Turkey's Wine Country
in the heart of Anatolia

10 Day Tour of the Wine Country of Turkey

DAY 01: IZMIR - KUSADASI - Arrive by flight in Izmir, transfer by coach to Kusadasi. Welcome drink, and overnight.

DAY 02: EPHESUS - KUSADASI - Start the day with breakfast and then visit the impressive archaeological site of Ephesus, its theater with 25,000 seats, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. After lunch continue to the house of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed St. John brought Mary from Jerusalem to spend her last days. See the Basilica of St. John where, according to legend, the saint is buried. Later in the afternoon, we drive to Sirince Village; the most beautiful village on the Aegean. Sirince retains its traditional architecture almost wholly intact, mainly from the 19th century. We visit one of the village houses and two former Greek churches. Although unusual for Turkey, most households in Sirince make and sell wine. Try their local wine. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 03: APHRODISIAS- PAMUKKALE - After breakfast depart for Aphrodisias, a remarkable site not yet fully explored. See one of the best preserved stadiums of the Roman world that could seat about 30,000 spectators. Lunch in the restaurant of a domestic wine grower, wine "at discretion" and folklore music. Continue after to the locally called "Cotton Castle" Pamukkale. Unique in the world with its astonishing petrified water falls. Enjoy dinner and overnight in Pamukkale the great Roman spa of Hierapolis.

DAY 04: PAMUKKALE - KONYA - Today, after breakfast, visit ancient Hierapolis including Temple of Apollo, Necropolis and the Theater, Continue to Konya, home of the Whirling Dervishes, visit the founder's "Mevlana Mausoleum" and Karatay Medrese a former Quran Reading School, today a museum of old Seljuk ceramics. Dine together and overnight.

DAY 05: CAPPADOCIA - After breakfast depart for Cappadocia visiting on the way the ancient Seljuk caravan-serai at Sultanhani. After checking-in to your hotel, visit the underground city of Kaymakli, made to accommodate several thousands of people, a formidable refuge with seven subterranean floors. Enjoy dinner together and overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 06: VINEYARDS OF CAPPADOCIA - This morning starts after breakfast with a walk through the vineyards accompanied by local expert, lunch in form of a air barbecue with live music and folk dances. Time at leisure before dinner in typical wine cellar. Overnight again in Cappadocia.

DAY 07: CAPPADOCIA - GOREME VALLEY - After breakfast enjoy a full day in Cappadocia, unique in the world for his moon like landscape. The valley o f Goreme with its rock churches and chapels, covered with beautiful frescoes, visit the natural citadel of Uchsiar offering a splendid view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Dine together and overnight in Capadocia.

DAY 08: FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL - Today we take a flight to Istanbul via Kayseri. Arrival in Istanbul. Afternoon is free of planned activity, leaving time for you to relax or explore on your own. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 09: ISTANBUL - After breakfast we board our coach for sightseeing in Istanbul including Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and St. Sophia. After lunch visit premises of the Turkish wine giant Doluca founded in 1926 by Nihat Kutman. Farewell dinner together and overnight.

DAY 10: FLIGHT HOME - Transfer to airport for homebound flight.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Included:

• English speaking guidance & assistance throughout the journey.
• Breakfast and dinner in each hotel except 2 nights at Istanbul hotel.
• Accommodation in 4 star hotel.
• Tranfers by airconditioned minibus with a microphone.
• Entrance fees to historical sites and museums as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Dancing Dervishes show at Cappadocia
• Parking fees in each historical sites.
• Domestic flight fee from Kayseri to Istanbul*
• Hotel tips

Not Included:

• Lunches en route.
• 2 nights dinner during Istanbul accommodation
• Visa expenses to enter into the country
• Optional tours or entrance fees outside the itinerary.
• Personal expenses such as; room service, minibar charges, telephone calls, etc.
• Refreshments, beverages, snacks, etc. en route or during meals.
• Tips to guide, driver and restaurants.
• Airline tickets from / to USA

HISTORICAL SIGHTS TO BE VISITED DURING THE TRIP - Ephesus - House of Virgin Mary - Artemis Temple - St. Jean - 2 Greek Churches - Aphrodisias - Hierapolis - Mevlana - Karatay - Kaymakli - Goreme - Uchisar Castle - Sultan Ahmet (Blue Mosque) - Topkapi Palace (Including Harem & treasury sections ) - St. Sophia