One of our best tours in Turkey including Istanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya & Capppadocia. This is an exquisite tour for you with all the bells and whistles. To have fun, travel around and meet new people, do not miss out on our special ten days Turkish Delight Tour.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Ephesus: was one of the most famous cities in the ancient Mediterranean. Founded in the Bronze Age and important from ancient Greek times, it contained the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and served as a crossroads between the East and West for centuries.
Sirince: a village of 600 inhabitants located about 8 kilometres east of the Ephesus ancient city. The area around the village has a history dating back to the Hellenistic period (323–31 BC). Today the village prospers through agriculture (olive oil, peaches, wine) and tourism. It is well protected, rare and attractive example of Ottoman Christian architecture.
Pamukkale: (Cotton Castle) is a town in western Turkey known for the mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces on a nearby hillside. It neighbours Hierapolis, an ancient Roman spa city founded around 190 B.C. Ruins there include a well-preserved theater and a necropolis with sarcophagi that stretch for 2km. The Antique Pool is famous for its submerged Roman columns, the result of an earthquake.
Cappadocia: a semi-arid region in central Turkey, is known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, Göreme and elsewhere. Other notables sites include Bronze Age homes carved into valley walls by troglodytes (cave dwellers) and later used as refuges by early Christians. The 100m-deep Ihlara Canyon houses numerous rock-face churches.
Day 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL (45km – 50 min)
Upon arrival at the airport meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring Istanbul.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: ISTANBUL: CITY TOUR
After breakfast, start the Istanbul City Tour with the visit of the Hippodrome. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Then, visit Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue ‘’Iznik’’ tiles. Next, visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. After lunch, the guide will take you to the Ali Pasazade with a unique atmosphere and reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find; exotic spices and herbs, traditional Turkish sweets and coffee, souvenirs and many other goods in souvenir shops and stores. After the tour transfer back to your hotel.
Optional Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus Tour: Tonight between 19:30 to 23:30 you can join an optional entertaining dinner cruise program on the Bosphorus, where Europe and Asia are connected. You will spend an unforgettable night on the Bosphorus with dinner, unlimited local alcoholic and non-alcoholic & soft drinks, belly dance show, Turkish Folklore show, DJ Performance and great entertainment on Bosphorus Dinner Cruise. End of the entertainment at about midnight, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3: ISTANBUL: BOSPHORUS CRUISE – IZMIR (70 min by flight, not included)
After breakfast enjoy Bosphorus by boat, a traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will see from your boat the magnificent sights of Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries. Rumeli Fortress, built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosporus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul. Stop for a lunch break at the Turkish restaurant. After lunch the route leads to the Grand Spice Bazaar, where you can find everything from local food and spices to souvenirs such as evil eyes totems. After the tour transfer to Istanbul Airport for a domestic flight to Izmir (not included). Upon arrival, transfer from the airport and check in to your hotel in Kusadasi where you will enjoy your dinner.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 4: KUSADASI – EPHESUS – SIRINCE – KUSADASI (55 km – 1.5 hrs)
After breakfast pick-up from the hotel. Today you will enjoy a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world en-route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curetes street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library and Grand theatre. After lunch break, we will visit a place which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet weaving centre. Then, we will continue to the Turkish village Sirince with Anatolian Greeks construction style. The houses on the slope are all original with their white paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey - especially fruit wines. There will be some free time to explore the area of the village. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. On this guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Return to your hotel where your dinner will be served.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5: KUSADASI – PAMUKKALE TOUR (190 km – 3 hrs)
After breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and enjoy your lunch. Afterward we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Return to the hotel where your dinner will be served.
Optional Tandem Paragliding: Make your Pamukkale Tour unforgettable by participating in Pamukkale Tandem Paragliding experience. Enjoy a flight over the stunning and infamous White Mountain in Pamukkale and observe spectacular views over this unique area's attractions. Tandem Paragliding in Pamukkale is an ideal alternative experience for those who wish to feel some exciting moments. It can also be the perfect way to explore the attractions from above and appreciate the beauty of the natural scenery. This tour will end at approximately 17.30 and then you will be back at your hotel.
