14 Day Grand Turkey

Meals: In-flight meals
Welcome to Istanbul, the center of Turkey’s politics, economy and culture!! This will be your first encounter, the very first moment of a new adventure with different faces and sounds. An assault on all the senses!!
After you disembark from your flight, our AVG Concierge will assist you through customs and onto your luxury coach. Onboard you will meet your Tour Guide & be escorted to your hotel. We have organized group check in for you. A quick city tour has been organized to get you in the mood for your adventure. The rest of your day is yours to explore your hotel & it’s surrounding.
A welcome dinner tonight is hosted at your hotel for the ultimate culinaryencounter!!You will be joining us one of the hotel’s premier dining experiences!
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Istanbul

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, today we explore St Sophia; The magnificent Byzantine Church; one of the finest architectural works in the world. It has been nominated as the 8th wonder of the world by many historians. Considered one of the world’s most beautiful buildings, the Hagia Sofia, which means Church of Holy Wisdom of God, is an important surviving example of Byzantine architecture. Then we have an exclusive culinary experience for you. Treat yourself with a Baklava from the masters; Original taste in Karakoy Gulluoglu Baklavicisi; Baklava is actually not a dessert, but rather an event in itself In Istanbul, Karaköy Güllüoglu is the best place to experience baklava. This baklava emporium has been catering to Istanbul sweet tooths since 1949.
Next our journey, we visit Hippodrome Square; During the visit you’ll be able to see the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column and the Egypt Serpentine Column. We then continue on to theworld-famousBlue Mosque; One of the largest mosques in Istanbul dating from the 17th century it is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul. Also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets. ***Closed on Fridays until 15:00 ***
After this we take a break to explore the many unique Coffee houses in the area, where you get to experience a frothy Turkish Coffee or Tea.  We then continue out tour with a visit to the Underground Cistern; Don’t forget to make a wish by throwing a coin to the fish which live in the adjacent pool of Underground Cistern. Encounterthe Unique Characters of the Grand Bazaar; Satisfy your shopping instincts and don’t be afraid to get lost in the bustle of Grand Bazaar. To make your shop-hopping experience more special, you will be visiting an exclusive design jeweler and a carpet expert.
Accommodation: Hotel in Istanbul

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bosphorus Cruise with Public Ferry; Visit the Pearls of Bosphorus an unforgettable excursion starts between two continents; Europe and Asia. Don’t forget to feed
simit (Turkish pretzel) to Seagulls…
Visit of Spice Market – Learning the Secrets of Spice; Meet with experts in where you will learn the specialties of Spices, smell each of them and will learn how to use them with different meals.
Experience the Turkish coffee from Kurukahveci Mehmed Efendi 102; Historical Coffee Roaster located in Eminonu. Each variety has been prepared with a blend
of traditional knowledge, experience and an abiding “Love of Coffee”. Before we leave the bazaar, we will feed the pigeons in front of the New Mosque in
Eminonu
Visit of Topkapi Palace & Harem; Topkapi Palace; is the subject of more colorful stories than most of the world’s Royal residence. The former imperial residence
from where the Ottoman Empire was ruled. Today a spectacular museum that has one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain. ***Closed on Tuesdays***
After your full day of touring and cruising, we will drive to Ankara, where after checking in, the night is yours to relax and explore. Dinner is available at the hotel restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ankara

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast & check out, we depart for Hittite Museum and Mausoleum of Atatürk.
The Mausoleum of Atatürk; Unlike many famous leaders, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk never requested a monumental tomb for himself. But the adoration and respect shown to him by Turkish people would never have seen him buried in an ordinary place. An international project competition was held for the architecture of a monumental mausoleum for Atatürk after his death. The construction of a huge mausoleum similar to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was started on the summit of Anittepe, 6 years after his death in 1944 and finished in 9 years. On November 10, 1953 Atatürk was moved there in a gun carriage, from his previous grave at the Museum of Ethnography. The Mausoleum was believed to represent the Turkish Nation under the name and personality of Atatürk. Therefore, it included statues, inscriptions and reliefs on topics from Turkish history and Atatürk’s life.
Anatolian Civilization Museum; Designed to emphasize the pre-classical civilizations of Anatolia, beginning with the Old Stone Age and going through the Neolithic civilization of Catalhöyük and the Assyrian traders of Kanes, the pre-Hittite civilizations of Alacahöyük, and finally the Phrygians and the Romans.
After lunch, we drive to Cappadocia, where you will check into your hotel. The rest of the night is yours to explore. Your AVG Concierge and Tour Guide will be on hand for some handy tips to help you discover the amazing surroundings & nightlife.
Accommodation: Hotel in Cappadocia

