The Symbolic Trojan Horse at Troy

A SAMPLER OF TURKISH TREASURES
11 DAYS

Turkey offers more than 1,000 interesting places to see! But, most people consider Istanbul, Ephesus and Cappadocia to be the highlights of their travels in Turkey. So, we have designed a tour that covers these and several more places of interest in just 11 days: From the mystical Cappadocia with its underground cities and "Fairy Chimneys" to the magnificent Ephesus; then to Troy, immortalized with its wooden horse; and finally Istanbul, the only city in the world that spans two continents. On your next trip, you can spend more time in each of the places that you consider to be the "highlights" of Turkey. We are using Deluxe or "best available" hotels in this tour.

DAY 1: ANKARA Arrive at Ankara airport. Transfer to hotel. Welcome Cocktail and dinner at hotel. (D)

DAY 2: CAPPADOCIA Visit Atatürk's Mausoleum and the Museum of Ancient Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. After lunch, drive to Cappadocia. Dinner with entertainment. (B,L,D/E)

DAY 3: CAPPADOCIA Sightseeing in underground city and among churches carved in volcanic rock, and a landscape of Fairy Chimneys. Lunch and dinner at restaurants. (B,L,D)

DAY 4: IZMIR Sightseeing in Ihlara Valley before the drive to Ankara for lunch and transfer to the airport. Flight to Izmir. Transfer to hotel in Izmir. Dinner at hotel. (B,L,D)

DAY 5: IZMIR Sightseeing in Ephesus, Basilica of St. John, House of The Virgin Mary, The Efes Museum. Lunch at Selçuk. Dinner at a restaurant. (B,L,D)

DAY 6: ÇANAKKALE Sightseeing in Pergamum. Lunch at Bergama (Pergamum). Sightseeing in Troy. Drive to Çanakkale. Dinner at hotel. (B,L,D)

DAY 7: BURSA Drive to Bursa. Lunch at a famous Döner Kebap (Gyro) restaurant. Visit the Green Mosque and Mausoleum and the Silk Bazaar. Dinner at hotel. (B,L,D)

DAY 8: ISTANBUL Drive to Istanbul. Lunch en route. Afternoon at leisure. (B,L)

DAY 9: ISTANBUL Visit the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Underground Cistern, and St. Sophia Museum. Lunch on the grounds of Topkapi Palace. Visit Topkapi Palace and the Covered Bazaar. Dinner at a special restaurant. (B,L,D)

DAY 10: ISTANBUL Cruise on the Bosphorus, with lunch on the European shore. Visit Dolmabahçe Palace, Watch a performance of the Janissary Band at the Military Museum (if scheduled). Farewell Cocktail and dinner at a special location. (B,L,D)

DAY 11: Transfer to the airport for the flight to your next destination. (B)

B = Breakfast included, L = Lunch included, D = Dinner included, D/E = Dinner and entertainment included
NOTE: The city or region designated next to a tour day (e.g., DAY 6: ANTALYA) indicates the location of overnight stay.