Welcome on arrival and transfer to the hotel. After check in to the hotel a welcome cocktail will be held covering the information on tour route and the days ahead. Overnight in Istanbul
Today we start our day with a visit to the impressive Topkapi Palace, which served as the palace of the Ottoman Sultans between the 16th and 19th centuries. It has a superb position overlooking the Bosphorus. We also pay a visit to the magnificent Haghia Sophia (St Sophia’s Basilica) built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. It is one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels. After lunch we will visit the fascinating and impressive Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) famous for its six minarets, its beautiful blue Iznik tiles, unique architecture and marble latticework. Then visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the center of Byzantine life for 1000 years, where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place. Proceed to the famous Military Museum of Istanbul which is one of the largest in the world where we will also have the opportunity to watch the live performance of the Janissarie Band. Overnight in Istanbul (B)
During the Crimean War, Uskudar was a base (1854–56) of the British army and the site of the military hospital made famous by the work of Florence Nightingale. Cross the suspended bridge between Europe and Asia and arrive at Uskudar, ancient Scutari to visit the Selimiye Barracks which played an important role during the Crimean War (18541856) the Selimiye barracks was allocated to the British Army, which were on the way from Britain to the Crimea. After the British troops of the 33 rd and 43 rd Regiments left for the front, the barracks were converted into a temporary military hospital. On November 4th 1854, famous British nurse Florence Nightingale (12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) writer and statistician came to prominence during the Crimean War for her pioneering work in nursing. She was dubbed ʺThe Lady with the Lampʺ after her habit of making rounds at night to tend injured soldiers. She cared for thousands of wounded and infected soldiers, and drastically reduced the high mortality rate by improving the sanitary living conditions until she returned home in 1857 as a heroine. The north most tower of the Selimiye Barracks building is today a museum, and in several of its rooms, relics and reproductions relevant to Florence Nightingale and her nurses are on exhibition. Continue onto Commonwealth Cemetery in Uskudar which was first established for British soldiers from the Crimean War, who died mostly as the result of cholera epidemic in the first organized military hospital in modern history created by Florence Nightingale. Around 6,000 soldiers died during the war in the Selimiye Barracks (Scutari Barracks) in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul (B)
Morning departure for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, Lone pine cemetery, Chunuk Bair and Gabatepe War Museum. The Gallipoli Campaign cost the Allies 141,113 casulties and the Turks 195,000. Gallipoli proved to be the Turksʹ greatest victory of the war. In London, the campaign’s failure led to the demotion of Winston Churchill and contributed to the collapse of Prime Minister H. H. Asquithʹs government. The fighting at Gallipoli proved a galvanizing national experience for Australia and New Zealand, which had not previously fought in a major conflict. As a result, the anniversary of the landings, April 25, is celebrated as ANZAC Day and is both nationsʹ most significant day of military remembrance. Overnight in Canakkale (B, D)
Today first drive to the legendary city of Troy and see the ancient city whose history goes back as far as prehistoric times. See the Trojan horse, HellenicRoman ruins imagining the romantic love story of Helen with Paris and the famous Trojan War. This is where we will literally step back in time through history. The Battle of the Granicus River in May 334 BC also took place nearby Troy was the first of three major battles fought between Alexander the Great and the Persian Empire. Fought in northwestern Asia Minor, near the site of Troy, it was here that Alexander defeated the forces of the Persian satraps of Asia Minor, including a large force of Greek mercenaries led by Memnon of Rhodes. The battle took place on the road from Abydos to Dasclium (near the modern day Ergili) at the crossing of the Granicus River (Modern day Biga Cayı) Next heading out to Pergamon to visit the ancient kingdom of Pergamon, where we visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena and the famous library, before viewing the Red Courtyard and the ruins of Asklepion medical center. Overnight in Kusadasi (B, D)