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel, morning visit to the underground city of Kaymakli & Citadel of Uçhisar. After lunch continue with the valley of “Göreme” &open-air museum.
Kaymakli Underground City; It is in Kaymakli Town of Nevsehir Province. It is 20 km to Nevsehir. It has 8 floors and its first floor has been made in the Hittite Period. It has been converted into an underground city by carving and expanding other areas in the Roman and Byzantine Periods. Today, its 4 floors are illuminated and opened for visit. This underground city, which is carved into tuff rocks, has the necessary shelter conditions for temporary living of a group.
Uchisar Castle; Uchisar is situated at the highest point in Cappadocia, on the Nevsehir-Goreme road, just 5 km from Goreme. The top of the Uchisar Castle provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area with Mount Erciyes in the distance.
Göreme Open – Air Museum; It is a rock settlement location 2 km east of Göreme Town at 13 km distance to Nevsehir. A monastery life has been lived in Göreme from 4th century AD until 13th century. There are churches, chapels, dining halls and seating places in almost all rock blocks.  Göreme Open Air Museum of today is the place where this education system is started. Soganli, Ihlara, Açiksaray are locations where the same education system is seen later.
Pasabag (Monks Valley); Pasabag in Cappadocia is located on the road to Zelve, coming from Goreme or Avanos. Highly remarkable earth pillars can be seen here, in the middle of a vineyard, hence the name of the place which means: the Pacha’s vineyard. Pacha means “General”, the military rank, in Turkish and it is a very common nick name. This site is also called Monks Valley. The name was derived from some cones carved in tuff stones which stand apart. Currently, there is a vineyard and a number of tuff cones standing right next to the road.
Avanos; The town of Avanos is set on the banks of the Kizilirmak, the Red River. The town is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from Goreme. Avanos has a lively center with all the usual amenities including a modern, tourist-oriented hammam. A large travelling market visits Avanos on Fridays. We suggest a visit to Avanos for individual travelers on Fridays. This tented market has everything for the house, clothing, fruits and vegetables and more.
Accommodation: Hotel in Cappadocia

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast departure for Konya. On the way visit the 13^thcentury Seljukian caravanserai “Sultanhan”. The next stop will be Konya which is famous with Mevlana Museum and the Theological Scholl of Whirling Dervishes.
Caravanserai; Caravanserais have been used since the 10th century. Trade across Turkey in medieval Seljuk times was dependent on camel trains (kervan, anglicized as caravan), which stopped by night in inns known as kervansaray or caravanserai, literally ‘caravan palaces’. These buildings provided accommodation and other amenities for the merchants and stabling for their animals. Caravanseraies were first seen in Central Asia during the times of Caravans, Ghaznavids and the Great Seljuk State. They were building fortresses called “Ribat”. These buildings first constructed as small buildings for military uses were later developed and changed into larger buildings and were used for both religious purposes and as inns for travelers.
Mevlana Museum; There are 17 small cells, each with a small dome and chimney around the west and north sides of the frontcourt of the Mevlana Lodge. These cells were built in 1584 by Sultan Murat III to house the dervishes. Four cells to the right of the entrance gate are at present used as a ticket window and administration offices. The first two of the 13 cells to the left of the gate used as “Postnisin” and “Mesnevi-han” cells are kept in their original form and presented to the public. The last two cells at the end are allocated to the very valuable book collections donated by Abdülbaki Gölpinarli and Dr. Mehmed Önder, and they are used as a library. The partition walls of the remaining 9 cells were removed providing two interconnected large corridors. In one of these corridors’ old rugs of historical value from regions famous for their rugs such as Kula, Gördes, Usak and Kirsehir are displayed while the other has old rugs from districts of Konya such as Ladik, Karaman, Karapinar and Sille which are centers of rug weaving. Display windows built in the window and door sills of these cells display artifacts of Mevlevi ethnographysuch as “Pazarci masasi”, “Mütteka”, “Nefir” which were transferred to the museum from the Lodge, and the extremely valuable Bursa fabrics from the museum collection.
We then drive to Pamukkale, where you will check in to your hotel & have a relaxing night. Dinner will be available at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel in Pamukkale

