Breakfast will be at the hotel. Today you will explore the highlights of Istanbul, former Constantinople. Start with the visit of the main residence of the Ottoman dynasty, the magnificent Topkapi Palace which is the standing witness of glorious but secret and intriguing lives of the Ottoman sultans. It is now a museum notable not only for its architecture and collections but also for the history and the culture of the Ottoman Empire that it recalls. Following lunch at a local restaurant, take a stroll through the once glorious Roman Hippodrome which accommodates the ancient Egyptian Obelisk and the Serpentine Column. Besides being an arena of chariot races, it was employed for public events such as parades, meetings and festivals as well. Next, admire a masterpieceof the Byzantine architecture, the 6^th - century Hagia Sophia which has been revered as the largest and the most important Christian place of worship in the world for many centuries. It was designed to be the major basilica of the Byzantine Empire and held the record for the largest dome in the world until the Duomo was built in Florence in the 15^th century. Get a delightful walk through gardens and proceed to the imperial Blue Mosque which dominates Istanbul’s majestic skyline with its elegant composition of ascending domes and six slender soaring minarets. The careful choreography of more than 20,000 Iznik tiles rise from the mid-sections of the mosque and dazzle the visitors with their brilliant blue and turquoise hues which lend the mosque its popular sobriquet. Celebrate the day with a glass of wine in a bar at charming Karakoy, the recent hip district of Istanbul. After a fine dining night on the Bosphorus, return to the hotel for overnight.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. This morning, you will depart for Edirne, the former capital of the Ottoman Empire. The city is full of cultural architecture that continues to reflect its previous glory. Once you arrive, discover the 16th - century Selimiye Mosque, the primary masterpiece of the imperial architect Sinan that is regarded as one of the highest achievements of Islamic and Ottoman architecture. The mosque forms a constructive integrity reflecting the harmonious expression of the Ottoman concept of kulliye, a group of complementary buildings such as school, library, hospital etc. assembled around a mosque and managed as a single institution. Then, enjoy a time travel in the city’s charming neighborhood of Kaleici through its authentic alleys with alluring timber houses from the 18-20th centuries. Have lunch at a local restaurant and hit the road to your 5* hotel in Canakkale for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. You will begin the day with the sightseeing of Troy where one of the most epic wars of the bygone history is believed to have been held. The legendary city is immortalized in Homer’s Iliad and uncovered in 1871 by Heinrich Schliemann. Later, drive through the scenic Mount Ida before arriving in Pergamon, a rich and powerful antique Greek city that reached the peak of its influence during the Hellenistic period becoming the capital of the Attalid kings. Followed by lunch at a local restaurant, explore the Acropolis of Pergamon which is among the Turkey's most impressive archaeological sites. Situated on a 335m high hill, it was modeled in accordance with the one in Athens. Especially the dramatically steep Hellenistic theatre and renovated Temple of Trajan captivate the visitors at first sight. Head to your 5* hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. Your initial stop will be the sacred city of Artemis, Ephesus, one of the leading Roman period sites of the world. Being a prominent cultural and commercial center, it was the most influential capital city of Asia Minor. The Temple of Artemis which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Celsus Library that was the third largest of its time and the grandest theater of Asia Minor are tangible evidences of its significant glory. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the House of the Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her final days. Next, discover the cozy village of Sirince, literally cute or sweet, reflecting its charm. Set on a hillside above Selcuk town and within easy reach of the ruins of Ephesus, the village retains most of its lovely old wooden houses with their red tiled roofs. Perhaps it is the perfect synthesis of a traditional Turkish and Greek village. Move back to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. This morning, you will set off for Aphrodisias, one of the pearls of Turkey’s ancient sites. The city was renowned in antiquity for its sanctuary of Aphrodite and its meticulously skilled marble sculptors. We are grateful to the relentless efforts of Professor Kenan Erim of New York University who dedicated 30 years of his life to uncover the hidden gems of Afrodisias, like the breathtaking 30 thousand seated Roman stadium, the majestic temple of Afrodite and the iconic gate of Tetrapylon where he is buried today upon his will. Following the sightseeing and then, lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the unique site of Pamukkale, also known as Cotton Castle. This spectacular natural phenomenon was created by deposits of thermal waters that cascaded down the mountain side over thousands of years, forming myriad pools and terraces. Upon arrival, get entertained by wandering around the fantasy land of cotton-white calcium carbonate travertines. The ruins of the neighboring Greek city of Hierapolis, founded by the second king of Pergamon in 190 BC, is well worth exploring, particularly the theatre with a breathtaking view and the necropolis that is in a great state of preservation . Have a short drive to your 5* hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. Today, you will have a distant journey to Cappadocia via the city of Konya, the biblical Iconium. Once you arrive, have lunch at a local restaurant in Konya and later, observe the Mevlana Museum, the monastery of the whirling dervishes and the shrine of the founder of the sect, Mevlana. He was an exceptional mystic poet and one of the earliest humanists of the world who preached humility, wisdom and love. In the afternoon, on the way to Cappadocia, drop in at the Sultanhani Caravanserai, the largest and best preserved one in Anatolia. Constructed in the 13th century, this Seljuk caravanserai was used as an accommodation by the merchants and other travelers on the Silk Road. At the end of the day, you will reach the wonderlands of Cappadocia that has a unique lunar landscape of terra and tuff cones, shaped by forces of nature over millions of years. For ages, men have dug into this soft but firm tuff to create dwellings, monasteries, churches and underground cities. Proceed to your 5* hotel for dinner and overnight.

