Istanbul to Amman

Hosgeldinz! Welcome to Istanbul.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1.

You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

Istanbul is the only city in the world to straddle two continents, so it will come as no surprise that this vast metropolis is home to a beguiling mix of different cultures and traditions, blending the influences of both east and west. Originally founded by Greek settlers over 2000 years ago, Istanbul originally went by the name of Byzantium, then Constantinople when the Romans made it the capital of their eastern empire. Today, intriguing Istanbul is a bustling mega-city with a population of over 12 million people and a rich history waiting to be explored.

Start you explorations in the old town. The Grand Bazaar is a paradise for souvenir hunters and you may well find yourself drinking tea with the shopkeepers whilst haggling over prices. Then there's the Topkapi Palace and harem, Istanbul's iconic Blue Mosque and the incredible ancient church of St. Sophia. The Archaeological Museum containing the tomb of Alexander the Great is also worth a look. After all that sightseeing, take a stroll down to the waterfront and hop on a boat up the Bosphorus, leaving the minarets and towers that give the city its distinctive skyline in your wake.

You have a free day to explore the various gems of Istanbul.

You might like to visit an authentic Turkish bath, where you move from a 'warm room' to a 'hot room', lying on a heated marble slab, before being treated to a full-body wash and massage and recovering in the 'cool room'.

Catch a comfortable overnight bus to Denizli. The seats are recline airline-style, and the bus stops every few hours at rest stops.There are currently engineering works on the equivalent overnight train journey for this leg (the 'Pamukkale Express'). As soon as the train line re-opens we will start taking the train.

Arrive in the morning to the incredible vision of travertines and springs in Pamukkale.

Visible for miles, the gleaming calcium terraces of Pamukkale are a spectacular sight. Created from limestone deposits formed when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide, these layers of white calcium carbonate have earned Pamukkale the nickname 'Cotton Castle' and the pools, now off-limits, have been famed for their medicinal qualities since Roman times.

There is also an opportunity to grab a shower and sample some great home cooking with our friends near the travertines.

Take a public bus from Pamuk to Selcuk (approx 4 hrs).

Selcuk is our base for discovering Ephesus, former capital of the Eastern Roman empire and the best-preserved ancient city in Turkey.

Selcuk retains many Turkish cultures and traditions and has many wonders of its own. Come in winter and you can see the annual camel wrestling championship. The town itself is usually undisturbed, which gives the opportunity to experience the 'real' Turkey. On the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historical buildings, including the Isa Bey mosque and the Grand Fortress. Selcuk is also home to one of the ancient world's Seven Wonders - Artemis' temple although, sadly, only a single pylon remains.

Ephesus Museum contains a wonderful display of artefacts that completes your visit to the ancient city. Exhibits include finds from the famed terraced houses of the Romans, medical and cosmetic tools from Ephesus' important school of medicine, and impressive busts and statues of both emperors and Artemis.

St John is said to have travelled to Ephesus at the end of his life in AD 100 and written the Book of Revelations on top of Ayasuluk Hill. Emperor Justinian built a massive basilica upon a 4th-century tomb and church which were believed to house St John's remains. Although destroyed by earthquakes and invasions, the site is still impressive.

Hop on a dolmus over the hills to Sirince to see a village that time forgot. A photographer's dream, the village is famous for its vineyards and a good spot to sample some wine.

A fantastic mix of city sophistication and old-world charm makes Antalya a great place to explore. The relatively unspoilt and restored Kaleici, the old city area, is now a historical zone and protected from modern development. With its palm-lined boulevard, internationally-acclaimed marina and old castle, Antalya is a popular destination.

Kayakoy was once a ghost village, its ancient stone houses abandoned after their Greek inhabitants left Turkey during the great population exchange of the 1920s. Now protected by the Turkish government, it provides the opportunity to enjoy a quiet, traditional Turkish lifestyle. This small village is a good base to explore the many attractions of this scenic section of the Mediterranean coast, including the resort town of Fethiye and the famous Blue Lagoon.

