Religious

This tour starts with a welcome dinner and guided sightseeing in Instanbul, Turkey's capital, a city built on two continents. Visit the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Seraglio. Continue via Iznik to Bursa, where guided sightseeing features visits to the Green Ottoman Complex, the Great Mosque, and the Silk Bazaar. Stop in Akhisar, Sart, and Alasehir on your way to Pamukkale, where a visit to the Hierapolis is included. Also stop in Laodicea and Aphrodisias, dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Stay three nights in Kusadasi, with included excursions to the island of Patmos in Greece to visit the Cave of the Apocalypse, where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of Revelation during his exile; and to Ephesus, one of the New Testament's most significant cities, to visit the archaeological site, including the House of Mary and the Basilica of John the Evangelist. On to Izmir and an orientation tour. Also visit Alexander the Great's Mount Pagos. Stop in Bergama and explore the Greek Acropolis and the Asclepeion, once dedicated to the Greek god of healing. In Troy, brush up on Homer's Trojan War, hollow wooden horse and all! Cross the Dardanelles by ferry back to Europe and the 20th century. Back in Istanbul, visit the Hagia Sophia and the Grand Covered Bazaar, and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Meals
Breakfast - 9
Lunch - 1
Dinner - 9

Standard Features
ISTANBUL: Welcome and farewell dinners; guided sightseeing; visit the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Covered Bazaar
IZNIK (NICEA): Orientation
BURSA: Guided sightseeing, visit the Green Ottoman Complex, the Great Mosque, and the Silk Bazaar
AKHISAR (THYATIRA): Orientation
SARDES (SART): Visit the synagogue and the Gymnasium
ALASEHIR (PHILADELPHIA): Orientation
PAMUKKALE: Guided visit of the ruins of Hierapolis and the Martyrium of Apostle Philip; orientation of Laodicea and Aphrodisias
HIERAPOLIS: Visit the Martyrium
PATMOS: Boat cruise; visit the Cave of the Apocolypse
EPHESUS: Guided walking tour of the archaeological site, including the House of Mary and Basilica of John the Evangelist
IZMIR (SMYRNA): Orientation including Mount Pagos
BERGAMA (PERGAMUM): Visit the Acropolis and Asclepeion
TROY: Orientation
DARDANELLES: Ferry crossing over the Straits
MEALS: Full buffet breakfast (B); 1 lunch (L); 9 three-course dinners (D), including welcome and farewell dinners in Istanbul
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable