GRAND TURKEY TOUR/TURKISH DELIGHT

Arrive in Istanbul a huge metropolis connecting continents, cultures, religions and one of the greatest business and cultural center of the region. Meeting assistance by A Classic Tours Collection representative and transfer to HOTEL CROWN PLAZA HARBIYE.

After breakfast embark on a city tour to visit Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, and Blue Mosque. Istanbul will amaze you with the variety of historical monuments, including palaces, museums, cisterns, fountains, and pillars, which surround you on all sides. At Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, you can experience the magnificence of both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire one after the other. The architectural secrets of these two buildings are yet to be fully unraveled. A trip to Istanbul is not complete without a visit to the Spice Market. Explore the Egyptian Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), otherwise known as the Spice Bazaar. Option to stay at the market and return to Hotel on own. HOTEL CROWN PLAZA HARBIYE. B

After breakfast, you will be driven to Gallipoli to visit Anzac Cove, Nek Conk Bair, Lone Pine and 57th regiment memorial as well as the war museum. The campaign was to break the stalemate on the Western and Eastern Front and to help the Russians. It is perceived as a defining moment in the nation’s history—a final surge in the defense of the motherland as the Ottoman Empire crumbled. The struggle formed the basis for the Turkish war independence and the founding of the Republic Of Turkey eight years later under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a commander at Gallipoli. The campaign is often considered to mark the birth of national consciousness in Australia and New Zealand and the date of the landing 25 April, is known as “Anzac Day”. It remains the most significant commemoration of military casualties and veterans. KOLIN HOTEL. BD

After breakfast travel today to legendary Troy, an ancient city in northwestern Turkey made famous in Homer’s epic poem, the Iliad. According to Iliad, this is where the legendary Trojan War took place. Today it is an archaeological site popular with travelers from all over the world, and in addition to being a Turkish national park and a World Heritage UNESCO site. Crossing the legendary mountain Ida you will arrive at Pergamum to visit the Acropolis, perched atop a high, steep-sided hill to the northeast of the modern city center. The great temples and dramatic theater are visible from anywhere in the city, as they were meant to be. Byzantine rule has also left its mark on Pergamum Excavations however point to a much earlier settlement in Pergamum dating back to the Early Bronze Age. Pergamum played a significant role in the Ancient Mediterranean stage. Continue to Kusadasi. HOTEL GRAND BELISH. BD

Tour the ancient city of Ephesus, once, the trade centre of the ancient world and a religious centre of the early Christianity. Stand on the stage of the amphitheater where St. John spoke to the Ephesians. Walk through the ruins of the ancient library where scholars studied and be amazed with the 2000 year old plumbing, more sophisticated than in some parts of the world today. The ruins that are now visible give you some idea of the city’s original composition, and the names associated with the ruins are a reminder of its former status as a major port of the ancient world. The Library of Celsus, which was reconstructed from the original pieces, was originally

Built in 125 BC by Julius Aquila, and held over 12,000 scrolls, making it the largest library in the Mediterranean. Discover and understand the rich history behind local handicrafts like hand-made carpets, leather etc. Continue to the village of Sirince, home to orthodox Christian Greeks who have lived here from the Ottoman Empire period and are famous for wine making. The Muslim Turks who moved here from Thessaloniki in 1924 are also engaged in wine making using local fruits, you may want to sample the local wines or buy. Return to Kusadasi after the tour. HOTEL GRAND BELISH. BD

Travel today to the ancient the magnificent Hierapolis meaning “sacred city,” believed to be founded by the god Apollo. Famous for its sacred hot springs, whose vapors were associated with Pluto, god of the underworld. The city is also home to a significant Jewish community as mentioned by Paul in his Letter to Colossians. In addition to interesting Classical ruins, one can swim to see the ancient artifacts, view the spectacular white terraces, the lime cascade & white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name Pamukkale (“cotton castle”). Continue to Marmaris HOTEL ANEMON. BD

We begin our day’s explorations beginning with lakeside town of Koycegiz. Here we take a boat cruise and spend day relaxing, sunbathing on the sunny deck, swimming, snorkeling in deep

