Elegant Adventures

Day 1: New York / Istanbul

We take our overnight flight from JFK-New York to Istanbul. Meals and beverages served on board.

Day 2: Istanbul

Arrival in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. After clearing the customs, we meet our tour guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. (D)

Day 3: Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, we will start our full day Istanbul tour. Istanbul is the only city in the world that bridges Europe and Asia, and we will explore some of Istanbul's many treasures that bridge the past and present. Our first stop will be the ancient Hippodrome, where chariot races and athletic events took place during the Roman Period. Next, visit Istanbul's most famous treasure - the Blue Mosque, named for the beautiful Iznik tiles which give the mosque its interior color, and the Museum of Hagia Sophia, a Christian cathedral built in 536 AD. Later, to the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans. After lunch, we will visit the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, built at the peak of the Ottoman Empire and decorated with baroque paintings. At the end of the tour we will have an opportunity to shop in the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered market places in the world. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)(L)(D)

Day 4: Istanbul

This morning we will take a Cruise on the Bosporus the winding strait that separates Europe from Asia. Enjoy the view of the old wooden villas, marble palaces and the ancient fortresses. You will have chance to explore the city on your own for the rest of the day. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)(L)

Day 5: Istanbul / Izmir / Ephesus

Today we will transfer to the airport to take an early morning flight to Izmir. Then we will drive to Ancient Ephesus and walk through the Magnesian Gate which is the entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus. See the Odeon (concert hall), the fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastica, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the library of Celsus and The Great Theatre, which is the largest theater in antiquity having a capacity of 24,000 people. Our last stop here is to visit the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th century AD by the Emperor Justinian. Drive through the colorful town of Kusadasi to reach Mt. Koressos. Situated in a small valley, it is here where we will visit the humble chapel which lies on the site of the little house where the Virgin Mary is believed to spent her last days. Overnight in Kusadasi.(B)(L)(D)

Day 6: Pamukkale / Hieropolis / Aphrodisias

After early breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Pamukkale. Pamukkale is famous for cascading snow-white terraced cliff side basins and waterfalls. After lunch, visit the ancient Roman city ruins of Hierapolis, with Necropolis, Thermal Baths and Masterpiece Theater. Then we will drive to Aphrodisias, The ancient city of Aphrodisias is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Greek and Roman periods in Turkey. Aphrodisias lies in the Meander River basin, in a fertile valley 100 miles southeast of the port of Izmir. Famous for its sanctuary of Aphrodite, the city's patron goddess, Aphrodisias enjoyed a long and prosperous existence from the first century B.C. through the sixth century AD. We will see the Temple of Aphrodite, Sebastian, Tetrapylon, Odeon and Bishop's Palace, Agora, Baths of Hadrian, Theatre and the Stadium. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B)(L)(D)

Day 7: Kalkan / Patara

Today we will drive to Patara. Patara was the major naval and trading port of Lycia , located at the mouth of the Xanthos River, which was frequently called "the chosen city" and "the metropolis of the Lycian nation. In Christian history Patara is famous for being a place of St. Paul's missionary work at the end of his third missionary journey as he changed ships en route to Jerusalem. It was also the birthplace of St. Nicholas (born c.260-280 AD), bishop of Myra and the future Santa Claus. In Byzantine times, Patara became a titular see of Lycia and a suffragan of Myra. We will stroll among the ruins to see the Roman Gateway, baths complex, 2nd century temple, basilica, city walls, acropolis and cistern. Rest of the day you can enjoy the sandy beaches and dunes of Patara. Overnight in Kalkan. (B)(L)(D)

Day 8: Kalkan / Xanthos

Today we will drive to Xanthos. Xanthos was the capital city of the Lycian Federation and its greatest city for most of Lycian history. It was made famous to the Western world in the 19th century by its British discoverer Charles Fellows. It is very old - finds date back to the 8th century BC, but it is possible that the site may have existed during the Bronze Age or during the first centuries of the Iron Age. We will visit the remains of the ancient hilltop city of Xanthos. With wonderful views overlooking the Xanthos river, ramble around the Arch of Vespasian, the Hellenistic Gateway, the former site of the Nereid Monument, Theater, Acropolis, Obelisk, rock cut tombs with house like facades and hillside sarcophagi. On the afternoon we will drive back to Kalkan. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kalkan. (B)(L)

Day 9: Olympos / Kekova Island / Sunken City

Highlight of our stay in antique Lycia is a boat trip to Kekova Island and the sunken city. Kekova is famous for its Sunken City that can only be reached by sea. Earthquakes have disturbed the land causing some of the ancient houses to sink under the clear water, creating a sunken city with its ruins just below the sea level. There are mysterious chambers, steps and walls carved directly into the rocks, Across from the island near the mainland village of Ucagiz lay ancient Teimioussa. Here we will visit ancient city of Simena. The ancient city dates back to the fourth century BCE and was part of the Lycian Federation. However, the Knights of St. John constructed the castle during the eleventh century Byzantine period. We will climb to the hilltop Knights of St. John Castle to enjoy outstanding views over the surrounding islands and see the ruins surrounding the castle. On our way back to Olympos we will visit the Church of St. Nicholas. Overnight in Olympos. (B)(L)(D)

Day 10: Olympos

Today is our free day to enjoy Olympos. The city was founded in the Hellenistic period, sharing its name with nearby Mount Olympos It dates back to the 2nd century BC. The city became one of the six leading cities of the Lycian federation. In the 1st century BC, Olympos was invaded and settled by Cilician pirates. This ended in 78 BC, when the Roman commander Servilius Isaurieus added the city to the Roman Empire. The emperor Hadrian visited the city after which it took the name of Hadrianopolis for a period, in his honour.Near Olympos, about 200 meters above sea level, some eternal flames called the Chimaera may be seen emerging from the ground. The fuel source for the flames is natural gas seeping through cracks in the earth. The mythical Chimaera was a savage beast who sprouted fire from its mouth.In the Middle Ages, Venetians, Genoese and Rhodians built two fortresses along the coast, but by the 15th century Olympos had been abandoned. Overnight in Olympos. (B)

Day 11: Phaselis / Antalya

Today after breakfast in the hotel we will drive to Phaselis. Phaselis is an ancient Lycian city was founded in 700 BC. It had been the most important harbor city of the western Lycia for centuries. Herodotus mentions that it was a city of pirates. Phaselis has 3 small bays, which acted as perfect natural harbors. We will explore the elegant Roman Aqueduct, Monumental Gateway, Paved Avenue, Baths and Theater. In the afternoon, drive to Antalya for lunch, a coastal resort town with picturesque harbor. Then see the Archeological Museum's magnificent collection of Pamphylian statues, sarcophagi, Seleukeian mosaics and underwater archaeological artifacts. Rest of the day you are free to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Antalya. (B)(L)

Day 12: Perge / Aspendos

This morning we will start our day with an excursion to the ancient Pamphylian city of Perge. Parnphylia was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. St. Paul visited Perge on his first missionary journey. Walk through the Roman Gate and down the Colonnaded Avenue, past the Agora, Baths, Hippodrome and Aqueduct. We continue to visit the Aspendos Theater, which was built in 2nd century. After lunch we will transfer to the Antalya airport to catch our flight to Istanbul. Transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)(L)(D)

Day 13: Istanbul / New York

Today after breakfast in the hotel we transport to the airport and begin our journey home. We take with us new friendships, memories and inspiration to last a lifetime. (B)

Tour Includes:

• 12 Nights in 4/5 star hotels
• 7 Dinners, 9 Lunches and 11 Breakfasts
• Ground transportation by A/C buses or minivans depending on the size of the group
• Site seeing as indicated in the itinerary with English speaking guide throughout the tour
• All entrance fees to museums
• Hotel taxes, service charges, and baggage handling
• International airfare from New York to Istanbul
• Bilingual Elegant Adventure tour leader throughout the tour

Price:

• Double occupancy per person price: $3,250. Airport taxes $200-$450 not included in the price.