Turkish delight - With air!

One of our favorite destinations ever! Greek & Roman ruins, Amazing Istanbul; formerly Constantinople, the wondrous landscapes of Cappadocia which rival the Southwest USA, and the biblical history of the region cannot be surpassed! Friendly people where Europe meets Asia and amazing food… This trip is always a favorite, and treasured travel experience. RESERVE EARLY TO RECEIVE NON-STOP FLIGHTS TO/FROM ISTANBUL!

Included in your fully escorted travels:  

· Round-trip flights from Seattle, SFO, LAX* *Other gateways by request

· 4-star hotels in with breakfast

· 3 Domestic air flights

· All mentioned meals

· All admissions & transfers as mentioned

· Time for personal discoveries

· Licensed guide of Turkey 

· Experienced USA Tour Manager

· Caring and professional travel arrangements

· No visa required for US Citizens

· No “optional” tour add-ons

· PLEASE CONSIDER TRAVEL INSURANCE

· Rail & Sail Insurance quotes: (800) 576-4905 

RESERVE EARLY FOR INCLUDED NON-STOP FLIGHTS TO ISTANBUL!

Day 1— Wednesday Sep 2 Depart for Istanbul, Turkey! Tray tables up! Depart for an amazing travel experience! Enjoy in flight meals and entertainment. (in flight meals) 

Day 2 Thursday Sep 3 – Welcome to Istanbul Arrive Istanbul Airport and transfer to our lovely city-center hotel for a welcome dinner and night of rest. (welcome dinner)

Day 3—Friday Sep 4 – Istanbul After breakfast, a guided tour to Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace with Harem, Saint Sophia and Blue Mosque. Travel through time and see the main monuments from the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. After the old city tour, transfer to Grand Bazaar. Grand Bazaar is one of the worlds largest and oldest covered markets, with 61 covered streets and more than 4,000 stores. After the tour, transfer back to our hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (breakfast)

Day 4— Saturday Sep 5 – Spice Market & Bosphorus cruise Today we visit the famous Spice Market to enjoy the sights and smells of “the end of the Silk Road”! Turkish delight? Saffron? Turkish coffee? It’s all there! In the afternoon enjoy the city sights from the water on our Bosphorus Cruise. Later visit Camlica Hill and Mosque. Overnight in Istanbul. (breakfast)

Day 5—Sunday Sep 6 – Cappadocia After breakfast, we fly to the amazing landscapes of Cappadocia. We visit the Red Valley through Cavusin and explore the famous churches and village with its rock-cut dwellings and stone houses. Afternoon drive to the Pigeon Valley and visit the Underground City, where early Christians lived in fear and faith. The houses in the village are constructed around the nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia. (breakfast)

Day 6— Monday Sep 7– Cappadocia – After breakfast, depart for our Cappadocia tour including Goreme Panorama, Dervent Valley, Pasabag Valley. In the afternoon we will make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like carpet weaving, leather manufacturing and jewelry. Overnight in Cappadocia. (breakfast)

Day 7 – Tuesday Sep 8—Kusadasi After breakfast, check-out from your hotel and transfer to Kayseri for our flight to Izmir, then on to our hotel in Kusadasi on the shores of the Aegean Sea. Overnight in Kusadasi. (breakfast, dinner)

Day 8—Wed Sep 9 – Kusadasi & Ephesus After breakfast, your journey unfolds with a full-day exploration of Ephesus, a Roman city teeming with ancient wonders and profound historical significance. Traverse the well-preserved ruins, marveling at the Library of Celsus, the grand amphitheater, and the Temple of Hadrian, all while contemplating Ephesus; role as one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Immerse yourself in the possibility that the Gospel of John might have takenform within these ancient walls. Following this captivating odyssey, your path leads to the revered Temple of Artemis, once hailed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Stand in awe of the remnants of this magnificent temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis. After the tour, return back to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi. (breakfast, dinner)

Day 9—Thursday Sep 10 – Hierapolis and Pamukkale After breakfast, drive to Pamukkale that has the meaning of the “Cotton Castle”, famous for healing thermal and mineral Baths and beautiful snow-white “petrified” waterfalls. Pamukkale terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the hot springs. In this area, there are 17 hot water springs in which the temperature ranges from 35 °C to 100 °C In the afternoonvisit the amazing Hierapolis Greek ruins, including the magnificently preserved Necropolis, the main Street and Gates, the thermal Baths, the Devil’s Hole, and Masterpiece Theater. Overnight in Kusadasi. (breakfast, dinner)

Day 10—Friday Sep 11 — Kusadasi to Istanbul 

Enjoy breakfast and check out from our hotel. We fly to Istanbul, then home, or join us for a short flight to add our “Old World Europe” tour of Romania & Bulgaria to your travels. (breakfast, in flight meals)