The Ancient Cultures

11 DAYS PROGRAM

Highlights: Ankara-Cappadocia-Konya-Pamukkale-Ephesus-Kuşadası-İzmir-İstanbul

DAY 01:     ANKARA

Upon arrival in Ankara our staff will escort you to your hotel in the capital. For the rest of the day , you will be at your leisure.

DAY 02 :    ANKARA-CAPPADOCIA

In  the morning visit to the world-wide famous Anatolian Civilisation Museum also known as Hittite Museum and Mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk , the burial place of of the national hero who founded the Republic of Turkey .Then departure for Cappadocia and lunch will be served on the way.After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake which is the second biggest lake of Turkey arrival to Cappadocia. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03 :       CAPPADOCIA

Breakfast at the hotel.Visit to the Pigeon Valley where you can see colourful  pigeon holes blended with nature.Then visit to the Uçhisar natural outcrop where you can see the panaromic view of  the surrounding area. Then proceed to the Göreme Open Air Museum and visit to the early Christian churches decorated with beautiful frescoes depicting some scenes  from the Old and New Testament. Then visit  to the Monk’s Valley ( or Paşabaglari ) in Zelve to see different rock formations. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. The next visit will be Avanos ( ancient Venessa ) town. Finally visit to  the  Kaymakli underground city where the early Christians  hid from the persecutors. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 04 :    CAPPADOCIA - KONYA- PAMUKKALE ( HIERAPOLIS )

Early departure for Pamukkale (Hierapolis ). On the way visit to the 13th century  Seljukid  masterpiece Sultanhan  Caravanserail ( an ancient inn ) and arrival in Konya . After visiting the convent of whirling derwishes  and the shrine of Mevlana  the founder of Mevlevi- Sufi order , lunch will be served in a local restaurant. Drive to Pamukkale and overnight in a thermal hotel.

DAY 07 :    PAMUKKALE-KUŞADASI

After having breakfast at the hotel, visit to the Hierapolis ancient city (necropolis or graveyards, arch of Domitian, Colonnaded Roman Road etc. ) and walking on the limestone cascades. Then  drive to Aphrodisias ancient site, the city of  the Goddess of Love. The city  was also famous for its sculptural  works in ancient periods. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. Finally drive to Kuşadasi and overnight.

DAY 08 :                                      KUŞADASI – IZMIR-İSTANBUL

In the morning depart to the glorious Ephesus , capital of the Roman Asia Minor ,to see extensive ruins which include 2000 years old marble street , a huge theatre, the library of Celsius and many other magnificent structures . Then visit the house of Virgin Mary on Mt. Koressos. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit the nearby Basilica of St. John, as well the Temple of Artemis which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Drive to İzmir and transfer to the airport.

 DAY 09:                                                İSTANBUL

Meeting at the hotel. Visit the splendors of İstanbul: the “ Hippodrome” the scene of the chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life; the “ Blue Mosque “ ( Sultan Ahmet Mosque ), which is the most splendid of the Imperial Mosques in the city with itc cascade of domes and semi- domes; the “Hagia Sophia “ which was firstly dedicated in the year 360, during the reign of Emperor Constantine the great. Visit  the 6th  century underground Byzantine Basilica cistern with its 336 Corinthian columns. Lunch will be served in a restaurant.Visit the “Topkapı Palace Museum “ , world famous imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans  for nearly 400 years with its superb and unrivaled porcelain collections. Visit  the Covered Bazaar, the historical shopping center with nearly 4400 shops and labirynth-like alleys.Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 10:                                               İSTANBUL

Meeting at the hotel. Transfer to the pier to embark the boat for a cruise  on Bosphorus. . Visit the Süleymaniye  mosque ,( The mosque complex  of  “ Süleyman the Magnificent” )  symbolizing the Golden Age of the  Ottoman Empire.Then visit Kariye Museum, a former Byzantine Church decorated with frescoes. Back to your hotel  and overnight.

DAY 11 :  Check out and transfer to the Airport for your return flight.