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, today we visit the ancient city of Hierapolis. The ruins of the biggest Necropolis Graveyard of the ancient world, Roman Baths, Basilica and calcium cliffs.
Hierapolis;
In this ancient city, the ruins spread over a mile from the city founded by Eumenes II of Pergamon. It was leveled by an earthquake in AD 17 but was rapidly rebuilt and enjoyed prosperity between the second and third centuries.
After lunch,we make our way to Antalya, via the panoramic Taurus Mountains.
Upon checking in to your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore your surroundings.
Accommodation: Hotel in Antalya

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, we will make our way to the ancient cities of Side, Perge and Aspendos. Lunch will be served during the visits.
Today it is a large site of ancient ruins 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) east of Antalyaon the coastal plain. Located there is an acropolis dating back to the Bronze Age. During the Hellenistic period, Perga was one of the richest and most beautiful cities in the ancient world famous for its temple of Artemis. It also is notable for being the home of the renowned ancient Greek mathematician Apollonius of Perga.
The city of Aspendos is located on the ancient Eurymedon. Established by the colonists from Argos, the city is known all over the world for the attractive Roman Theater, that it still in excellent shape. The city walls were built in the Hellenistic age and underwent extensive renovations in the Roman and Byzantine times. The ancient city should be observed in two major parts; the Acropolis (upper city) and the Lower city. The Agora, Bouleterion, Basilica and the monumental fountain in the upper part of the town, and the Theater building, Stadium, Roman Bath and the Aquaduct in the lower section are certainly worth seeing. Aspendos Theater with a seating capacity of 15000, the theater was built by the famous architect Zenon in the reign of emperor Marcus Aurelius. The very top section of the structure was partially renovated, and the acoustics were enhanced with later additions. The stage building was used as a caravanserai in the Seldjuk times, and the structure was constantly renovated and maintained in good shape. As a result, the theater has survived to our day without losing none of the vital features.
Upon returning to your hotel, dinner will be served in one the onsite restaurants for your convenience. The rest of the night is yours to relax (& maybe a night cap?)
Accommodation: Hotel in Antalya

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today after an early breakfast & check out, we drive toAphrodisias. After lunch visit the Greco-Roman settlement which is remarkably well preserved. The ancient city is dedicated to the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite.
Aphrodisias: Named after the Goddess Aphrodite, whose cult- like status became synonymous with the celebration of sensual love and exquisite femininity, the ancient city of Aphrodisias itself became renowned throughout Asia Minor as a center of medicine and philosophy but above all, of sculpture and the arts. Aphrodisias has undergone a series of earthquakes in the late antiquity and was abandoned by the survivors after the attacks of the Arabs. The well-preserved theater was converted into an arena for gladiator and bullfights in the later years.
Later in the afternoon, we will make our way to Kusadasi, where after checking in, you will have the chance to explore your surroundings as leisure. Dinner will be served in the hotel. 
Accommodation: Hotel in Kusadasi

Meals:Breakfast
After a late breakfast, the day is yours to relax, kick back & explore the magical coastal port. Your tour guide will be on hand all day for suggestions for things to do, see, experience & shop. 
Accommodation: Hotel in Kusadasi