Turquoise waters. The Turtle beach, surrounded by salt water on one side and fresh water on the other, is one of the last breeding grounds of the Sea Turtles. On our bat trip enroute to the Mud Baths stop at the magnificent Rock Tombs belonging to the Kings of ancient Lycia and dating back to 4th century B.C. The rejuvenating Mud Baths and Thermal springs of Dalyan have drawn

famous people over the years like Dustin Hoffman, Sting and David Bowie to name a few. Time to enjoy the mud baths before traveling to Fethiye. ATAPAK HOTEL. BD

On your tour today visit the quaint Greek village of Kayakoy, a must for anyone visiting the

Fethiye area. Kayakoy means “rock town” and was once a thriving Greek village also known as Levissi. Continue to Oludeniz “dead sea”, the lagoon is a protected nature preserve and a national park. The towering Baba Dağ (Mt Baba) casting its shadow across the sea, Return back to Fethiye in the evening. . ATAPAK HOTEL. B

Today visit the stunningly beautiful Saklikent Gorge, Turkey’s longest and deepest canyon, set in a spectacular natural park of pine, oak and cedar trees. Those interested in culture, natural beauty and history, will appreciate the time spent in Saklıkent Gorge Nature Park. After tracking along the canyon we will continue to Antalya crossing the Tauros mountains, separating the Mediterranean coastal region from Turkey’s Central Anatolian plateau. Taurus Mountains boast a diverse landscape of rugged limestone crags, shadowed by soaring peaks and towering rock columns. The Duden River extends from the Taurus mountains all the way to the Mediterranean and creates two cascades know as the Upper and Lower Duden Waterfalls. A natural cave has formed behind the falls and it is possible to sit here and watch the cascades. Continue to Antalya. BARUT HOTEL. BD Day

Early departure for Konya this morning stopping enroute to visit the Aspendos ancient Theater, one of the best preserved theatres of the Roman world. The theater has a capacity of 15,000 people and is still used today for performances and festivals. Its galleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify to its architect Xeno’s success. Next to the stage there is a small room which is used as a small museum where you can see some of the masks and clay tickets from the ancient times. Just above the theater there is the acropolis with a great view of the river from the top, where you can see a basilica, an agora, a nymphaeum and a Bouleuterion (council), all of them in ruins. Upon arrival to Konya, tour the monastery of the Mevlana Whirling Dervishes. Rumi is one of the world’s most read poets. Rumi’s tomb is Turkey’s second most-visited tourist attraction after the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Rumi was a mystic, a Sufi saint who loved all religions, and whose own religion was love. His followers would (and still do) lose themselves in trance and dance, sometimes spinning like tops for hours on end. Continue to Cappadocia via Seljuk- a fine example of an ancient Silk Road. HOTEL DINLER. B

For millions of years, the mighty volcanoes of the Central Anatolian Plateau erupted and spewed their contents across the land that would become the cradle of civilization. The interesting rock formations, known as “fairy chimneys”, have been formed as the result of the erosion of the tufa layer, sculpted by wind and flood water, running down on the slopes of the valleys. On your full day tour visit the natural citadel of Uchisar, Goreme Open-Air Museum, Pasabag Valley, and Underground City of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu. HOTEL DINLER. B

Optional Balloon tour: Cappadocia offers sensational sunrises and sunsets with an unforgiving

Terrain, panoramic vistas and breathtaking nature passes while you float in an open basket.

Later travel to Safranbolu stopping enroute at Ankara to visit Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara. The huge hall, lined in red marble, has simple mosaic decoration recalling the many ages and civilizations. This is the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. A number of Ataturk’s personal belongings are exhibited, including clothes that he wore, and gifts presented to him by visiting foreign dignitaries. Continue our drive and check in to our Safranbolu, a UNESCO world heritage town also known as an open air museum. Spend the night at an Ottoman mansion. CINCI HANI or IMREN LOKUM KONG. BD

Tour Safranbolu, an important caravan station on the main East–West trade route. The Old Mosque, Old Bath and Süleyman Pasha Medrese were built in 1322. During its apogee in the 17th century, Safranbolu’s architecture influenced urban development throughout much of the Ottoman Empire. Time to wander around the narrow lanes of the old town, scramble up to the castle and clock tower for a panoramic view and try Turkish delight. Continue to Istanbul Time free to visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and 5,000 shops, well known for its jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops. RAMADA HOTEL. B

Breakfast. Time free until your transfer to the airport for flight home or extend your stay in Greece. (B)