"If one had but a single glance to give the world, One should gaze on Istanbul".

This three-week Study Tour has an emphasis on the archaeology and history of Turkey. The tour begins in Istanbul where we explore the monuments around the Hippodrome including the famous Basilica Cisterns of Justinian. We also visit the impressive Haghia Sophia church, (dating to the mid 6th Century AD) one of the grandest structures to survive from ancient times. The following day we explore the splendours of Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman court, and also walk through the extensive arcades of the Grand Bazaar, a shopper’s paradise!

We then travel by bus to Ankara where we visit the superb National Museum with its famous collection of ancient relief and sculpture. We also see the impressive Mausoleum of Ataturk, father of modern Turkey. A day is then spent visiting the dramatic ruins of Hattusas, the ancient capital of the Hittites. We also see the ruins of Alaca Huyuk, a Hittite city from the Late Bronze Age. In Cappadocia we see the superb 'Fairy Chimneys' and explore the underground cities of the medieval period, including Goreme and Zelve. Free time is provided in Cappadocia for exploration of this picturesque area and you may wish to organise a balloon ride.

We then fly to Izmir and check into our hotel in Selcuk which will be our base for the next 6 nights. From here we see the ancient Greek and Roman city of Ephesus with its superb theatre and library. We explore the picturesque ruins of Priene which is perched on a dramatic mountain, and visit the fascinating Selcuk Archaeological Museum. We see the ruins of Miletus with its magnificent theatre and agora, discover the majestic remains of the temple of Apollo at Didyma and spend a day exploring the superb ruins of the city of Aphrodisias.

We travel north to Bergama to walk around the remarkable ruins of Pergamum with its famous theatre and temples. We stop to see the dramatically located Temple of Athena at Assos before exploring the ruins of ancient Troy, a place where legend and history combine. We then cross the Dardanelles to Gallipoli to see the ANZAC battle fields and moving memorials.

The tour ends in Istanbul. We take a cruise up the Bosphorus to the Black Sea, make a visit to the Galata Tower overlooking the stunning Golden Horn, spend a morning in the Blue Mosque and explore the many treasures of the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. Free time is provided to explore the Grand Bazaar or the many other wonders that Istanbul has to offer.

ITINERARY*

Day 1: Depart Australia
Our flight on Singapore Airlines leaves Australia with a short stop over (usually a few hours) in Singapore.

Day 2: Hippodrome - Basilica Cisterns - Haghia Sophia
We arrive into Istanbul and are met by our bus. After checking into our hotel we see some of the ancient Byzantine treasures of Istanbul. This includes the antiquities of the Hippodrome and the awe inspiring Basilica Cisterns, the huge underground water storage facilities created by the Emperor Justinian. We have lunch in a nearby restaurant. The afternoon is spent in the magnificent Haghia Sophia church. This was initiated by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian but converted into a mosque after the Muslim conquest of Constantinople in 1453.


Day 3: Topkapi Palace - Grand Bazaar
The day is set aside to explore the remarkable Topkapi Palace, home to the medieval Sultans and the Ottoman royal court in Istanbul. The palace is justly famous for its marvellous harem rooms, lined with sumptuous Iznik tiles, and the treasures of the Ottoman Sultans. We explore this vast complex of courts, gardens, and state rooms. Lunch is à la carte at a restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus Straits. In the afternoon we visit the Grand Bazaar and explore its incredible maze of shops - there are countless shopping opportunities!

Day 4: Bus to Ankara - Ataturk Mausoleum
In the morning we travel by bus to Ankara, passing though scenic countryside along the Sea of Marmara. Having checked into our hotel we have some lunch. In the afternoon we see the war museum and impressive mausoleum of Kamal Ataturk, founder of the modern nation of Turkey. The tomb, and its complex of associated buildings, was built in the 1930's and 40's and is located in beautiful parkland.

Day 5: National Museum in Ankara - drive to Hattusas
In the morning we visit the Ankara Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, home to an impressive collection of artefacts representative of Turkish history from the Paleolithic Era down to the Roman period. Of particular interest are the neo-Hittite reliefs from Carcamesh and the Assyrian letters from Kanesh. We have lunch in the medieval fort of Ankara which provides a panoramic view over the city. In the afternoon we drive north east of Ankara to our hotel near Bogazkale.

Day 6: Hattusas
The day is dedicated to the ancient Hittites as we make a short trip by bus to Hattusas, the capital of these ancient peoples. In the morning we tour the ancient city. Highlights include the royal citadel, the Great Temple and the impressive city gates. After lunch in a nearby café we visit the rock-cut shrine of Yazilikaya which preserves remarkable representations of the Hittite pantheon.


Day 7: Alaca Huyuk - Bus to Urgup - Uchisar castle
In the morning we visit Alaca Huyuk, an ancient fortified Hittite site with tombs. We then travel south by bus to the fascinating region of Cappadocia, famous for its remarkable landscape of natural 'fairy chimneys' made from volcanic pumice. We check into our hotel in the town of Urgup and have some lunch at a restaurant in the town square. In the afternoon we visit the old city of Uchisar and climb to the top of the pumice castle for a superb view over the whole of Cappadocia.

Day 8: Zelve - Goreme
In the morning we travel by bus to the ruins of the ancient settlement of Zelve, home to a monastic community in the Middle Ages. The inhabitants cut their houses and the monasteries from the local volcanic pumice and protected their dwellings by movable boulders. We then have lunch in the modern town of Goreme before heading to see the famous painted churches nearby.