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we drive to Meryemana and visit the House of Virgin Mary. Continue to Ephesus, the Roman Capital of Asia Minor. Visit the ruins of Odeon, Hercules Gate, the temple of Hadrian, the magnificent library, Agora and fantastic Greco-Roman theatre.
Virgin Mary’s House; The resolutions of the council of 431 held that the Virgin Mary came to Ephesos. According to them, she came here together with Saint John, four to six years after the death of Christ. After the proclamation of Pope Paul VI in 1967, Pope John Paul II came to Ephesos and declared the House of Mary to be a place of pilgrimage for Christians. The house on the top of Bülbüldag is believed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary.
Ephesus; Ephesos, which was one of the twelve fon cities, developed as a result of the union of the lon immigrants with the natives living near the temple of Kybele. Afterwards, the spectacular temple built for this goddess who then took the name of the Greek Goddess Artemis, would be famous as one of the seven wonders of the world. Like the other lonian cities, Ephesos was ruled by Lydia, Persia, Macedonia and lastly by Roman rulers. This city was one of the most popular cities of the ancient world and was given special attention by many Hellenistic kings. For instance, it is known that Lysimakhos built this city and gave it his wife, Arsinoe’s name, and that the king of Pergamon Attalos II, enlarged the port. Because the Romans made Ephesos the capital of the Asian State, the city became one of the biggest settlements in Anatolia. The city was an important centre for Christianity currently.Owing to its wonderful position and associated ports, Ephesos became Anatolia’s biggest trade centre. The Celsus library, the theatre, stadium, gymnasium, the temples and the famous baths are responsible for this city becoming a sport, religious, cultural and entertainment centre especially in Roman times.
St. John Basilica; It is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian (527 -565 AD).
After returning to your hotel, your night is free to relax. Dinner has been organized in one of the hotel’s restaurants. 
Accommodation: Hotel in Kusadasi

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast & check-out, we will depart for Pergamum. After lunch visit Asklepion and continue for Troy. The legendary town in the iliad of Homeros.
Pergamon; The most important ancient settlement in Smyrna’s neighboring area is Pergamon (Bergama) founded by Philetairos at the beginning of 3^rdcentury B.C. Ruled continuously by the Attalos dynasty, from the middle of that century on, Pergamon existed as the largest and the strongest of West Anatolian kingdoms throughout Hellenistic era. However, after the death of the last king Attalos III and suppression Aristonikos revolt which is followed, it has become the Asian State of the Romans. Pergamon, particularly in the 2^nd century B.C. became the most important cultural and artistic centre of the entire Hellenistic area. It is known that a library established at that time had 200,000 books and parchment, for centuries used as writing material was first used here. The Zeus Altar which has some reliefs that symbolize the war between the Gods (Pergamonians) and the Giants (Galatians) is also among the remains of the same period.
Asclepion & Acropolis; The Asclepion to the southwest of the lower city, was built to pay homage to the God of Health, Asclepios, and it was the most celebrated in the world. The temples of Trajan and Dionysus, majestic Altar of Zeus, the temple of Demeter, inspiring theatre, the gymnasium, the arsenals, the lower agora and the famous library from the Acropolis.
Troy; Troy is the ancient site written about by Homer in the Iliad. It dates back as far as 3000 BC and has been the site of nine different cities through the thousands of years it has existed. As you enter the site a large wooden Trojan horse dominates your view. You will definitely want to climb up and get your picture taken!
After a long day of touring, you will enjoy your night at your leisure. Dinner will be available at your hotel for your convenience. 
Accommodation: Hotel in Canakkale

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast & check-out, we cross the strait by ferry and Gallipoli for the visit to Gallipoli, famous battlefield, Anzac Cove, War Cemeteries (Beach l, Quinn’ s Post, The Nek) and the Anzac Memorials (Lone Pine – Australian Memorial, Conk Bayiri – New Zealand Memorial, Hellespont – English Memorial) of the naval battle (18
March 1915) during World War I.
After the visit continue to drive to Istanbul, dinner on the way and late evening return to Istanbul.
Accommodation: Hotel in Istanbul

Meals:Breakfast, In-flight meals
Breakfast the hotel and free time until the departure to the airport.
Departure Transfer to Istanbul’s New Airport.
This is not the end…we don’t like goodbyes or sad expressions…instead we say “Gule gule git” in Turkish meaning “Go with a smile”. Your departure transfer is arranged according to the time of flight, traffic and weather conditions. After check‑out procedures are settled at the Hotel, our guests are taken to the airport in the preferred type of transfer vehicles.Upon arrival to the airport you will be assisted until after the check‑in desk.

You arrive home today and end of your trip.