Day-1ISTANBUL On arrival in Istanbul you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Day-2ISTANBUL Breakfast followed by a full day tour of Istanbul. First visit the Hippodrome Square which is covered approximately the area of 400mx120m, but today unfortunately just the shape remains. The Hippodrome Square is decorated with the Egyptian Obelisk, which was brought from Luxor, Serpentine Column, which represents three thick intertwined serpents, and Walled or Roman Obelisk, which was torn off and its bronze panels with golden letters melted to make arms ,as well as golden coins by 4th Crusaders Sultan Ahmet (Blue) Mosque, which is the only mosque with 6 minarets in the world, and is one of the most beautiful of Istanbul. The blue tiles gave its name to the Mosque, where the pilgrims begin their journey to Mecca,. St.Sophia (Hagia Sophia), The name of the building meaning “Divine Wisdom” was first given to a wooden basilica, which later burned down. Emperor Justinian ordered the construction of the third St. Sophia in 532 AD. During the Ottoman Empire, after converting the Church to a mosque,4 minarets were added. But today, St. Sophia serves as a museum. lunch at Topkapi Konyali Rest. After lunch visit Topkapi Palace It was the first imperial residence of Ottoman Emperors until 1839 when Sultan Abdulmecit-I moved to the new palace Dolmabahce. The palace is featuring a huge Collection of Japanese and Chinese porcelains, which are the third richest in the world. The Treasury Section with the second biggest diamond after the one in Tower in London, belonging to the Queen Victoria of England, “Spoonmakers” diamond, 86 carats surrounded by 49 brilliants. The Holly Relics Section includes the cloak of the Prophet Mohammed himself, his battle standard, two of his swords, a hair from his beard, a tooth, his footprint and a letter in his own handwriting. Late in the afternoon return to hotel. Dinner free. Overnight

Day-3ISTANBUL Breakfast at Hotel and checkout. Start the full day tour including the visits to : Suleymaniye Mosque is the biggest mosque of Istanbul. The mosque is dedicated to the mightiest Ottoman Sultan, Suleyman the Magnificient. From the top of the hill it is erected, the best view over the old town can be seen. The suburb of Eyup and Eyup Sultan Mosque. Eyup, once a village outside the walls, is named for the standard-bearer of the Prophet Mohammed. Eyup El Ensari fell in battle here while carrying the banner of Islam during the Arab assault and siege of the city in 674-78.Eyup had been a friend of the Prophet and a revered member of Islam’s early leadership. His tomb and the Eyup Mosque are very sacred places for most Muslims, almost ranking with Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Egyptian Bazaar is an old spice market. In its small shops the shopkeepers sell so many different kind of herbs and spices which come from Far East. Then after visit The Grand Bazaar consists of approximately 5000 shops which are spread out in a giant labyrinth of small streets and passages. The shops are mostly arranged according to their trades: antiques, rugs, gold, silver, leather etc.

Day-4ISTANBUL-BURSA After the breakfast drive to Bursa, which was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, founded in 1326. Before Ottomans, Romans and Byzantines ruled the city. Bursa has been famous for its silk trade, towel manufacture and thermal springs. Start the city tour including visits to Grand Mosque is very beautiful example of the early Ottoman architecture with its twenty small copulas. Lunch at one of Bursa’s famous “Kebap” houses before visiting the old silk market and covered bazaar. After lunch, continue to visit Green Mosque is famous with its green tiles from Iznik. The mosque was constructed in new Ottoman architectural style, which is opposed to Seljuk style. Green Mausoleum is an octagonal domed grave of Sultan Mehmet I. Outside walls of the grave are covered by very beautiful blue-green tiles, which give its name to the building. Dinner and spend the night there in Bursa.

Day-5BURSA-KONYA Proceed to the coach and drive to Konya via Kütahya and Afyon. Kütahya is the hometown of the world famous “Yagcibedir carpets and Kütahya Tiles” where you may visit the workshops and see these tiles produced with designs from the 16th and 17th centuries Lunch en route. In the afternoon arrival to Konya which was the capital of the Seljuk Turks from the 12th to the 13th century. It ranks as one of the great cultural centers of Turkey. Start the city tour including visits to Museum and Mausoleum of MEVLANA. The mystic Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi founded a Sufi Order known as the Whirling Dervishes. The striking green tiled mausoleum of Mevlana is Konya’s the most famous building. Attached to the mausoleum the former dervish seminary serves now as a museum devoted to manuscripts of Mevlana’s works and various artifacts related to the mysticism of the sect. Every year, in the first half of December, this still active religious order holds a ceremony commemorating the Whirling Dervishes. The controlled, almost trance-like turning of the white robed men creates a mystical experience for the viewer. Alaeddin Mosque, built on the site of the ancient citadel in 1220 during the reign of the great Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat, commands Konya’s skyline. To one side of the mosque are the scant remains of the Seljuk Imperial Palace. The Karatay Mdrese, now a museum, displays bold and striking Seljuk ceramics. Ince Minareli Medrese is on the other side of the mosque. It is remarkable for its marvelous baroque Seljuk portal. After the visits transfer to hotel and check in. Dinner and overnight in Konya.

Day-6KONYA-ANKARA After breakfast at Hotel, check out and drive to Ankara. Arrival to Ankara. Ankara is the capital city of the Turkish Republic. In 1923 the capital was moved from Istanbul to Ankara because of its situation in the heart of Anatolia. Ataturk, who is the founder of the Republic of Turkey, established the first Turkish National Assembly in Ankara on April 23rd 1920.Today the city has a European atmosphere with its broad boulevards, squares, parks and modern buildings. Start the city tour including visits to The Citadel was built in the 1st century AD and restored many times. After walking on narrow streets surrounded by the nice traditional wooden houses, from the top the panoramic view of Ankara can be seen and lunch will be served in one of typical restaurants in there. After lunch visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, consists of valuable objects from sites discovered in Anatolia. It is a unique museum, having a rich collection of Hittite exhibits. Haci Bayram Mosque and Kocatepe Mosque, which is the biggest most constructed after the republic.

Day-7ANKARA-ISTANBUL After an early breakfast checkout and transfer to Ankara airport. Flight to Istanbul where you will be met by your guide to drive to the pier to embark on a full day sightseeing of Bosphorus. The boat will travel north between the two continents, to a point within sight of the Black Sea. Disembark at a typical fishing village for lunch at a seafood restaurant on the European shore. After lunch, return to the city centre driving along the scenic coastal road and visit Dolmabahce Palace. Built by he Sultan Abdulmecid and the last Sultan Vahdeddin had to leave from this palace. Later Atatürk lived and died here, in 1938 and then it was made into a museum. Wonderful place to see the chandeliers, carpets, furniture, decorations etc. Check-in to hotel late in the afternoon. Time to rest and change before going out on the town to enjoy our “Istanbul By Night” tour, including dinner and a live show belly-dancing, folk dances and music. Return to hotel for overnight.

Day-8ISTANBUL After breakfast, checkout and transfer to the airport.