Excellent program for your first discovery of Turkey including among others visit of Istanbul, with the possibility of prolongation with a séjour (staying) in the regions of Bodrum, Gümüldür, Kusadasi or Dydimes, famous seaside regions of Turkey.

Day 1 : IZMIR or BODRUM
Arrival at airport (İzmir or Bodrum). Meet with our representative at the airport. Transfer to hotel. Diner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 2 : IZMIR or SELCUK or KUSADASI - PAMUKKALE
Visit of the Ephesus, the biggest metropolis of the western Anatolia during the Roman era, where St. Paul had his main effect (Apg 19,1-41; Revelation 2,1-7). In Ephesus you can find the remains of a very dense Roman occupation. See the Domitian Temple, the Temple of Hadrian, the north and the south Agoras, and the famous Celsius Library. See the massive theater with 24.000 seats where St. Paul first announced the Bible to the inhabitants of the city. Visit the remains of the temple of Artemis near Ephesus which was once one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After lunch, driving to Pamukkale. Visit of Pamukkale, where the special water cascading over the mountainside, transferred the rocky slope into a lime, cotton like look with numerous levels of water basins which has given the name 'Cotton Castles' to the place. Photo break of the world famous travertines. At the same time, visit of the ruins of the Hierapolis, amphitheatre and one of the best preserved necropolises in Anatolia. Highlights include the Roman Baths, the church, the Temple of Apollo. Hierapolis was a rich city with an economy based on the textile industry. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 3 : PAMUKKALE - KONYA - CAPPADOCIA
After the breakfast early in the morning departure for Konya, the saint city, capital in the Middle Age of Seljuk Sultanate. Visit of Mevlana museum, the convent of whirling derviches. Driving through the Anatolian steppe. Lunch. During the road visit of a caravanserai of Seljuk Sultanate named “Agzikarahan”. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 4 : CAPPADOCIA
Departure in the morning and drive to Cappadocia (Apg 2,9:Petr 1,1). Cappadocia has a landscape formed out of tuff which resembles a fantastic moon landscape. Visit Cappadocia, an area where culture and nature co-exist . We will also have an opportunity to shoot photo at the wonderful valleys and shopping for local souvenirs of the area. (Shopping possibility: Carpet and clay products). After the lunch visit of the Göreme open air museum famous for the rock-cut churches and houses. Visit the early Christian churches which are decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible (Karanlik Kilise) from the 11th century. Dinner and overnight at hotel. At night, possibility to participate to the Turkish folklore night (facultative).

Day 5 : CAPPADOCIA – ANKARA – ISTANBUL
Morning drive to Ankara, Turkey's political capital and second biggest city. Since 1923, it has been capital of the Turkish Republic, a secular nation. In the afternoon, visit of the mausoleum of Ataturk- the eternal father of the Turks on this soil. The museum section will feature Turkey of today stage by stage through phases of history. After the lunch, driving to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight at İstanbul.

Day 6 : ISTANBUL
Discover the classical highlights of Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque famed for its Iznik tiled interior and six minarets and the cool marble interior of Saint Sophia. First built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD as the largest church in the Christian world, it was converted into a mosque by Mehmet II in 1453 and now is a museum that celebrates the beauty of both religions. After the lunch, visit of the jeweled interior of the Topkapi Palace, home to the Spoon maker's Diamond. Before going to the hotel, possibility of shopping in the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar including more than 4, 000 shops. Still the commercial center of the old city, the bazaar is the original shopping mall with something to suit every taste and budget. Diner and overnight at hotel. (During the day possibility to take a facultative Bosphorus Cruise)

Day 7 : ISTANBUL – BURSA – KUSADASI or SELCUK or IZMIR
In the morning crossing of Marmara Sea by ferryboat and arrival to Bursa; visit of Green Mosque and Green Mausoleum, the symbols of this first capital city of Ottoman Empire famous for their green Iznik tiles. After the lunch driving to Kuşadası or Selçuk or İzmir. Dinner and overnight at Kuşadası or Selçuk or İzmir.

Day 8 : DEPARTURE