You may choose to participate in an optional early bird hot air balloon ride over the other-worldly scenery of Cappadocia which offers a life time experience. Following breakfast at the hotel, discover the Goreme Open Air Museum which holds Cappadocia’s best collection of cave churches and has been one of the first two UNESCO sites in Turkey since 1984. Cappadocia witnessed the penetration of the Christianity in Anatolia. The first Christians escaping from the persecution in Jerusalem came to settle down in natural grottoes of the region where they carved out rock churches, adorning their walls with frescos of biblical and apocryphal episodes in brilliant colors. Next, visit a traditional rug weaving center to learn about the three thousand year old tribal art of Turks. You will be delighted to see the full procedure of silk cocoons and hand spun wool yarns being transformed into extremely fine carpets by magical fingers. After lunch at a traditional cave restaurant, explore an underground city, famous for its subterranean dwellings and secret tunnel passages that various peoples utilized for shelter across the centuries. Admire the picturesque views of the lunar landscape region having photo stops at famous Hunters’ Valley and Pigeon Valley. Then, take a break at the natural fort of Uchisar to enjoy cone-like formations and well preserved fairy chimneys around it. The final attraction of the day is a local pottery workshop in the town of Red River, Avanos where the mud has found its functional and decorative forms in rough but skillful hands of the townsmen since the Hittites. You will be thrilled at the demonstration of a local master on his millennia old kick-wheel. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. You will hit the road to Adiyaman where you will have an adventurous discovery of Nemrut Mountain and its vicinity. Have lunch at a cosy local restaurant on your way to Adiyaman. Mount Nemrut, the monumental resting place of King Antiochus I from the Kingdom of Commagene, is one of the most fascinating ancient attractions in Turkey. Although the country abounds in magnificent relics of antiquity, it certainly deserves a place on the top ten lists of the archaeological hits of Asia Minor. Upon arrival, visit first Arsameia, the summer residence of Commagene rulers. Later, drop in at Cendere Bridge, well-preserved Roman bridge that crosses the Cendere River at a point where the river emerges from an impressive gorge in the wide valley. Head to your 5* hotel for diner and overnight.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. You will have an early departure for a drive and hike to marvel at the summit of Nemrut Mountain . Once you reach the very peak, get mesmerized by undoubtedly the most inspiring sun rise one could ever witness. Take some time to observe the tumulus of loose stones in which the remains of Antiochus I is believed to have been laid and the spectacular terraces with the toppled remnants of giant stone statues that were once majestically lined up to celebrate Antiochus' own glory and the glory of the gods. Next, head further east to the city of Urfa via the Ataturk Dam. Followed by lunch at a local restaurant, have a soothing afternoon exploring Urfa’s 16th century Covered Bazaar and Gumruk Han, a restored caravanserai crowded with locals enjoying a cold drink, cay or Turkish coffee. It's the most atmospheric spot in Urfa for a short rest and recreation and a decent place to try menengic kahvesi, a coffee-like drink made from roasted wild pistachio. Drive to your 5* hotel for diner and overnight.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. You will start the day with the discovery of Gobekli Tepe, Turkey’s stunning site that modified the conventional view of the rise of civilization. 10 km from Urfa, Klaus Schmidt made one of the most revolutionary archaeological discoveries of our time, massive carved stones about 12,000 years old crafted and arranged by prehistoric people who had not yet developed metal tools or even pottery. Klaus Schmidt, the German archaeologist who has been excavating the area more than a decade, is convinced that it's the site of the world's oldest temple. Then, continue to Harran, the place mentioned in the Book of Genesis where Abraham lived for a while. The most distinctive aspect of Harran is the beehive shaped houses made out of mud. Return to Urfa for lunch at a local restaurant. Later, stop by the Fish Pool where Abraham was thrown into fire as stated in some religious stories. In the afternoon visit the Urfa Archaeological Museum to recognize the fabulous past of this legendary and biblical region. Finish the day with the distinctive Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum. The mosaics are the first examples in the world depicting Amazon warrior queens. The technical and artistic elements and the fact that they were crafted using 4 mm2 stones from the Euphrates River, have made them one of the world's most precious ones. Get back to the hotel for diner and overnight.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. You will be transferred to Urfa Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, enjoy an exclusive cruise along the Bosphorus with your private chartered boat to admire the inspiring scenery of the strait embellished with historical edifices and old wooden houses. Following lunch at a local restaurant, end your tour with the famous Grand Bazaar, the oldest shopping mall of the world, wander through its peculiar oriental ambiance and colorful mazy lanes. After attending an evening farewell meal in a traditional restaurant, proceed to your 5* hotel for overnight.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. You will be transferred to Istanbul Airport within the day subject to your outbound flight time.