Marvellous Turkey

After breakfast we continue our tour at the remains of the Hippodrome, once decorated with marble statuary and columns. In its heyday it was the site of chariot races and the focal point of the city’s civic life. The remains of some of its walls are still visible as is an obelisk brought from Egypt in 390 AD by Theodosius I.

Adjacent to the Hippodrome is the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Built during the period of 1609-1617 it is also known as the “Blue Mosque” thanks to the light which shines through over 2,500 stained glass windows and reflects onto the dark blue Iznik tiles within.  The next stop will be the Basilica of Saint Sophia, one of the largest historical Christian shrines ever built with its rich mosaic murals, colossal columns and exposition of divine serenity. Our next stop is the Topkapi Palace where in the 15th century  Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror started the first stages of its construction. The famous Topkapi is built around four inter-connecting courtyards. We view the many treasures of the Ottoman sultans including fine porcelains, gem encrusted objects d’art, traditional armour and imperial costumes, stunning tile work and sacred relics of the Christian and Islamic faiths.

After an early breakfast we will depart from the hotel and drive to the very well-known Ancient City of Troy. Founded during 3000 BC, Troy had both strategic and commercial importance that made it a target for many assaults in history. Discovered in the 19^th century, Troy was excavated by Heinrich Schliemann and has a rich history of not only mythology but also excavations. We will be thrilled by the ancient city that witnessed the battle of heroes. While exploring the ruins of Troy, we will enjoy hearing about this legendary city including both the historical facts and the mythological stories that immortalized its name.

We then explore the Greco-Roman city of Pergamon which is famous for its Asclepion. Asclepion of Pergamon became one of the most famous ancient healing centers and the world’s first psychiatric hospital!

Leaving the Asclepion, we will see the Acropolis, the Altar of Zeus, and the Temples of Athena, Trajan, and Dionysus. It is from a staircase leading from the Temple of Athena that the magnificent 10,000 seat theater will be seen.

After breakfast we drive to Pamukkale on route visit the Aphrodisias, which was built from a marble quarry near Baba Dağ (ancient Salbakos) that was extensively exploited in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and the sculptors from Aphrodisias became famous in the Roman world. In Greek times, the site was dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility. The site was named Aphrodisias during the 2nd century BC and the great Temple of Aphrodite was built in the 1st century AD.

We then continue our drive to Hierapolis. Founded during the Hellenistic period as a control point of trading routes connecting East to West. In the Roman Period, Hierapolis became a center of worship to Hades and Apollo as well as a thermal center where massive Roman Baths were built to serve the Romans that visited the city from around the ancient world. Upon arrival at the site, we will be welcomed by the spectacular views of calcium pools that have been irrigated by the spring waters of Hierapolis for thousands of years. After a short break to take pictures and enjoy the view, we will continue on to the ancient site that is still being excavated by Italian archaeologists.

Today, we visit Karatay Medrese is a medrese, meaning a school with a frequently but not absolutely religious focus, built in Konya, Turkey, in 1251 by the Emir of the city Celaleddin Karatay, serving the Seljuk sultan. Since 1955, the edifice serves as a museum where Seljuk tiles are united, while artifacts in stone or in wood are on display in Ince Minaret Medrese, also in Konya. The collection of Karatay Museum was particularly enriched by the finds collected as of the 1970s in Kubadabad Palace royal summer residence on Lake Beyşehir shore, at eighty miles from Konya to the west. A caravanserai, also built by Celaleddin Karatay in the outskirts of Konya, carries his name too.

Afternoon we set off for Cappadocia, with a visit to the Sultanhan Caravansarai on the way.

• Breakfast  & Dinner Included

Today we go on half day tour of Cappadocia Region including visit to Soganli Valley and Red Valley.

Afternoon free at leisure.

• Breakfast & Dinner Included