Treasures of Turkey  z 06 Nights / 07 Days Pkg

Itinerary :
Day 1: Sun : In the morning visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia with lunch on the way. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake visit to the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. After visiting Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel for overnight (L, D).

Day 2: Mon : Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at 09.30-10.00 depending on the arrival time of the participants and visit the Imagination Valley where animal-like natural formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. After lunch break visit to the Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Continue on to Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. After shopping time for the well-known merits of the area, drive back to the hotel (B, L, D).

Day 3: Tue : Drive to visit to the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai and arrive in Konya. Lunch. Visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic and then proceed to Karatay Theological School in which beautiful tiles are on display. After lunch time drive to Pamukkale and overnight (B, L, D).

Day 4: Wed : Tour the beautiful snow-white "Cotton Castle" and the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. After lunch tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Proceed to the hotel in Kusadasi (B, L, D).

Day 5: Thu : Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. Lunch. Selcuk Ephesus Museum or St. John Church. Time for shopping. Overnight in Kusadasi (B, L, D).

Day 6: Fri : Early departure for Bergama and visit to the Asclepion and Acropol with the well preserved remains. After lunch continue on to Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Canakkale for overnight. (When there is unavailability at the hotels in Canakkale there might be overnight in Assos as well) (B, L, D)

Day 7: Sat : After breakfast sail to the other side of Dardanelles by a ferryboat and drive to Istanbul with visit to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles - particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. Arrive in Istanbul early afternoon (due to the flight schedules of some participants) and transfer to the hotel or airport (B, L).