Itinerary

Day 1:
(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Istanbul, Turkey. (Sat.) After arrival at Atatürk Airport, check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start soaking up the unique atmosphere of this city built on two continents. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 3:
Istanbul. (Sun.) Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, renamed Constantinople in the year 330 when Constantine the Great elected it the capital of the Roman Empire, and finally called Istanbul after the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century, the city on the Bosporus always was and still is one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as gateway between Orient and Occident, the Islamic and the Christian world, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, predestined it for a turbulent history. Start your sightseeing at Emperor Justinian’s HAGIA SOPHIA and Sultan Ahmet’s BLUE MOSQUE, magnificent monuments to two competing world religions standing peacefully side by side. Next, turn to the TOPKAPI SERAGLIO, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Admire its exquisite collection of Chinese porcelain and the stunning Imperial Treasury including the “Spoonmaker’s Diamond.” After a lunch break tour the GRAND BAZAAR (arranged next morning if closed today) with its 4,000 tiny shops. The rest of the afternoon is free. For a taste of Turkish nightlife, join our optional dinner outing and discover the fascination of belly dancing. (BB)

Day 4:
Istanbul–Bursa. (Mon.) Set out today on your discovery tour of a country with the population of Britain and more than three times its size. Cross the Bosporus and then follow the shores of the Sea of Marmara to the Gulf of Gemlik. Here you head inland towards the Uludag, also called the Mount Olympus of Mysia, a 7,700-foot skiing mountain. Bursa lies in its shade, surrounded by lovely orchards and tobacco fields. Founded by the Greeks and hotly contested during the Crusades, Bursa had its heyday as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. In the afternoon visit the great monuments to this period: the ornate GREEN OTTOMAN COMPLEX and the GREAT MOSQUE (Ulu Camii) and the ancient Covered Bazaar. (BB,D)

Day 5:
Bursa–Ankara. (Tue.) Motor into the heart of the Anatolian Highland. After a break at Eskisehir, whose meerschaum pipes are world famous, head for GORDION. Tour the excavations of the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Phrygia, where Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot and thus opened the way to Asia. Hear about the legend of King Midas with the golden touch as you visit the ruler’s great EARTH TUMULUS. Overnight in Ankara, capital of the Turkish Republic since 1923 and the country’s second-largest city. (BB,D)

Day 6:
Ankara–Cappadocia. (Wed.) Morning visit to the MAUSOLEUM OF ATATÜRK, the revered founder of the Republic, and the MUSEUM OF ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS with its unique collection of Hittite sun discs, stag cult figures and reliefs, and Phrygian metalwork. In the afternoon head through the salt steppes and swamps of central Anatolia towards the volcanic plateau of Cappadocia. En route a visit to the walled 13th-century Seljuk CARAVANSARY OF AGCIKARAHAN. (BB,D)

Day 7:
Cappadocia. (Thu.) Today visit the unreal moon-landscape of Göreme with its ROCK CHAPELS carved by the early Christians and decorated with frescoes dating from the 6th to the 10th centuries. Next are the Byzantine MONASTIC COMPLEX of Zelve, the TROGLODYTE VILLAGE of Avcilar, and the UNDERGROUND CITY of Özkonak. Before returning to the hotel, enjoy the sweeping panorama at ancient Ortahisar. (BB,D)

Day 8:
Cappadocia–Konya. (Fri.) West today to the land of the Whirling Dervishes. Morning break south of the great salt lake Tuz Gölü in the fortress-like CARAVANSARY OF SULTANHANI. Afternoon in Konya. The Iconium of antiquity occupies a fertile island in the arid Anatolian steppes. Man has lived here since the early Stone Age, and the town had its moment of glory as the capital of the mighty Seljuk Empire from 1078 to 1307. Today it thrives on agriculture and the manufacture of fine carpets. Afternoon sightseeing features visits to three outstanding Seljuk structures: the MEVLANA MONASTERY of the Dervishes, now a museum; the KARATAY MEDRESE (theological school); and the elegant INCE MINARET. (BB,D)

Day 9:
Konya–Antalya. (Sat.) Drive west to Aksehir, then south across the Taurus Mountains into the luxuriant green forests, orchards, and olive groves on the hills sloping down to the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. You enter an area only recently discovered by discerning European vacationers. (BB,D)

Day 10:
At Leisure in Antalya. (Sun.) A full day to enjoy this Mediterranean paradise and to discover its antique treasures. If you wish, join an optional excursion to the Pamphylian cities of Perge and Aspendos. (BB,D)

Day 11:
Antalya–Pamukkale. (Mon.) Morning drive inland across two mountain passes to Pamukkale. The name means "Cotton Castle" and refers to the spectacular white lime cascades formed by its hot springs. Visit the fascinating archaeological site of HIERAPOLIS, the thermal resort founded by a Pergamene king in 190 B.C. and greatly enlarged and embellished by the Romans. At the hotel tonight, a leisurely bath in a pool of hot thermal water might be just the way to relax. (BB,D)

