Departure Date / May 10 & Sept 6, 2009

Sunday, May 10 / Sept 6, 2009: Arrive in Istanbul
Upon arrival at The Istanbul Ataturk Airport, You will be met and assisted to The Blue House Hotel in Sultanahmet district for dinner and overnight.
Meals : Dinner (D)

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Monday, May 11 / Sept 7, 2009
Meet your guide at hotel lobby at 8:45 for a full day to explore the magical city of Istanbul. We first walk to the Rustem Pasha Mosque and then the Spice Market, where Geneose and Venetian goods were sold at a time when there was no Suez Canal, and all the spices from the East were also brought here after being loaded on vessels in Egypt. We get on board and take the leisurely Bosphorus Cruise from Eminonu, to the still unspoiled village of Sariyer. The Topkapi Palace is our next visit. More than a palace, it is an assemblage of museums, containing the collections amassed by the Sultans over almost five centuries. Dinner in Istanbul.
Accommodation: The Blue House Hotel
Meals : Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

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Tuesday, May 12 / Sept 8, 2009: Istanbul
Following breakfast, we will visit the Dolmabahce Palace, the Chora Church and the Suleymaniye Mosque. After lunch at a local restaurant, , we finish the day with Grand Bazaar visit. Dinner in Istanbul.
Accommodation: The Blue House Hotel
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Wednesday, May 13 / Sept 9, 2009: Istanbul - Flight to Izmir - Kusadasi
Following breakfast taken at the hotel, check out of your room and start our third morning in Istanbul strolling to the great square which was once the Byzantine Hippodrome. Now it is a great park like area surrounded by the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Underground Cistern, commonly called the Basilica Cistern.

After that, transfer to Istanbul airport for the evening flight at 18.00 o’clock to Izmir . Arrival in Izmir at 19.00 o’clock. Transfer to the hotel for check-in and accommodation. Dinner at hotel.
Accommodation: Kismet Hotel
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Thursday, May 14 / Sept 10, 2009: Ephesus
Today we first drive to the Virgin Mary's House; after that we visit Ephesus which was founded in the eleventh century BC by the Ionians. Strolling through the streets of Ephesus, we will witness the perfection of the Graeco-Roman Art. Later in the afternoon we will visit St John's Basilica, believed to be the tomb of the Apostle John, Christ's beloved disciple. From the basilica, we will be able to look down on the remains of the temple of Artemis. We end the day with our visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, then we head on to Kusadasi for rest. Dinner, and overnight in Kusadasi.
Accommodation: Kismet Hotel Kusadasi
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Friday, May 15 / Sept 11, 2009: Priene - Miletus - Didyma
After breakfast, we drive first to Prienne, formerly a leading member of the Panionic League. As we drive further South, we visit Miletus and then arrive at Didyma, where we have lunch at a local restaurant, circumstances permitting, across the road from the temple. As the historian Pausanias wrote; 'The sanctuary of Apollo at Didymoi, and the oracle there are more ancient than the Ionian settlement.' Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
Accommodation: Kismet Hotel Kusadasi
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Saturday, May 16 / Sept 12, 2009: Aphrodisias - Pamukkale
As we check out, we drive to Pamukkale giving an en route visit to Aphrodisias, which was the city dedicated to the cult of Aphrodite. As we visit the Sculptor's Museum in Aphrodisias, we have lunch at a local restaurant. We visit Hierapolis on arrival, then have time to stroll over the calcareous terraces of Pamukkale, or to enjoy the thermal facilities. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Accommodation: Richmond Thermal Hotel Pamukkale
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Sunday, May 17 / Sept 13, 2009: Termessos - Antalya
Today we follow the spectacular drive to Antalya. After lunch, we visit Thermessos, with its breathtaking view. As we arrive in Antalya, we have time to explore the city, especially its old district. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.
Accommodation: Marina Residence Antalya
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Monday, May 18 / Sept 14, 2009: Perge - Aspendos
In the morning, we first visit Perge, one of the most impressive sites of Pamphylia, and then Aspendos, the world's best preserved ancient theatre. After lunch at a local restaurant near the Aspendos Theatre, we spend the afternoon at leisure. We suggest spending the afternoon at the Konyalti Beach, which is one of the best beaches of Antalya district. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.
Accommodation: Marina Residence Antalya
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Tuesday, May 19 / Sept 15, 2009: Antalya/Konya
In the morning, we visit the Antalya Archaeology Museum and head to Konya. After having our lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the world famous Mevlana Museum, formerly the place where the mystic philosophy of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi was taught. Dinner and overnight in Konya.
Accommodation: Rumi Hotel Konya
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Wednesday, May 20 / Sept 16, 2009: Konya/Cappadocia
Today, we drive to Cappadocia, with an enroute visit to Sultanhan Caravanserai, where the medieval merchants used to stay overnight. After this, we arrive in Ihlara Valley and have our lunch at a local restaurant by the river. After the lunch, we walk through the canyon via the Steps of Anatolia to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema. Set by the Melendiz River this is known as the “Valley of the Sky”. Churches carved from the rocks form a gallery of early paintings that are remarkable for their accuracy. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Accommodation: Yunak Evleri Urgup
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Thursday, May 21 / Sept 17, 2009: Cappadocia
Today we introduce you to the lunar landscape of Cappadocia at Dervent Valley, then we head on to Zelve Open Air Museum, which is one of the earliest inhabited and latest abandoned monastic settlements of Cappadocia. Seeing the best examples of the fairy chimneys at Pasabag Fairy Chimneys Valley, we drive further to Avanos, where we have lunch at a local restaurant. Goreme Open Air Museum is where we visit the rock carved churches and colorful frescoes. We end the day hiking up to the top of Uchisar Castle, which is the highest and the most dominant point, giving us a breathtaking panorama. Dinner in Cappadocia.
Accommodation: Yunak Evleri Urgup
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Friday, May 22 / Sept 18, 2009: Cappadocia
Our first stop is the Soganli Valley, which is one of the earliest settlements in Cappadocia. After this, we drive back to Urgup through the unspoiled villages of Cappadocia, surrounded by the “table-top” mountains. On the way we visit the Medrese in Taskinpasa, a Theological School of the Seljuk Turks. After lunch in Mustafapasa at an old Greek house hosted by a local family, we descend towards the centre of the earth, with a trip to the Underground City of Kaymakli, one of the largest and deepest of Cappadocia’s many such settlements. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Accommodation: Yunak Evleri Urgup
Meals : (B, L, D)

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Saturday, May 23 / Sept 19, 2009: Cappadocia - Home
Transfer to Kayseri Airport to board a morning flight to Istanbul. Board your homeward flight or book additional nights in Istanbul. Please advise us on your departure flight out of Istanbul so that we could book you on the best connecting flight from Kayseri. Accommodation: You may book additional nights in Cappadocia or Istanbul.
Meals: (B)