İn the Steps of Alexander the Great

1st Day: You will arrive to Istanbul, the biggest city of modern Turkey. We will welcome you and you will rest in the hotel.

2nd Day: We will have an extensive tour of Istanbul. Istanbul is the only city located in 2 continents and was the capital city of 3 empires. Our first visit will be to the legendary St. Sophia which was built 1.500 years ago as the first cathedral of the world. It was the biggest and last construction of The Roman Empire. Following that we will visit the famous Blue Mosque. After lunch you will have free time in one of the oldest shopping places in the world, the Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.

3rd Day: In the morning we will have a Bosphorus cruise tour and you will see the beauty of Istanbul. Next we will visit the Topkapi Palace and famous Spice Bazaar. In the afternoon you will visit the Underground Cistern. Overnight in Istanbul.

4th Day: You will drive 3.30 hours from Istanbul to Canakkale and you will reach Asia from Europe. After lunch you will visit the Legendary Homeric Troy. Overnight in Canakkale.

5th Day: Leaving Troy, you will arrive to Pergamum which is consisting of 2 sites; the Acropolis where the Kings of Pergamum used to stay and the Asclepion one of the oldest and biggest ancient hospitals in Anatolia took place. Pergamum is also the place where the first paper (parchment) was made. Overnight in Izmir.

6th Day: Today you will see the Ancient City Sardis which was the capital of the Lydian Kingdom. This site where the coin money was first produced and used is mentioned in the old and new testament. After lunch, you will leave for the famous cruiser town Kusadasi. Enjoy your dinner in a sea food restaurant. Overnight in Kusadasi.

7th Day: A spectacular day is waiting for you. For a few hours feel like a Roman citizen living in the history of the ancient site of Ephesus. You will have an extensive tour in this ancient site where you will see the Hadrian’s, Trajan’s and the Domitian’s Temples, the huge Roman bath, the Celcus Library and the biggest amphitheater of Turkey. After lunch you will visit the Ephesus museum where the foundings of excavations in the site are displayed. The main goddess of Ephesus was Artemis and the Ephesians dedicated her the biggest ancient temple ever built. A visit to the ruins of Artemision which is one of the Seven World Wonder is our last stop of the day. Turn back to Kusadasi where you will have dinner and overnight.

8th Day: Another archeological day is waiting for you since today you will make the famous PMD Tour; our first stop will be in Priene, which is an ancient city dedicated to Goddess Athena. Later we will drive to Miletos, which was a science and cultural centre in the ancient time. After lunch we will visit Didyma which means twins in Greek for God Apollo and his twin sister Artemis. The biggest oracle temple which was dedicated to Apollo has been erected in Didyma. Watching the temple you will enjoy your lunch. Following on the way to Bodrum our bus will pass the Bafa Lake where you will have a coffee break. Overnight in Bodrum.

9th Day: You will wake up in the very attractive coastal town Bodrum. Here first of all you will visit the ruins of one of the Seven World Wonder, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassos. Finally you will visit the famous St. Peter Castle, built by the Temple Knights where you will listen to the classical music and drink your wine in the English Tower. Also there you will see there Underwater Water Archeological Museum. After having lunch we are going to drive to Fethiye where we will stay for the night.

10th Day: Fethiye is another coastal town surrounded by forest. Before we will Fehtiye you will have a look to the monumental tombs of Lycian Kings and Kayaköy known as the ‘Ghost Town‘. Our day will continue by driving to a nice tiny town named Finike. Here embark on a comfortable Gullet, where you will spend 2 nights on since Alexander the Great sent his army on land but preferred to go to Phaselis by boat. After a few hours sailing you will be at Olympus , once an ancient harbor. Overnight at the Gullet.

11th Day: After such a beautiful day, today our gullet will sail along the coast of the Mediterranean and we will have an enjoyable rest.

12th Day: As Alexander the Great’s boat did in the past, your Gullet will anchor at the harbor of the ancient site of Phaselis. After visiting the site our bus will bring us to famous city of Antalya. Before we check in to our luxurious hotel the doors of the Archeological Museum of Antalya will open for you. Overnight in Antalya.

13th Day: A full extensive archeological day is waiting for you. Our first trip is to Ancient city of Perge where St. Paul visited with St. Mark. We will the well preserved ruins of the Roman Era. Further, we will reach to Aspendos where the most well preserved ancient theater is situated. After lunch we will visit a very coastal town where the ancient city of Side located. Overnight in Antalya.

14th Day: After 2 nights stay in Antalya, you will departure for Gordion. Passing the Taurus Mountain our bus will reach the Central Anatolia. This is the place Alexander the Great cut the Gordions knot. Later you will check in to your hotel in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey.

15th Day: The day starts with a visit to the Anatolian Civilization Museum in Ankara. After a photo break at the Modern Mausoleum of Ataturk, who is the founder of Turkey. Our bus will drive to Cappadocia where the fairy chimneys are located. Overnight in Cappadocia.

16th Day: Today you will see dreamlike Cappadocia, Goreme open air museum, monasteries and churches with the most beautiful frescos inside founded by St. Basil. Overnight in Cappadocia.

17th Day: Before the breakfast you have an opportunity to take a fascinating balloon tour and have a chance to view the unforgettable view of Cappadoccia. Later we will see Uchisar, Urgup, Avanos, Zelve and the famous underground city where early period Christians were living and hiding. After dinner watch the whirling dervishes show, representing the Sufism from the 13th C.AD Overnight in Cappadocia.

18th Day: Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight via Istanbul.