Authentic Adventure Option B

Historical and Boutique Hotels

Included Highlights

• Stays at historical, boutique and cave hotels
• Option to visit local villages, markets and have lunch with locals
• Option to Turkish Gulet yacht cruise (Blue Voyage)
• Some dinners at local restaurants
• First hand experience to learn pottery making
• Program offers some easy walks
• Visit to a Winery and taste Turkish Wines.

Day 1 Thu: Istanbul
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Welcome briefing will be held.

Day 2 Fri: Istanbul
Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453-1852(excluding harem). Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the center of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Next see St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and now a museum and one of the worlds greatest architectural wonders. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. B

Day 3 Sat: Gallipoli – Dardanelles – Canakkale
In the morning, depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, then cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale for overnight. B D

Day 4 Sun: Troy – Pergamum – Izmir
Visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of each other. Before arriving into Asclepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional local village. Then continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Center in Asclepion and continue to Izmir for overnight. Optional: Dinner at local restaurant. B L

Day 5 Mon: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House – Izmir
Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a regional rug production center to have a rsthand experience of this unique art form. B D

Day 6 Tue: Izmir – Bodrum
After breakfast drive to Bodrum to visit th castle of St.Peter and the renowned Underwater Museum that was awarded the best Underwater Museum of the World in 2000s. Dinner & Overnight in Bodrum. B D

Day 7 Wed: Bodrum – Kos
After breakfast, the day is free for personal activities. Optional day island Kos. Overnight in Bodrum. B

Day 8 Thu: Bodrum – Cappadocia
After breakfast, late morning departure to the airport for flight to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight at Cappadocia. B D

Day 9 Fri: Cappadocia
Early Morning Optional Hot Air Balloon Tour. Experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which was first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for it is high-quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi, Devrent Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop. Dinner at a special local restaurant. Join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. B D

Day 10 Sat: Cappadocia – Istanbul
After breakfast depart to the airport for flight to Istanbul. In the afternoon, join an optional halfday Bosphorus cruise enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighborhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels park and gardens, restaurants, and cafes. Finish your last minute shopping at the Spice Market filled with the fragrance of the exotic east. B

Day 11 Sun: Istanbul
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. B

Price Includes

• Boutique Class hotels
• Meals are indicated on itineraries by B breakfast L lunch and D Dinner
• Licensed guides throughout  Turkey
• Private air-conditioned transportation
• Luggage handling
• Local taxes and service charges
• Arrival/departures transfers: only on arrival and departure days. Pre or post stay transfers are not included.

Price Excludes

• Personal expenses
• Optional tours
• Customary tips to guide and drivers