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

Arrive in Istanbul. After clearing the customs, we meet our tour guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. For those willing to have full experience of the Traditional Turkish Bath, we will make an arrangement at a traditional Turkish Bathhouse. (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 strait that separates Europe from Asia. Enjoy the view of the old wooden villas, marble palaces and the ancient fortresses. You will have a chance to explore the city on your own for the rest of the day. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)(L)

Day 5: Istanbul / Bursa

This morning after breakfast we will drive to Bursa. Bursa was the first capital of Ottoman Empire. It has been famous for centuries for therapeutic qualities of its natural springs, silk trading and towel manufacturing. After a delicious lunch in one of the famous restaurants we will have a city tour. First, we will visit the Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum in Bursa then continue to the covered bazaar to shop. After dinner, we will have a chance to relax at a Traditional Thermal Turkish Bath and enjoy a deep massage. Overnight in Bursa. (B)(L)(D)

Day 6: Bursa / Thyatira / Izmir

In the morning, we will depart for Izmir. This city is famous for its thermal spas and also is a home for one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. En route, we will have a lunch break and a chance to visit Thyatira also one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Then, enjoy the rest of the day relaxing in the thermal pools of the hotel as ancient people did. Overnight in Izmir. (B)(L)(D)

Day 7: Izmir

Today is a free day to explore the city on your own or an optional city tour will be available. Tonight we will have a traditional Turkish dinner and entertainment. Overnight in Izmir. (B)(D)

Day 8: Izmir / Ephesus / Kusadasi

After an early breakfast in the hotel, 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. The Basilica of St. John ranked as one of the largest Byzantine churches. This site affords a fine view of Ephesus and its surroundings. 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. Rest of the day we will explore this lovely town and shop in the grand bazaar. Relax in your thermal pool. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B)(L)(D)

Day 9: Pamukkale

In the morning, we will drive to Pamukkale, which is a magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world, declared as a world heritage by UNESCO. It is a fairyland of dazzling white, petrified castles. Thermal spring waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau's edge have created this fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Rest of the day is yours to relax in the thermal pools of the hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B)(L)(D)

Day 10: Pamukkale

Today we will visit Hierapolis with its best-preserved baths, the Basilica (dated back 6th Century AD), the temple of Apollo and the well preserved theater that can cater 14.000 spectators at a time. We will also visit several churches including a church was dedicated to St. Philip, the Domitian Arch, and the Necropolis, After lunch, we will visit Aphrodisias, one of the important religious sites dated back to 2800 BC. There are spectacular remains of temples, baths, theater, churches, streets, marble statues and public squares. Important inscriptions and artifacts from the excavation are visible in the museum, including the famous "God-fearer" inscription. Rest of the day is yours to relax in the thermals pools of the hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B)(L)(D)

Day 11: Afyon

Today we will depart for one of the best thermal resorts in Turkey. This resort offers mud-therapy, slimming center, beauty center, aroma-therapy, solarium, and physical treatment and rehabilitation center. Those who would like to use the centers mentioned need to pay extra for these treatments. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the magical composition of water in this thermal spa. Overnight in Afyon. (B)(L)(D)

Day 12: Afyon

Today's half day excursion will be in the center of Afyon to explore an imposing citadel dating to Byzantine times. Later we will visit The Archaeological and Ethnographical Museum, the War of Independence Memorial and Monumental bas-reliefs which are carved into rock faces on hills north of the city and are the legacy of the Phrygian Kingdom. This city is also famous for its delicious Turkish delight and desserts. We will have a chance to taste some of these delicious deserts in the manufacturers shop before we return to our hotel for dinner. Rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the thermal spa at the resort. Overnight in Afyon. (B)(L)(D)

Day 13: Cappadocia

Although there are no thermal spa resources around Cappadocia, we wanted to add some spice by visiting this moonscape environs. Cappadocia is a place where the work of man blends unobtrusively into the natural moonscape surroundings. In the afternoon, there will be an informative quick local tour of this region and a small lecture about formation of the natural fairy chimneys will be given here. Dinner will be served at hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B)(L)(D)

Day 14: Cappadocia / Kayseri / Istanbul

Today, we will visit Goreme Open Air Museum in Avanos, where the most popular handicraft is made. You will also have a chance to try your hand at making a pot in one of the many studios as well as weaving and knotting. Then we will drive to Derinkuyu. This is an underground city carved into soft rocks resembling a huge labyrinth of tunnels, rooms, kitchens, wine cellars and passageways. A huge chimney ventilates this eight-leveled dwelling, which was used by early Christians to hide from Roman and Byzantine persecutors. After that, we will continue to Kizilcukur Valley and Cavusin to visit other churches. Then we will transfer to Kayseri airport for a flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)(L)(D)

Day 15: Istanbul

Today is your free day to explore Istanbul on your own. Optional Turkish bath will be available for those who like to take one last bath before we return home. (B)

Day 16: 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:

• 14 Nights in 4/5 star hotels
• 12 Dinners, 11 Lunches and 14 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.