Day 2     Istanbul  
Start the day with a short walk to the Basilica Cistern. The next visit will be to  the Turkish Islamic Art Museum. After lunch visit Aya Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. The visit to the Turkish Islamic Museum, especially the ethnogra- phic section,  makes a perfect introduction to what we will see in the countryside. The Dinner will be at a seafood restaurant much favored by the locals, Kumkapi. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included 

Day 3    Istanbul overnight train to Ankara
Our first visit will be to the Grand Bazaar. We will visit the Chora Church to see the exquisite Byzantine mosaics from the 12th century. If you are interested in early Christian art and Christian dogma, you will be overwhelmed by this museum. Visit Suleymaniye Mosque . Lunch will be at a small side walk restaurant which is famous for home made food. We will end the day with a cruise on the Bosphoros aboard our own private boat. The views of the city at dusk with its 600 mosques are unforgettable. Train to Ankara. In Turkey, trains are regarded as the most civilized mean of transportation. Your luggage will be with you in your compartments. Unless you chose to be single 2 people to a compartment. The train leaves at 10.30 Pm and arrives Ankara the next morning at 08.00 AM. Breakfast Lunch and  Dinner included  

Day 4   Ankara /Cappadocia   
In Ankara, visit the most beautiful museum of Turkey, the Anatolian Civilization Museum. This is a one of a kind museum, displaying 26 different civilizations. It was given the "Best Museum of Europe " award.Seeing it will give us a better understanding of the cultural and historic layers of  Turkey. After lunch we visit the mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of the Turks, then take a bus to Cappadocia over a beautiful country road for a taste of lovely Turkish landscapes and farms.Overnight at Lale Saray Hotel at heart of Cappadocia. Waking up in the morning to magnificent sights is one of the unique aspects of this fabulous hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included

Day 6  Cappadocia
After visiting the underground city of the early Christians, we will drive to Guzelyurt. We will have lunch at a village home. Visit a church which is now a mosque built in 385 AD you will have a wonderful spiritual experience in the beauty of the oldest monastery of Christendom. At the village home we will sit around and talk about Islam and answer your questions in a living room chat ambiance. Overnight at the same hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included

Day7   Konya 
People have been making pottery here since the time of the Hittites (2nd millenium BC). We will visit a local potter who iskeeping this art alive. We will also learn about kilims. We then depart for Konya, stopping en route at a 12th century Caravanserai. Konya is the first capital of the Selcuks, the oldest Turkish Empire in Anatolia. It is also known for being the homeland of Rumi, a 13th century poet-philosopher and one of the earliest humanists. The ambiance of the city has not changed much for the past 800 years. Overnight at a hotel in the center of Konya.  Breakfast  Lunch Dinner are included

Day 08 Antalya 
Rumi and his philosophy will be the topic of our morning lecture. We'll then visit the Mevlana Museum, which is dedicated to him. Next comes the most scenic drive of our trip -- five hours to Antalya. You will be able to see how the flora changes as we drive over the grand Taurus Mountains. Poised between these jagged mountains and the shimmering sea, Antalya is the principal city on Turkey's central Mediterranean coast. In this beautiful city we will stay at a 200-year-old stone house that has been renovated as a pension. You'll be "on your own" for dinner.  Breakfast and Lunch are included  . Dinner not included

Day 09 Antalya 
Weather permitting, we will take a five-hour cruise on the Mediterranean to the ancient site of Phaselis, located on a peninsula with ancient harbors on both sides. This will be our first Roman site. The ancient stones are scattered among the reed pine trees, which grow right out from the sea in an incomparably romantic setting. Tonight you'll have the option of going to a Turkish bath (included in the trip cost). We'll overnight in Antalya, with dinner on your own.  Breakfast and Lunch are included  . Dinner not included