Istanbul, Canakkale, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Cappadocia, Ankara and Baku.

March 30th, 2025 - Sunday

Arrive in Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager , followed by a light dinner.
Overnight in Istanbul
Meal: Dinner

March 31st, 2025 - Monday

Istanbul City Tour

Embark on a morning tour of Istanbul, the only city that straddles two continents. Your tour includes a short briefing and a picture stop at the courtyard of the Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque. Continue to the Hippodrome, the place chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Then, head to Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans. Afterwards, explore the Spice Market with its unforgettable aromas.
In the afternoon, enjoy your visit to the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, which houses a collection of Islamic writings, tiles, and carpets as well as various cultural displays that provide insight into Turkish life throughout history.
Your tour will also take you to visit St. Sophia - the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century, which remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, it was later converted to a mosque.
Overnight in Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 1st, 2025 - Tuesday

Gallipoli Tour, Canakkale

This morning, drive to the town of Gallipoli, site of the famous Ottoman victory against the Allies during World War I.
Visit the Anzac Cemetery, a memorial to the casualties of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Afterwards, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and continue to the Canakkale province, located in northwest Turkey, where you will arrive in the early evening
Overnight in Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 2nd, 2025 - Wednesday

Troy, Pergamum Tour, Travel to Izmir

This morning, proceed to the classical city of Troy. Tour this 4000-year-old city and legendary center of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer`s epic poem The Iliad.
Then, drive to Pergamum, a powerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period, and visit Asklepion, the ancient Roman spa center. Enjoy lunch in a local village before continuing to Izmir, a city believed to be the birthplace of Homer
Overnight in Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

April 3rd, 2025 - Thursday

Full Day Ephesus

Tour the Ancient City of Ephesus where the Temple of Artemis, one of the "seven wonders of the ancient world" once stood. Once an important trade center as well as a religious center of early Christianity, the ruins at Ephesus are among the best preserved in the region. Walk along the 2000 year old marble and cobblestone streets. See the Great Theatre that once seated over 24,000 people, dating back to the 1st century AD. Now an open-air archaeological museum, Ephesus was once home to notable philosophers, gladiators, and rulers.
The Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the steam baths of Scholastica, Temple of Hadrian, and the two-storied Library of Celsus are some the ancient sites you`ll behold on the walking tour. Visit the Great Theatre, where St. Paul preached and one of the largest theaters in antiquity. Pass through the Arcadian Way, where Mark Antony and Cleopatra once rode in procession and visit the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary near a grove of olive trees, believed to be her last residence and the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, which houses thousands of ancient artifacts from the nearby excavation sites. Lunch at a local restaurant follows the tour.
Overnight in Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

April 4th, 2025 - Friday

Pamukkale City Tour

Today, depart in the early morning from Izmir and drive to Pamukkale en route to Antalya where you will arrive in the evening. Visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hierapolis "Holy City", situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs, which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pamukkale hot springs have served as a thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C., primarily for the ailing and elderly, many of whom have retired here
Overnight in Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 5th, 2025 - Saturday

Perge, Aspendos & Antalya Archaeological Museum

Drive to Perge, a Pamphylian city. Perge was founded in 13th century B.C. It is the most attractive and well preserved Pamphylian city. The ancient theater, stadium, towers, Agora, Acropolis and the Palaestra which were given to Emperor Claudius are the highlights of the ancient city.
Continue to Aspendos, founded in 1000 B.C. by the colonists from Argos. Though it is well-known for its theater with a capacity of 30,000 people, the city also boasts a stadium and a fountain. All the ruins in the city have remained from the Roman period and the theater is still being used for contemporary concerts.
Later, return to Antalya and visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum which houses artifacts and antiques from 2500 years of Anatolian culture.
Overnight in Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 6th, 2025 - Sunday

Cappadocia Sightseeing

Today, depart in the early morning to travel to Cappadocia. En route, visit the 13th-century Caravanserai of Sultanhan, a large abandoned city and shelter in Cappadocia, built on the Silk Road. During the Seljuk period, trade flourished, requiring roads for caravan transport and inns for the traveling traders. The Caravanserai provided these traders, with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences.
Continue to Nevsehir in Cappadocia where you will arrive in the evening.
Tonight, you will enjoy the performance of the world-famous Whirling Dervishes also known as the "Sema Ritual", Whirling Dervish performances began with the inspiration of Mawlana Jalaleddin Rumi, one of the greatest mystical poets of Islam. The Mevlevi Sufi order was founded to follow his teachings. The captivating dance of the Whirling Dervishes, which displays infinite spinning in perfect harmony, is part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture. It is a rare opportunity to experience a seven-century old ritual, featuring beautiful costumes, live music with flutes, string and percussion, and the amazing sight of the Dervishes whirling on the stage.
Overnight in Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 7th, 2025 - Monday

Half Day in Cappadocia

After breakfast, embark on a tour to Cappadocia. Visit the Open Air Museum in Goreme Valley to see the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible.
Continue to the village of Avanos that is famous for its production of earthenware pottery.
Afterwards, proceed to the Ozkonak Underground City, an ancient city built on the northern slopes of Mt. Idis. The city has many strata made up of volcanic granite. Its larger areas are connected to each other by tunnels. Ozkonak had a built-in communication system of pipes on each of its levels, unlike Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, which have no such systems. Each carved out room had ventilation provided by holes when the city was closed against enemies.
Overnight in Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 8th, 2025 - Tuesday

Cappadocia to Ankara, Ankara City Tour

This morning depart for Ankara, the capital city of Turkey.
Upon arrival, visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum, view the vast brick courtyard and monumental avenue lined with Neo-Hittite stone statues and cenotaphs beneath its colonnades. The most noted cenotaphs within the complex are those of General Ismet Inonu, a close comrade of Ataturk`s and that of Ataturk himself, beneath which lies his tomb.
Continue to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum and view exhibits featuring Anatolian archaeological artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic Age
Overnight in Ankara
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 9th, 2025 - Wednesday

Half Day Istanbul

This morning return to Istanbul.
Arrive in the afternoon and join the cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia.
No stay in Istanbul would be complete without a traditional and unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia. The humble fishing villages and suspension bridges set against the dramatic outline of the Strait exemplify the newest link between the East and West.
Overnight in Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 10th, 2025 - Thursday

Depart Turkey, Azerbaijan

After breakfast at 13:00 AM transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight to Azerbaijan
17:15 your flight will take off from Istanbul airport.
21:00 your flight will arrive to Heydar Aliyev International Airport, upon arrival to Baku. you will be transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Baku.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 11th, 2025 - Friday

Baku City Tour

After breakfast start your day with the panoramic view of the Baku Bay from the Upland Park observe the famous Flame towers.
Acquaintance with the city architecture of XIX, XX cc., Nizami Street and Fountain square.
Then a walking tour in the Old City (UNESCO heritage): Maiden Tower (XII c.), Shirvanshahs Palace (XV c.), medieval Caravanserai, numerous mosques, hamam (bathhouse), a market square, carpet shops, art studios and souvenir stalls.
Evening, enjoy a boat trip at the Baku Bay (subject to weather).
Overnight in Baku
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 12th, 2025 - Saturday

Gobustan City Tour, Baku

After breakfast head to your trip to Mud Volcanoes, the unique natural phenomenon of the country. Almost half of the mud volcanoes on our planet are located in Azerbaijan.
Continue to Gobustan Reserve, open-air archeological museum. Observe the caves and petroglyphs of the Neolithic period (Stone Age).
Then Visiting of the Bibi Heybat, one of the large mosques in Baku.
This evening visit the National Carpet Museum.
Have a walk at the Seaside Boulevard and Little Venice Park.
Overnight in Baku.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 13th, 2025 - Sunday

Absheron City Tour, Baku

After breakfast you will visit the local market Yashil bazar.
Then head to the Cultural Center named after H.Aliyev. Recognized as one of the world`s famous buildings, the masterpiece of Zaha Hadid has become an architectural landmark of the modern Baku.
Trip to the Absheron Peninsula: explore the Fire Worshippers Temple Ateshgah. Until the late XIX century, it was the Zoroastrian pilgrimage place.
This evening admire the flaming mountain Yanardag, where natural gas comes to the surface and is burning since ancient times, attracting fire worshippers during many centuries.
Overnight in Baku.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

April 14th, 2025 - Monday

Departure

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your international flight back to the USA
Meal: Breakfast