Meeting at Atatürk Airport, transfer to dümestic lines to catch Trabzon flight at 17:00 pm. Arrival in Trabzon, upon your arrival, you are met with a friendly ’merhaba’ (hello) and escorted to your hotel. Learn more about the cultural adventure you’ll taste during dinner from your guide.

Miletian colonists founded Trabzon, the major city of the region, in the 7th century B.C. You will begin the day with a tour of the 14th century Sumela Monastery. In the afternoon, visit the Ayasofya Museum, its splendid frescoes, some of the finest examples of Byzantine painting, cover every surface of the interior church walls.

Begin your day with a scenic morning drive along the luxuriant Black Sea coastline. While you’re there make sure to visit the fields of tea bushes. Climb up the mountains to discover the Georgian church in Yusufeli. Continue to Kars whose ancient fortress dominates the city. One of the most important sights in Kars is the Kars Museum, housing many archaeological finds from the earliest ages. Beautiful woodcarvings, and a wide collection of coins found in the area are exhibited here. Discover ethnographic works of art, such as fine kilims, carpets and local costumes.

In the morning, visit the medieval city of Ani, a fascinating town situated on the ancient Silk Road. An Armenian city from the 11th century on the Turkish Armenian border, Ani was called ""The City of 1001 Churches"" by its contemporary chroniclers and people alike, for it contained numerous churches and buildings of great splendor and magnificence. During the 9th to the 12th centuries, Ani was a thriving community and acquired fame as being a Christian metropolis in Asia abounding with prestigious monuments. As the capital of Christian Armenia, Ani was a flourishing artistic and religious center ruled by Christian kings. From here continue to Dogubeyazit. On your way enjoy the unforgettable scenery of Mount Ararat, Turkey’s most scenic natural monument. Mount Ararat, an inactive volcano capped year round with ice and snow, rises to a height of 15137 meters (6,854 feet). The Old Testament records that it was on this mountain that Noah’s Ark came to rest after the great flood. While here be sure to try the local dessert, asure (Noah’s Pudding), believed to have first been made by Noah’s wife from the last bits of food in the ark.

A morning visit to the magnificent palace of Ishak Pasha will begin your day. Ishak Pasha, Ottoman governor of the province, constructed the palace in the 17th century in a mixture of architectural styles. Continue from there on Van Adjacent to Lake Van. Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey. The province of Van sits by Lake Van, and was the ancient Urartian capital of Tuspa. It is situated in a green, fertile oasis in the midst of rock-strewn mountains. An impressive citadel stands on one of these peaks and dates back to the 9th century BC. There are steps carved into rock leading to the fortress, and while descending you will be able to see some cuneiform inscriptions paying homage to Persian King, Xerxes of the 5th century BC.

Enjoy a morning cruise on Lake Van towards the island of Akdamar with its 10th century church of the Holy Cross, now a museum, whose stone outer walls are richly carved with Old Testament scenes and figures. In the afternoon make a visit to the 17th century Hosap Castle and Cavustepe dating back to the 9th century BC. Cavustepe, 35 km from Van on the Hakkari road, is an important Urartian citadel. Excavated in 1970, today you can see temples, a palace, a sacrificial altar and inscriptions.

Next stop on your journey is Diyarbakir. Diyarbakir, known in ancient times as Amida, has been a cradle of 26 civilizations during its 5000-year history, The city is spread across a basalt plateau close to the banks of the Tigris River. The black basalt triple walls, which encircle the old town, give the city a rather ominous appearance. You’ll also visit beautiful Ulu Camii (the Grand Mosque), built in 1179 by Melik Nasreddin Mehmet.

Today, you’ll explore the city Hasankeyf by the Tigris River, before it is completely lost beneath the water after the installation of the dam. Complete your day with a visit to some of the oldest universities in the world located in Midyat and Mardin. Midyat, famous for its silver objects known as ’telkari’ has many elegant, historic houses. From a distance, the golden stone of Mardin houses blend into the rock of the hills on which the city is built. On closer inspection, the stone carving and decoration of the houses and public buildings reveals the city as an architectural treasure-chest. Among the jewels are the ancient citadel and several mosques, in particular, Ulu Mosque. Also visit the world’s oldest universities at Midyat and Mardin Darulzafeyran where you will discover highlights of Assyrian civilization.

In the morning drive to Kahta and ascend to the summit of Mount Nemrut. On the summit of Mount Nemrut, the highest mountain in Northern Mesopotamia at 7,053 feet, sits the gigantic funerary sanctuary erected in the first century BC by King Antiochus I of Comma gene. The artificial tumulus is flanked by terraces on which rest the colossal statues of Apollo, Zeus, Hercules, Tyche and Antiochus. Time has inflicted heavy damage on the sculptures - their torsos sit with their beautifully carved heads at their feet.

Overlook the Ataturk Dam on the way to Urfa, which is presumed to be the location where Rebecca drew water for Jacob and where Abraham decided to move into the land of Canaan. In the afternoon, explore Harran, lying on the Mesopotamian plain, known for its mud-brick "beehive" like dwellings. Included among the archeological finds are those of the largest ancient Islamic university, city walls dating from the eighth century, four gates and a citadel.

