DAY1 - ISTANBUL (saturday)
Meeting at the Istanbul airport and transfer to our hotel. Welcome cocktail and details of tour programme. Overnight.

DAY2 - ADANA - ANTAKYA
Morning flight to Adana. On the way to Antakya(Antioch) Sokollu Mehmet Pasha cervanserai.In Antakya famous mosaic museum and St.Peters grotto. Dinner in Harbiye. Overnight.

DAY3 - ANTEP - URFA
Towards Urfa we stop for lunch in Gaziantep(Aintap)Busy town,famous for pistachio nuts and Turkish sweet called "Baklava". Driving through Mesopotamia, beautiful countryside and the fertile, rich land in vegetable and fruit farms and cotton. Overnight in Urfa, Abrahams birth place.

DAY4 - NEMRUT - URFA
Today we visit the Commagene Nemrut,a peak in anti-Taurus range rising to hight of 7.000feet, the tumulus of Mithridates. Also stop at Ataturkdamm on the Euphrates river to see the one of the worlds largest irrigation projects in ancient Mesopotamia. Overnight.

DAY5 - HARRAN
Visit Harran where Abraham and Terah are thought to have lived.We'll see the typical round beehive look alike dwellings, made of mud and the first university in Harran. Overnight.
 

DAY6 - DIYARBAKIR
Situated between Euphrates and Tigris,Diyarbakir(Amidia) at least 5.000 years old and the largest city in southeast Turkey with its grey bazalt city-walls.Visit to Armenian and Assurian churches then we'll have tea with locals.Overnight.

DAY7 - VAN
Heading east this morning we see the volcano Nemrut.Once the capitol of ancient Urartians,VAN(Thushpa)dates the time of Gilgamesh and the Great Flood.Also famous for its cat with two different coloured eyes,rugs,kilims and honey.Overnight in Van.

DAY8 - VAN - AKDAMAR
First we go to Cavustepe to see the remains of the first ancient capitol of Urartian Kingdom then you'll be impressed by the Hosap Castle a picturesque landmark. We take a boat to Akdamar island on Van lake to see its 10th century Armenian church of Holly Cross. We'll have lunch there too.We also go the local rug place to see the Turkish, Armenian, Kurdish, Azerbaijanian rugs and kilims, all hand made. Overnight.

DAY9 - KARS
Start the day with a stop at refreshing waterfalls of Muradiye.Then we go to Dogubeyazid for a breathtaking view of Mt.Ararat,thought to be the final resting place of Noahs Ark.We also visit the impressive palace of Ishak Pasha and have lunch there.Overnight in Kars.

DAY10 - KARS
Typical eastern Turkish town.High plateau here creates excellent conditions for the products of yoghurt,milk,honey and meat.We'll go to Ani,the Armenian ancient capitol city named after Anahid(Persian goddes worshipped by pagan Urartians)also known as city with 1001churches.Beyond the city walls a deep gorge seperates Turkey from Armenia.

DAY11 - ERZURUM
Thi s is the largest city on the high plateau of eastern Turkey.Excellent remains from the many civilizations that survived here including Mongol,Selcuk, Ottoman can be seen.Cifte Minare and Yakutlu Medrese. Overnight.

DAY12 - ISTANBUL
This morning we fly to Istanbul.We'll experience the unique mosaic of east and west,past and present,modern and old. This is the only city in the world spanning two continents.Our hotel is conveniently located in the old city so we can walk to all major sites.

DAY13 - ISTANBUL
First we walk to Hippodrome then to Blue Mosque,Hagia Sophia and Underground Basilica nearby.Lunch in the 400years old Ottoman Kulliye and finally Topkapi Palace.

DAY14 - ISTANBUL
We drive around the ancient city walls to Chora Church.We take a cruise on Bosphorus between two continents and lunch in seafood restaurant.Later we'll have time to see the Bazaar.In the evening we'll have farewell dinner(with or without entertaintment to choice).

DAY15 - ISTANBUL
Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.End of our services till next time...
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INCLUDED SERVICES
Inland flights.
Accomodations at Hotels***** or Hotels****.
All entry fees.
Breakfasts and dinners.
State appointed professional Tour Guides.
Transport by air-con. Mercedes motor coaches delux.
Tips at hotels.
NOT INCLUDED
Lunches,beverages and tips to Tour Guides and Coach Drivers.