Included Highlights

• Air transportation NYC/IST/ NYC

• Air transportation Istanbul/Ankara

• All transfers per itinerary

• 5 nights hotel accommodation of your choice in Istanbul

• 5 buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches

• 2 full-days of touring in Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise

• 9 days/8 nights Grand Tour of Turkey: Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Pamukkale, Ephessos, Kusadasi, Izmir, Troy

• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Cappadocia

• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Antalya

• 1 night hotel accommodation in Pamukkale

• 1 night hotel accommodation in Kusadasi

• 1 night hotel accommodation in Izmir

• 1 night hotel accommodation in Canakkale

• 8 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 8 dinners on tour

• Hotel service charges and taxes

• Tourlite International document wallet, luggage tags and travel tips booklet

• Not Included: Turkish visa fee of $45.00

Day 1/Fri Depart USA

Overnight flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

Day 2/Sat Istanbul

Arrive at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome cocktail. Evening at leisure.

Day 3/Sun Istanbul/Ankara/Cappadocia

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ankara, the
capital city of Turkey. Visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum and the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey. Lunch in Ankara. Then, drive to Cappadocia with its spectacular landscape.

Day 4/Mon Cappadocia

Visit the Citadel of Uchisar, Goreme Valley, Zelve, Avanos and the underground city of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu. Lunch.

Day 5/Tue Cappadocia/Konya/Antalya

Visit the underground city of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu. Then drive to the holy city of Konya. Lunch. Visit the shrine of Mevlana Celalleddin Rumi, who inspired the rituals of the “Whirling Dervishes.” Continue to Antalya.

Day 6/Wed Antalya - (Perge/Aspendos/Side)

Today visit the Pamphylian cities of Perge, Aspendos and Side including the Great Theatre, Stadium and the Hellenistic and Roman Gates of Perge. Next, drive to Aspendos and its Roman theater. En route to Side, visit the Manavgat waterfalls. Lunch.

Day 7/Thu Antalya/Pamukkale

Morning departure for Pamukkale with lunch en route. After checking into the hotel, enjoy a swim at the hotel’s pool.

Day 8/Fri Pamukkale/Hierapolis/Aphrodisias/Kusadasi

Morning visit to the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the Necropolis and the great baths of Hierapolis. Lunch. Departure for Aphrodisias with its well preserved stadium, agora and an outstanding museum. Drive to Kusadasi.

Day 9/Sat Kusadasi/Ephessos/Kusadasi

Visit the ruins from the period of St. Paul, such as the Odeon, Monumental Fountains, Great Theatre, Double Church and Stadium. Lunch. Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Basilica of St. John and his Tomb, the Temple of Diana and the Shrine of Virgin Mary, where she spent the last years of her
life. Return to Kusadasi for overnight.

Day 10/Sun Kusadasi/Pergamon/Troy/Canakkale

Today we visit Pergamon and its Acropolis, Temple of Athena, Dionysus, the Altar of Zeus and the Asclepion. Lunch. Continue to Canakkale. On the way visit Troy, the legendary city of beautiful Helen and the Wooden Horse.

Day 11/Mon Canakkale/Gallipoli/Istanbul

Drive to Gallipoli, crossing from Asia to Europe. Visit the Anzac Bay and Memorials dedicated to one of the fiercest battles of World War I. Evening at leisure in Istanbul.

Day 12/Tue Istanbul

Morning cruise on the Bosphorus. Lunch. Drive over the Bosphorus Bridge to Camlica Hill and visit Beylerbeyi Palace, summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Evening at leisure.

Day 13/Wed Istanbul

Today, visit the Hippodrome where chariot races took place during Roman times. Proceed to the Blue Mosque and St. Sophia’s.  Later visit the Topkapi Palace. Lunch. In the afternoon visit the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent. Stop at the Grand Bazaar for shopping. Evening at leisure.

Day 14/Thu Istanbul

Day at leisure. Optional tours are available.

Day 15/Fri Istanbul/USA

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the USA.