Classics of Turkey and Jordan

17 Days/ 16 Nights                                                                             • Amman • Madaba • Mount Nebo • Kerak • Petra • Wadi Rum • Istanbul •

                                                                                                                                              • Ankara • Cappadocia • Pamukkale • Kusadasi • Ephesus •

Guaranteed Departures                                                                                                • Pergamum • Troy • Canakkale • Dardanelles • Gallipoli •

Day 1 / Saturday / Toronto - Istanbul

Late evening departure on Turkish Airlines for Istanbul.

Day 2 / Sunday / Istanbul - Amman

Afternoon arrival in Istanbul. Change planes and continue on Turkish Airlines scheduled service for Amman. Late evening arrival in Amman where you will be met by our representatives who will assist you through immigration and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 3 / Monday / Madaba – Mount Nebo – Kerak – Petra

After breakfast, head towards the city of mosaics, Madaba, which has the oldest known mosaic map of the holy land, then we will go to view the Jordan Valley from the famous Mount Nebo visiting its Byzantine Church. Next we continue to the Jordan Valley itself to visit the Baptism site. Continue to Kerak to visit the Crusader castle. Check-in at your hotel in Petra. (B)

Day 4 / Tuesday / Full Day Petra Visit

Today we visit Jordan's Jewel "Petra"- the Capital City of the Nabateans and one of the 7 wonders of the world, a city fully carved in the rose red stones of Wadi Mousa Mountains. Upon arrival, take a short horseback ride; walk through the Siq, the narrow passage through the rocks that opens up in front of the Treasury. Your guide will explain the numerous sites and you will be able to explore more on your own. Return to Petra hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 5 / Wednesday / Petra - Wadi Rum – Amman
After breakfast, depart  to the valley of the moon for a visit, which was known as “Lawrence of Arabia land” where you will enjoy a safari and explore the desert for two hours by 4WD. Then return to Amman for overnight. (B)

Day 6 / Thursday / Amman – Istanbul

Early morning transfer to Amman Airport for departure on Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel. (B)

Day 7 / Friday / Istanbul
Today the tour continues with a drive across the first Bosphorus Bridge and head for the summit of Camlica Hill, which offers panoramic views of Istanbul, the Sea of Marmara and the Princes’ Islands. From here a short brings us to the Palace of Beylerbeyi on the shore of the Bosphorus. Perhaps the most elegant of the late Ottoman palaces, Beylerbeyi boasts six sumptuously furnished reception halls. (B)

Day 8 / Saturday / Istanbul
After breakfast you will visit the Topkapi Palace (excluding harem), Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar.

Optional - Dinner with belly dancing entertainment.  (B)

Day 9 / Sunday / Istanbul - Ankara
Optional morning tour of St.Sophia and  Bosphorus cruise. Afternoon departure for Ankara Around 15:00 hrs and late arrival at Ankara. (B,D)

Day 10 / Monday / Ankara - Cappadocia
Morning departure to view Hittite artifacts at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Visit the Mouseleum of Ataturk, father of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravan inn en route. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)

Day 11 / Tuesday / Cappadocia
Tour Goreme’s rock chapels decorated with 6th century frescoes, Zelve’s cliff-side Byzantine monastic complex and Uchisar’s natural citadel, Sarhatli underground city. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)

Day 12 / Wednesday / Cappadocia - Pamukkale
Drive to Pamukkale. En route we visit the famous mausoleum of the sufi philosopher Mevlana. Drive to Pamukkale , dinner and overnight. (B,D)           

Day  13 / Thursday / Pamukkale - Kusadasi
Today is the day to pay an early morning visit to the unique Cotton Fortress, the white calcium cascades, and also pay a visit to one of the first modern spa centers of the ancient world, Hierapolis. Then we drive to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Day 14 / Friday / Ephesus & St. Mary's House - Kusadasi
Full day tour the famous ruins of Ephesus and  St. Mary’s Cottage. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. Afternoon Optional tour of  Sardis or Sirince. (B,D)        

Day 15 / Saturday / Pergamum - Troy – Canakkale
Visit Pergamum, tour Troy with its famous wooden horse and continue on to Canakkale for overnight. (B,D)

Day 16 / Sunday / Dardanelles - Gallipoli - Istanbul
Morning departure for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, Chunuk Bair, Kabatepe War Museum then drive to Istanbul for overnight. (B)

Day 17 / Monday / Istanbul - Return
A representative escorts you to the airport for the flight home. (B)