Departure Dates: DAILY, minimum two people

Additional Costs

Package Price

09/16/2006 to 03/31/2007*

04/01/2007 to 05/31/2007

06/01/2006 to 09/15/2006

Land Price  (year round)

Single Room Supplement

Airport Tax

Adult

$2499.00

$2499.00

$2699.00

$2099.00

$500.00

$125

Child**

$1999.00

$1999.00

$2199.00

$1599.00

N/A

$125

*12/01 to 12/24: High Season Surcharge may apply    **Child: 2-11 years old, stay with adults without bed

Day

Itinerary

1

USA－Istanbul, TURKEY

Depart for Istanbul, Turkey.

2

Istanbul

Hos Geldiniz!  Welcome to Turkey!  Arrive in Istanbul.  Transfer to your hotel.

3

Istanbul

Today you will have a full day city tour of fascinating Istanbul.  The first stop is the Hippodrome, followed by the Blue Mosque built in only 7 years by order of Sultan Ahmet I in 1609. It gets its name from the blue Iznik tiles that cover the interior walls.  Then visit St. Sophia Museum, a Byzantine Basilica famous for its restored frescoes.  Topkapi Palace, former home of the sultans, is next.  It houses numerous museums with impressive displays of jewelry, porcelain, clocks, miniatures, textiles, and religious artifacts.  You will also have the opportunity to visit the Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered marketplace in the world, with more than 4000 shops from which to choose.

4

Istanbul

You will have the full day at leisure.

5

Istanbul - Cappadocia

In the morning, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Kayseri.  On arrival transfer to Cappadocia, the unusual area formed by erosion of rain and wind on solid rock spread by ancient volcanis eruptions.  Visit Uchisar Castle and the old Ottoman Greek village of Sinasos.

6

Cappadocia

You will visit Urgup, Goreme and picturesque Zelve, with its churches and chapels carved into the rock.  Zelve is famous for its "fairy chimneys," volcanic formations that dot the landscape and which serve as a natural residence to some of the local inhabitants.

Cappadocia - Kusadasi

After breakfast, visit an ancient caravansary and then visit the labyrinthine tunnels of the underground city of Kaymakli.  This city descends 14 stories into the ground and contains chapels, kitchens, living quarters and wine cellars.  Transfer to Ankara, the modern capital of Turkey, where you will visit the Anatolian Civilization Museum, housed in a restored 15 C. covered bazaar and inn.  This award-winning museum houses artifacts from the many cultures that flourished in the Anatolian heartland.  It contains the world's richest collection of artifacts from the ancient Hittite civilization dating to 2000 B.C.  Transfer to Ankara Airport where you will board you plane for a short flight to Izmir.  On arrival, transfer to your hotel in the lively Aegean resort town of Kusadasi.

Kusadasi

Spend a half day exploring the jewel of Turkey's ancient past, the ruins of Ephesus, one of the largest archaeological sites in the world.  Founded in the 13th century B.C., it was an important center of Christianity, where the Apostles Paul and John preached the infant religion.  Archaeological excavations begun in 1869 have uncovered well-preserved main streets, squares, temples, theaters and houses.  You will visit the Great Amphitheater, the Marble Way and the Library of Celsus.  A visit to the Selcuk Museum follows.  The afternoon is free to explore Kusadasi on your own.

Kusadasi - Istanbul

In the morning, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Istanbul.  Transfer to your hotel.  You will have the afternoon at leisure to explore Istanbul on your own or shop for souvenirs to bring home to family and friends.

Istanbul - U.S.A.

In the morning, transfer to the airport for your final departure home.  Hoscakal!  Farewell!