1. Day Depart to Turkey

2. Day Arrival in Trabzon
Upon your arrival in Trabzon, you are met with a friendly 'merhaba' (hello) and escorted to your hotel. You will have the day free to begin exploring Trabzon or to relax at your leisure. Learn more about the cultural adventure ahead of you at an orientation meeting at 7pm. During dinner get acquainted with the other members of your group.

3. Day Trabzon/Erzurum
Miletian colonists founded Trabzon, the major city of the region, in the 7th century B. C. You will begin the day with a tour of the 14th century Sumela Monastery. In the afternoon, continue to Erzurum. Situated on a high plateau, Erzurum is currently the largest city in Anatolia. It has been ruled by Arabs, Byzantines, Armenians, Seljuks and Russians. The steadfast walls of this ancient fortress are well-preserved. You'll have a chance today to discover the castle, Cifte Minare Mosque and Grand Mosque. Visit the wonderful complex of Seldjoukide tombs of Uckumbetler.

4. Day Erzurum/Ani/Kars
En route to Kars, visit the medieval city of Ani, a fascinating town situated on the ancient Silk Road. An Armenian city from the 11th century on the Turkish Armenian border, Ani was called ""The City of 1001 Churches"" for its numerous churches and buildings of great splendor and magnificence. During the 9th to the 12th centuries, Ani was a thriving community and acquired fame as being a Christian metropolis in Asia abounding with prestigious monuments. As the capital of Christian Armenia, Ani was a flourishing artistic and religious center ruled by Christian kings. Within the walls of these ruins still today are numerous churches, a convent and a citadel along with the main cathedral. Beautiful woodcarvings, and a wide collection of coins found in the area are exhibited.
You may also find fine kilims, carpets and local costumes.

5. Day Kars/Dogubeyazit/ Mt Ararat/Van
Drive to Dogubeyazit. On your way enjoy the unforgettable scenery of Mount Ararat, Turkey's most scenic natural monument. Mount Ararat, an inactive volcano capped year round with ice and snow, rises to a height of 6, 854 feet. The Old Testament records that it was on this mountain that Noah's Ark came to rest after the great flood. While here be sure to try the local dessert, asure (Noah's Pudding), believed to have first been made by Noah's wife from the last bits of food in the ark. Then continue on to Van on the shores of Lake Van. Visit Van Castle and the magnificent palace of Ishak Pasha. Ishak Pasha, Ottoman governor of the province, constructed the palace in the 17th century in a mixture of architectural styles.

6. Day Van
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey. The province of Van sits by Lake Van, and was the ancient Urartian capital of Tuspa. It is situated in a green, fertile oasis in the midst of rock-strewn mountains. An impressive citadel stands on one of these peaks and dates back to the 9th century BC. There are steps carved into rock leading to the fortress, and while descending you will be able to see some cuneiform inscriptions paying homage to Persian King, Xerxes of the 5th century BC. Enjoy a morning cruise on Lake Van towards the island of Akdamar with its 10th century church of the Holy Cross, now a museum, whose stone outer walls are richly carved with Old Testament scenes and figures. In the afternoon make a visit to the 17th century Hosap Castle and Cavustepe dating back to the 9th century BC. Cavustepe, 35 km from Van on the Hakkari road, is an important Urartian citadel. Excavated in 1970, today you can see temples, a palace, a sacrificial altar and inscriptions.

7. Day Van/Diyarbakir
Next stop on your journey is Diyarbakir. Known in ancient times as Amida, Diyarbakir has been a cradle of 26 civilizations during its 5000-year history. The city is spread across a basalt plateau close to the banks of the Tigris River. The remains of the 1800 year old black basalt triple walls erected by Emperor Constantine, which encircle the old town, give the city a rather ominous appearance, but you'll visit beautiful Ulu Camii (the Grand Mosque), built in 1179 by Melik Nasreddin Mehmet and see many of the mosques dating from the Ottoman period still intact.

8. Day Hasankeyf, Mardin/Diyarbakir
Today, you'll explore the city Hasankeyf by the Tigris River, before it is completely lost beneath the water after the installation of the dam. Complete your day with a visit to some of the oldest universities in the world located in Midyat and Mardin where you will discover highlights of Assyrian civilization. Midyat, famous for its silver objects known as 'telkari' has many elegant, historic houses. From a distance, the golden stone of Mardin houses blend into the rock of the hills on which the city is built. On closer inspection, the stone carving and decoration of the houses and public buildings reveals the city as an architectural treasure-chest. Among the jewels are the ancient citadel and several mosques, in particular, Ulu Mosque. Also visit the world's oldest universities at Midyat and Mardin Darulzafeyran where you will discover highlights of Assyrian civilization.

