Day 1 – ISTANBUL

Arrival at Istanbul Airport, meet at the airport and transfer to the
hotel. After a short rest drive to pier for embark the Bosphorus
Cruise Boat. A scenic journey along the Bosphorus between
two continents, Asia and Europe. Lunch at a sea food restaurant.
Afternoon visit Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves
and thyme rise from hundreds of colourful muslin bags at every
store-front. Overnight in Istanbul. (–,L,–)

Day 2 ISTANBUL
After breakfast drive to the Old City of Istanbul and begin our visit
starting Hippodrome of Constantinople, where horse and chariot
races used to take place and it was the center of Byzantine civic
life. Blue Mosque, with its graceful cascade of domes, its six slender
minarets and its magnificent interior of beautiful blue Iznik tiles.
St.Sophia Museum which is one of the great architectural marvels
of the ancient world. Then visit Underground Cistern and famous
Topkapi Palace, which was home to the sultans between the 15th and
19th centuries. It is now a museum exhibiting imperial collections
of crystal, silver,Chinese porcelain and imperial costumes. Overnight
in Istanbul. (B/L/–)

Day 3 ISTANBUL / IZMIR / EPHESUS / KUSADASI

After breakfast transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Izmir
by TK 2316 at 09:00. Upon arrival, drive to Selcuk to visit the House
of Virgin Mary on top of Mt Coressos. Your memorable visit to
Ephesus will begin as well as viewing one of the Seven Churches
of Revelation, the Temple of Artemis (One of the Seven Wonders of
Antiquity). Then we will visit Sirince Village before check-in to the
hotel. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi . (B/L/D)

Day 4 KUSADASI / BODRUM / MARMARIS

After breakfast, we will depart from the hotel for Bodrum. Upon
arrival the City Tour we will visit the following places. St Peters
Castle, the symbol of Bodrum. The Crusader castle was built by the
Knights of St. John between 1402 and 1409. Today on the walls of
the castle you can see lots of stones from Mausoleum, one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world. Then we will visit the Ancient
Theater, The Theatre is located on the hillside overlooking Bodrum.
The view of the town from there is beautiful.
Then drive to Marmaris for embarkation to the yacht. At the harbor
of Marmaris, we board our traditional Turkish gulet-style yacht
.Our gulet is a teak and oak beauty with both sails and a motor,

an outdoor eating area, and comfortable cushions for
relaxing on the observation decks, fore and aft. There
are seven or eight snug cabins below, each with its
own head and shower. You meet our expert captain
and his friendly crew. The captain and your Trip Leader
take you on a short tour of the gulet, and give you
information about safety and comfort on board. To
keep the decks and cushions clean, we don’t wear our
shoes on board; rather, we recommend watershoes,
flip-flops, or slippers. Dinner and overnight on board.
(B/L/D)

Day 5 MARMARIS / CAUNUS / DALYAN / EKINCIK

We cruise to Ekincik Cove, where a small riverboat
meets us and takes us on a side trip upriver on the
Dalyan River. A shimmering blue band, the Dalyan
River snakes amid bamboo and cattails, glimmering
like the nearby Mediterranean Sea. Named for
dalyans, the fishing weirs that have supported locals
for centuries, the river reveals abundant birdlife. As
we cruise this lovely waterway, we may well see some
of the many species of birds that live here, from the
shy ibis to the fearless gull. When our small riverboat
brings us to Iztuzu Beach, we may also discover the
Loggerhead Sea Turtles, depending on the season,
who have nested here since the age of the dinosaurs.
You’ll be transported by the tranquil sands, which
are bordered by the Dalyan on one side and the
Mediterranean on the other. After lunch in a local
tavern, we visit the ancient Lycian site of Caunus, a
beautiful ancient site where we clamber around the
temples, baths, nympheum and an ancient theater.
We have striking views along the way of Lycian temple
tombs hugging a rock face. We return to our gulet for
dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 6 EKINCIK COVE / GOCEK BAY

In the morning, we cruise to Aga Limani, or “Friendship
Cove.” There’s time for a swim this morning before
we begin today’s hike, which some consider to be
our trip’s most challenging. We hike through forests,
meadows and spectacular coastal scenery to a littleknown

