Western Turkey in Winter(sm) (10 days)

You will be arriving at the new Istanbul Airport. Please note that US, Canadian and Australian citizens will have to have a Turkish Visa prior to arrival at the new Istanbul International Airport, Turkey. You can easily to obtain your Turkish Visas (at this writing $20 for U.S. citizens) online at www.evisa.gov.tr. Next, having claimed your luggage at the Baggage Claim carousel, you will exit the Customs area; once outside, you will find your local host waiting for you to take you to your selected hotel. [START OF TOUR ARRANGEMENTS].

Enjoy the rest of the day on your own. (We can also arrange VIP arrival transfers) Welcome Cocktail and Dinner at the hotel.

Sightseeing in Istanbul: The Blue Mosque, The St. Sophia Museum, the Hippodrome Square, and the Underground Cistern. In the afternoon, visit Topkapi Palace and the Covered Bazaar.

Departure from Istanbul for Canakkale. Visit the Gallipoli Battlefields from World War I, then cross the Straits of Dardanelles by ferry to Asia. Visit Troy, the famous city of Homer's Iliad. Overnight stay in Canakkale.

Continuing to drive south along the Aegean Coast, visit Pergamum, a famous historical city with an impressive Acropolis and an ancient hospital. On the way, stop at a quaint village as guest of a Turkish Family in their restored 150-year old restored stone house. Then, drive on through Izmir to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight stay.

Note: This is a very long day; we can also have the overnight stay in Izmir.

Full-day sightseeing in Ephesus, one of the most impressive ancient sites of the world, visit the Terrace Houses of wealthy ancient Romans, and the House of The Virgin Mary. Overnight stay is in Kusadasi or in the charming hillside village of Sirince.

Today, visit Aphrodisias and Pamukkale, with its “cotton white” cliffs, and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Overnight stay is in Pamukkale.

Leisurely drive to Antalya on the Mediterranean Coast. Transfer to your hotel in Antalya.

Full-day sightseeing to visit the ancient cities of Side, Perge, and Aspendos. Overnight stay is in Antalya.

Morning flight* from Antalya to Istanbul. Afternoon is at leisure. Or, we can have you stay another day on Antalya to enjoy the beautiful beaches or more sightseeing on ancient cities in the area.

Early morning transfer to Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport for the flight back home.

(Or, if you have spent the previous night in Antalya, we can have your transfer to Antalya Airport for your morning flight to Istanbul from where you can connect to your international flight.