Day 0 |
March 18: |
Depart U.S. by air. |
Day 1 |
March 19: |
Arrival in Istanbul. Pickup at airport. Optional
afternoon activity. Dinner included at hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (D) |
Day 2 |
March 20: |
Istanbul sightseeing: Hippodrome, Underground
Cistern, Blue
Mosque, Topkapi
Palace and Grand
Bazaar. Bosporus
Cruise and welcome dinner. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,D) |
Day 3 |
March 21: |
Haghia
Sophia, Islamic Arts Museum,
Spice Bazaar. Drive to Çanakkale. Overnight in Çanakkale. (B,D) |
Day 4 |
March 22: |
Visit Troy.
Visit Pergamum,
capital of Hellenistic Turkey, and the ancient healing center
Asclepion. Overnight in Izmir.
(B,D) |
Day 5 |
March 23: |
Ancient city of Ephesus
(most extensive Roman ruins in the world), Temple
of Artemis, the Selcuk
Museum, and the House
of Mary, where the Virgin spent the last years of her life.
Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D) |
Day 6 |
March 24: |
Aphrodisias,
the city named after the great Goddess, and one of the most exciting
Roman ruins in the world. Roman city Hierapolis, where the Goddess was
worshipped as Ma and where Romans came seeking cures; and Pamukkale,
site of thermal springs and dazzling white travertine
terraces. Overnight at Pamukkale. (B,D) |
Day 7 |
March 25: |
Visit to Sagalassos
<http://www.sagalassos.be>, a little-known archeological site
opened only recently to visitors. Overnight in Antalya. (B,D) |
Day 8 |
March 26: |
Perge, Aspendos,
Antalya Museum, Mediterranean Cruise (weather permitting). Overnight in
Antalya. (B,D) |
Day 9 |
March 27: |
Drive to Konya. In the afternoon, visit Sufi
shrine of the whirling
dervishes in Konya. Karatay Medrese (school) building. Overnight in
Konya. (B,D) |
Day 10 |
March 28: |
Ancient Greek settlement Sile. Konya Archeology
Museum. Çatal Höyük. Overnight in Konya. (B,D) |
Day 11 |
March 29: |
Observe eclipse. Drive to
Cappadocia.
En route, visit a Caravansaray, a stop on the ancient Silk Road.
Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D) |
Day 12 |
March 30: |
Full day of sightseeing at Cappadocia where
there are unique rock formations reminiscent of a lunar landscape.
Visit underground cities and rock churches. Optional folklore show.
Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D) |
Day 13 |
March 31: |
Anatolian Civilizations Museum,
where objects from Çatal Höyük and from other civilizations of Anatolia
(Asia Minor) spanning a period of ten thousand years can be observed.
Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk,
one of the greatest reformers of history and the founder of Turkish
Republic. Late afternoon flight to Istanbul. Farewell dinner and
overnight in Istanbul. (B,D) |
Day 14 |
April 1: |
Transfer to airport. (B) |