Day 12:
Pamukkale–Izmir. (Tue.) Follow the valley of the Menderes River to Ephesus, home of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus and later the capital of Roman Asia Minor. When St. Paul arrived here he was so awestruck that he asked: "Is there a greater city?" Visit one of the best-preserved ancient AMPHITHEATERS, then drive up to the CHAPEL marking the site where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Overnight in Izmir (Smyrna), Homer’s birthplace on the Aegean coast. (BB,D)

Day 13:
Izmir–Troy Area. (Wed.) Start with visits to the ACROPOLIS OF PERGAMUM, an ancient center of learning and the arts, and the ASCLEPION, a shrine to the Greek god of medicine. Then enjoy vistas of the Greek island of Lesbos as you follow the shores of the Bay of Edremit. Continue to TROY, the perfect place to brush up on Homer’s Trojan War, hollow wooden horse and all. Spend the night at nearby Canakkale. (BB,D)

Day 14:
Troy Area–Istanbul. (Thu.) By FERRY across the Dardanelles back to Europe and the 20th century. Visit the World War I battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula, where Allied troops, mainly Australians and New Zealanders, suffered heavy casualties in a disastrous campaign. Pay tribute to the heroes of those tragic months of 1915 at the ANZAC CEMETERY. Then drive along the European shore of the Sea of Marmara back to Istanbul. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner with your traveling companions. (BB,D)

Day 15:
(Fri.) Homebound flight. (BB)

Dates & Prices

ISTANBUL
Welcome and farewell dinners; guided sightseeing including visits to hagia sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and Grand Bazaar

BURSA
Guided sightseeing including visits to the Green Ottoman Complex and the Great Mosque

GORDION
Guided visit of the excavations and King Midas'' Earth Tumulus

ANKARA
Guided sightseeing including visit to Atatürk''s Mausoleum and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

CAPPADOCIA
Guided visit of the Caravansaries of Agcikarahan and Sultanhani, the Rock chapels of Göreme, Monastic complex of Zelve, the Troglodyte Village of Avcilar, and Underground City of Özkonak

KONYA
Guided sightseeing including Dervish Mevlana Monastery, Karatay Medrese, and Ince Minaret

PAMUKKALE
Guided visit of the Hierapolis

EPHESUS
Guided visit of the archaeological site and Chapel of the Virgin Mary

PERGAMUM
Guided visit of the Acropolis and Asclepion

TROY
Guided visit of the archaeological site

DARDANELLES
Ferry crossing of the Straits

ANZAC
Picture stop at the cemetery
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Athens, Greece. (Sat.) Time to rest or to start exploring the Hellenic capital. At 6 p.m. meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink with your Tour Director.

Day 3:
Athens–Corinth–Mycenae–Epidaurus–Nauplia. (Sun.) Motor along the coast to the bridge crossing the spectacular Corinth Canal, then visit ANCIENT CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Two more major features today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Then a short drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater. Overnight in nearby Nauplia. (BB,D)

Day 4:
Nauplia–Olympia. (Mon.) Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then an afternoon in OLYMPIA, where the athletes of antiquity performed in honor of the King of Deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM which displays Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. (BB,D)

Day 5:
Olympia–Delphi. (Tue.) Drive to the busy seaport of Patras, and proceed through the picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. End the day with a visit to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century B.C. bronze statue. (BB,D)

Day 6:
Delphi–Meteora Area. (Wed.) North via Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka for an afternoon in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. We have selected two of them for you to visit: VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN’S, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view. (BB,D)

Day 7:
Meteora Area–Thermopylae–Athens. (Thu.) Past Larisa to the comfortable coastal highway. Today’s highlight is a visit to THERMOPYLAE, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. On the way back to Athens, your Tour Director will tell you about Thebes, the setting of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, and Marathon, where in 490 B.C. 10,000 Athenians defeated more than twice that number of Persian invaders. (BB)

Day 8:
Athens. (Fri.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Parthenon’s crowning beauty atop the ACROPOLIS, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the beautifully preserved Theseum, Roman Temple of Zeus, Theater of Dionysus and the Agora where Socrates taught. Vistas of the Royal Palace, government buildings, and elegant homes in the modern city provide a striking contrast to the remains of the glorious past. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, why not try out local fare and entertainment reminiscent of Zorba the Greek for a fitting farewell to this fascinating country? (BB)

Day 9:
(Sat.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

Dates & Prices

ATHENS
Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis

ANCIENT CORINTH
Guided visit of the excavations

MYCENAE
Guided visit of the excavations

EPIDAURUS
Guided visit of the 2,300-year-old open-air theater

OLYMPIA
Guided visit of the archaeological site and the museum

DELPHI
Guided visit of the excavations, visit the archaeological museum

METEORA AREA
Guided visit of the Varlaam and St. Stephen’s Monasteries

THERMOPYLAE
Guided visit