Fifteen Days

Istanbul • Troy • Canakkale • Pergamon • Izmir • Ephesus • Sardis • Pamukkale • Hieropolis • Aphrodisias • Antalya • Konya • Cappadocia • Ankara • Bursa

The Turkish Republic is a land of beauty, abundance, great cities and quaint villages; of fertile mountains, valleys, and azure seas. It's the homeland of over fifty million  proud people with a great heritage, an eventful history and a smile for every visitor. Turkey's strategic location renders it a special place in world geography, history and commerce. For centuries, the fertile peninsula called Anatolia or Asia Minor, has been a land bridge linking Europe with Western Asia. In Istanbul you can actually walk across a great bridge from one continent to the other. For thousands of years people have migrated across this beautiful land, or have sailed along its shores. Many people have stopped to enjoy its natural beauty and wealth, and have left behind wonderful treasures of art and architecture. Turkey's history dates back to prehistoric times and includes many important milestones. Did you know that the Trojan War took place in Turkey? Classical Hellenic culture and art was born on these shores and great men of philosophy, science and literature lived and worked here. Come and explore the Treasures of Turkey with SITA!

Day 1: Fri Depart North America Depart the U.S. in comfort aboard a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul.

Day 2: Sat Istanbul Morning arrival in Istanbul—historic capital of three world empires. You are welcomed and taken on a short orientation tour before transferring to the DORINT PARK PLAZA for dinner and overnight. D

Day 3: Sun Istanbul Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. Your full day tour includes the Royal Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans, the Blue Mosque, the Roman Hippodrome Square and the St. Sophia Church that is considered as one of the worlds greatest architectural marvels. B, L

Day 4: Mon Istanbul / Troy / Canakkale This morning, visit the Grand Covered Bazaar with over 4,000 tiny shops. Drive through Gallipoli, through the European lands of Turkey and cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry. Explore the ancient city of Troy before arriving in Canakkale. AKOL HOTEL B, L, D

Day 5: Tue Pergamon / Izmir Continue down the coast to ancient Pergamon. Visit the Acropolis, the steepest theater of the ancient world; the Temple of Trojan; Library; Asklepion, the ancient healing center and the Red Basilica, which is one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. IZMIR HILTON. B, L

Day 6: Wed Ephesus / Izmir Depart for Ephesus, cradle of early Christianity. Visit the house of the Virgin Mary, the ancient Ephesus, the Archaeological Museum and the Temple of Diana, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient World. Return to Izmir for overnight. B, L

Day 7: Thu Sardis / Pamukkale Drive to Sardis, capital of ancient Lydia. Visit the Temple of Cybele, the famous Synagogue from the third century, the Gymnasium and the new excavation area. See the Golden River Pactalos and continue to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight. COLOSSAE B, L, D

Day 8: Fri Hieropolis / Aphrodisias / Antalya Depart this morning for Pamukkale, the noted ancient spa, where pure white travertine forms frozen waterfalls. Observe carpet weaving at one of the local workshops before driving to Aphrodisais, the city dedicated to the goddess of love. Visit the well preserved Stadium, the Odeion, the Theater and the Agora. Continue to Antalya for dinner and overnight. TALYA HOTEL B, L, D

Day 9: Sat Antalya Your full day tour includes a visit to the ancient Pamphylian, Hellenistic and Roman cities of Perge and Aspendos and to the award winning Antalya Museum. B, L, D

Day 10: Sun Antalya / Konya / Cappadocia Depart early this morning to Konya. Visit the Mevlana Museum and the 13th century Whirling Dervish Monastery. After lunch continue to Cappadocia where nature has scoured surrealistic moonscape shapes and where the persecuted Christians dug underground cities during the 9th century. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. Tonight enjoy an optional Folklorique Show with Belly Dancers at one of the Cave Restaurants in Cappadocia. CAPPADOCIA LODGE B, L, D

Day 11: Mon Cappadocia Full day tour of Cappadocia including Goreme Open Air Museum, Avanos the pottery making town, the Natural Citadel of Uchisar and the Underground City of Kaymakli. B, L, D

Day 12: Tue Cappadocia / Ankara After a morning of sightseeing in Cappadocia, travel to Ankara, where you will visit the Agzikarahan Caravanserai from the Seljuk period. Dinner and overnight at ANKARA HILTON B, L, D

Day 13: Wed Ankara / Bursa Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Kemel Ataturk. After lunch, drive to Bursa for dinner and overnight. THERMAL KERVANSARAY B, L, D

Day 14: Thu Bursa / Istanbul This morning visit the Green Mosque, the Green Tomb and Bursa’s colorful Silk Bazaar. This afternoon drive to Istanbul, the only city in the world that spans two continents, for overnight at DORINT PARK PLAZA. B, L

Day 15: Fri Istanbul / Arrive North America Depart Turkey this morning on your homebound flight. B