If you have more than a week but less than two, we can still show you all of Turkey's top sights--Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Kusadas, Çanakkale--an unbeatable value.

DAY 1 - ISTANBUL

Our staff meets your plane and escorts you to your hotel. In the evening, join us for a welcoming reception.

DAY 2 - ANKARA & CAPPADOCIA

A morning flight takes us to Ankara for a visit to its renowned Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. We then drive south from the Turkish capital to biblical Cappadocia, visiting the Seljuk Turkish caravanserai of Agzkarahan and the natural rock fortress of Uçhisar on the way. (BLD)

DAY 3 - CAPPADOCIA

We explore the "moonscape" of Cappadocia, visiting the painted churches in the Göreme and Zelve Valleys, the rock-hewn dwellings in Ortahisar, the pottery-making center of Avanos, and the incredible underground city of Kaymakl (or Derinkuyu). (BLD)

DAY 4 - KONYA & PAMUKKALE

An early morning drive takes us to the mystical city of Konya, birthplace of the Whirling Dervishes, for a visit to the Mevlana Museum. We continue to the spa of Pamukkale to enjoy the sunset from its warm mineral-water pools before making the short drive to Denizli and our hotel. (BLD)

DAY 5 - HIERAPOLIS & APHRODISIAS

We return to Pamukkale to tour the extensive ruins of Roman Hierapolis and have a swim in the mineral pools, then continue through lush farming country to Aphrodisias, the well-preserved City of Aphrodite, goddess of love. After touring the ruins, we drive to the Aegean seaside resort of Kusadas for the night. (BLD)

DAY 6 - EPHESUS & IZMIR

The miraculously revealed House of the Virgin Mary is our first stop, after which we tour Ephesus, the capital of Roman Asia Minor, and the Basilica of St John, said to mark his tomb. The drive to Izmir is past fields of potatoes and tobacco, and orchards of figs. (BLD)

DAY 7 - PERGAMON & DARDANELLES

Driving north along the Aegean coast, we come to Bergama (ancient Pergamon) and ascend its lofty acropolis, followed by a tour of the Asclepion, one of the world's first medical centers. After lunch, we continue northward along the coast to Çanakkale, on the Dardanelles. (BLD)

DAY 8 - TROY & MARMARA COAST

The short drive to Troy ends with the thrill of standing atop the ancient walls where beautiful Helen once stood, where the Trojan Horse brought victory for the invading Achaeans 3300 years ago. We return to Istanbul along the fertile shores of the Sea of Marmara. (BLD)

DAY 9 - ISTANBUL

Having saved the best for last, we tour the great Ottoman capital, visiting the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi, the palace of the sultans, with its fabulous Treasury and collections of priceless Chinese porcelains. In the afternoon we venture out to the great city walls to see the Kariye Museum (Chora Church), resplendent with Byzantine mosaics. In the evening, join us for dinner and a fabulous show of belly-dancing and folk dancing (optional, at extra cost). (BL)

DAY 10- ISTANBUL

Full day at leisure or to explore further this city of wonders on your own (cB)

DAY 11 - DEPARTURE

We escort you to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Rates per person in US $

Rates are per person and include:

• Airfares within Turkey (but not international airfares).
• Accommodations in comfortable first-class (four-star) hotels are included; please contact our office if you would like to upgrade your accommodations to Deluxe (five-star) and Heritage (five-star-plus) hotels (available in Istanbul only), as the rates vary by hotel. We also have special discounted airfares on the nonstop flights of Turkish Airlines--contact us for details.
• Guided sightseeing as per itinerary
• All transfers in Turkey
• Meals as listed : Preset menu : B/L/D = Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner