Day 1 –ISTANBUL / NICEA / BURSA

Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, meet and drive to
“Old City” from where the Byzantian and Ottoman Empires
were ruled. Hippodrome, center of sportive (chariot races,
athletics) events and political activities of the old city. Obelisk
of Theodosius, Serpentine Column and German Fountain
of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome.
Blue Mosque, facing St. Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik
tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan
Ahmet. St. Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture,
constructed as a basilica in the 6th.century by Emperor
Justinian. Then visit the Underground Cistern. We proceed to
the pier to board on a private boat for the Bosphorus Cruise,
through the waterway separating the two continents, Asia
and Europe, with a possibility to take photographs of marble
palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides
modern residential and luxurious apartments. Then check-in
to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 – BURSA / PERGAMON / KUSADASI
Drive to the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon. Among the
impressive structures of this city, dating from 399 B.C., we will
see the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the 200,000
volume library which was surpassed only by that found in
Alexandria at the time. The Asclepieum of Pergamon was a
famous health centre where methods of treatment included
blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation. Drive to
Kusadasi for overnight.

Day 3 – KUSADASI / EPHESUS / KUSADASI

Then drive to Selcuk town, we will visit the famous ancient
city of Ephesus, one of the world’s finest archaeological
sites. Our tour will begin with the Basilica of St John “the
Evangelist” who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote
his Gospel in Ephesus. Highlights include the Library of
Celcius, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and
the Theatre. We will also stop by the House of Virgin Mary
(on top of Mt Coressos). She was believed to have spent her
last years in this area. On 18 August 1961, Pope John XXII
proclaimed this place to be sacred. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 4 – KUSADASI / THYATIRA / SARDIS / PHILADELPHIA /
PAMUKKALE

After breakfast drive to Izmir and visit Church of Smyrna.
Next, we will stop by Thyateira to see the remains of
the church. This was one of the principle towns where
Christianity spread quickly. Then we will drive to Sardis
whose history dates back to 12th century B.C. Sardis felt the
influence of Christianity very early and was included in the
Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. During the Byzantine
times it was the seat of a bishopric. Highlights will be a
Synagogue, Gymnasium, Byzantine Church and the Temple
of Artemis. Next on our itinerary is Philadelphia which was
an important Christian centre during Byzantine times. We
will see the ruins of the Basilica. Dinner and overnight in
Pamukkale.

Day 5 – PAMUKKALE / LAODICEA / HIERAPOLIS
PAMUKKALE

In the morning drive to Pamukkale , On the way we will visit
Laodicea, where we will find a Theatre, a large Stadium, a
Water Tower and an Odeon. This city is supposed to have
been named by Antiochus II in honour of his wife, Laodicea.
Then we visit Hierapolis, which was founded by Pergamon
King Telephons and named after his wife, Hiera. During
the Byzantine period, the city became the seat of diocese
with a large Christian Church dedicated to St Philip, who
was martyred there in 80 AD. Highlights include the Roman
Baths, , the Theatre and the famous white calcium cascades
of Pamukkale (the white “Cotton Castles”). Dinner and
overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 6 – PAMUKKALE / KONYA / CAPPADOCIA

Following an early breakfast, we drive to Pisidian Antioch
(Yalvac). During Paul’s time, the population was made up of
Jews, Romans and Greeks. Very little is left of Pisidian Antioch

today. Thereafter, we proceed to Konya and stay the night
there. Then drive to Cappadocia. On the way visit Sultanhani
Caravanserai Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 7 – CAPPADOCIA

After breakfast, visit Natural Fortress in Uchisar, where you can
capture a panoramic view of the beautiful plateau. Next visit
Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks used to live in seclusion
in rock cut rooms. Then, we visit the Valleys of Goreme to
explore the unusual troglodyte dwellings, remains of the
early churches comprising complicated rooms hollowed out
of the cones of volcanic ash and decorated with scratched
frescoes. We will visit Goreme Open Air Museum include the
Apple Church, the Church of Sandals, and the Church with a
Buckle. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 8 – CAPPADOCIA / ISTANBUL

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and visit Kaymaklı
Underground City carved into soft rocks resembling a
huge labyrinth of tunnels, rooms, kitchens, wine cellars
and passageways. A huge chimney ventilates this 8-level

dwelling, which was used by Christians hiding from their
Roman and Byzantine persecutors. Their colourful frescoes
remain as vibrant as when they were first made. Then
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. Afternoon transfer to Kayseri Airport for flight
to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 9 – ISTANBUL

After breakfast check-out form the hotel, we drive to the ‘Old
City’ where we will visit the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque,
famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles. Saint Sophia, this
church – turned mosque – turned museum takes the breath
away with the sheer architectural size of its interior and
magnificent dome. Then we will visit Underground Basilica
Cistern. Lastly, we will visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar,
where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme, rise from
hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every store-front. Then
we take the Bosphorus cruise to enjoy the unique experience
of cruising between 2 continents, Asia and Europe. Transfer
to the airport for flight to home.