9. Day Diyarbakir/Mt. Nemrut/Adiyaman
In the morning drive to Kahta and ascend to the summit of Mount Nemrut. On the summit of Mount Nemrut, the highest mountain in Northern Mesopotamia at 7, 053 feet, sits the gigantic funerary sanctuary erected in the first century BC by King Antiochus I of Commagene. Antiochus believed himself to be the descendant of Apollo, so he built a statue of himself flanked by terraces on which rest the colossal statues of Apollo, Zeus, Hercules, Tyche and Antiochus. Time has inflicted heavy damage on the sculptures - their torsos sit with their beautifully carved heads at their feet.

10. Day Adiyaman/Harran/Urfa
Overlook the Ataturk Dam on the way to Urfa, which is presumed to be the location where Rebecca drew water for Jacob and where Abraham decided to move into the land of Canaan. In the afternoon, explore Harran, lying on the Mesopotamian plain, known for its mud-brick ""beehive"" like dwellings. The worship of the moon was practiced from 800BC to 830AD before the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius destroyed the city's temple to the moon god. Stroll among the archaeological finds including those of the largest ancient Islamic university, city walls dating from the eighth century, four gates and a citadel.

11. Day Urfa/Zeugma/Antioch
Drive to Halfeti village and enjoy a boat tour to discover the Byzantine castle. Continue to Zeugma by the Euphrates, which has become a world heritage site because it will soon be submerged by water. Arrive to Birecik to explore some of 300 "bold ibiscus" birds left. After lunch drive to Yesemek where the most important Hittite sculpture school was founded in the 12th century BC. Here you can admire the fantastic statues still in good shape today. Then, continue on to Antioch - once the capital of the Seleucid kings and known for its great wealth and luxury. In Roman times, the city continued to thrive with commerce and culture and was the city where the followers of Christ were first referred to as “Christians. ”

12. Day Antioch/Tarsus/Adana
In Antakya (Antioch), you'll visit the largest Mosaic Museum in Turkey. Then, visit the Cave of Saint Peter where he first celebrated the mass. Continue to Tarsus where St Paul was born and where Antony first met Cleopatra.

13. Day Adana/Tarsus/Cappadocia.
In the morning cross Taurus Mountains and visit Eskigumus Monastery. Here you can explore the Christian remains of the region. After lunch, time to read and watch the passing country-side as you embark on a 5 hour journey to the lunar-like landscape of Cappadocia.

14. Day Cappadocia
Explore one of the oldest settlements of the region -- Goreme. The chimney-like, rock formations that spread throughout Cappadocia's rugged landscape are as fantastic as man's accomplishments within its stone. Visit the Byzantine churches of Goreme carved into the cliffs and caves with colorful frescoes dating to the 7th century. Originally, there was a church for every day of the year. Continue your exploration of this intriguing region with a visit to the hidden, monastic valley of Pasabagi, which has a large number of carved rock houses and churches. Stroll through the red valley of Dervent and a photo stop at the ancient natural citadel of Uchisar. Optional dinner and entertainement with folkloric dances. (At additional cost).

15. Day Cappadocia
This morning learn how the colorful kilims (carpets) that echo the earth tones of the region are made during a demonstration by local weavers. Descend 8 stories beneath the surface of the earth to explore the underground city where approximately 15, 000 early Christians, fleeing persecution, lived for months at a time undetected. The city was sub-divided into separate sections for better defense purposes with comfortable living rooms, wine cellars, meeting halls and churches. After lunch continue to explore Cappadocia's beauty in the local village of Soganli. Explore early rock carved churches, see typical Cappadocia houses and barter at the local handicraft market. In the evening, attend an optional performance of the mystic whirling dervishes in a rock carved lounge (at additional cost).

16. Day To Cappadocia/Konya/Antalya area
You’ll appreciate the fine level of your accommodations as you see how things have changed for travelers since the 13th century during a stop at Sultanhani Caravanserai. Continue to Turkey's oldest city - Konya, the capital of the Seljuk Empire, but known worldwide as the home of the sect of the Whirling Dervishes. Chanting of poetry, rhythmic rotation while one arm is reaching toward the heavens and one is reaching toward earth, and incessant music create a euphoria that, according to the faithful, induces a feeling of soaring, of ecstasy, of mystical flight. Continue south to Antalya area.

