This vacation starts with a welcome dinner and a guided sightseeing tour in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. Built on two continents, Istanbul is a gateway between the Orient and Occident as well as the Islamic and Christian worlds. On your sightseeing tour, visit the Blue Mosque built in the 17th century and Topkapi Seraglio, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Continue via Iznik to Bursa, where a guided sightseeing tour features visits to the Green Ottoman Complex, the Great Mosque, and the Silk Bazaar. Stop in Akhisar, Sart, and Alasehir on your way to Pamukkale, where a visit to the nearby ruins of Hierapolis, an important seat of early Christianity, is included. Also stop in Laodicea and Aphrodisias, dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Stay three nights in Kusadasi, with included excursions to the island of Patmos in Greece and to Ephesus. In Patmos, visit the Cave of the Apocalypse, where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of Revelation during his exile. In Ephesus, one of the New Testament's most significant cities, visit the archaeological site, including the House of Mary and the Basilica of John the Evangelist. Travel to Izmir and enjoy an orientation tour of this city established in 3000 BC. Also visit Alexander the Great's Mount Pagos. Stop in Bergama and explore the Greek Acropolis and the Asclepeion, once dedicated to the Greek god of healing. Then travel to Troy and brush up on Homer's Trojan War, hollow wooden horse and all! Cross the Dardanelles by ferry back to Europe and the 20th century. Back in Istanbul, visit the Hagia Sophia, which began as an early Christian church, and the Grand Covered Bazaar with plenty of time to explore its 4,000 tiny shops. Your vacation ends with a farewell dinner in Istanbul—a perfect way to end your trip to Turkey!