Istanbul, Ionia and Lycia

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL
Flights to Istanbul and arrive at the hotel. Cocktail by the reception, a description of the itinerary from the tour guide. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 2: ISTANBUL
In the morning, the Blue Mosque with its 6 minarets, the Hippodrome Square and its monuments, such as the Egyptian obelisk and the Serpent Column and the Hagia Sophia in. In the afternoon we will visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace of the Ottomans. We then enjoy a stroll through the main bazaar. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 3: ISTANBUL
After breakfast we will visit Suleymaniye Mosque, a foundation of Suleyman the Magnificent. Afterwards we will visit the Chora Museum. Then we will take a stroll through the famous Spice Bazaar. Then we enjoy a beautiful bus ride along the Bosporus and we come to a beautiful lookout point called Camlica hill on the Asian side of Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 4: ISTANBUL - BURSA
After breakfast a beautiful drive through picturesque olive groves and varied landscapes of Anatolia brings us to Iznik, Nicaea, which was the scene of the first Ecumenical Council in 325 (outlawed on the doctrine of Arius). Here, the Hagia Sophia will be visited. Then we drive towards Bursa, former capital of the Ottoman Empire. The city is the center of silk production in Turkey and famous for the silk bazaar. Here we visit the Green Mosque, the Grand Mosque and Green Mausoleum. Dinner and overnight in Bursa.

DAY 5: BURSA - TROY - AYVALIK
After breakfast our drive goes along the coast of the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles to Canakkale. Afternoon tour of Troy, the fabled city in the stories of Homer. Continue through more olive groves to Ayvalik. Dinner and overnight in Ayvalik region.

DAY06: AYVALIK - PERGAMUM - KUSADASI
Today we are witnessing the first peak of classical culture, namely, Pergamum. This place has served, for a long time as the capital of the province of Asia, welcomes us with buildings like the Temple of Athena, Altar of Zeus, Temple of Trajan, the royal palaces, and the steepest theater. Continue via Izmir to Ephesus with the largest archaeological excavation in the world. Here we visit the Odeon, the Street of the Curets, the Temple of Hadrian, the Celsus Library and the largest theater in Anatolia. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi area.

DAY 7: KUSADASI – PAMUKKALE
After breakfast, drive to Aphrodisias. Aphrodisias is known for its wonderful marble. We will visit the tetrapylon, stadium, Hadrian's Baths and the Theater. Continue to Pamukkale. Natural wonders of Pamukkale is a highlight of the trip. Snow-white calcium formations were created over million years by the artistic hand of nature. The cascades (UNESCO World Natural Heritage sight) resemble frozen waterfalls. After the tour we drive to our spa hotel. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

DAY 8: PAMUKKALE - DALYAN
In the morning we will visit the Hellenistic Roman city of Hierapolis, the development of the city came from the curative force of the water of Pamukkale. Particularly noteworthy is the cemetery with app. 1200 stone tombs, the theater and Domitian archgate. Today, we are devoted to the subject of land and people. We visit one of the carpet weaving centers in this region and see what factors have made the Turks, the inventors of the hand-knotted carpet. Today we enjoy the trip to Dalyan with breathtaking landscapes of the rugged mountains of the Taurus. Dinner and overnight at room Dalyan.

DAY 9: DALYAN - ANTALYA
After breakfast we drive to the protected area of Dalyan, which is home to rare sea turtles "Caretta Caretta". During a boat trip through the reeds of Dalyan, which link the Koycegiz Lake to the Mediterranean Sea, we enjoy the untouched nature of this earthly paradise. On the trip we see the rock tombs of Kaunos and then we reach the beach of Iztuzu, the breeding ground of loggerhead turtles. After a drive along the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean coast, we come to Myra, where St. Nicholas had once worked as a bishop. Here we visit the rock tombs of Myra and the Church of St Nicholas. We end the long day in Antalya. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

DAY 10: DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport and flight back home.

The price includes
* International flights
* Taxes and service charges for the flights
* Transfers mentioned in the itinerary
* All transportation by airconditioned vehicle
* Professional english speaking guide
* Welcomecocktail
* All entrance fees
* 9 nights accommodation with breakfast & dinner