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Day 1 Istanbul

Arrive at any time.

There are no activities planned until our evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt to join your CEO and fellow travellers for dinner. Get the most out of your time in Istanbul by pre-booking the following activity to experience before your tour starts: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour. And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, while any of the optional activities listed can be booked independently upon arrival in Istanbul.

Day 2 Istanbul/Bolu

Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the city of Bolu.

Day 3 Bolu/Cappadocia

Visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the father of the Modern Turkish Republic, en route to Cappadocia region.

Transfer to the region of Cappadocia for 2.5 days of exploring. There will be plenty of time to tour the area by bike, visit neighbouring villages, trek regional valleys or try a hot air balloon ride.

 During one of the evenings, travel to a nearby village and enjoy dinner with a local family.

The local dinner may take place on any night in Cappadocia based on the family's availability.

Day 4 Cappadocia

Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region.

Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region. If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.

Want to do more with your tour? Book the Cappadocia Balloon Ride or Whirling Dervishes upon arrival by arranging it with your CEO. If you book the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride, you will be flying on Day 4 or 5 (weather permitting).

Day 5 Cappadocia

Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region.

Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region. If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.

Want to do more with your tour? Book the Cappadocia Balloon Ride or Whirling Dervishes upon arrival by arranging it with your CEO. If you book the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride, you will be flying on Day 4 or 5 (weather permitting).

Day 6 Cappadocia/Güneysınır

Explore one of the many underground cities in the region. Visit Konya before spending the night in a local Turkish village. Visit a community park and cooperative, a project supported by G Adventures. Experience a homestay as the guest of a local family.

Depart Cappadocia and head to an underground city to explore. Have a quick lunch before journeying to the region of Konya. Travel about 1 hour to a local village for a cozy homestay. On the way, visit Catalhoyuk, a uniquely well-preserved Neolithic site. Upon arrival in the village, learn about local life and visit a community park and cooperative supported and developed by G Adventures before enjoying a home-cooked dinner tonight.

Day 7 Konya/Antalya

Wander the lovely seaside town of Antalya.

Arrive at Antalya around lunchtime. With a free afternoon, wander the charming cobbled hillside streets of the district of Kaleici, a great place to stop and have a drink with amazing views of the marina below. For a break from the hustle and bustle, head for the greenery and teashops at one of Antalya's beautiful parks or catch some sun at a nearby beach.

Day 8 Antalya/Kaş

Spend the afternoon onboard a boat in the Mediterranean Sea and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner before disembarking the boat and driving to our hotel for the evening.

Drive to the beautiful coastal village of Demre for lunch. After, board our boat for an afternoon on the Mediterranean Sea. The boat trip includes sailing around Kekova Island, with plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine and scenery. Later, walk to Simena Castle to enjoy the views and archaeological ruins. Then opt to go for a swim in the crystal clear waters or just relax on deck.

Day 9 Kaş

Opt for a morning swim and some relaxation before travelling on to Kaş.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Opt for a swim before returning to Demre, and continuing on to the coastal town of Kaş.

Day 10 Kaş/Pamukkale

This afternoon, enjoy a guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Leave the beautiful sea behind and head to Pamukkale, passing through fruit orchards on the way. Visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient site of Hierapolis.

Day 11 Pamukkale/Selçuk

Enjoy free time this afternoon. Optional visits to St John's Basilica and the Mosque of Isa Bey as well as the nearby picturesque village of Şirince.

Transfer to Selcuk this morning then enjoy a free afternoon. Opt to pre-book a traditional Selcuk cooking class, walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Or catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8 km) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.

Day 12 Selçuk

Explore Ephesus this morning then enjoy free time. Opt to visit one of the seven wonders of the world, Temple of Artemis.

Visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus. After, head to town and enjoy some free time to explore. Opt to pre-book a traditional Selcuk cooking class, walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Or catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8 km) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.

Day 13 Selçuk/Çanakkale

Visit the ancient city of Troy en route to Çanakkale.

Enjoy a carpet demonstration, Turkey's oldest art form, before visiting the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation. Spend the rest of the afternoon at the world-famous city of Troy before continuing to the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population.

Day 14 Çanakkale/Istanbul

Guided tour of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine.

Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story. Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.

Day 15 Istanbul

Depart at any time.

Your tour might be finished, but the adventure’s far from over. Pre-book the following activity to experience after your tour ends: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night in Istanbul. And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or it can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.

Day 1: Welcome To Istanbul

After your arrival in Istanbul, we will provide transportation to your hotel, and you’ll have the rest of the day free.

Day 2: Istanbul

Today you will take a full day sightseeing tour through Istanbul’s Old Town. Among other things you will see the Church of Chora famous for its Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, the Hagia Sophia, a magnificent Church (later a mosque and now museum) of epic proportions built by the emperor Justinian in the sixth century, the Blue Mosque and its wonderful blue-tiled interior, and the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held in Roman times.

The tour continues with a visit to theTopkapi Palace museum where you will see many priceless jeweled objects and other treasures. After the guided tour, you’ll have the opportunity to shop at the world famous Grand Bazaar, a feast for your senses! .

Day 3: Istanbul – Antalya

In the morning, we cruise along the Bosphorus Strait by boat, where you will see a wonderful collection of magnificent palaces and enjoy other unique views of the city.

After your relaxing cruise, you cross the Bosphorus Bridge to Asian Istanbul for a visit to Beylerbeyi Palace, the “Summer” palace. Later we’ll take you to the airport for your flight to Antalya,where you will spend the night.

Day 4: Antalya

Today we will explore Antalya (Attalia), the primary port for St. Paul on his first journeys to Lystra and Derbe. Paul also sailed from Attalia to Antioch, making the port even more important for his ministry.

We then  drive along the Mediterranean coast to Perge, where Paul stopped on his way to Pisidian Antioch with Barnabas and Mark. Next we will continue to Sideand Aspendos, where you will see a majestic amphitheatre. At the end of the day, we will return to Antalya for the night.

Day 5: Antalya – Pamukkale

We will drive to Pamukkale to visit the ruins of Hierapolis and experience the glittering landscape of Pamukkale’s thermal springs which have been utilized therapeutically for thousands of years. On a nearby hilltop you will have the opportunity to visit the recently discovered burial place of St. Philip. Next we will drive to Laodicea to see the remains of one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Laodicea Church was an offshoot of the church of Ephesus, as were the churches of Hierapolis and Colossea. You will have dinner and spend the night in Pamukkale.

Day 6: Pamukkale – Izmir

In the morning we will head to Miletos, home to one of the largest amphitheatres in Asia Minor. It was in Miletos that Paul completed his third missionary journey and predicted his imprisonment.

In the afternoon we will visit the city of Ephesus, one of the most important cities of the ancient world. Ephesus is one of Turkey’s finest ancient cities, and is home to many incredible historic sites, including the burial place of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary, where the mother of Jesus is believed to have spent her final years. The Church of the Virgin Mary, built in the early days of Christianity, was the seat for the Council of Ephesus. At the end of the day we will drive to Izmir (Smyrna) and spend the night there.

Day 7: Izmir

In the morning we will visit Sardes, the capital of Lydia where King Croesus ruled. Here you will see the gymnasium and the Temple of Artemis, among other things. Later we will drive to Philadelphia, where you will see the ancient walls of the “city of brotherly love.” After dinner, you’ll spend the night in Izmir.

Day 8: Izmir – Canakkale

Today you will visit Akhisar, the ancient city of Thyatira, the church referred to as “apostate” in Revelation for having tolerated the works of Jezebel.

We will continue on to Pergamon to visit the highlights of the Hellenistic Acropolis, including the Altar of Zeus and the temples of Trajan & Dionysus. After visiting the Asclepion, the earliest health centre of Asia Minor, we will continue on to Canakkale for the night.

Day 9: Canakkale

First on the agenda for today is a visit to the site of legendary Troy, the Homeric city that today houses a local museum. Next we’ll drive to Troas, from whence St. Paul set sail to Neapolis on his second missionary journey. Later we will visit Assos, where Paul rejoined his companions. We will have dinner in Canakkale and spend the night there.

Day 10: Canakkale – Istanbul

In the morning we will cross the Dardenelles by ferry, drive through the first World War battle fields of Gallipoli,  After Gallipoli drive to Istanbul. At aiport our services end.