Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport and fly to Istanbul – Land of the Ottoman, where your Mediterranean adventure begins.

On arrival, the Mediterranean adventurewith a tour of historic Istanbul. Drivepass the magnifi cent Roman Valens Aqueduct. Visit the open-air museum “Hippodrome”, venue of ancient Roman chariot races; see the Egyptian Obelisk. Thereafter, Visit fabulous Topkapi Palace (closed on Tuesdays). Proceed to Camlica Hill to see a panoramic view of the southern part of Bosphorus and the mouth of the Golden Horn. Thereafter, continue to Bolu.Note: In the event that Topkapi Palace is close(Every Tuesday & Public Holiday), it will be replaced by the 6th century Underground Water Palace (Basilica Cistern), located in the underground of Istanbul, one of the few in the world.

This morning, Visit the picturesque Salt Lake before proceeding to Ankara. Continue, visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk which is located on an imposing hill in the Anittpe quarter of the city. It showcases the history of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, “The Founding Father of Modern Turkey”. Proceed to Cappadocia Stop at EsentepeHill for a bird’s eye view of Cappadocia. Next, be enchanted by the Underground City, once a place of refuge for 15,000 Christians. Explore the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall, food storage rooms and more.

Cappadocia’s sightseeing includes visits to the Pigeon Valley and the fascinating frescoed rock churches and chapels at UNESCO Heritage Site - Goreme Open- Air Museum. Stop at the Turkish Carpet Weaving Centre where a wide variety of locally handmade carpets are available. Proceed to Avanos Pottery Village, set on the banks of the Kizilirmak (Red River). Visit the Turkish Pottery Showroom and witness a cup-making demonstration which uses Cappadocian soil. Turkish made plates, bowls, cups, pots, clocks etc. are available for purchase. Next, visit a Turkish Jewellery Store. End the day with a visit to an ancient cave theatre and be entertained with a free fl ow of drinks and by a traditional Turkish performance “Turkish Belly Dancing Show’’. Recommended Optional Excursion: Hot Air Balloon Voyage

After breakfast, visit a hotel for ancient travellers on the Silk Road, the 13thcentury ancient Caravanserai. Thereafter, stop to Konya, the old capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire, now Turkey’s most religious city and home of the mystical Whirling Dervish sect. Enter the fluted turquoise-domed Mevlana Tekke, a museum and national monument which contains the tomb of the Founder of The Whirling Dervishes. Proceed to Pamukkale.

Rise and shine, proceed to UNESCO Heritage Site - Pamukkale, see the ruins of ancient Hierapolis and the Fairyland Terraces (Cotton Castle) and be enchanted by the glistening pools and cascades in scallop shell basins. En route, drive to Ephesus, visit the outdoor archaeological museum at Selcuk where many of the excavated artefacts of Ephesus are on display. The House of the Virgin Mary, the fi nal resting place of the mother of Christ, is spectacularly situated above the Ephesus Ruins and awaits everyone. Marvel at the colonnaded Arcadian Way, the Library of Celsus and the Amphitheatre. Continue to the pretty port of Kusadasi on the Aegean Sea.

After breakfast, visit the Turkish Leather Factory Outlet and enjoy a delightful fashion show that showcases the most trendy leather products such as jackets, wallets, handbags, belts, hats etc. continuing on to Pergamon. From here, Take a cable car to see the wonder and splendour of the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena and famous library, which is said to have contained 200,000 volumes. Afterwards, see the legendaryWooden Trojan Horse before transfer to Canakkale.

After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul via 1915 Canakkale Bridge. Thereafter, visit the Blue Mosque with its beautiful tiles; and the UNESCO Heritage Site- St. Sophia Museum (Hagia Sophia). After lunch, Visit the Grand Bazaar which houses more than 4,000 shops, teahouses and cafes. A place where one can fi nd art crafts, lamps, clothes, jewellery, paintings, souvenirs, cooking utensils, etc.

Transfer to the airport for the fl ight back home. Bid farewell to Turkey. We hope you had a memorable vacation with ASA Holidays and thank you for your support!