Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul
You'll fly into Istanbul and get settled at your hotel. Depending when you arrive, there's time to walk around on your own and get a feel for the city before meeting the group for dinner. It's a chance to meet everyone and start getting ready for what's coming up.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Istanbul independently (time permitting based on arrival)
- Day 2
Istanbul
This day covers both European and Asian Istanbul. Start at the historic Hippodrome with its Egyptian obelisks and snake column, then head to the Blue Mosque to see the six minarets and intricate Iznik tiles. After that, you'll tour Topkapi Palace and its precious exhibits plus the hidden harem. In the afternoon, browse the spices at the Egyptian Bazaar, take a boat trip along the Bosphorus to see mosques and fortresses, and finish with views from Camlica Hill on the Asian side.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to the Hippodrome
- Tour of the Blue Mosque
- Tour of Topkapi Palace and harem
- Visit to the Egyptian Bazaar
- Boat trip on the Bosporus
- Visit to Camlica Hill
- Use of audio equipment
Landmarks/POIs Hippodrome Blue Mosque Topkapi Palace Egyptian Bazaar Camlica Hill - Day 3
Istanbul
You'll see Byzantine and Ottoman sites including Sergios Bachos Church, whose dome influenced Hagia Sophia's design, and the Pantokrator Church. Later, check out Byzantine floor mosaics hidden under carpets. Next stop is Eyup Mosque, an important pilgrimage site with the tomb of the Prophet's flag bearer. The day finishes at Hagia Sophia where you'll see the imposing dome, vast interior, and golden mosaics.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to the Sergios Bachos Church
- Visit to the Pantokrator Church
- Visit to the Eyüp Mosque
- Tour of Hagia Sophia
- Use of audio equipment
Landmarks/POIs Sergios Bachos Church Pantokrator Church Eyüp Mosque Hagia Sophia - Day 4
Istanbul to Bursa
Head south along Turkey's west coast, crossing a bridge through Asian Istanbul before reaching Iznik, the ancient site of Christianity's first ecumenical council. From there, continue to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital. You'll see the Green Mosque and Green Tomb with their fine faience work, tour the Great Mosque, and walk through the bustling silk bazaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Iznik
- Visit to the Green Mosque
- Visit to the Green Tomb
- Visit to the Great Mosque
- Walk through the silk bazaar of Bursa
Landmarks/POIs Iznik Green Mosque Green Tomb Great Mosque - Day 5
Bursa to Troy
Drive south along the Sea of Marmara coast, passing the Dardanelles as you head toward Troy. The archaeological remains and ancient history of this legendary city come into focus as you explore the site and learn about its past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Troy
Landmarks/POIs Troy 
- Day 6
Troy to Pergamon
Visit Pergamon, one of the great ancient cities of Asia Minor. See the steepest theater of antiquity, the reconstructed Temple of Trajan, the Temple of Athena remains, and the famous library. You'll also explore the Asklepieion to learn about ancient healing and medical practices.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Pergamon
- Visit to the Temple of Trajan
- Visit to the Temple of Athena
- Tour of the library
- Visit to the Asklepieion
Landmarks/POIs Pergamon Temple of Trajan Temple of Athena Asklepieion - Day 7
Pergamon to Didyma
This day covers three important ancient sites. In Priene, focus on the Temple of Athena and theater. Move to Miletus to see the impressive city layout. End at Didyma where you'll visit the Oracle of Apollo and view remarkable artifacts including the head of Gorgo-Medusa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Priene
- Visit to the Temple of Athena in Priene
- Tour of the theater in Priene
- Tour of Miletus
- Tour of Didyma
- Visit to the Oracle of Apollo
Landmarks/POIs Priene Miletus Didyma Oracle of Apollo - Day 8
Didyma to Ephesus
Start in Selcuk to see the Basilica of St. John and the Artemision. Then explore Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities. You'll see impressive structures including the Agora, ancient theater, and the famous Celsus Library that bring the past back to life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to the Basilica of St. John
- Visit to the Artemision
- Tour of Ephesus
- Tour of the Agora
- Tour of the theater
- Visit to the Celsus Library
Landmarks/POIs Basilica of St. John Artemision Ephesus Celsus Library - Day 9
Ephesus to Pamukkale
Drive to Pamukkale with a stop first at Aphrodisias, the ancient sculptor's town. See remains of artists' works, the necropolis, and the large theater. Then you'll reach Pamukkale's white limestone terraces where the bizarre natural formation meets the thermal springs that ancients valued for healing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Aphrodisias
- Visit to the necropolis in Aphrodisias
- Tour of the theater in Aphrodisias
- Visit to Pamukkale limestone terraces
Landmarks/POIs Aphrodisias Pamukkale - Day 10
Pamukkale to Bodrum
Travel back toward Bodrum, stopping at a carpet weaving workshop to learn how traditional carpets are made and why this craft matters. Once in Bodrum, explore the impressive crusader castle and visit one of the Mediterranean's finest underwater archaeology museums.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Introduction to the art of carpet weaving
- Visit to Bodrum Castle
- Visit to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Landmarks/POIs Bodrum Castle Museum of Underwater Archaeology - Day 11
Bodrum to Dalyan
You'll have a more relaxed day with the Mediterranean coast on your right as you drive to Dalyan. Travel through the reed landscape to reach ancient Kaunos. With luck, you might spot the rare Caretta-Caretta turtles that inhabit this area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Kaunos
Optional Activities
- View Caretta-Caretta turtles (weather and presence dependent)
Landmarks/POIs Kaunos - Day 12
Dalyan to Antalya
Explore Lycian culture by visiting Xanthos, their ancient capital known for monumental tombs. Continue to Demre (ancient Myra) with its enigmatic rock tombs and amphitheater. Learn about St. Nicholas who worked here; while his sarcophagus is in a former church, his remains were taken to Bari, Italy in the 11th century. Settle into Antalya for three nights with views of the Taurus Mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Xanthos
- Visit to the monumental tombs of Xanthos
- Tour of Demre (Myra)
- Visit to the rock tombs
- Tour of the amphitheater
Landmarks/POIs Xanthos Demre Myra - Day 13
Antalya
Visit Termessos, the only city that resisted Alexander the Great, though it didn't survive antiquity. Tour the excavations, explore the old theater, and reach the 'Eagle's Nest' viewpoint where Alexander once stood for far-reaching views. Return to Antalya and visit the city museum with finds from nearby sites like Perge. Spend the afternoon in the charming old town looking for gifts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Termessos
- Visit to the theater in Termessos
- Visit to the Eagle's Nest viewpoint
- Visit to the Antalya city museum
Optional Activities
- Explore the old town of Antalya
- Shopping for gifts and souvenirs in the old town
Landmarks/POIs Termessos Antalya Museum - Day 14
Antalya
When St. Paul landed in Perge on his first missionary journey, the city had already stood for 1,000 years. Visit this important site, then head to Aspendos to see the best-preserved ancient theater in the world, where concerts still happen today. On the return to Antalya, stop at the scenic Kursunlu Waterfalls.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Perge
- Visit to Aspendos Theater
- Visit to the Kursunlu Waterfalls
Landmarks/POIs Perge Aspendos Theater Kursunlu Waterfalls - Day 15
Departure from Antalya
Fly home via Istanbul as your Turkey trip concludes. If you've decided to extend your stay with a few relaxing days on the Mediterranean, enjoy that additional time in this beautiful region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional extension with relaxing days on the Mediterranean