The Antalya Museum offers a fascinating glimpse of history and life in this region, the Suna and Inan Kirac Kaleici Museum is located in an Antalya mansion and set up to show life in an Ottoman house. Karaalioglu Parki, with its lovely flowers and great sea views, is a popular park for locals to go for a stroll. Or ask your tour leader about the ancient Hellenistic cities that are near by.

A long day's travel by public bus brings us to the region of Cappadocia, where we'll find some of the most unusual and dramatic scenery in Turkey.

In the heart of Cappadocia, the town of Goreme lies in a fantastic region of cones, needles and columns, fashioned by nature from the soft volcanic tuff rock. It's honeycombed with caves scooped out to make churches and dwellings that are known as fairy chimneys and castles. In times of peace, the people in this region lived on the land but in times of war or persecution they took to living underground.

Cappadocia's main attraction and the customary starting point for an overview of what the region has to offer, the World Heritage-listed Goreme Open Air Museum is a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings, and one of the earliest centres for religious education. The practice of monasticism was developed by St Basil the Great in the 4th century as a reaction to his increased disillusionment with the materialism of the church. St Basil's definition of monastic life, based on the idea that men should live in small, self-sufficient units with an emphasis on poverty, obedience, labour and religious devotion, took root in Cappadocia, later becoming the basis for the Orthodox monastic system. There are at least 10 churches and chapels in the museum area, dating between AD900 and 1200, each one named after a prominent attribute by the local villagers who were exploring these caves long before there was an entrance fee. The best of the churches are the Chapel of St Basil, Apple Church, Sandal Church, Chapel of St Barbara, the nun's convent and the Buckle Church.

Enjoy a folklore night showcasing traditional Anatolian cultural dances, costumes and music, including a Whirling Dervish and belly-dancing show. Dinner included.

It's also possible to hire a bicycle and discover some of the small villages nearby, especially Avanos which is famous for its pottery and ceramics. You never know - you may be asked to try your hand at throwing a pot! Or if you feel up to it hike in one of the many nearby gorges, say from the Valley of Love to Uchisar Castle or from Red Valley back to Goreme. A little further away try Ilhara Gorge with its amazing frescoed churches (best to take a local guide with you).No visit to Turkey would be complete without learning something about Turkish rugs. There are many carpet shops in Goreme. The owners will explain the ancient traditions of weaving and you will soon be able to tell the difference between a carpet and a kilim, and a warp and a weft.

Time to head into the more remote areas of Turkey as we drive into the ancient lands of King Antiochus. Transfer via bus and dolmus to a village just below the summit of Nemrut Dagi. The road today is very steep and winding, so if you suffer motion sickness you may wish to consider travel sickness medication.

High on a man-made mountain, the colossal stone heads of Nemrut Dagi look out across the world and at dawn are a sight never to be forgotten. They adorn the tomb of King Antiochus, a war lord and king with amazing visions of grandeur and what some may call megalomania.

You have the opportunity to explore the mountain and your group leader will help facilitate this for those interested. You can spend as much time as you desire at this incredible site and enjoy either sunrise (season permitting) or sunset as you gaze out over the arid Anti Totos mountain ranges. Please note that as this is a Basix trip the entrance fee to the temple area is not included. Please note: during the months of March, April and October inclement weather may influence our itinerary. It is very cold on top of the mountain in all months other than June, July and August, so make sure you pack some warm clothing.

Today we travel on to Sanliurfa (Urfa) (approx. 5 hrs).

Legends abound in Urfa, the Prophets' City. Abraham of Bible fame was born in a cave here, and pilgrims flock to Dergah to visit both the cave and the Throne of Nimrod fortress, where Nimrod threw Abraham into the fire. Here you will also find a scared pool filled with well-fed carp. Keep an eye out for a white one, as legend states you will go to heaven if you see it. You might also like to explore the Urfa Museum, or the wondrous medieval bazaar where villagers make their way to daily to sell their local produce. In your free time wander the meandering alleyways to discover some of the fine old Urfa houses. An interesting blend of Turkish, Kurdish and Arabic influences intertwine here to make your visit a magical one.

