Turkish Delight - 9 D / 8 N

On arrival in Istanbul, you will be welcomed by your Southern Travels representative and transferred to your hotel. Embark thereafter on the Bosphorus Cruise with opportunities to photograph the shoreline with its landmarks -Dolmabahce & Beylerbeyi palaces, Ortakoy Mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress and Bosphorus Bridge. This evening, you have an option of enjoying Istanbul by night including floodlit mosques, a fabulous Turkish dinner and a spectacular floor show with bejewelled belly dancers.

After breakfast, proceed on a guided orientation tour with a visit to HagiaSophia, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century. Visit the last greatImperial Blue Mosque. Leaving the mosque, proceed to the Roman Hippodrome, anopen-air stadium built by Roman Emperors in 203 A.D. The Obelisk of Theodosius,Serpentine Column, Constantine Column and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are themonuments decorating the Hippodrome. Then, onto Topkapi Palace which served asthe imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years. Finally, shopat the Grand Bazaar, the biggest "souk" with nearly 4000 shops,selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leather-ware and souvenirs. Therest of the evening at leisure to explore the city on your own.

This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ankara. Uponarrival, visit the Anatolian Civilisations Museum which also exhibits theremains of Catalhoyuk, the Neolithic village dating back to 6500 BC. Then,proceed to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Afternoon,proceed to mysterious Cappadocia. Visit Kaymakli Underground City carved out ofrocks by early Christians to evade invading armies and which are completely self-contained.

Today, you have an option to enjoy the magnificent early morning balloonadventure drifting across the surreal troglodyte rock formations, traditionalvillages and the landscapes of Cappadocia. Drive on to Pasabagi in Zelve areawhere monks used to live in seclusion in rock-cut rooms. Proceed to the potterytown of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meandersleaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery forcenturies. Proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum - a complex of several paintedcave-churches. Visit some caves on the cliffs to see Byzantine frescoesdecorating early Christian churches followed by a visit to Pigeon Valley andthe natural citadel of Uchisar. You have some free time here for shopping.

Drive to Konya and visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana. Proceed toPamukkale, the cotton fortress which rises above the fertile Menderes Valley.Hot mineral waters burst from the earth and cascade over steep cliffs formingpools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters here are known for ages.

This morning, visit Cleopatra Pool which has the most distinctfeatures of ancient natural thermal pools. The great ambience and surroundingsmake the swim one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences possible andis a must do on a visit here.

Today, visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and while strollingthrough its ruins, see the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre, a large and extensiveNecropolis and an ancient thermal pool. Next, visit Aphrodisias, the city namedafter Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Visit the Museum, the Temple ofAphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeonand Bishops Palace. Continue to Kusadasi.

This morning, drive to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City, one ofthe most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavatedruins. The temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient worldand the centre of pagan religion for 15 centuries. Here, Marc Anthony andCleopatra once rode in procession; St. Paul preached in the Great Theatre andin a little house outside the city, the Virgin Mary is supposed to have spenther last days.

This morning, transfer to Izmir Airport for flight back home, viaIstanbul. We trust that you enjoyed your Vacation. Please do give us yourvaluable feedback on feedback@southerntravels.in.