Turkey... Birthplace of Civilizations

Fourteen days that will highlight the natural beauty of Turkey as well as the ancient civilizations of Ionia and Byzantium. 

Day 1 - Dinner aboard our scheduled air flight to Istanbul. 

Day 2 - Welcome to Istanbul, capital of the Byzantine Empire. On arrival we will be driven to our hotel. There is time for a walk before dinner at our hotel.
Day 3 - Today's sightseeing includes: Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans;  St. Sophia, pride of the eastern empire; Sultan Ahmet (Blue Mosque);  the Mosque of Süleyman the magnificent, one of the world's architectural masterpieces; the Hippodrome and the Covered Bazaar with its 4500 shops. 

Day 4 - Sightseeing this morning will take us to the gleaming Dolmabahçe Palace with its 365 rooms on the bank of the Bosphorus. This afternoon we will cruise along the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus. 

Day 5 - After breakfast we depart for the "plain of windy Troy."  Here at lofty Ilion we will visit the walls of the city that has inspired western man since the time of Homer.  We will recall the great deeds of heroes as we walk along the broad ways of Priam and Hektor. Overnight Çanakkale. 

Day 6 - On our way down the Ionic coast towards Izmir (ancient Smyrna) we will visit Pergamon, city of the Attalids, and site of the famous Altar of Zeus. Overnight Izmir. 

Day 7 - Continuing along the coast, after a visit to the temple of Zeus at Euromos, we reach enchanting Bodrum (Halicarnassos),  the home of Herodotos, father of history. Here we will stay for three days in our seaside hotel. Dinner included. 

Day 8 - Today we will see the town of Bodrum, the Castle of St. Peter, and the ruins of the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Dinner included. 

 Day 9 - Since the coast is best seen from the sea, today we will enjoy the perspective as we cruise the coast around Rock Island, Cleo's Cave, and Windy Harbor.  This day may also be used for an optional excursion to the Greek island of Kos, home of Hippokrates, father of medicine. Dinner included. 

Day 10 - Returning from Bodrum to Izmir, we will visit the three famous cities of the Ionic world: Didyma and the Temple of Apollo; Miletos, leader of the Ionian revolt in 499 B.C.; and Priene.  Overnight Izmir. 
Day 11 - Izmir was ancient Smyrna, fabled home of "The Poet." From here we will visit the vast archaeological site of Ephesos  and the museum at Selçuk; the House of the Virgin Mary; and the Basilica of St. John. Overnight Izmir.
Day 12 - Today is free for an optional excursion to Sardis, the city of Croesos and western-most capital of the Persian Empire. The burning of Sardis in 499 B.C. began the conflict between Greece and Persia. Overnight Izmir.
Day 13 - We will be driven to the airport for the flight back to Istanbul. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a typical Turkish restaurant.
Day 14 - This morning we will be assisted with check-in at the airport for our flight home.

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Included as part of the tour : 

Scheduled flight from the U.S. 
Land, sea, and air transportation 
Transfers 
All breakfasts 
5 dinners 
1st class and superior tourist class hotels 
Experienced English-speaking guides throughout 
Sightseeing and admissions

Not included with the tour : 

Visa & passport 
Beverages 
Gratuities 

Date:  June 8 - 21, 2002 
Cash Discount Price: $3242