Drive to Zeugma by the Euphrates, which has become a world heritage because it will soon be submerged by water. Once the capital of the Seleucid kings, it was notorious for its wealth and luxury. In Roman times, the city continued to thrive with commerce and culture. It featured prominently in early Christianity where the name "Christian" was first coined. Visit nearby Karatepe to discover some of the best-preserved remains of Hittite Civilization.

Visit Tarsus, which dates to the 14th century BC. Tarsus is the city where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra first met and the birthplace of Saint Paul. Cross the Taurus Mountains to Central Anatolia and arrive to Cappadocia.

Explore one of the oldest settlements of the region Goreme. The chimney-like, rock formations that spread throughout Cappadocia’s rugged landscape are as fantastic as man’s accomplishments within its stone. Visit the Byzantine churches of Goreme carved into the cliffs and caves with colorful frescoes dating to the 7th century. Originally, there was a church for every day of the year. Learn how the colorful kilims (carpets) that echo the earth tones of the region are made during a demonstration by local weavers. Continue your exploration of this intriguing region with a visit to the hidden, monastic valley of Pasabagi, which has a large number of carved rock houses and churches. Stroll through the red valley of Dervent and a photo stop at the ancient natural citadel of Uchisar.

Descend 8 stories beneath the surface of the earth to explore the underground city where approximately 15,000 early Christians, fleeing persecution, lived for months at a time undetected. The city was sub-divided into separate sections for better defense purposes with comfortable living rooms, wine cellars, meeting halls and churches. After lunch continue to explore Cappadocia’s beauty in the local village of Soganli. Explore early rock carved churches, see typical Cappadocia houses and barter at the local handicraft market. In the evening, attend an optional performance of the mystic whirling dervishes in a rock carved lounge

See the difference in accommodations for 13th century travelers during a stop at Sultanhani Caravanserai en route to Turkey’s oldest city Konya, the capital of the Seljuk Empire, but known worldwide as the home of the sect of the Whirling Dervishes. Chanting of poetry, rhythmic rotation, and incessant music create a euphoria that, according to the faithful, induces a feeling of soaring, of ecstasy, of mystical flight. Continue south to Antalya, arriving in time to stroll the twisting, turning streets of this enchanting city set on the shores of the Mediterranean before the sun sets.

Begin your Greco-Roman quest today by visiting Perge where a mere scrape of the shoe will reveal mosaic walkways through the ancient agora. Its extensive ruins include a stadium that once echoed to the roar of 15,000 spectators. Continue to Aspendos, which has one of the best-preserved theaters in the world. Its acoustics are so well tuned that a coin dropped on stage can be heard in the last row. Return to Antalya and visit the Archeology Museum

Explore the remains of Aphrodisias, the city dedicated to the goddess of love and home to a school of sculpture that was known throughout the ancient world. Sculptural relief’s still adorn many of the buildings. Explore its many Greco-Roman remains including a stadium, which once sat 30,000 people and the Temple of Aphrodite, which was later converted into a Christian basilica. Continue to Pamukkale, a spa known throughout the ancient world.

Enjoy the beauty of Pamukkale’s immense tiers of white limestone as they cascade down a barren hillside. Visit the nearby Roman theater and necropolis. Continue to Izmir,where you will explore the remains of Sardis where King Croesseus of Lydia resided. Also visit the Temple of Artemis, gymnasium and the synagogue.

Today you will discover Ephesus, which is a highlight of every trip to Turkey. Do make sure to walk the streets of the most complete city of antiquity in the world. Sit in the same theater where Paul preached and Roman dramas were performed. Every summer, during the International Izmir Festival, the theater is alive with the words, music and drama of contemporary performers in this ancient setting. Stroll past the Library of Celsius, the baths and the Temple of Hadrian. You’ll also visit the house where the Virgin Mary spent her last days and a photo stop at the Temple of Artemis with the last remaining column indicating where one of the Seven Wonders of the World was. Add another stone to today’s historical mosaic with a visit the Basilica of Saint John.

Drive along the mythic coastline of the "wine-dark" Aegean Sea to ancient Pergamum, home to the famous physician, Galen. Stroll through the remains of the Asclepion, one of the foremost medical centers of ancient times, the library which once held 240,000 scrolls, the Acropolis and the Trojaneum. Next visit the site of one of the most famous wars of ancient times, the legendary city of Troy, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad and ’Discovered’ in 1871 by Heinrich Schliemann. Continue on to Canakkale.

Ferry across the Dardanelle for a somber stop at the very real memorial at Gallipoli, commemorating one of the most famous battles in modern history. The beauty of the green hills, sandy beaches and blue waters provides an honored resting place for the soldiers who bravely fought and died in this historic battle. After lunch, you return to Istanbul, rising from the shores of the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.

Discover the classical highlights of Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque famed for its Iznik tiled interior and six minarets and Mosque of Suliymaniye the Magnificent. You will also visit the jeweled interior of the Topkapi Palace, home to the Spoon maker’s Diamond. In the afternoon, you are free to explore the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar that houses more than 4,000 shops. The names recall the days when each trade had its own quarter: the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers’ street, and the street of the skullcap makers. Still the commercial center of the old city, the bazaar is the original shopping mall with something to suit every taste and budget.

In the morning, glide past minarets and palaces, stone fortresses and wooden Ottoman mansions during a cruise on the Bosporus. In the afternoon discover the Saint Sophia and the church of Saint Savior in Chora. The Basilica or St. Sophia, now called the Ayasofya Museum is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.