Voyage Due West

Explore the old district of the capital city of Ankara; visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations one among the leading museums of the world because of its unique collection; walk along the reliefs that date back to the 6th millennium BC; experience the troglodyte life in Cappadocia; and become a part of the daily life in the world famous city of Istanbul, and taste the Turkish delight in this city of sultans.

DAY 1 - USA TO TURKEY - Fri.

DAY 2 - ANKARA - Sat.

Welcome to Ankara, the modern capital of the Turkish Republic. Our staff will meet you and escort you to your hotel for the first day of your tour. (-/-/D)

DAY 3 - ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA - Sun.

The highlight of the first day is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, located in a restored caravanserai. Ankara Castle and the Mausoleum of AtatUrk are the last stops before lunch. In the afternoon, we drive to Cappadocia. (B/L/D)

DAY 4 - CAPPADOCIA - Mon.

Cappadocia, with its volcanic landscape and historical background, awaits your exploration. UChisar and Pigeon Valleys, the GOreme Open Air Museum, the Zelve Valley and the underground city of Kaymakli are the highlights of the day. (B/L/D)

DAY 5 - KONYA - PAMUKKALE - Tue.

Early departure to Konya which was the capital of the SelCuk Turks in the 13th century. The city is famous for its mystical Whirling Dervishes. Visit the Mevlana Museum. You will arrive in Pamukkale as the pastel sunset reflects the white cascades. (B/L/D)

DAY 6 - PAMUKKALE - KUSADASI - Wed.

Pamukkale is a natural and historical landmark of western Turkey. In the morning, we visit the remains of the antique city of Hierapolis and the hot springs, then we continue to Aphrodisias, one of the most recent discoveries in Turkey. We drive to KuSadasi in the afternoon. (B/L/D)

DAY 7 - KUSADASI - Thu.

We start the day in Ephesus, the best preserved and the most often visited site in Turkey. This amazing city was the veritable cradle of early Christianity. We tour the House of the Virgin Mary and explore the Ephesus Museum, the Mosque of Isabey and St. John's Basilica.Overnight in Kusadasi. (B/L/D)

DAY 8 - CANAKKALE - Fri.

Heading north, we arrive in Pergamum; we visit Asclepion the medical center of the ancient world; and the Acropolis. Later, we visit the Temple of Trajan, the altar of Zeus and the Red Basilica. In the afternoon, we drive to Troy, the legendary city of Homer. Overnight in Canakkale. (B/L/D)

DAY 9 - ISTANBUL - Sat.

After breakfast we drive to Istanbul after passing over the Dardanelles by ferry. Overnight in Istanbul. (B/L/D)

DAY 10 - ISTANBUL - Sun.

This city which blends cultures, religions and civilizations awaits our discovery. St. Sophia Church and the Blue Mosque are the first visits of the day, then we explore the Hippodrome. In the afternoon, our visit to the home of the Sultans, Topkapi Palace, is the highlight of the day. (B/L/D)

DAY 11 - ISTANBUL - Mon.

We take a boat trip in the morning on the Bosphorus, the historic waterway between two continents. The Covered Bazaar and the Spice Market, market places covering more than 4000 shops in one building, and the SUleymaniye mosque are our destinations in the afternoon. Join us for a festive good bye dinner. (B/L/D)