Greco-Roman site called Lydea. We walk a
pine-shaded trail amid the smells of wild herbs, and
the music of goat bells, with spectacular vistas of the
Gocek Lagoon and Bay of Fethiye.
The hike takes about three hours: the first hour or so is

uphill. As we hike, our gulet sails around to meet us in a spectacular
cove which shelters the sunken baths of Cleopatra, built for her by
Mark Antony. Legend says that Antony gave Cleopatra the entire
Turquoise Coast as a wedding gift – a present fit for a queen. This is
another excellent place to swim, if you feel so inclined. (B/L/D)

Day 7 GOCEK / GEMILER ISLAND

This morning we begin our cruise along the craggy Mediterranean
coast. We make a landing on a small beach in the Bay of Gemiler, and
drive to a spot near Kayakoy, a Greek “ghost town.” From here, we begin
our hike to Kayakoy, on a rarely used trail that follows the side of a hill
full of carob trees, thyme, and bay, with incredible vistas of inlets and
lacy coastline. Anatolian Greeks once inhabited this city, with about
600 houses. During the 1920s, the entire population was relocated
to Greece in the aftermath of the Turkish War of Independence. It
is an eerie and moving place, a tragic reminder of how politics can
affect human lives. The hike takes two hours. We walk first uphill, then
descend on a well-graded but sometimes rocky path to a cove at
Soguk Su. (Please note that if you elect not to join the hike, you will
need to stay onboard the gulet, which sails to meet us at Soguk Su.)
In the afternoon, we cruise to nearby Gemiler Island, where we see
a sixth-century Byzantine monastery and ancient churches and
refectories. If you like, you can hike to the top of the island, about a
400-foot elevation gain, for a breathtaking view of the azure channel
below. We return to our gulet in the afternoon, and you may have time
for a brief swim before dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 8 GEMILER ISLAND / FETHIYE / ANTALYA

In the morning, we have our last breakfast on board and make a short
cruise to the harbor at Fethiye, where we meet our minibus. We bid
a fond farewell to our captain and crew. Then drive to Antalya. On
the way we will visit the ancient city of Myra where St. Paul met the
apostles before their journey to Rome. We will also visit the Church of
St. Nicholas who was the bishop here in the 4th century. Overnight in
Antalya. (B/L/D)

Day 9 ANTALYA / PAMUKKALE

After breakfast visit Old City and Harbour. Then drive to Pamukkale.
Upon arrival we will tour the Antique City of Hierapolis where
Calcareous hot springs descending over cliffs have created
fascinating travertines in the form of white terrace and basins. Dinner
and overnight in Pamukkale. (B/L/D)

Day 10 PAMUKKALE / KONYA

Today, travel to Konya. Konya was founded by the Romans in the 2nd
century as Iconium. Certainly the Mevlana Museum is one of the most
important places to visit in Konya. This small museum is next to a
16th century mosque which was built by Sinan during Sultan Selim II

Day 11 KONYA / CAPPADOCIA

Following breakfast, drive to Cappadocia. Situated
near a former volcano, the unique landscape of
Cappadocia evolved through erosion of the ash
sedimentation by wind, sun, rain and snow. Enroute
stop by the 13th century Sultanhani Caravansarai,
the ancient ‘hotels’ during the silk road time.
Overnight in Cappadocia. (B/L/D)

Day 12 CAPPADOCIA

Enjoy full day tour through the many valleys
and conical cliffs, with whole cities hewed from
these rocks cliffs. Included is the Goreme Valley,
Underground City of Kaymakli, Valley of the Birds
and Uchisar Castle, where you can capture a
panoramic view of the beautiful plateau. Dinner
and overnight in Cappadocia. (B/L/D)

Day 13 CAPPADOCIA / ISTANBUL

OPTIONAL: Early in the morning Baloon Tour After
breakfast check-out from the hotel. Than visit
Avanos Village followed by the famous local pottery
shows. Transfer to Kayseri Airport for domestic
flight to Istanbul by TK 2015 (16:25/17:55). Transfer
to the hotel for overnight in Istanbul. (B/L/–)

Day 14 ISTANBUL Departure

Free until transfer time. Then transfer to airport for
flight to home. (B/–/–)