Day 4: An early departure and a long but pleasant and spectacular drive to Pamukkale. We make a en route visits to the Sultanhan Caravanserai, where the medieval merchants used to stay overnight, and then to Konya to visit the world famous Mevlana Museum, where the mystic philosophy of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi was taught. Strolling through the streets of Konya, we have lunch at a local restaurant then we head on to Pamukkale.

Day 5: We start the day visiting Hierapolis, which is only a short walk away from our hotel. As we enjoy ourselves walking on the calcerous terraces of Pamukkale. After a well-earned lunch we start for Kusadasi, with an en route visit to Aphrodisias, where from very early times there was a fert arrive at Kusadasi on time to enjoy the sun set.

Day 6: After an early breakfast, we drive up to virgin Mary s house and then do an extensive tour of Ephesus. Late afternoon we will be visiting St John s Basilica, where is believed to be the tomb of the Apostle John, the beloved disciple of Christ. From the basilica, we will be looking down on the remains of the temple of Artemis. Once one of the 7 wonders of the World. Finally we head on to Kusadasi for dinner.

Day 7: We check out and transfer to Izmir Airport for the flight to Istanbul. Since our hotel in Istanbul will be in the old imperial quarter, only a short walk from Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and major museums, which are all vast in size and will demand lots of time to visit, except for the first day, mornings will be yours to explore the immediate neighborhood, and make return visits. In the afternoons, there will be excursions to take you to distant attractions.
We meet back at the lobby before lunch for an orientation tour of the old quarter visiting the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, St Sophia and the Topkapi Palace’s main courts.

Day 8: We meet at the lobby before lunch for the Ottoman Walk. A walking tour visiting some of the most intriguing neighborhoods of old Istanbul and works of Sinan the Great Architect. We start with Sokullu Mehmet Pasa Mosque, one of the minor masterpieces of the Great Architect Sinan with its interior decorated with magnificent sixteenth century Iznik tiles. Then we enjoy lunch at Aslan Lokantasi, a typical old-fashioned restaurant near the Covered Bazaar. From there we cut through the Covered Bazaar, to the Suleymaniye; the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent. Built in the 16th century it is the major masterpiece of Sinan in Istanbul. More than just a mosque the vast kulliye (complex) consists of Medrese (School of law), kitchens for the employees of the kulliye, a soup kitchen for the poor, a caravanserai, a mental hospital, baths, and other institutions that served the neighborhood. Beginning with the magnificent forecourt we move into the mosque itself, one of the great achievements of Ottoman architecture. Next, in the mosque garden we visit the tombs of Suleyman and his wife, the infamous Roxelana as well as a tightly packed mass of mortuary monuments commemorating the grandees of the Ottoman Empire. After savoring the view over Istanbul, and the Golden Horn from the mosque terrace we descend the hill in the direction of the Golden Horn passing through the hubbub of medieval craft and wholesaling quarter. Tucked away amongst artisan workshops we find another minor masterpiece of Sinan: Rustem Pasha Mosque, its interior completely sheathed in sixteenth century Iznik tiles. After a short walk we are at the Spice Bazaar, flanked by its meat, fish, vegetable, and flower markets. We end our walk at Yeni Cami, the last of the classical imperial mosques. We then board the nearby tram for the return trip to our hotel.

Day 9: The Dolmabahce Palace, overlooking the Bosphorus, is definitely incomparable amongst others, with 14 tons of pure gold used for its interior decoration, its priceless paintings, furniture, a rich collection of Bohemian crystal in addition to its famous Harem section.
We get on board right after the Dolmabahce Palace, and take the leisurely Bosphorus cruise from Bebek, to the still unspoiled village of Sariyer. Tonight we have our gala dinner at Beyoglu, or the so called La Grand Rue de Pera.

Day 10: Transfer to the airport for the homebound flight.