooden beams. The upper floor is of timber and
clay bricks. Free time in the village. We continue our journey into the interior of Anatolia to see one of the most perfectly preserved Roman temples in Asia Minor. The temple of Zeus is impressive but also houses an ancient underground Shrine to the Mother Goddess. We will also see the ruins of a unique stadium and theater, which are joined together. We will continue into the village to see the ruins of the world's first stock exchange, built in the 1st or 2nd century A.D. Here you see the maximum prices of commodities and livestock inscribed on stone slabs in the circular market building and the ancient Agora. We will visit Kutahya and see the old Quarter. Kutahya is a famous center of tile and ceramic making. Overnight in 4* thermal hotel. B.L.D.

DAY 5 (THU) AFYON - YAZILIKAYA (KINGDOM OF MIDAS) - PAMUKKALE
We will visit the impressive site of Yazilikaya (City of Midas) and the Temple of Cybele (Mother Goddess), with its mysterious Phrygian inscriptions. We will walk up the processional way, with its rock-cut figures to the acropolis of the ancient city, where there are two altars. We will also see the unfinished temple and staircases cut into the rock, which descend to a water cistern. The Phrygians emigrated from Thrace to Anatolia in 1200 B.C. Time permitting
we may visit a central Anatolian village or other sites. Arrive in Pamukkale and overnight in 4* thermal. B.L.D.

DAY 6 (FRI)
PAMUKKALE - APHRODISIAS - KUSADASI
In the morning visit the ancient site of Hierapolis, including theater, Temple of Apollo and extensive necropolis and the special museum housed in a Roman bath, then the calcium terraces of Pamukkale. Today we will also visit the Greco-Roman site of Aphrodisias, which is still being excavated. Features the Temple of Aphrodite, two agoras, a huge intact stadium, Baths of Hadrian and theater. As Aphrodisias was the site of a famous sculptural school you will be able to enjoy excellent examples of marble work. Continue to Kusadasi through the Meander Valley and overnight in 4* hotel. B.L.D

DAY 7 (SAT)
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY- BASILICA OF ST JOHN - KUSADASI
Today we will visit the house of Virgin Mary, which is a major pilgrimage site, then Ephesus, with the Library of Celsius, Temple of Hadrian, agora and fantastic Greco-Roman theater. We will also visit the village of Sirince, Basilica of St. John and remains of the Temple of Artemis, which was known as one of Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Overnight in 4* hotel. B.L.D.
 

DAY 8 (SUN) KUSADASI - PERGAMON - ASSOS
Today we will visit Pergamon, with its impressive theater and acropolis high atop the hill. It is renown for the Zeus Temple. We will also visit the Asclepion, which was a famous center of healing in the ancient world. We will continue to Assos (Behramkale) and visit the ancient city of Assos and Temple of Athena. You can see the Greek Island of Lesvos from here. Assos was the place where the first philosophy school of Aristotle was located. We will have free time in the
village and then drive down to the small ancient harbor. Overnight in special hotel made of stone. B.L.D.

DAY 9 (MON)
ASSOS - TROY - ISTANBUL
Today we will make a special visit to Troy, the legendary city of Homer, which has nine principal levels of occupation covering a period of 3000 years. We will cross the Dardanelles Straight and continue to Istanbul. (A visit to Gallipoli is also possible). Overnight in 4* or boutique hotel. B.L

DAY 10 (TUE)
ISTANBUL (LEISURE)
Day of leisure in Istanbul. Overnight in 4* or boutique hotel. B.

DAY 11 (WED)
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport for departure. B.

TOUR PRICE: (IN EUROS)

ANCIENT KINGDOMS TOUR (TOUR CODE: RA11)

CULTURAL TOURS
	Highlights of Turkey Tour
	Biblical Turkey - Seven Churches
	Anatolian Houses and Temples
	Ancient Kingdoms Tour
	Mysteries of Eastern Turkey
	Best of the Aegean and Med Tour
	Grand Tours of Turkey