Overnight to Istanbul from Washington, DC

ITINERARY

Day 1:

Day 2:

Arrive in Istanbul; walking tour of Galata Bridge and Tower. We will be centrally located in Istanbul to permit participants to explore on their own and I have requested that the dinners not be provided so that we can all discover a variety of restaurants

Day 3: Istanbul

Topkapi palace; Blue Mosque; Grand Bazaar

Day 4: Istanbul

Hagia Sofia; Spice Bazaar

Day 5: Cappadocia

Fly to Kayseri; Cappodocia sites: fairy chimneys of Cavusin Village; underground villages established by persecuted Christians; dinner

Day 6: Cappadocia

Ozkonak and Uchisar villages; churches and 9th century buildings of the Sognali valley and painted rock churches of Goreme; Whirling Dervishes performance; dinner

Day 7: Konya and Pamukkale

Transfer to Konyas and the Mevlana Museum which is the former monastery of the Mevlana order of Sufis and the birthplace of Rumi, its founder; arrive in Pamukkale; dinner

Day 8: Pamukkale and Kusadasi

Hierapolis and the travertine-petrified waterfalls of white stone; visit the Roman baths of Hierapolis; transfer to Kusadasi; dinner

Day 9: Ephesus

Visit both Roman and early Christian ruins including the House of the Virgin Mary, where Jesus’ mother is said to have spent her final days; this is the city to which the New Testament text “Epistle to the Ephesians: was directed, so it is an important site for Christians

Day 10:

Return flight to Washington, DC

COSTS

Costs are based on a group of 10-14 (if more sign up, the cost will go down):

$4144 (Students)

$4384 (Adults) Note: This includes single room supplement

Costs Include:

 Roundtrip Airfare to and from Washington, DC

 Centrally located hotel accommodations in 4-star hotels with private bathrooms

 Internal flights

 All breakfasts; some dinners

 24/7 Tour Director and local guides

 Admissions to cultural and museum attractions

 Peace of Mind Program