17. Day Perge/Aspendos/Antalya
Begin your Greco-Roman quest today by visiting Perge where a mere scrape of the shoe will reveal mosaic walkways through the ancient agora. Its extensive ruins include a stadium that once echoed to the roar of 15, 000 spectators. Continue to Aspendos, which has one of the best-preserved theaters in the world. Its acoustics are still so well tuned that a coin dropped on stage can be heard in the last row.
18. Day Aphrodisias/Pamukkale
You’re now at the half-way point of your Grand Tour and may be longing for a little chance to stay put and steep in your surroundings. Explore the remains of Aphrodisias, the city dedicated to the goddess of love and home to a school of sculpture that was known throughout the ancient world. Sculptural relief's still adorn many of the buildings. Explore its many Greco-Roman remains including a stadium, which once sat 30, 000 people and the Temple of Aphrodite, which was later converted into a Christian basilica. Then, continue to Pamukkale, a spa known throughout the ancient world.

19. Day Pamukkale/Sardis/Izmir
Enjoy the beauty of Pamukkale's immense tiers of white limestone as they cascade down a barren hillside. Visit the nearby Roman theater and necropolis. Continue to Izmir, where you will explore the remains of Sardis where King Croesseus of Lydia resided. Also visit the Temple of Artemis, gymnasium and the synagogue.

20. Day Ephesus
Today you will discover classical Ephesus, which is a highlight of every trip to Turkey. Stroll the marble streets of the most complete city of antiquity in the world. Sit in the same theater where Paul preached and Roman dramas were performed. Every summer, during the International Izmir Festival, the theater is alive with the words, music and drama of contemporary performers in this ancient setting. Stroll past the Library of Celsus, the baths and the Temple of Hadrian. You'll also visit the house where the Virgin Mary spent her last days and a stop for a photo op at the Temple of Artemis with the last remaining column indicating where one of the Seven Wonders of the World once proudly stood.

21. Day Pergamum/Troy/Canakkale
Drive along the mythic coastline of the ""wine-dark"" Aegean Sea to ancient Pergamum, home to the famous physician, Galen. Stroll through the remains of the Asclepion, one of the foremost medical centers of ancient times, the library which once held 240, 000 scrolls, the Acropolis and the Trojaneum. Next visit the site of one of the most famous wars of ancient times, the legendary city of Troy, immortalized in Homer's Iliad. “Discovered' in 1871 by Heinrich Schliemann who took most of the treasures he could carry back to Germany, however many of the structures of this legendary city still stand today. Continue on to Canakkale.

22. Day Canakkale/Gallipolis/Istanbul
Ferry across the Dardanelle for a somber stop at the memorial at Gallipolis, commemorating the World War 1 battle. The beauty of the green hills, sandy beaches and blue waters provides an honored resting place for the soldiers who bravely fought and died in this historic battle. After lunch, you return to Istanbul, a shimmering vision of minarets and domes that rise from the shores of the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.

23. Day Istanbul
Discover the classical highlights of Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque famed for its Iznik tiled interior and six minarets and the Mosque of Suliymaniye the Magnificent. You will also visit the jeweled interior of the Topkapi Palace, home to the Spoon maker's Diamond. In the afternoon, you are free to explore the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar that houses more than 4, 000 shops. The names recall the days when each trade had its own quarter: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers' street, and the street of the skullcap makers. Still the commercial center of the old city, the bazaar is the original shopping mall with something to suit every taste and budget.

24. Day Istanbul
In the morning, glide past minarets and palaces, stone fortresses and wooden Ottoman mansions during a cruise on the bosporus. In the afternoon visit the cool marble interior of Saint Sophia. First built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD as the largest church in the Christian world, it was converted into a mosque by Mehmet II in 1453 and now is a museum that celebrates the beauty of both religions. At the church of Saint Savior in Chora you will see masterpieces of Christian mosaics and frescoes. Your last evening in Turkey you are free to dine at the restaurant of your choice. For those looking for a festive, traditional experience why not try the Nevizade Imroz Restaurant? Located in a stunningly restored building whose original title, "Cite de Pera", still stands over its high arching entrance. Beneath the balconies and high ceilings, wandering musicians come and go as you dine on delicious traditional dishes and toast the end of this grand tour with a hearty “cheriffee” (cheers) and glass of raki.

25. Day Departure
This morning you bid this magical land ‘”gule gule” (goodbye) as you are transferred to the airport for your return flight home.