Day 9: Free morning - evening flight to Izmir - bus to Selcuk
In the morning we have time to rest and relax. There is much to explore in the area of Cappadocia. Possibilities include; numerous walks, a balloon ride or arranging tours to other sites. In the afternoon/evening we fly to Izmir and travel the short distance by bus to the picturesque town of Selcuk. We check into our hotel which will be our home for the following 6 nights and act as a base for exploring the sites of the local area.

Day 10: Artemis Temple - Ephesus
This day is devoted to exploring the remarkable ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus. We stop briefly to look at the remains of the Artemis Temple, one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. At Ephesus we wander round the city, admiring the small theatre, the marble monuments of Curetes Street, the temple of Hadrian, the remarkable library of Celsus for which Ephesus is famous and the awe inspiring Hellenistic and Roman theatre. As a special part of our program, we visit the fascinating ruins of the wealthy private houses which preserve beautiful frescos and mosaics - these are not usually visited by tour groups.

Day 11: Priene - Selcuk Archaeological Museum
In the morning we travel south by bus to see the ruins of the ancient Hellenistic city of Priene, located on a dramatic hill overlooking the Meander River valley. This superb site includes a picturesque agora or town square, town council hall, theatre, and magnificent Temple of Athena. We have lunch in the local town and then return to Selcuk. In the afternoon we visit the local Archaeological Museum, home to a superb collection of Classical and Roman sculpture from Ephesus and surrounding sites.

Day 12: Free day
The day is free to relax, read a book, or go shopping in the markets of Selcuk. There are numerous archaeological sites which can be visited in the local area or you can arrange to see Sirince, the old Greek town in the hills which retains its old cottage industries.


Day 13: Aphrodisias
The day is spent at the ancient site of Aphrodisias, cult centre of the famous goddess of love. We take the time to really enjoy our exploration of this gorgeous place, set in a lush green area of the Meander River. Aphrodisias is renowned for its remarkably well preserved Roman stadium, theatre and agora (marketplace). A highlight of the visit is the museum, with its impressive collection of Roman sculpture from the site.

Day 14: Miletus - Didyma
Today we travel south by bus from Selcuk to visit the ruins of the ancient cities of Miletus and Didyma. The morning is spent at Miletus where we have a chance to wander around the picturesque ruins. Highlights include the monumental Hellenistic and Roman theatre, the agora and the well preserved Baths of Faustina. After lunch at Didyma we see the awe inspiring ruins of the Temple of Apollo, one of the largest temples in the Classical world and once home to a famous oracle.

Day 15: Bus to Bergama - Bergama Archaeological Museum
In the morning we head north by bus to the modern town of Bergama where we check into our hotel. After lunch in the town, we spend the rest of the afternoon in the fascinating Archaeological Museum of Bergama which preserves magnificent sculpture and other artefacts from the local excavations.

Day 16: Pergamum
The day is spent visiting the superb ruins of the ancient city of Pergamum. This ancient Hellenistic city was perched on the summit of a precipitous mountain and developed as a major centre of art and culture. Highlights of the day include the acropolis area with its royal palace, theatre, library and temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor Trajan. In the afternoon we visit the Temple of Serapis (the ‘Red Basilica’) and the enclosure of Asclepeios, god of Medicine.


Day 17: Assos - Troy
In the morning we travel north by bus from Bergama to the ruins of Assos where we see the superb Temple of Athena. Located on a rocky peninsula, there is a spectacular view over the Aegean towards Lesbos Island. We have lunch in a small cafe. We then head to Troy where we explore the remarkable ruins of this picturesque archaeological site, famously excavated by the German entrepreneur Heinrich Schliemann in the late 19th Century. In the afternoon, we have a short bus ride to Çanakkale where we check into our hotel.

Day 18: Bus to Gallipoli - visit Gallipoli - bus to Istanbul
In the morning we cross the Straits of the Dardanelles to the Gallipoli Peninsula. We explore the WWI battle fields of Gallipoli including Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and the Nek. We have the chance to thoroughly explore these dramatic locations and appreciate the incredible hardships of the fighters on both sides. In the afternoon we head north by bus to Istanbul where we check into our hotel.

Day 19: Cruise up the Bosphorus - the Galata Tower
This day is dedicated to the scenic wonders of the region of Istanbul. In the morning we take the ferry from the Istanbul wharf up the Bosphorus Straits to the entrance to the Black Sea. We enjoy a magnificent view of the city and the suburbs along the way. A wonderful view is had from the Anadolu castle. We have lunch and then return to Istanbul. In the afternoon we go to the top of Galata Tower for a breathtaking view across the Golden Horn.

Day 20: Blue Mosque - Istanbul Archaeological Museum
In the morning we visit the Blue Mosque, constructed in the early 17th Century by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I. Dominating the local area of the city, it is one of the great buildings of Islamic Istanbul. After lunch we explore the highlights of the Istanbul Archaeological Museum which houses artefacts from Troy and other significant sites in Turkey. In the afternoon there is time to relax or do last minute shopping in the Grand Bazaar.

Day 21: Depart Istanbul
There is some free time in the morning. We board our plane for the flight back to Australia, stopping at Singapore on the way.

Day 22: Arrive in Australia
Arrive back in Australia.

* Please note that the Company reserves the right to make alterations to the itinerary in the period up to 60 days prior to a tour departure. The itinerary may also be subject to minor re-arrangement due to the scheduling of the operators and availability of access. If this occurs, the Company will endeavour to provide a comparable alternative.

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