This 14 day tour, starts and ends in Istanbul, Turkey.
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore.
After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene) and the Hippodrome.
Cruise between two continents on the stretch of water that separates Europe from Asia in the afternoon with an optional 'Half day Bosphorus cruise'.
One of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, today we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, original trenches and tunnels.
This morning, step back in time as we visit Troy, home of the famed Trojan Horse and then tour the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum. Its impressive temples and library made Pergamum a renowned cultural and political centre in its time.
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
Today we travel the ancient Silk Road visiting Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana museum in Konya along the way. Tonight, don't miss the optional traditional Turkish folklore evening!
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, and explore the many levels of an underground city.
Departure in the morning from Cappadocia, we we cross the Tekir plateau towards Adiyaman and Mt Nemrut. Along the way our first stop will be the Seljuk Karatay Caravansaray. The next stop will be Pinarbasi for a short tea break. From here we pass through Adiyaman and visit Arsemia, once the capital of the Commagene Kingdom, before continuing to the ancient Severus (Cendere) Bridge and the Karakus Tumulus where members of the royal family were buried. This evening we will go to Mt Nemrut, ascend the mountain, watch the magical sunrise over the plateau, and visit the massive ancient rock statues. After the sunset we return to Adiyaman.
Today we drive to Sanliurfa, visiting Ataturk Dam, Turkey's largest, along. After short break we drive to Gobekli Tepe, predating Stonehenge by some 6,000 years, some believe it is the site of the world's oldest temple. We then visit the Harran, a village of Mud-Brick "beehive" houses mentioned in the book of Genesis where Abraham spend last years of his life. we will visit the ruins of Harran including city walls, oldest Islamic university and the castle dated to eighteen century. We then drive back to Sanliurfa where we will stay and you will have chance to see Mevlid-i Halil Mosque, where you can see the Prophet Abraham Cave and the Pools of the Holy Carp surrounding it, then wander around oriental covered bazaar.
Departure from Sanliurfa for Gaziantep where you can see the famous Mosaic Museum, the largest in the world and home to the famous 'Gypsy Girl' mosaic. This museum exhibits superb mosaics discovered at the roman site of Belkis - Zeugma before Birecik Dam flooded most of the site.
Then we continue to the province of Hatay we see the amazing Roman Titus tunnel. Hatay has a very interesting history. Jews, Christians, and Muslims have left their mark here and there are remnants from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. The capital of Hatay, Antakya, or the biblical Antioch, has an attractive lifestyle with its restaurants, cafes, bars and its culinary culture which attracts gourmets from far and wide.
After breakfast, the day will start with the visit to the Church of St. Peter. Next, we will visit amazing Hatay Archaeology Museum famous for its extensive collection of Roman and Byzantine Era mosaics. Before we leave Hatay, take the chance to taste the regional delicious cuisine.
In the afternoon we drive to Tarsus. Upon arrival, we'll have walking tour in between the narrow streets where the restored old houses are located side by side, we visit the Well of Paul, St. Paul Church and Cleopatra Gate.
After breakfast, we drive to Erdemli to see the Maiden's Castle. Then we will visit another wonder of nature known as "Heaven and Hell". After visiting this amazing gorge, we will drive to Adana Airport for our flight back to Istanbul.
After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends and are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
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