U.S. citizens require Passports valid for three (3) months beyond intended stay. On arrival in Istanbul, you are required to purchase a tourist
Visa at the airport for $20 USD (bring exact change, cash only). Non-U.S. citizens should check with the consulate for Passport and Visa requirements.
You can apply for a vist before departure.
Day 1: Depart New York (JFK) for Turkey.
Day 2: Istanbul: Upon arrival, you must purchase your Visa and then pass through passport control and have your passport stamped.
You must then proceed to baggage claim and then to the International Arrivals gate where you will meet your English-speaking, Club ABC Tours guide.
Transfer to your hotel with a welcome briefing. Check-in is usually in the afternoon, so you can leave your luggage at the hotel and enjoy lunch in
the area. The afternoon is at your leisure to get acquainted with this lovely city located along Turkey's sunny Aegean coastline with palm-lined
promenades, broad avenues and green parks set in sweeping curves along a circular bay.
Day 3: Istanbul: After breakfast, take a full-day of Istanbul. Visit the Topkapi Palace, the Imperial Residence of the Ottoman Sultans,
with its displays of priceless collections of artifacts, jewelry and rare porcelain. See the Blue Mosque, built during the Ottoman Empire's golden age
with its six minarets and famous for its stunning blue Iznik tiles and view the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine where chariot races were once held.
Visit St. Sophia museum; built in the 6th century, once the largest Christian Church in the world; and the Grand Bazaar. (Breakfast)
Day 4: Gallipoli/Dardanelles/Canakkale: This morning, depart for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, Lone pine cemetery, Chunuk Bair and
Gabatepe War Museum. Then, cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale for overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5: Troy/Pergamum/Kusadasi: Today we visit Troy with its famous wooden horse. Then, tour Pergamum, one of the most impressive
classical sites in Turkey. It was here that parchment was invented. Its library once held 200,000 books, rivaling Alexandria's. See the Pergamum Theater,
said to be the steepest theater of the Ancient World with 80 tiers, seating 10,000 spectators. Continue on to Kusadasi for overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6: Ephesus & St. Mary's House - Kusadasi: Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus and St. Mary's cottage and visit a regional carpet production
center. The ancient city of Ephesus is the best-preserved and major Ionian city dating back to 1300B.C. Legendary Ephesus is among the most famous cities of
the ancient world and one of the biggest cities of the Roman era. A treasury of all the riches of Ionian culture, Ephesus had a reputation for philosophy and
critical thinking. The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as well as countless statues, theaters, libraries, markets and smaller
temples were all architectural symbols of the city's fame. Drive to Selcuk to visit the House of Virgin Mary, said to be where Mary spent the last few years of
her life and the Basilica of St. John who accompanied Virgin Mary to Ephesus. Transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7: Kusadasi/Pamukkale: Drive through fertile valleys to Pamukkale (white lime cascades) visit Hierapolis. Continue on to Pamukkale, a UNESCO
World Heritage site, where calcite-laden waters have created "Cotton Palace", an unreal landscape made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series
of terraced basins. At the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. The ruins
of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site. Marvel at this beautiful snow-white "frozen waterfalls" and enjoy an optional
therapeutic bath in the hot spring waters. Check in the hotel and enjoy the thermal pools. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8: Pamukkale/Perge/Antalya: This morning, enjoy a scenic drive en route to Antalya, "the Turkish Riviera", on the Mediterranean coast.
Here the fragrant pine clad Toros (Taurus) Mountains sweep down to the sparkling clear sea forming an irregular coastline of rocky headlands and secluded
covers. Since its' founding in the second century B.C., Antalya has been inhabited by many, including the Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks before it came
under Ottoman rule. Arrive at mid-noon, and pay a visit to the ancient city of Perge. Leisure afternoon by the Mediterranean coast (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9: Antalya: Today is at leisure to explore on your own. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10: Antalya/Aspendos/Konya: After breakfast depart for Konya. En route visit the famous theatre in Aspendos. Visit Mevlana Mausoleum and
drive by the Karatay Koran School to see the colorful Turkish Tiles. Arrive and check in to the hotel for overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11: Konya/Cappadocia: After breakfast, depart for Cappadocia. On the way visit the 13th century Agzikarahan caravansary, the land of Fairy
Chimneys. Then, pay a visit to the famous underground city of Kaymakle before we check in to our hotel. Dinner is in a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 12: Cappadocia: After breakfast, visit Goreme Open Air Museum with its fairy chimneys and dozens of cave churches. Visit the pottery
making town of Avanos, then to Pasabagi, and the Red Valley, and have a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 13: Cappadocia/Ankara: After breakfast, depart for Ankara. Take an afternoon tour of the Ataturk Mausoleum and Anatolian Civilizations
Museum. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 14: Ankara/Istanbul: After breakfast drive to Istanbul. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 15: Istanbul/U.S.: After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (Breakfast)
