September 2nd -September 3rd Denver, CO-Istanbul-Cappadocia-TURKEY

Arrive in Istanbul at 2:10 pm and take a short flight to Kayseri at 6:15 pm. We will meet our driver and transfer to our hotel in Cappadocia. An abundant dinner featuring regional specialties will be served at our hotel. I highly recommend that you have a good rest tonight as we will be starting our amazing trip in the morning.

September 4th CAPPADOCIA

Our first stop is Uchisar Castle which is located at the highest elevation in the area. I will explain the formation and history of Cappadocia where you will have a fantastic view and photo opportunities. Next we will explore Derinkuyu, the largest of the area’s underground city where the early Christians took refuge during war times. We’ll visit Soganli Valley, also called the Valley of the Dolls because local women make dolls to help support their families. We will visit cave churches, monasteries and walk around the local village to see how Turkish people live. You will definitely have great ideas about Turkish village life. Our next stop is Mustafapasa, also called Sinessos which used to be a Greek town and we will visit an old Greek House here. We will visit a local factory where they make jewelry and onyx items. Dinner will be served at our hotel.

September 5th CAPPADOCIA

Our first stop is Goreme Open Air Museum,a UNESCO world heritage museum where we’ll see cave churches with frescoes and local paintings dating back to 10^{th-13th centuries. I will explain most of the images in the churches from the New Testament .We will have lunch in a local restaurant and visit explore Pasabagi Valley, also called the Monks Valley because the monks lived as hermits there. We will visit Devrent Valley to see thousands of Fairy Chimneys. Next we’ll visit a local weaving center where young women are trained to weave kilims, carpets and sumaks. You will be informed about the art of Turkish weaving and see first hand how they extract silk from the cocoons and make Turkish knots. Dinner will be served at our hotel. This evening, those who are interested may go to see Turkish Folk Dancing or Whirling Dervishes.}

September 6th CAPPADOCIA

An optional hot air balloon flight is available over the amazing landscape of Cappadocia this morning. This balloon flight is one of the things that you have to do in your life. We will hike about 4-5

Dinner will be served at our hotel.

September 7th KONYA-PAMUKKALE

We depart very early in the morning to Pamukkale via Konya. We will visit Sultanhan Kervansaray (Caravanserai), a structure which was built by the Selcuk Turks to accommodate the camel caravans down the Silk Road. Our next stop is a visit to Mevlana Museum where you will learn about the history and life of the Muslim Sect of the Whirling Dervishes. We will have lunch in Konya which is known for its Tandir Kebap (Tandoori Kabob). After that we will drive to Pamukkale. You will definitely enjoy the thermal pools at our hotel.

September 8th PAMUKKALE (HIEARAPOLIS)

Pamukkale has always been a very popular settlement because the hot springs located in Pamukkale were believed to have healing powers. The city has been transformed from the center of historical pagan cult life to a contemporary upscale spa resort. We will visit the ancient necropol(cemetery), city walls and the Martyrium of Apostle Philip. We will also tour the Colonnaded Street and the ancient theater. In the afternoon we will drive to Selcuk or Kusadasi where we will stay overnight.

September 9th EPHESUS

One of the highlights of the itinerary is the ancient city of Ephesus with the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We will explore the State Agora, Odeon, the Domitian, Hadrian and Trojan Temples, City Baths, Curret’s Street, Public Toilets, the Brothel, Library of Celcus, the Harbour, the Marbled Street and the Great Theater where St.Paul preached to the people of Ephesus. After lunch we will visit the House of Virgin Mary, where it is believed that Mary lived under the care of Apostle John after the death and resurrection of her son, Jesus. This evening (or on the September 10th morning, depending on flights) we will drive to Izmir and take short flight back to Istanbul.

Septemner 10th ISTANBUL

We will visit Hagia Sophia(built in 536 AD), which is the 4th largest church in the world. Then we’ll visit The Blue Mosque(built in 1616) famous for its 6 minarets and 20,000 blue tiles. Then we will see the Ancient Hippodrome where chariot races were held. Then we will be off to see the beautiful Underground Cistern, Obelisk of Theodosius and Serpentine Column. Our next stop is the marvelous Topkapi Palace where we will have lunch.

September 11th ISTANBUL

We will take a ferry-boat cruise up the Bosphorus. From the ferry, we will be able to view famous historic palaces and wooden houses on the shore. After lunch we’ll visit the either the Egyptian Market or the Spice Bazaar. Our last visit will be to the Grand Bazaar. This is the largest covered bazaar in the world featuring 4,400 shops on 64 streets.

September 12nd ISTANBUL-DENVER,CO

I will take the group to the Ataturk International Airport to say goodbye and to hug everyone as our amazing trip comes to an end.