This morning we set off for the ancient city of Ephesus where our walking tour includes <The Great Theatre, which was built by the Romans between 41 and 117 AD and is still used today; Gymnasium of Veduis, the magnificent Library of Celsius, the Temple of Hadrian, guarded by a head of Medusa, the House of Virgin Mary and the Archeological Museum of Ephesus in Selcuk housing many precious items from the Roman Empire time including the statue of mother Goddess Artemis – Diana. Next we will drive further North of Ephesus to Sardis where the Greco –Persian wars took place. Cyrus of Persia occupied the capital at Sardis, conquering the Lydian kingdom in 546 B.C. building bridges and towered war boats along his side of the river, until he was killed by Darius the Great. Darius ruled over some 50 million people and the largest empire that the ancient world had known. Darius did much to promote trade and commerce. He developed the infrastructure of the empire by constructing canals, underground waterways and roads. He practiced religious tolerance, did not allow slavery and although he invaded Greece, he promoted the idea that the Greeks and Persians were members of kindred peoples. He employed some Greeks in senior positions. He listened to the opinions of nonPersians but mainly depended on Persians to administer the empire, building on the work of Cyrus the Great. Overnight in Kusadasi (B, D)
Morning visit Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, renowned for its aesthetic architecture and delicate friezes. See the Temple of Aphrodite, the monumental Tetra Pylon Gateway, ancient Gladiator Stadium and Museum. Then drive to Pamukkale which is famous for its chalkwhite array of fantastically shaped limestone. On arrival, we visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, and then the rest of the day is yours to further explore the ruins. We will have a chance to relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at our hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale (B, D)
Motor to Antalya, arrival at midnoon, tour to the ancient cities of Perge. Perge was founded around 1000 B.C and ranked as one of the great Pamphylian trading cities. Perge had one of the oldest Christian communities in Asia Minor. The city prospered under Alexander the Great and the Romans. The substantial remains of a great theatre, stadium, Agora, Bath Complex, huge Hellenistic and Roman Gates and an impressive colonnaded street are highly worth to see. Also pay a visit to Aspendos, like Perge, Aspendos was founded on a hilltop near a river and later spread down to the plain, and it is visited today principally for its theater. The outstanding feature of Aspendos is the theater in the lower town, built in the late second century A.D. during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161180). It seats 15.000 people and has remained perfectly intact for 1.800 years. Overnight in Antalya (B, D)
Phaselis was founded in 690 B.C. as a colony of Rhodes. It had three ports and was close to rich forests. In the sixth and seventh centuries B.C. the sea was the only source of income for Phaselis. At that time the Persians took control of Anatolia, and later Alexander defeated the Persians and conquered Phaselis. He used phaselis as base to conquer the surrounding Pamphylian Cities and proceeded as far as inland Asia Minor from here. The people of Phaselis opened their doors to Alexander and received him as their guest. Alexander received several ambassadors of from Pamphlia cities here in this city. He also conquered all the cities on the coast onebyone and went on the way to Gordion. In the afternoon we will make our way to one of the most interesting and beautiful ancient cities of Asia Minor, Termessos. This is the only city that resisted strongly to Alexander so that could not be conquered by his armies. Overnight in Antalya (B, D)
Anamur, being the southernmost town in between Antalya and Adana on the Mediterranean coast, It has an impressive fortress, and an interesting Byzantine Ghost Town.The Fortress of Mamure of Anamur, was built by the Romans, restored and expanded by the Crusaders. The Byzantine ghost town of Anamurium, near the town center, is an impressive place of semiruined stone buildings, churches, public baths, shops, a theater, a stadium, and cemetery. Overnight in Adana (B, D)
Changing the face of modern day war
The Battle of Issus was considered a great victory by Alexander. He was considerably outnumbered and his men were very tired. Alexander won the battle, but it was not a decisive victory for him.
The battle was not actually fought at Issus; it was fought on the Pinarus River on the southeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The battle was between Alexander and Darius, the Persian general (First meeting with Darius) The Persians had 600,000 men, Alexander only had 75,000. Alexander held back a reserve force, the first time it had ever been done. In all 124,950 soldiers died during the battle, 110,000 Persians (Fuller 162), 450 Macedonians died and 4500 were wounded and 10,000 Greek mercenaries (Green 162, 235)
The war was won by Alexander and the Macedonians that changed the face of modernday warfare. The Battle of Issus was a great battle between Alexander and Darius. Drive to Antakya city to see one of the largest mosaic museums of the world and one of the oldest churches of Christianity, Church of St Peter in this southern cosmopolitan town of Turkey mixed with Muslims, Christians, Jewish and all kinds of religious sects. Overnight in Antakya (B, D)
Departure for Antakya Airport, transfer to the airport for flight Istanbul and our services end here. (B)
Bâb-ı Âli Cad. No: 3 Kat:4 Cağaloğlu - İstanbul / TURKEY
