After breakfast you begin your exploration of fascinating Istanbul with the priceless pieces of history available at your doorstep. You begin 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. The next stop will be the Basilica of Saint Sophia, one of the largest Christian shrines ever built in history. Adorned with rich mosaic murals, colossal columns and exposition of divine serenity, Saint Sophia is a true world heritage that has accommodated various faiths throughout the different periods of history and is currently operated as a mosque displaying Byzantine art and architecture embellished by Ottoman taste.

Then, you see the serene Blue Mosque one of Istanbul’s most venerable monuments. It was built in 7 years (1606-1609 AD) with the order of Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I. From the courtyard you will enjoy the striking view of the cascading domes and semi-domes. Once inside you will see how the mosque got its name, viewing the colourful blue Iznik tiles that adorn the interior. These tiles were made at the peak of Iznik tile production in the early 17th Century.

Your next visit will be the magnificent Topkapı Palace, the residence of the sultans for almost three centuries. It is located on the promontory jutting out between the Bosporus and the Golden Horn. This setting provides a magnificent view. The construction of the Topkapı Palace was completed between 1465 and 1478. Being the imperial residence of the sultan, his court and harem, the palace was also the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. 4,000 people lived in the Palace. We will visit the Hagia Irene ("Holy Peace", Turkish: Aya İrini), sometimes known also as Saint Irene, is an Eastern Orthodox church located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul. It is one of the few churches in Istanbul that has not been converted into a mosque, as it was used as an arsenal for storing weapons until the 19th century. The Hagia Irene today operates as a museum and concert hall. The church was dedicated to the peace of God, and is one of the three shrines which emperors devoted to God's attributes, together with Hagia Sophia (Wisdom) and Hagia Dynamis.

Finally, you will visit the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) – Grand Bazaar is one of the earliest shopping malls ever built in history, which maintains its charm and volume of business to the modern day with its indoor and outdoor sections. Istanbul has been the centre of commerce and trade between the Orient and the Occident even before the arrival of Ottomans. Nuru Osmaniye District (Glamour of the Ottomans) was where the Genoese and Venetian merchants had their warehouses where they store their inventory of brass, copper, rugs and tiles before they were loaded on the ships to sail to Venice and Genoa. Today, Nuru Osmaniye District is where you can find the most reputable stores with wide collections of jewellery, antiques and oriental rugs. Breathe in the vivacious atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar with a sip of Turkish coffee while checking the exciting variety of handcrafted souvenirs.

**Unique Moments: During the visit of Grand Bazaar you will be experiencing the Turkish coffee from Sark Kahvesi, Historical Coffee Roasters located in Grand Bazaar. Each variety has been prepared with a blend of traditional knowledge, experience and an abiding “Love of Coffee”. No visit to Istanbul is complete without stopping by the atmospheric Spice Bazaar. While the Grand Bazaar may be the largest and most famous of Istanbul's covered bazaars, this spice market wins the prize for being the most colourful, fragrant, and often the most fun – as visitors can taste the goods on offer.

Overnight stay at your Istanbul Hotel.

Following breakfast, you begin your drive to Canakkale. Your scenic drive will first take you to Gallipoli, the site of the incredible battle played out here during World War I. Tour of the Gallipoli battlefield, scene of the aborted Allied invasion of 1915. Visit Cape Helles, Suvla Bay and Anzac Cove. Here you will cross the Dardanelles and then will proceed to Canakkale for dinner and overnight. Overnight stay and dinner at your Canakkale Hotel.

After breakfast, you visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Troy, where you will see its legendary walls and the replica of the wooden Trojan Horse. From here you begin your drive towards the Aegean and Izmir. Along the way you will stop at the hauntingly beautiful the Greco-Roman city of Pergamon (approx. 3 hours) which is famous for its Asclepion, the ancient medical centre of which its purpose was most like a spa of the 19th century. Asclepion is the place where the first psychological treatment had been used in history. Leaving the Asclepion, you 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 theatre will be seen.

Overnight stay at your Kusadasi Hotel.

After breakfast, you will experience the timeless city of Ephesus where history and archaeology will offer you their majesty with incredible richness. Ephesus was the Capital of the Province of Asia Minor famed for its flavoursome market during the Roman Era and was, therefore, the scene of many political intrigues while commanding an immense wealth due to its port and its trading activities. A city with such importance, authority and prosperity had prestigious buildings that have been able to survive up to today in a wonderful state of preservation. You will pursue the traces of the glorious past of Ephesus walking on the Marble Road that runs through the city with various structures resting on it: Temple of Hadrian is a unique beauty greeting you with its articulate façade that was built to honour the famous Roman Emperor, Hadrian during 2nd Century AD. Rising in the centre of Ephesus is Library of Celsus built in honour of the great governor of Roman days. The façade of the Celsus Library reflects the grandeur and prestige of the Roman Period with a fabulous exposition of intricacy in its mural decoration. Among all the stunning archaeological remains, the Great Theatre of Ephesus bears the major significance as the biggest Roman theatre surviving in the world of archaeology.

Later on, you will head up the hills behind Ephesus, where Virgin Mary is believed to have spent the last days of her life. Presently, there is a charming chapel, consecrated by Pope, at the very spot where the House of Virgin Mary stood. The local tradition suggests that Virgin Mary lived and died at this holy place with the company of St. John to whom she was entrusted by Jesus Christ before he was crucified. See one of the original Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis, as well as the main site with its fabled Library of Celsus.

Overnight stay at your Kusadasi Hotel.

Today you will have your transfer to Aphrodisiac, which is an ancient city located in the Karacasu district of Aydin, Turkey, dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love. It was first discovered in 1958 by Ara Guler, a well-known Turkish photographer and journalist, who took photographs of a newly constructed dam in the area.

Later on continue to the ruins of Hierapolis founded during the Hellenistic period as a control point of trading routes connecting East to West. In the Roman Period, Hierapolis became a centre of worship to Hades and Apollo as well as a thermal centre where massive Roman Baths were built to serve the Romans that visited the city from around the ancient world. Upon arrival at the site, you 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, you will continue on to the ancient site that is still being excavated by Italian archaeologists. Today’s ancient city of Hierapolis has recently been appointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wandering through the colossal tomb chambers of Necropolis, you will comprehend the wealth of the society that could afford such impressive graves to be buried in the grounds of the “Sacred City”, as what Hierapolis meant in ancient Greek. You will keep exploring the ancient site by touring the Gate of Domitianus and the Byzantine Baths. Once you reach the lower slopes of the hills that rise behind the site, you will note one of the best preserved Roman Theatres of the world of archaeology. Built during 2nd century, the theatre of Hierapolis was used for both theatrical activities and shows of violence.

Overnight stay at your Pamukkale Hotel.

After breakfast, you will head to Bodrum. It takes approximately 4 hours.
The program ends upon arrival in Bodrum.