On arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, after immigration & baggage collection, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon around 1300 hrs. Proceed on a half-day tour. Visit the City Walls, Golden Horn and cable car to Pierre Loti Hill. Then, board the Bosphorus Cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe & Asia. Bosphorus coastline is a delightful mixture of the past and the present where one can enjoy the grand splendour and quaint beauty of the ancient wooden mansions, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. Rumeli Fortress (from the boat, no interior visit) and Leander’s Tower (from the boat, no interior visit). Return back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

After breakfast at hotel, around 0750 hr. proceed on a half-day city tour. Visit St. Sophia, Byzantine Hippodrome, in which stands the obelisk brought from Egypt by Theodosius and the Serpent Column taken from Delphi by Constantine. Next visit Blue Mosque (closed to visit on Friday mornings due to Friday Prayers), which has six minarets and a middle dome of 109 feet and Grand Covered Bazaar (closed on Sundays) dating back to 15th century. It covers over 4,000 shops, under one roof. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Ataturk Airport for an early flight to Ankara (Flight cost not included). Upon arrival in Ankara meet your guide and proceed on the tour of Ankara. Ankara, the capital of Turkey is one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a history that can be dated back to 3000 years. Visit the world famous Anatolian Civilizations Museum (also known as Hittite Museum) and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the Turkish Hero. After the visit, depart to Cappadocia. Enjoy your local lunch en route. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake visit the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. After the sightseeing transfer to the hotel & check-in. overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed on a full-day tour of Cappadocia. Visit the Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Then, proceed to the Open Air Museum in Goreme through Avcilar Valley and visit the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Kaymakli Underground City, the place where early Christians were hid from persecutors. Next visit the Pasabagi in Zelve region and Avanos which is known for shopping the world famous handicrafts. Overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

After breakfast at hotel, check-out & drive to Konya. En route visit 13th century Sultanhani Caravanserai built on the famous silk route. In Konya visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world famous mystic and Karatay Theological School with its beautiful tiles. Continue to Pamukkale. Overnight at the hotel in Pamukkale.

After breakfast at hotel, check-out & visit Pamukkale Cotton Fortress, ancient city of Hierapolis with the Theatre, Apollo Temple and magnificent Necropolis, the graveyard. After lunch at local restaurant visit Aphrodisias, an ancient city dedicated to the goddess of love, Aphrodite, and famous for its sculpture school. Overnight at the hotel in Kusadasi.

After breakfast at hotel, check-out & proceed on a tour of Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded). Ephesus, Roman capital of Asia Minor. Visit the ruins of Odeon, Hercules Gate, the temple of Hadrian, the magnificent library, Agora and the fantastic Greco-Roman theatre. After lunch visit House of Virgin Mary, Selcuk Ephesus Museum and St. John Church. Drive to hotel in Izmir. Overnight at the hotel in Izmir.

Breakfast at hotel. Day is at leisure until departure. Later transfer to Izmir Airport to board the domestic flight to Istanbul (Flight cost not included). Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport board your connecting flight back home. Return home with wonderful memories of your holiday with Vacations Exotica.