Istanbul the City of Intrigue

Visit the valley of the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia; experience Turkish hospitality as you visit a family in their rock carved house; learn the meaning of colors and designs from the makers of world famous Turkish carpets; walk the marble streets of the legendary city of Ephesus; view the world famous jewels of the imperial treasury in Topkapi palace; and explore Istanbul, the only city in the world built on two continents.

Upon arrival in Ankara, Blue Voyage will escort you to your hotel in Turkey's modern capital. (/-/-D)

Before continuing to Cappadocia, we will spend a half day in Ankara visiting the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations housing one of the world's richest collections of pre-historic artifacts, the Citadel, and the Mausoleum of AtatUrk. Our journey to Cappadocia through Central Anatolia will begin after lunch. (B/L/D)

A full day touring in Cappadocia starts with UChisar and Pigeon Valleys. The GOreme Open Air Museum and its rock carved monasteries are the next stops. Fairy chimneys in the Zelve Valley and the underground city of Kaymakli complete today's visits in the region. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we return to Ankara for our flight to Izmir. (B/L/D)

From Izmir we venture out to Ephesus, the city dedicated to Artemis the Goddess of the moon and hunting. We tour St. John's Basilica, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Ephesus Museum, where the treasures of the city are housed. We return to Izmir in the late afternoon. (B/L/D)

 

Our full day tour starts with a drive to Pergamum; Alexander's generals once ruled the city. From the Acropolis, we continue to Asclepion, the city dedicated to the god of health. We return to Izmir for our late afternoon flight to Istanbul. (B/L/D)

Our whole day will be spent in the old part of the city. Our first stops are The Blue Mosque and the St. Sophia Church, remarkable buildings representing two powerful empires. The next stop is the Hippodrome. Today's tour concludes with the legendary Topkapi Palace. (B/L/D)

In the morning, we sail on the Bosphorus, the historical waterway which separates Europe and Asia, to explore the richness of the shores of two continents. The Covered Bazaar, an immense market place from Ottoman period consisting more than 4000 shops under one roof, and the Spice Market, await your discovery in the afternoon. (B/L/D)

Our staff will transfer you to the airport for your return flight to the USA. (B/-/-)