Tonight we are guests of a local family in a small village outside of Urfa.

Have a wonderful Intrepid opportunity to enjoy fantastic local food and sleep on traditional Urfa mattresses beds made of soft wool. If it is hot you may choose to sleep outside on the roof under the stars, as many people in the area do in the summer months.Our hosts prepare our feast themselves and it's sure to be spiced with the legendary local red pepper isot.Important note: Both men and women are required to dress very conservatively during their stay here due to the traditional values of our hosts. Females are required to wear a long ankle-length skirt and men must wear long ankle-length trousers. Alcohol will not be available for purchase or consumption.

Homestay (1 nt)

Today we cross the border into Syria bound for the ancient city of Aleppo (approx 5hrs).

Architecturally diverse Aleppo, is called Halab (meaning 'milk') by the locals, originating from the ancient story that Abraham gave out milk to travellers as they journeyed through the region. The fabulous and vibrant covered souq is Aleppo's main attraction. Parts of the Souq date back to the 13th Century and little seems to have changed, it is still very much the centre of local commerce, yet to be displaced by tourists. Check out the Al-Jamaa al-Kebir, the younger sibling of the great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus or wander through the Christian quarter, admiring the 15th-century houses and equally old churches.

The Christian quarter of the old city is certainly one of Aleppo's highlights. Take time to discover some of the 15th-century houses and equally old churches. One of the finest bath houses in Syria is at the foot of the Citadel, the Hamam Yalbougha an-Nasry, where men and women are admitted on alternate days.

Take a public bus from Aleppo to Hama (approx 2 hrs).

Attractive Hama is a peaceful spot in which to relax, with the Orontes River flowing right through the city. A modern city occupying the ancient settlement of Hamath, Hama is renowned for the grand norias that sit on the river. Norias are waterwheels used to lift water from wells or rivers into aqueducts. Dating back to Byzantine times, Hama's 17 waterwheels are no longer in use, but create a spectacular picture of ancient life in the city.

Mingle with locals in one of the many open-air coffee houses, or visit the Hama Museum.

Hotel (1 nt)

Travel by public bus from Hama to Palmyra (approx 2 hrs).

The oasis city of Palmyra ranks as one of the world's greatest historic sites. Settled in Neolithic times, the ruined city dates to the 1st century AD, when it flourished as an Assyrian caravan route, then became a Greek trading post before being annexed by the Romans. Home to Queen Zenobia, who set her armies against the Roman Empire in the 3rd century and conquered Anatolia, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Egypt, before being captured and taken hostage by Emperor Aurelian, Palmyra means 'the city of palm trees' and is still known locally by its pre-Semitic name, Tadmor.

There will be time this afternoon to explore the splendour of these remote and extensive ruins.

Hotel (1 nt)

Take a van from Palmyra to Damascus (approx 3 hrs).

The Persians, Greeks and Romans all played their part in the history of Damascus, called ash-Sham by the Arabs, until the Muslims and Mongols took over, only to give way to the Ottomans and finally the French, before Syria finally gained independence in 1946.

Here you are free to explore the old city or maybe take a day trip to the surrounding sights such as the impressive crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers.

In Damascus take time to delve into the ancient alleyways and bustling bazaars of the capital's old city, including the beautiful Umayyad Mosque. Spending most of your time in the old city, you can easily find your way around on foot, even though it's a city of 6 million residents - that is, provided you use a map and stay off the main thoroughfares (where it's easy to get run over). Catch up on the story behind the greatest Arabic hero ever, Sal-uh-din, and visit his mausoleum. You'll find other important Islamic figures buried in places nearby, and hopefully, by the end of your visit, you will better appreciate a different perspective on the Crusades.

Take a public taxi from Damascus to Amman (approx 2.5 hrs).

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

As there is very little time spent in Amman on this itinerary, it is worth staying a day or two after the trip to explore the sights.

Visit the Citadel with its amazing sweeping views of Amman, then explore the Archaeological Museum where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed.

Flights out of Amman on Day 18 should be booked no earlier than 7pm.