Provincial Capitals of Asia Minor

We commence the day with a hefty breakfast and proceed with a full day city tour. In the morning, we will visit Hagia Sophia, one of the most identifiable places in Istanbul and an architectural marvel that we offer to the visitor; the building is regarded as one of the largest and most imposing churches in the world, recently converted into a mosque. We will visit Topkapi Palace, where the sultans lived between 1478 and 1856. Topkapi is not a single structure, but an organic monumental complex formed by several bandstands, gardens and areas that are located in a neighborhood or historic center at the entrance to the Horn region or Golden Horn. We will continue towards the Blue Mosque, admired for its six minarets, terraces and domes that rise in the center of the building; you will see that the architect achieved his objective without a doubt given the perfection of this impressive work. In the afternoon we will go to the Roman Hippodrome (time of the Seventh Grave), a space where quad bike races and circuses took place that served as entertainment for the inhabitants of Constantinople for over a thousand years. We will end the day at the covered market: the Grand Bazaar; here you will enjoy some free time. Upon completion of the tour, transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, we will depart early to the airport for our flight to Kayseri, followed by our arrival in Cappadocia. En route, we will be visiting the Saruhan Caravanserai, which was built in the 12th century to accommodate commercial caravans. In the afternoon, we will continue our journey with a visit to the Zelve Valley, where both Muslims and Christians coexisted until 1924. As we pass through the Devrent Valley, we will have the opportunity to appreciate the famous natural rock formations also known as ‘’the Chimneys of the Fearies ’’ Upon our arrival at the ancient city of Ortahisar, we will proceed to the hotel for dinner and lunch, and spend the night in our accommodation in Cappadocia. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After breakfast, a full day excursion. We will visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, where we will see some churches built into the rocks with interior frescoes. We will continue with the visit to the ancient city of Uchisar. We will continue to the Valley of the Pigeons and visit the Pasabag or Valley of the Monks, with its “Chimneys of the Fairies” - natural rock formations in the shape of a mushroom. We will continue to the city of potters: Avanos. In the afternoon we will visit an underground city, Serhatlı or Özkonak, impressive for its many levels of depth. Such sites were used by early Christians as a refuge from enemies during the 6th and 7th centuries. Finally, we'll visit a carpet factory to see how Turkish rugs known around the world are woven, as well as stop by a local jewelry store. Return to the hotel, dinner and accommodation in Cappadocia. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

After breakfast, we will depart for Antalya and visit Perge en route. Perge is an ancient city of Pamphylia, situated between the Catarrhactes and Cestrus rivers, and is now a significant archaeological site located 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) east of Antalya on the coastal plain. The location boasts an acropolis that dates back to the Bronze Age, as well as the city of Aspendos, which, according to Greek tradition, was founded in pre-Hellenic times by settlers probably originating from Argos in ancient Pamphylia on the southern coast of Asia Minor. Aspendos is located approximately 45 km east of the off-the-beaten-track town of Perge. Following our visit, we will arrive in Antalya, where we will enjoy dinner and overnight accommodations. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

We will begin the day with breakfast and then depart for Pamukkale, stopping along the way to visit Sagalassos. This city was the richest in Pisidia at the time of Alexander the Great's conquest in 333 BC, with a population of a few thousand inhabitants. Following Alexander's death, the region became part of the territories of the Macedonian noble, Antigonus Monophthalmus. Upon arrival in Pamukkale, which translates to "Cotton Castle" in Turkish due to its white waterfalls, we will marvel at the natural travertine pools formed by hot springs. We will also visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, which served as the episcopal center of Phrygia during the Byzantine period. After our excursion, we will transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

We will start the day with breakfast and depart for Ephesus, which is the best-preserved ancient city in Asia Minor. With a population of 250,000 inhabitants during the 1st and 2nd centuries, we will have the opportunity to visit several significant historical sites, including Hadrian's Temple, the Roman Baths, the Celsus Library, and the Odeon, a theater with a capacity of 24,500 spectators. Along the way, we will also visit the house of the Virgin Mary, where she spent her final years. During our trip, we will witness a fashion show showcasing beautiful local leather products. Upon our arrival in Kuşadasi, we will transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

After breakfast, we will depart for Bodrum and visit the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, a magnificent funerary monument built between 353 BC and 350 BC in honor of Mausolus, a satrap governor of the Persian Empire, in ancient Halicarnassus (now Bodrum). Later, in Bodrum, we will visit the Castle of Saint Peter of Halicarnassus/Bodrum Castle, which was attacked by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522. The castle was repaired with materials from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This construction was erected as the tomb of King Mausolus, from which the term "mausoleum" is derived. After our excursion, we will transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

We will begin the day with breakfast and transfer to the airport for our flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel for the remainder of our stay in the city. Meals: Breakfast.

On our final day, we will enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the airport for our return flight home. Meal: Breakfast