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 6: PAMUKKALE – ANTALYA (250 km – 3.5 hrs)
After breakfast, we depart for Antalya. On arrival, check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy lunch and dinner served at the hotel.
Optional Hot Air Balloon Tour: we will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning for the take off at 05:30 am before sunrise. On the Balloon, you will witness the magnificent and unique view of nature by viewing the morning sunrise over the ancient city of Hierapolis and Cotton White Travertines which is listed as one of the best 7 wonders of the world and registered in the UNESCO heritage list. After the Hot Air Balloon excursion, we will celebrate our landing with a champagne ceremony and return to the hotel for a delicious breakfast (Please confirm with your guide the day before as the optional tour starts early in the morning).
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 7: ANTALYA OLD TOWN TOUR & WATERFALLS
Today after breakfast we will visit Antalya old City (Kaleiçi) Marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian's Gate, Broken Minaret and Hidirlik Tower. Kaleici is a small historic part of Antalyas modern city. In history it was once the sprawling modern Roman town, then the Byzantine Empire, then Seljuks, and finally the Ottoman Turkish town. The Hadrian's Gate also known as The Three Gates is a triumphal arch which was built in the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian. Antalya's broken wonder is the Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque, which itself was built originally as a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD, and thus did not have a minaret at all. Hidirlik Tower is a landmark tower of tawny stone in Antalya, Turkey, where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park. It is believed to be built in Hellenistic era on a square plan and later turned into circular tower in 2nd century AD and was either used as a fortification or a lighthouse in the past. We have lunch then depart for Duden waterfalls. All the streams of the region aim at finding their way into the Mediterranean and they pour down the slopes of the Taurus, sometimes overland sometimes underground and reaching their destination, result in lovely waterfalls, of which there are more than twenty. After the tour come back to hotel and rest of day free at leisure. Dinner will be served in the hotel.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8: ANTALYA – KONYA – CAPPADOCIA (570 km – 7 hrs)
After breakfast early in the morning drive to Konya. On the way we will have a break for coffee and after some rest we will continue to Konya. After lunch break we will visit the imposing green tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). After the Konya Mevlana tour drive to Cappadocia. Arrive at Cappadocia and check in to your hotel where your dinner will be served.
Optional Cappadocia Turkish Night Show: During the evening at 19:30, we have an optional tour to enjoy our Turkish Night Shows, which are traditions that have survived from the Ottoman Empire to the present day. You may have great fun in the real caves, with the rich Anatolian food menu, unlimited local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, belly dance show, Turkish Folklore show, DJ Performance and warm service of Anatolian Hospitality.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 9: CAPPADOCIA: UNDERGROUND CITY & GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM
After breakfast pick-up from the hotel. We will drive you to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the best preserved underground cities in Cappadocia. After the Underground City tour, you visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia. Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to the 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks. The next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. After Cavusin you go to the restaurant in Avanos to have lunch. After lunch, you visit a pottery workshop, to see how to make potteries. Then you go to Love Valley. Love Valley Cappadocia is a hidden valley with scenic formations to say the least. Despite the resemblance to manhood, these amazing rock formations are far from man-made. The next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. The last stop is Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia. Return back to your hotel where you will enjoy your dinner.
Optional Hot Air Balloon Tour: we will pick you up from your hotel in the most beautiful and unique area of the world at 05:30 am before sunrise. And we will go to the area where hundreds of Hot Air Balloons will take off. We will watch the sunrise over those splendid fairy chimneys and valleys that impress people with their exquisiteness. After making our flight in about 1 hour, we will celebrate our experience with champagne when we land and collect our flight certificate. Then we will return to our hotel. (Please confirm with your guide the day before as the optional tour starts early in the morning).
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 10: CAPPADOCIA – ISTANBUL DEPARTURE (80 min by flight, not included)
After breakfast you will have free time in Cappadocia. Depart for Kayseri Airport for a domestic flight to Istanbul (not included) and then back to home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future on one of our tours again.
Comfortable and warm clothing for the mountains and comfortable summer clothes & shoes. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
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