Day 1 Istanbul: After breakfast you will be collected from the hotel to meet your tour guide and the rest of the group. Today you will visit the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Afterwards world famous St.Sophia - the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century. Following the Blue Mosque which famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior blue tiles. Later on you will be browsing the Grand Bazaar. Overnight stay in Istanbul. (B,L)

Day 2 Istanbul: After breakfast, pick up from your hotel. Proceed to the mouth of the Golden Horn, to explore the bustling Egyptian Spice Market of 17th century origin - a colorful bazaar heaped with spices, Turkish sweets, dried foods and much more. Then we take a Bosphorus Cruise Sightseeing Boat Trip * (2 hr boat ride) up Istanbul's winding straits for a chance to relax and admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces and decadent villas - you'll see Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, Ottoman summer mansions and Ortakoy mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress and Bosphorus Bridge - one of the world's largest suspension bridges, all alongside passing fishing boats, yachts, huge cargo ships and tankers. Then the Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman sultans housing richness of 700 years. Return back to your hotel. Afternoon is free to yours. (B)

Day 3 Cappadocia: Transfer to Istanbul airport and flight to Kayseri. Arrive in Kayseri Airport or pick up from the Cappadocia hotels. Hiking downhill in Rose Valley while exploring some older churches. Arrive in Cavusin Village, an old Seljukian and Ottoman village, visit the Cave Mosque. After lunch time continue on to Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors; Ortahisar with its castle. Overnight in Cappadocia (B, L, D).

Day 4 Cappadocia: Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at 09.30-10.00 depending on the arrival time of the participants and visit the Imagination Valley where animal-like natural formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. After lunch break visit to the Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Continue on to Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Shopping time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia (B, L, D).

Day 5 Izmir / Kusadasi: After breakfast transfer to the airport in Kayseri for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival to Izmir transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Kusadasi.  (B,D)

Day 6 Ephesus: After breakfast we drive to the ancient city of Ephesus to visit one of the 12 cities of Ionia, and a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Ephesus is renowned for its sacred ancient shrines, including a famous temple (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). At Ephesus you will see the beautiful Celsus Library, built in the beginning of the 2nd century A.D. You'll also visit the Grand Theater, one of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus, where St. Paul once preached. Afterward, visit the Temple of Hadrian across the way. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch, stop by the nearby Basilica of St. John, and then visit the Ephesus Archeological Museum, which contains two wonderful marble statues of Artemis and 25,000 items found in the ancient city. Then we will continue to visit the House of the Virgin Mary on the Aladag Mountains, five miles from Ephesus. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Kusadasi / Izmir: Early morning departure from the hotel for your flight back to Istanbul. (B)