In the Footsteps of Great Civilizations

After a warm welcome at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Once checked in, you’ll have time to relax, unwind, and perhaps enjoy a hot bath before a cozy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. In the evening, feel free to take a gentle stroll through the neighborhood to stretch your legs—but don’t stay out too late. The real adventure begins tomorrow.

After breakfast, your journey begins at 8:15 AM as we travel to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, approximately 450 km away. Today’s highlights include a visit to the monumental Atatürk Museum, showcasing the early history of the Turkish Republic. You’ll see rare collections, including Atatürk’s personal vehicles and panoramic exhibits depicting the War of Independence.

Next, we visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, where you’ll encounter astonishing artifacts spanning back hundreds of thousands of years.

The day concludes with a walk along the ancient walls of Ankara Fortress, followed by dinner at the hotel between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

After breakfast, we depart at 8:15 AM for the magical region of Cappadocia (~250 km). Along the way, we stop at Lake Tuz, Turkey’s second-largest salt lake, for photos and fresh air.

Once in Cappadocia, we begin exploring its extraordinary landscapes—rock-carved churches, monasteries, and homes etched into the hills. You’ll visit the Valley of Love, Fairy Chimneys, and Pigeon Valley, among others.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel (7:00–8:00 PM). You may also choose to attend the mesmerizing “Whirling Dervishes” performance from 9:00 to 10:00 PM (optional, extra fee).

Start your morning optionally with a sunrise hot air balloon flight (extra charge), offering breathtaking views over the valleys. After breakfast and departure (8:15–8:30 AM), we explore even deeper:

• Visit the underground city of Kaymakli
• Discover the ancient Göreme monastery complex with its stunning frescoes
• Tour a traditional ceramics workshop, where you’ll observe master artisans and try your hand at the wheel
• Visit a carpet weaving atelier, where you’ll learn about the art of Turkish rugs and maybe even see a “flying carpet” demonstration

Dinner and rest are planned from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, with an optional Turkish Night Show (9:30–11:30 PM), complete with traditional music and dancing.

Following breakfast and departure (8:15–8:30 AM), we stop for a short break (9:00–10:30 AM) before heading to Konya (~220 km). There, we visit the revered Mevlana Museum, spiritual center of the Whirling Dervishes and the final resting place of Rumi, the legendary poet and philosopher.

Enjoy free time and lunch (12:00–2:00 PM), followed by another rest stop (4:00–6:00 PM).
As the landscapes change, we continue toward Pamukkale (~420 km). Upon arrival (between 6:00–8:00 PM), check into your hotel and enjoy a well-deserved dinner.

After breakfast (departure 8:00–8:15 AM), we begin with a visit to the hauntingly beautiful necropolis of Hierapolis, with its grand ancient tombs and cool, echoing chambers. Next, we explore the famous travertine terraces of Pamukkale, white mineral formations cascading with warm spring waters. For an added experience, take a dip in the legendary Cleopatra’s Pool (optional, extra charge).

By 11:30 AM, we depart for Selçuk (~190 km), home to one of the greatest ancient cities of the world—Ephesus.

 You’ll visit:

• The House of the Virgin Mary, a place of prayer and pilgrimage
  The ruins of Ephesus, a cornerstone of early Christianity
• The remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

In the evening, we arrive in Kuşadası, a charming seaside town, where we check into our hotel and enjoy dinner by the Aegean Sea. Afterward, take a walk along the marina and soak in the coastal atmosphere.

After breakfast (departure 8:00–8:15 AM), we travel through Izmir en route to Pergamon (~190 km), once a powerful kingdom and the birthplace of parchment.

 Highlights include:

• The ancient Pergamon Library, one of the first to store written texts in bound form
• The Temple of Trajan and the base of the Zeus Altar
• The stunning hillside theater, offering panoramic views from the steep mountainside

In the evening, we arrive in Ayvalık, a peaceful coastal town. Check into a seaside hotel and enjoy a relaxing dinner by the water.

We begin our final day with a journey to Troy (~145 km), the legendary city of Hector and Achilles, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad. Walk the grounds where heroes clashed and history became myth. Next, we cross the Dardanelles Strait to Çanakkale (arrival at 12:00 PM), where lunch is served at 1:30 PM.

A final rest stop is scheduled at 4:00 PM before we continue toward Istanbul (~360 km), arriving between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, where your epic journey across the cradle of civilizations comes to a close.