Day 1: Arrival Istanbul : Welcome to Turkey, Istanbul. Transfer from airport for hotel check in.

Day 2: Topkapi Palace, Haghia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and the Blue Mosque

We begin the day fresher and better prepared for an exhausting morning, a fascinating city that bridges Europe and Asia, which under the name Byzantium and Constantinople was the capital of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, and in 1453, became the third and last Capital of the Ottomans. Visit the Blue Mosque, renowned for its six minarets. Built between 1609 and 1616 for Sultan Ahmet I, it is the beautiful 21,043 Iznik tiles with shades of blue that dominate the mosque and where it gets its name from. Next discover the Hippodrome where political, cultural, and sports activities took place during Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman times. Then a visit to the magnificent Haghia Sophia, originally the largest church in the Christian world, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Mehmet II and under Ataturk, it became a museum and is a living testament to the beauty of Christianity and Islam that adorn the interior. You will then explore Topkapi Palace, the opulent residence of the Ottoman Sultans overlooking the Bosphorus between the end of the 15th and the first half of the 19th centuries. You will discover why it is renowned for its treasures and jewels, and the captivity of its infamous harem. Descend into the eerie beauty of the Basilica Cistern whose vaults are supported by a forest of columns topped with ancient capitals. Then lunch during sightseeing. Before dinner, an aperitif will be served for one hour.

Day 3: A Day on the Bosphorus, and an Ottoman Band

We set out early in the morning for a day long cruise up the Bosphorus,  to explore the Egyptian Spice Bazaar with mystical scents of various herbs and spices, and neighboring Yeni Cami before you board at the nearby ferry docks. Here, you will have a chance to improve your bargaining skills at the shops selling spices, Turkish Delights, souvenirs, fruits, Caspian sea caviar, vegetables, fish, flowers, etc. Then walk to the harbour to embark on the Bosphorus Ferry for a cruise on the Bosphorus. We believe a visit to Istanbul is never complete if you haven't joined the Bosphorus Cruise. During the cruise you will see the city from a different perspective, the old wooden villas, Rumeli Fortress, Ortakoy Mosque, both bridges linking Asia and Europe, and much more. After lunch, we will continue on land to visit Camlica Hill for a 360 degrees panoramic views over the city and then driving back to Europe over the Bosphorus Bridge. We then visit Dolmabahce, with more than 340 rooms and 8 Turkish Baths the Imperial Residence of the last 6 Sultans, is sure to fascinate its visitors. At the end of the tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel, evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4: Kusadası-Pergamon 

In the last 10 or 15 years, the area's fortunes have been discovered as the Italian archaeological work continues and increasing numbers of Turks and foreign tourists have begun visiting the baths. Today Pamukkale-Hierapolis ranks among the most frequented tourist sites of south-western Turkey, along with Ephesus, Pergamum, Sardis and Aphrodisias.
Morning departure for Pergamon, is one of the finest archaeological sites in Turkey. The city was a great center of culture and the capital of East Roman Empire.

On the Acropolis there are numerous remains including the celebrated Library, the steepest Theatre of Anatolia, the Temples of Trojan and Dionysos, the place of the monumental Altar of Zeus famous with the gods and devils, the Sanctuary of Demeter, the Gymnasium situated on terraces and the lower Agora. After a delicious lunch with Turkish specialties, you will visit the Archaeological Museum of Bergama. Then proceed to the Medical Center of the ancient world, Asklepion where the first psychological treatment had been used and which was dedicated to the God of Health, Asklepios, and an overnight stay in Kusadası.

Day 5: Kusadası-Ephesus                                                                                  

In the morning, you will visit Ephesus, one of the most fascinating city in the ancient world, located in the vicinity of Selcuk; you will see the Agora, the Odeon, the Nympheaum of Trajan, the Temple of Trajan, the Celsius Library, the Theatre, the remains of the Temple of Artemis which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. In Selcuk, you can visit the museum which displays, other artifacts of great interest, two beautiful statues of Artemis, the Basilica of St John with the Tomb of the Apostle, and Isa Bey Mosque. You can also visit the House of the Virgin Mary (Meryemana) located in the heights of Ephesus. To end the day, we can drive to Kusadasi (Pigeon Island), a holiday resort named after the small island situated some way off the harbour where cruise ships and liners draw alongside. Another overnight stay in Kusadası.

Day 6: Ephesus-Pamukkale                                                              

In the morning we will leave Izmir behind and drive to Pamukkale. This amazing place is a beautiful and spectacular natural site, unique in the world with its fairylike, dazzling white, petrified lime cascades. There you will see the thermal spring water laden with calcareous salt, plunging down the mountain side which has created this natural formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. The thermal water has been used since the Roman period for its therapeutic powers.

Next you will visit the Roman city of Hierapolis, which is not located not on earth or rock, but on solid limestone layers formed by limestone water that flowed for centuries over this raised level plateau. The name means "sacred city", and according to Stephanus of Byzantium the city was given this name because of the large number of temples it contained. You will then have another overnight stay but in Pamukkale.

Day 7: A Day on the Bosphorus Cruise                                                                    

After you have taken the flight back from Denzli you will be transferred back to your hotel. Breathe in the heady mix of spices and herbs in the Egyptian Bazaar, then take an invigorating cruise on the Bosphorus for superb views of the magical city of Istanbul. You'll cruise past the famous Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces, and see the historic European and Asian shores. Afterwards you can visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum or the 15th-century Rumelihisar Fortress.

You begin your adventure with a visit to the 17th-century Spice Bazaar one of Istanbul's most colorful and bustling attractions. Breathe in the heady mix of spices and herbs in the Egyptian Bazaar. Next you'll take an invigorating cruise on the Bosphorus for superb views of the magical city of Istanbul.

You'll cruise past the famous Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces, and see the historic European and Asian shores, you can also admire the mosques, fortresses, 19th-century masions and Sultan's fanciful gingerbread palaces and hunting lodges. After your cruise you'll have the chance to visit the 15th-century Rumelihisar Fortress.

Day 8: End of tour and returning home or to other destinations.

*For A List Of Other Hotels Please Ask And We Will Accommodate You*