Day 1 - Istanbul - Friday 6th June 2008
Welcome to Turkey, arrival into Istanbul. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Tonight you will have a welcome dinner, be introduced to our friendly crew and other travellers while enjoying traditional Turkish food and enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night.

Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour - Saturday 7th June 2008
Depart at 08:30 for the Istanbul city tour. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. TURKISH & ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM GRAND COVER BAZAAR In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as hand painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. SÜLEYMANIYE MOSQUE The mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent was built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan whose wish was to surpass the builders of St. Sophia which is conspicuous from its great size, emphasized by the four minarets rising one from each corner of the courtyard. Free time provided for shopping. Tonight we have the optional activity of the Turkish Night which should not be missed. Includes (Whirling Dervishes, Belly dancers, Turkish cuisine and wine, live music) overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 - Gallipoli Tour - Sunday 8th June 2008
08:00am departing for Gallipoli. Visiting Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly, The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand memorial. During the tour there will be a lunch break. Late in the afternoon we will arrive in Canakkale. Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 4 - Troy Tour - Ayvalik - Monday 9th June 2008
Visit naval battle area then ferry across the Dardanelles to Canakkale, After Lunch we depart for the ancient city of Troy. Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan horse and Helen of Troy, as well as the history and discoveries of the archaeological diggings from its discovery by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870's to the present day and on going. Nine cities have been discovered built one on top of the other dating back to 3500 B.C. After Troy we drive about 2 hours to the coastal town of Ayvalik

Day 5 - Pergamon Tour - Kusadasi - Tuesday 10th June 2008
Short drive to Pergamun - see Asklepion, Zeus alter, Red Basilica etc.  BERGAMA is the site of the Hellenistic - and later Roman - city of Pergamon, ruled for several centuries by a powerful local dynasty. Excavations were completed here in 1886, but unfortunately much of what was found has since been carted off to Germany. However, the acropolis of Eumenes II remains a major attraction, and there are a host of lesser sights and an old quarter of chaotic charm to detain you for a day or so. Its foremost attraction is the Kizil Avlu or "Red Basilica", a huge edifice on the river not far from the acropolis, originally built as a temple to the Egyptian god Osiris and converted to a basilica by the early Christians, when it was one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor addressed by St John in the book of Revelation - though sadly it's now a crumbling ruin with a mosque in one of its towers. After Bergama tour will depart for Kusadasi. Upon return you will have the opportunity to experience a Turkish bath which is one of the oldest cultures of Anatolia and it is one of our optional activities. After having dinner at your hotel, you will have the free time to stroll in the city. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6 - Ephesus Tour - Wednesday 11th June 2008
Today, we are going to visit Ephesus to view the ruins of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient ruins in the world. A visit to Ephesus - once the commercial centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The tour of the ruins also includes a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. According to many historians and theologians, the divine death of the Virgin Mary took place in Ephesus in the presence of St. John into whose care Christ's mother was given (St.John, XX, 26-27). After the Ephesus Tours, we will make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like carpet weaving, leather manufacturing and jewellery. As this will be a guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7 - Pamukkale Tour - Thursday 12th June 2008
At 08:30 we depart for Pamukkale. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region. We then arrive at Pamukkale for lunch. Afterwards we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 8 – Bodrum Friday 13th June 2008
Transfer to Bodrum. The day is yours. You do not have to wake up early, enjoy the sunshine and take in the views and natural magnificent beach & crystal clear sea and explore the city, shop in the local markets, relax on the beach or enjoy one of the many day trips you have to choose from. These include Aqua Park , scuba diving, fishing tour and many more. Over night in Bodrum.

Day 9 - Blue Cruise from Bodrum - Karacasogut  - Saturday 14th June 2008
Departure after breakfast. First stop by Karaada:The Island is famous for its hot springs and dark caves which you can swim into. After lunch, we continue to the marvelous natural harbor of Cati, a lovely bay surrounded with pine trees on the south coast of the Gulf. Overnight in Cati.
 
Day 10 - Blue Cruise from Bodrum - Karacasogut - Sunday 15th June 2008
Sail to Seven Island - always a popular choice, plenty of pine-clad secluded bays and coves to investigate. You will spend the rest of day by swimming if you wish by walking through the stroax (liquid-amber) and pine forests. Overnight in Kufre.
 
Day 11 - Blue Cruise from Bodrum - Karacasogut Monday 16th June 2008
Sail to Seven Islands - always popular choice, plenty of pine clad secluded bays and coves to investigate. After the Cruise Depart for Egridir. Stop in Egridir on the southern tip of the most beautiful of the Pisidian lakes. Overnight in Egirdir.

Day 12 - Egridir to Cappadocia - Tuesday 17th June 2008
Coach transport to Cappadocia approx 7 hours. Today we will get to know the Cappadocia region, a volcanic area in which the geological formation started 10 million years ago. As a result of these formations phallic like pillars have come to life. The beautiful horse country "Katpatuka," (as the Persians called her) is an unbelievable strip of land, enchanting and mysterious. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 13 - Cappadocia Tour - Wednesday 18th June 2008
Our guided tour will start at 09:30 and cover Avcilar, Pigeon Valley, Göreme Open Air Museum, Dervent Valley , Uçhisar Castle and the pottery village of Avano . If you want to join our optional activity of Ballooning, please contact with your guide and register because it will take place early the next morning. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 14 - Cappadocia Tour - Thursday 19th June 2008
We depart at 09:30 for one of the most interesting sites of Cappadocia - Derinkuyu Underground City. The Christians hid from the armies of Rome and the raids of hostile tribes in these self sufficient cities in which there were halls for stocks of crop, barns, rooms, kitchens & ventilation channels. After the Cappadocia tour depart for Istanbul. Arrive Istanbul approx 9pm. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 15 Istanbul Tour The End Friday 20th June 2008
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another TAT Tours Turkey Tour. Have a safe trip and thanks for choosing TAT Tours.

Tour Includes
14 nights accommodation
English speaking professional guide throughout
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
All transportation by First Class private air-conditioned coach
Return airport transfers from Ataturk Airport
14 Breakfasts and 14 Dinners
3 nights accommodation at 4 star hotel in Istanbul (with breakfast and dinner)
1 night accommodation at 4 star hotel in Canakkale (with breakfast and dinner)
1 night accommodation at 4 star hotel in Ayvalik (with breakfast and dinner)
2 nights accommodation at 4 star hotel in Kusadasi (with breakfast and dinner)
1 night accommodation at 4 star hotel in Pamukkale (with breakfast and dinner)
1 night accommodation at 4 star hotel in Bodrum (with breakfast and dinner)
Blue Cruise from Bodrum to Karacasogut
3 Days and 2 Nights - (with breakfast, lunch and dinner
1 night accommodation at 4 star hotel in Egirdir (with breakfast and dinner)
2 nights accommodation at boutique cave hotel  in Cappadocia (with breakfast and dinner)

Single Tours Turkey 2008 Pricing and Booking
per person twin share	€ 1139.00
per person single room	€ 1429.00