Itinerary

Aug 6 (Fri) (D)

Flight to ISTANBUL

Aug 7 (Sat) (BD)

ISTANBUL. Transfer to hotel.

Aug 8 (Sun) (B)

ISTANBUL. Constantinople, Byzantium... Whatever its name, this fabled city has stood at the crossroads of civilization for almost three thousand years. Our full-day tour includes: Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans; St. Sophia, one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture, dating to the 6th Century reign of emperor Justinian; the Blue Mosque, famous for its use of light and color; and the Grand Bazaar with over 4000 shops. And outstanding cuisine in great abundance is always within arms reach.

Aug 9 (Mon) (BD)

ISTANBUL to ANKARA. Morning departure for Ankara by bus. Ankara, founded over 4000 years ago, is the modern capital of Turkey. Unlike some national capitals, Ankara is a major center of trade and commerce. Its 3 million inhabitants exhibit a fascinating blend of ancient and modern life styles which we will observe. We visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, with its emphasis on early cultures (Urartu, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Assyrian) and artifacts from the earliest known human community ca. 7500 BC.

Aug 10 (Tue) (B)

ANKARA to SIVAS. Morning departure by bus to Sivas. Occupied (and repeatedly invaded) since about 1500 BC, Sivas enjoyed its greatest power under the Seljuk empire (12th and 13th centuries AD). Many of its buildings date from that period.

Aug 11 (Wed) (BLD)

ECLIPSE! Situated on the Anatolian Plateau, the Sivas region is characterized by hot, dry, sunny summer days. Our tour company is working with the University of Sivas to select the best location for our viewing. Totality will be about 2 minutes and 12 seconds.

Aug 12 (Thu) (B)

Return to ANKARA

Long tour: Morning departure for CAPPADOCIA, visiting the 13th century Agzikarahan caravansary on the way. (BD)

Short tour: Transfer to airport for flight home. (B)

Aug 14 (Sat) (BD)

CAPPADOCIA. This area is known for the "fairy-tale castle" landscape created by erosion of the soft volcanic deposits. Over the centuries, the inhabitants carved homes in this soft rock, creating entire underground cities up to 14 stories deep capable of housing thousands of people for months at a time. We will visit Goreme, famous for its rock-hewn churches, and the surrounding area.

Aug 15 (Sun) (BD)

CAPPADOCIA to PAMUKKALE, visiting the oasis town of KONYA on the way. Founded in 7,000 BC, Konya (ancient Hierapolis) is home to the Whirling Dervish cult. In Pamukkale, see the famous white lime cascades. Visit the extensive well-preserved ruins of Hierapolis (ca. 190 BC).

Aug 16 (Mon) (BD)

EPHESUS, IZMIR. Ephesus, founded by the Greeks in the 11th century BC, was home to 300,000 people in its heyday. Izmir, the birthplace of Homer, is a busy, thriving modern port.

Aug 17 (Tue) (BD)

Tour the ancient Greek ruins of PERGAMUM and the famous ancient city of TROY. Overnight in CANAKKALE on the Dardanelles strait.

Aug 18 (Wed) (BD)

Cross the Dardanelles, visit the WWI battlefield of GALLIPOLI, and continue on to ISTANBUL. Farewell dinner at the hotel.

To the airport and home.