Arrival  to  Istanbul,  meet  and  assist  at  the  airport  and  transfer  to  the  city centre. A full day tour with Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its more than 20.000 blue Iznik tiles and unique with its 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet in the 17th century, one of  the  best  examples  of classical Turkish art. St. Sophia: The magnificent Byzantine Church; one of the finest architectural works in the world. It has been  nominated  as the  8th wonder of the world by many historians. Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot  races, athletic  events, victory  celebrations, and  political  activities  of the old city where one can also see today the “Obelisk of Theodosius” from Egypt, “Serpentine Column” from Delphi, the “German Fountain of Wilhelm II” and the “Colossus”. After visiting Grand Covered Bazaar, the most attractive shopping center in the world with nearly 4000 shops, time for lunch. In the afternoon, proceed to Topkapi Palace – built in 1468 by Mehmet  the Conqueror, the imperial residence  of  Ottoman  sultans  housing  the souvenirs of 600  years  and  exhibiting imperial  treasury, Chinese  porcelains, weapons and calligraphy section.

After breakfast drive to Canakkale, visit Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles – particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. drive to Canakkale for overnight.

Morning departure for Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Bergama and visit Pergamum, impressive site of an ancient kingdom, where we visit the Asclepieum, which was a famous health center where methods of treatment including blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation performed. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Drive to the lively coastal town of Kusadasi for dinner and overnight stay.

Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City, one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated  ruins. Visit leather products centre with fashion show. Continue with Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. After lunch departure for Pamukkale. Tour the ruins of Hierapolis including  the magnificently preserved  cemetery “Necropolis”, the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre. Dinner and  overnight  at your hotel in Pamukkale.

Morning drive to Cappadocia. On the way, lunch in Konya. After visiting the Mausoleum  of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic figure, and viewing the Sultanhan Caravanserai drive to Cappadocia and overnight.

Optional balloon tour in the morning. After  breakfast  depart  for  the Cappadocia tour, visit the valleys where animal-like natural  formations like camels and  fair  chimneys are  abundant. Visit Underground  city of  Ozkonak or Kaymakli. 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. In the afternoon visit  

        Open Air Museum in Goreme, where you can see early Christian

       churches decorated with  unique  frescoes depicting various scenes from

        the Bible. Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Shopping time for the well-

       known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia.