Compare Biblical Ancient Wonders of Turkey by Ada Vegas Travel vs Anatolian Civilizations by Eskapas

Day 1: Istanbul – Ankara

Flight to Ankara via Istanbul. Ankara is the capital of modern Turkey Transfer to hotel by private motor coach. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Ankara – Cappadocia

In the morning, visit the remarkable Anatolian Civilizations Museum, among its treasures are Neolithic frescoes, Bronze Age emblems, the remains of the fabled Phyrigian King Midas, as well as many objects from the Hittites. Stroll in the old Ankara citadel. Tour the Augustus Temple and pay a visit to the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk. After lunch drive to the Cappadocia traveling along the shores of the great Salt Lake. Arrive in Cappadocia late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 3: Cappadocia

Start out early for a full day excursion into the magical lunarscape of Cappadocia’s rocky hills & valleys. Dominated by Erciyes Dagi, Mt. Argaeus, the region was first settled by ancient people then home to Romans, early Christians, Byzantines and Seljuks. Visit Goreme Church Valley, Zelve, Avanos, Ortahisar and Uchisar, and see some of the many churches carved into the rocks. Return to the hotel for night.

Day 4: Cappadocia – Konya

Visit Kaymakli underground city in the morning. Kaymakli with some floors down the underground was home to early Christian refugees. On the way south visit the Sultanhani Caravanserai. Drive to Karaman, Derbe where St. Paul preached, then visit Lystra, where St. Paul stopped on his journey. Arrive Konya , Iconium for the night.

Day 5: Konya – Pamukkale

Morning sightseeing of Konya, visit the Mevlana Mausoleum and Museum, the founder of the whirling dervishes in the Islamic sect. Proceed to Yalvac, Pisidian Antioch where St. Paul said, “We now turn to the gentiles” and opened Christianity to the world. Passing by Egridir Lake arrive at Pamukkale, Hierapolis and overnight.

Day 6: Pamukkale – Izmir

After a visit to Hierapolis ruins and St. Philip martyrdom, drive to Loadicea. The church at Laodicea was an extension church of the church at Ephesus, as were the churches of Hierapolis and Colosea. Continue on to Alasehir, Philadelphia the church of “brotherly love” of the apocalypse. Proceed to Sardes another of the Seven Churches.

Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Day 7: Ephesus – Izmir

Morning departure to Ephesus. St. Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years. The still standing amphitheatre is the witness of the riots against St. Paul. The very first church dedicated to Virgin Mary was built in Ephesus after visiting Hadrian Temple, Celcus Library, St. John`s Basilica, House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Diana, proceed to Miletos, with one of the largest amphitheatres in Asia Minor. It was in Miletos that Paul stopped at the end of his third journey and predicted his imprisonment. Later in the day visit Apollo Temple at Didyma and return to Izmir.

Day 8: Izmir – Canakkale

Morning drive to Akhisar, Thyatira to see the remains of Basilica church. Proceed to Pergamum to visit the Acropolis of Hellenistic Pergamum. Among its buildings are the Altar of Zeus and the temples of Trajan & Dionysus. After visiting the Asclepion, the earliest health center of Asia Minor. After lunch drive to Assos, where St. Paul rejoined his companions and visit Troas where St. Paul set sail to Greece. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

Day 9: Canakkale – Istanbul

Morning visit the site of Troy, the Homeric city and the local museum. Cross the Dardenelles by ferryboat to the European site. Driving through Galipoli, the battlefields of the First World War. Arrive to Istanbul for overnight.

Day 10: Istanbul

Full day sightseeing in Istanbul in the old quarters of the city; Visit the Church of St. Savior in Chora famed with Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, Hagia Sophia, the oldest Christian basilica for Ecumenical councils. Visit the circus maximus of Constantinople, the Hippodrome where chariot races were held in Roman times. After enjoying the beautiful tile decoration of the Blue Mosque. Visit the Topkapi Palace museum with its priceless jeweled objects and the Porcelain Collection. At the end of the day shopping in the Grand Bazaar. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11: Departure

Transfer to the airport for flight to next destination or transfer to Turkish/Greek border to continue tour in Greece.

Day 1 

Arrive in Istanbul

Arrival to Istanbul . Meet with English speaking assistant at the airport . Transfer to the hotel for check in .

Overnight: Istanbul Meals: N/A

Day 2

Istanbul

Breakfast at the hotel . Drive from your hotel to Spice Market for shopping . Free time. Then meet and proceed to take 1,5 hrs  Bosphorus Cruise excursion along the Bosphorus , that is dividing the 2 continents Asia & Europe . During the excursion you will enjoy the beauty of Istanbul , with its forest , Palaces and wooden old houses built on both continents . Lunch at local restaurant . After lunch visit  Sultanahmet Mosque  (Blue Mosque) , and the famous Hagia Sophia Free time at  Grand Bazaar. 

Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3

Istabul - Ankara

Breakfast at the hotel . Departure from the hotel to visit Topkapi Palace ( harem section entrance free is not included ) the house of the ottoman sultans . Departure from the hotel to Ankara – the capital of Turkey . Arrival to Ankara in early evening

Overnight: Ankara Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4

Ankara - Cappadocia via Salt Lake

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the capital of Turkey with the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with an exhibition of Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, Phrygian Urartu etc & remains and the Ataturk Mausoleum, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic. Departure for Cappadocia (290 km). Along the way, visit the  underground city built by Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab attacks. The underground city preserves the stables, common rooms, meeting room and small rooms for families. Arrival in the Cappadocia region. 

Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 

Cappadocia 

Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to visiting this fantastic region with its spectacular fairy chimneys, unique in the world Goreme Valley , with its cave churches, with paintings from the 10th and 11th centuries; stop at the trogloyta village of Uçhisar , visit  Avcilar  which has a spectacular landscape, the  Derbent valley  with its curious natural rock formations and time for artisan workshops such as carpets and onyx-stones mounted on silver jewelry. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. 

Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 

Cappadocia- Sultanhani - Pamukkale

Breakfast and departure for Pamukkale (610 km). On the way, stop to visit the Sultanhan Caravanserail, Seljuk inn from the medieval era. Continuation to. Free time in Pamukkale "Cotton Castle", unique in the world with its natural pools of limestone hot springs and the petrified travertine waterfalls. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Overight: Pamukkale Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7

Pamukkale – Ephesus – İzmir

Breakfast at the hotel. Exit for Selçuk-Efeso (200 km). Arrival and visit to the archaeological area of Ephesus, a city dedicated to Artemis. The Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora, the Marble Street and the largest Theater of antiquity. Visit to the House of the Virgin, supposed last dwelling place of the Mother of Jesus. Stop at a leather production center and continue to Izmir (~ 85 km.), The third largest city in Turkey. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Overight: Izmir Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 

Izmir - Pergamon – Troy – Çanakkale

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for  Pergamon , the current Bergama (110 km). Arrival and visit to the ruins of  Asclepion , which was the most important hospital in Asia Minor, with its therapeutic center. Continuation to Troy (~ 190 km.). Visit to the famous archaeological city of history that evokes the poetic name of the Iliad saga of Homer. Continuation to Çanakkale (~ 25 km.). Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Overnight: Çanakkale Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 

Çanakkale – Gallipoli – Anzac Cove – Istanbul

Breakfast. We will cross Dardanelles Strait by car ferry and continue to Gallipoli Peninsula. We will visit one of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli, including Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, 57. Regiment Turkish Memorial,The Nek,Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Arrival late (between 08:00 pm and 09:00 pm) to Istanbul transfer to your hotel. End of our services. 

Overnight: N/A Drop-off to your hotel Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 

Istanbul Departure

Breakfast . Transfer to airport and fly home .End of our services 

Overnight: N/A Meals: Breakfast ( If the pick up time for departure fligth permits )