11 DAYS 10 NIGHTS TURKEY TOUR

Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, meet Renk United Representative and proceed to “Old City” for a full day tour including the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles and unique with its six minarets built in the name of Sultan Ahmet I. Next, we will have a look at the Hippodrome of Constantinople where horse and chariot races used to take place. Then visit the St. Sophia Museum, one of the greatest religious and architectural marvels of all times. Finally, the famous Topkapi Palace Museum will be visited, which was built as the home of the Ottoman sultans. The World Famous Imperial Chinese Porcelain sections will be visited. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our scenic drive down to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles during WWI. Then we will cross the second strategic waterway, the Dardanelles, and land in Asia. Lunch en route. We proceed to Troy. Referred to in Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, Troy has nine cities superimposed one upon another. Troy VI pertains to the famous Trojan War of Homer where the legendary heroes included Agamemnon, Achilles, Ulysses, and Nestor on the Greek side, and Priam, Hector, and Paris on the Trojan side. Check-in to our hotel in Canakkale for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Assos. Atop a hill surrounded by olive groves are the ruins of the Doric-style Temple of Athena (530 BC) surrounded by crumbling city walls and an ancient necropolis (cemetery). Nearby is the 14th-century Ottoman Murad Hüdavendigar Mosque. The hill offers spectacular views of the Aegean Sea and the nearby Greek island of Lesvos. Depart to Bergama for lunch. Then visit Pergamon to see the Acropolis, the Temple of Trajan, the Library, and the theater both overlooking the plain of Bergama. Then drive to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Following breakfast, we visit Smyrna, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Drive to Sardis, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation, to visit the remains of the church which was built onto the Temple of Artemis and the earliest synagogue built in Asia Minor. After lunch, visit Philadelphia, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, drive to Selcuk to visit the House of Virgin Mary on top of Mt. Coressos. Then our memorable visit to Ephesus will begin as well as visiting one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, the Temple of Artemis (One of the Seven Wonders of Antiquity), and the Basilica of St. John, followed by lunch in the township of Selcuk. After lunch, we will visit the famous local production center for leather garments, including a live Fashion Show. Drive to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Then continue to Pamukkale. You will tour the Ancient City of Hierapolis where calcareous hot springs descending over cliffs have created fascinating travertines in the form of white terraces and basins. After a picture break, drive to Cappadocia. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Today we visit Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Highlights include Tokalı Kilise (Church of the Buckle), the largest church in Göreme, and Karanlık Kilise (Dark Church), a monastic compound built in the 11th century. After lunch, picture stops will be given at the Valley of the Birds and the foot of the Uchisar Castle, followed by a visit to the famous local pottery workshop. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

Today we will visit Ihlara Valley. Due to the valley’s plentiful supply of water and hidden places, it was the first settlement of early Christians escaping Roman soldiers. There are hundreds of old churches in the volcanic rock caves. After lunch, visit the incredible Underground City of Kaymakli where early Christians lived secretly to survive and keep their faith. Followed by a carpet show and ample time for shopping in the afternoon, including a visit to a jewelry center. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

In the morning, drive to Ankara to visit the Ataturk Mausoleum (1881-1938), founding father of the Turkish Republic. After lunch, drive to Bolu. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Istanbul. Upon arrival, have lunch at a local restaurant. Then board our boat for a Bosphorus Cruise along the shores of the legendary Bosphorus, the natural gateway dividing Asia and Europe. Numerous summer palaces and palatial homes will pass by on either side. Then visit the famous Grand Bazaar. Transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast, free time until transfer to the airport for your international flight.