Best of Turkey and Jordan

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. 

A fresh day has begun! Get up and visit Topkapi Palace to witness its wonderful collections of jewelry, antique artwork, and cultural artifacts. Next, go to the Imperial Harem, a separate palace inside the Topkapi that once housed the queen dowager, the queen, royal concubines, and princes. Continue to explore Istanbul's emblem, the Hagia Sophia, a contemporary museum that blends Byzantine and Islamic architectural elements. Located across from it is the Blue Mosque, famed for its external decoration with blue tiles.

Then, head to the Basilica cistern, the largest historically significant cistern still present beneath Istanbul. The Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and other features of the Byzantine Palace and historic Hippodrome will be visited later.

After breakfast, fly to Capadoccia. You'll be met upon arrival and driven to your hotel for a little break. Then proceed to Devrent Valley and Pasabagi Valley to see the bizarre fairy chimneys. After lunch, head east and see the cave churches at the Goreme Open Air Museum, where you can admire medieval wall paintings carved into volcanic rock. The Uchisar Castle is the next destination to visit for a stunning 360-degree view of Cappadocia. The final stop should be a visit to the Pigeon Valley, which got its name from all the pigeon houses that were carved out of the volcanic rock.

Good morning, everyone! Your first visit today will be to Ortahisar, a naturally created rocky castle that is now a massive cave community. Then descend into Kaymakli, a city carved underground in the seventh century by Christians fleeing persecution. Your next visit is the Cavusin Valley's troglodyte houses, where people have lived for many centuries. After your lunch, continue traveling to Red Valley, Wine House, and Pasabagi Valley. The area is well-known for its productive vineyards and the breathtaking sight of the sky full of hot air balloons.

Be transferred to the airport for the flight to Izmir (stopover in Istanbul) this morning. Upon your arrival, a private transfer between the airport and your hotel is provided. Followed by a private tour with a drive to the Agora, the celebrated marketplace of old Smyrna located at the foot of the Pagos Hills and now been arranged into the Open Air Museum of Izmir. Next visit the Kizlaragasi Hani (originally an inn for trade caravans from the East carrying silk and spices), Asansor, and the old water-operated elevator system. After finishing all the tours, make the drive to Kusadasi and spend the night there.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour to the antique City of Ephesus, including the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celcus Library. In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Shrine of Virgin Mary and Basilica of St. John. After the tour, drive to Izmir airport for a short flight back to Istanbul. Upon your arrival at Istanbul, be met and transferred to the hotel for overnight.

Enjoy time of leisure in Istanbul before drive to the airport for flight to Amman. Upon arrival at Queen Alia Airport, you will be met by our representative, assisted through formalities and transferred to your hotel. 

After breakfast, we will drive to Umm Qeis (about 2 hours' drive), which was founded by Alexander the Great and belonged to the famous Decapolis. It is an excellent point to get an overwhelming view over the North Jordan Valley, the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee.

Later, you will head to Jerash. Visit the ancient Roman ruins including the spectacular forum, Roman colonnaded street, the Nymphaeumand the Temple of Artemis. Your next stop will be the Ajloun Castle, build by the famous Islamic leader Salah al‐Din at around 1184. Drive back to Amman and overnight.

In the morning, you will drive to Mt. Nebo, where the alleged Moses was buried on this mountain. Here you will look down at the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Jericho, and Jerusalem. On the top of the mountain also sits Moses Memorial Church, constructed in the 4th century, you'll see beautiful mosaics in its remains. Continue on to Madaba, which is known for the 6th-century mosaic map of Palestine in St. George's Church. Afterward, drive to the Dead Sea to enjoy a leisurely time and float on the water. Drive to Petra for overnight.

Today's tour is Petra, the most attractive place in Jordan. Upon arrival you will ride a horse cart into the Siq canyon, where you will discover the Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs and Castle of Pharaoh's daughter. After the tour, drive back to Amman for the night.

After breakfast, our representative will escort you to Queen Alia Airport for your onward flight.