DAY 12
 
01.05.2000
Departure from Pamukkale, taking the road to Antalya. The road will take us through some of the wildest parts of the Taurus Mountains, that separate the interior plateau from the Mediterranean coast, and where nomads still roam the countryside. We will make a panoramic stop at Lake Salda.
Overnight: Antalya
DAY 13
 
02.05.2000
Today will be taken up by a leisurely tour of Antalya with a walk through the charming old town, the Kaleici, which is still very much as it was in ancient days We will walk through Hadrian's Gate, and climb up the Citadel. The afternoon will be reserved for a visit to the museum, with its rich exhibits from all periods of Turkish history. It even contains some bones of St Nicholas, the original Father Christmas.
Overnight: Antalya
DAY 14
 
03.05.2000
You will appreciate today's free day in Antalya
Overnight: Antalya
DAY 15
 
04.05.2000
Today we will explore the coastal region east of Antalya, ancient Pamphylia. Perge, with its great Roman gates and its lengthy cardo, is of great interest, but nothing in the region surpasses the theatre at Aspendos, one of the splendors of the ancient world. The tour will take us as far as Side, with its white marble columns contrasting sharply with the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. It was one of the sites which Anthony gave to Cleopatra as a token of his passion for her.
Overnight: Antalya
DAY 16
 
05.05.2000
A day with some optional extra activities. Depending on availability, our guide will take us to some unusual sites west of Antalya.
Overnight: Antalya
DAY 17
 
06.05.2000
It is now time to leave Mediterranean Turkey for the central region of Cappadocia. En route we will encounter another highlight: the city of Konya, capital of the Seljuks, and home of the Mevlana and his Whirling Dervishes. We will visit Mevlana's Museum, which boasts a brilliant collection of Islamic religious texts and objects. We continue into Cappadocia.
Overnight: Cappadocia
DAY 18
 
07.05.2000
A full day tour through the moonscape wonderland of Cappadocia. Among the stops we will make will be visits to the cave dwellings at Goreme, the old Byzantine church of John the Baptist carved out of bedrock at Cavusin, and the stunning Fairy Chimneys near Avanos.
Overnight: Cappadocia
DAY 19
 
08.05.2000
Our exploration of the Cappadocian countryside will continue with a visit to the underground city of kaymakli. We will stop at Uchisar Village, with its citadel jutting out into the sky. Cappadocia is far from the urban centres of Turkey, and the region is still an important Turkish centre for peasant crafts. Watch out for some of the superb lace making, which the women themselves sell by the road side
Overnight: Goreme
DAY 20
 
09.05.2000
Departure from Cappadocia for Ankara. Afternoon visit to the Ataturk Mausoleum, burial place of Ataturk, the adversary of the Anzacs at Gallipoli, and the man who later singlehandedly took Turkey into modern times. The Anatolian Museum contains the greatest collection of artifacts from the ancient Hittite civilisation in the world. (If an internal flight is available, evening flight to Istanbul; otherwise dinner and overnight Ankara).
Overnight; Ankara or Istanbul
DAY 21
 
10.05.2000
If a flight was available yesterday: free day in Istanbul. If no flight was available yesterday: morning journey from Ankara to Istanbul. Afternoon free. Evening meal and farewell party at restaurant in Istanbul.
Overnight: Istanbul
DAY 22
 
11.05.2000
A day for optional extras in and around Istanbul to be arranged by our guide
Overnight: Istanbul
DAY 23
 
12.05.2000
Transfer day. Midmorning departure, 1040 hours, from Istanbul to Melbourne.
DAY 24
 
13.05.2000
Arrival in Melbourne 13 May at approximately 2345 hours