The sunrise stretches far and wide over the cityscape. The Sea of Marmara glistens in the early light. You taste the elegant and traditional Turkish coffee that is strong and flavorful.  After breakfast your guide meets you at your hotel. The call to prayer emanates from the towering minarets and reverberates through the streets. It is a rhythmic and poetic hymn.

The city starts to liven. Shops begin to open. A pomegranate juice vendor presses the fruit and you can see the extract pour into a cup. The natural ruby color is exotic and the flavor is perfectly sweet. You come to Hagia Sophia, the Church of the Holy Wisdom. Constantine the Great designed the original cathedral; however, the church in its current form was constructed in the 6th century under the supervision of Emperor Justinian I. The Byzantine architecture is fascinating in both artistry and scale. The central dome has a diameter of 102 feet. The four pendentives are each decorated with seraphim mosaics.

The Islamic calligraphic roundels date back to the 18th century and provide an interesting and beautiful contrast to the Byzantine religious art. Your footsteps create a small echo in the cavernous space. The basilica was converted into a mosque in the 15th century and eventually a museum in the 1930s. The historic embellishments around the structure add to the architectural radiance. The interior surface is enveloped in green and white marble. When you exit Hagia Sophia you can see the six sensational minarets and large dome of the Blue Mosque.

In the morning Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are highlighted by the shifting pastels of the sky. Small fishing boats wade in the sea. They are painted with vibrant colors that pop against the stretch of blue water. After breakfast your private transfer meets you at your hotel. Istanbul soon fades into the horizon as you make your way to Gallipoli. The beaches and coves are peaceful. The landscape is filled with pine forests. The aroma of the air is a mixture of sweet sea and zesty evergreen. It is hard to imagine the aggressive battles that were fought during World War I on this tranquil landscape. Journey along the Anzac Walk designed to take visitors around the 14 historic sites, including the 57th Regiment Memorial.

The water gently laps against the sand. A slight sea breeze brushes against your cheeks. The Turkish Memorial of the 57th Regiment is a larger than life statue of a Turkish soldier. His rifle is firm in his hands as he faces downhill ready to charge the oncoming army. The memorial commemorates the battle of April 25th, 1915. In the afternoon you will find yourself in Canakkale, a small city overflowing with atmosphere. Cobblestone lanes encircle the old clock tower and wind along the sweeping waterfront. Settle into the night and the comforts of your hotel.

The ancient city of Ephesus is found near the Aegean Sea and was once home to one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis. The city in its entirety is a vast outdoor museum filled with interesting and legendary antiquity. Artemis’s temple was originally constructed in the 7th century BC. When you come to the marsh you find a lone column standing 13 feet tall. The temple was the first monumental building to be designed and built entirely of marble. The Temple of Hadrian is known by its elegant arch façade. The temple was constructed in the 2nd century AD. The design is simple and clean. Over the main doorway you find an intricate relief of a woman surrounded by decorative leaves. Some people have identified the figure as Medusa who was meant to keep evil spirits at bay.

Pamukkale means the Cotton Castle in Turkish, and soon you will understand why. As you venture closer to Pamukkale you can see the pristine mountainside gleaming in the sunlight. The foothills are terraced with calcite pools that stretch over 525 feet high and 1,970 feet wide. The water is iridescent and supersaturated with calcium carbonate. As the spring cascades down the mountain it deposits the calcium into the pools and eventually hardens. The hillside looks like a combination of infinity pools and ice and can be seen from over 35 miles away.

Nearby are the ancient ruins of Hierapolis. The ruins are mostly compiled of relics from the Roman period. The sacred pool is warm and clear. Hot springs filter into the water and heat the pool to a comfortable temperature. You can see pieces of ancient marble columns at the bottom of the pool. Columned porticos once encircled the water but earthquakes toppled some of them into the pools. You are allowed to swim with the antiquities and float above the underwater columns. The experience is truly unique and the water is absolutely inviting.

The morning takes you to Marmaris, a port town and resort area along the Mediterranean Sea. Ships line the harbor; their masts sway gracefully against the background of turquoise water. Mountains edge the border of the city and the sea. You step aboard the ferry and make your way to the famous Greek Island of Rhodes. The water shifts from turquoise to sapphire and eventually becomes as clear as crystal. Rhodes Castle towers over the distance verdant trees.

As you enter the harbor you can see the two pillars adorned with a deer. Your private transfer takes you to the Hotel Mediterranean, located at the heart of a popular beach. The afternoon is warm and comfortable. The water is calm and quiet. The beach is lined with umbrellas that shade visitors from the sun and create the perfect atmosphere. The city’s ancient and contemporary history has gravitas. The beach is pristine. The aromas of lemon zest and fresh grilled seafood emanate out of the Kyma Beach Restaurant and tempt you to venture inside.

The sunrise drapes the horizon in pink and blue. The old harbor is cast in a silhouette as the morning begins. The day is at your leisure to enjoy the island. You could sit under an umbrella and listen to the soft crash of the water on the shore or you could stroll alongside the medieval walls and enjoy the atmosphere. Enter through one of the seven gates that lead you into the distant world that has collected Mediterranean cultures throughout time. The inner walls are lively and bustle with the energy of a Turkish bazaar. The ruins of Aphrodite’s temple can be seen at the Gate of Eleftherias. You can find a vast and diverse collection of relics in the Archeological Museum, including the stunning sculpture Aphrodite of Rhodes.

When you come to the Street of Knights you can walk along the completely restored buildings. The pebble streets and large, thick stone structures give you the feeling that you are walking through a magnificent castle, because you are, in fact, actually walking through one. The castle walls are 36 feet thick and the castle moat runs over 63 feet wide. The streets are paved with cobblestones and there are an endless number of quiet alleyways that you can call your own. In the evening you can dine in the elegant historic atmosphere at Dinoris. The courtyard seating has you dining next to the old wall. The scent of prawns cooked with tomato, pepper, and feta cheese is savory and tantalizing.

Today you will depart from Rhodes and venture to Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands. Your private transfer escorts you to the airport and soon you arrive in Heraklion, the capital of Crete. Settle into the luxuries of the hotel Agapi Beach. The resort is situated with stunning gardens, three immaculate pools, and a long stretch of warm, sandy beach. Crete is a treasured island that combines majestic beaches, ancient myths, fantastical villages, and sensational landscape. The locals are sociable and filled with vivacious spirit. The food is known to be the best in all of Greece. The Venetian fortress stands on the quay and guards the harbor. Old Town is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets filled with urban sophistication. The architecture dates back to the 15th century. You can visit the restaurant Agora, which is Greek for market. The menu features traditional meze, small dishes similar to tapas. Enjoy the rich flavors of traditional Cretan pasta with chicken and graviera cheese.