See impressive historical highlights in Istanbul and the geological wonderland in Cappadocia, discover the ruins of Ephesus, and relax on its mesmerising Mediterranean Coast, on this memorable ten-day tour of some of Turkey's most impressive sights. Stroll the beautifully arranged streets of Istanbul and admire the famous Blue Mosque, a unique piece of architecture built for Sultan Ahmet I. Continue your adventure in Cappadocia, with the spectacular Goreme open-air museum, the lunar landscape, and the Uchisar rock castle, where you have the chance to enjoy a panoramic view of the valleys below. Catch sight of Antalya, praising its imposing mountains and relaxing beaches.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Cappadocia: The ancient region in central Anatolia, situated on the rugged plateau north of the Taurus Mountains, in the centre of present-day Turkey, boasts a lunar landscape and early Christian churches carved out of volcanic rock.
Konya: enjoy a stop in charming Konya, home of the Whirling Dervishes.
Antalya: wander around the beautiful Mediterranean city of Antalya, admiring its imposing mountains, relaxing on the sunny beaches and exploring its many shopping malls.
Pamukkale: famous for its stunning white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis, where you can relax in the thermal waters that have drawn visitors for millennia.
Ephesus: an ancient city in Turkey, is renowned for its remarkably preserved Roman ruins, including the grand Library of Celsus and the impressive Great Theatre.
Day 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
Upon arrival at Istanbul/SAW Airport meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the city.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: ISTANBUL
After breakfast meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Explore Hagia Sophia; the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. Next, Topkapi Palace. As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. It housed the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Continue to Hippodrome; built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD. During the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Next, Blue Mosque; built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616. Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Next, Grand Bazaar; with 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops, it is one of the greatest bazaars in the World. At the end of the tour drive you back to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3: ISTANBUL – BOSPHORUS – CAPPADOCIA (90 min by flight, included)
After breakfast at the hotel check out and leave your luggage at the lobby. Meet with your guide and start your half-day tour. Visit Spice Bazaar, called Egyptian Bazaar during the Ottoman period because shopkeepers used to sell herbs and spices brought throughout Egypt and Asia. Next, Cruising on Bosphorus where you will enjoy a magnificent view. A great history wıth beautiful nature. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, Rustem Pasa Mosque, Rumeli Fortress and further along with the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. At the end of the tour drive to the Airport for your flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival at Kayseri Airport, you will be greeted by your driver who will drive you to your hotel in Cappadocia.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 4: CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast at the hotel meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit Rose Valley, an incredibly unique area of Cappadocia with sharp tinted in pink ridges. Next drive to Cavusin, surrounded by Red Valley. The houses of the village were cut into massive rock formations. The village is famous for its rock churches. Next, Pigeon Valley which earned its name from the countless man-made dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Pigeon Valley is one of the best spots for walking in the marvelous Cappadocia region. Next, we drive to Underground Cities, once a place of refuge for 15 thousand Christians. These settlements were of enormous value to the development of Christianity as they provided shelter and worship and were in use until the end of 7C AD. Witness the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall and food storage rooms in this eight-story city connected by 30km of corridors and passageways. The tour continues to Ortahisar, famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets with lovely churches and the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5: CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast, meet with your guide, and start your full-day tour of Fairy Chimneys. Explore Goreme Museum; which consists of many rock-cut churches from the second half of 9C with beautiful colorful frescoes decorating the walls. Next, is Devrent Valley; famous for its quirky animal-shaped rocks. It looks like a sculpture zoo made by nature. Next, Pasabagi which means the Pacha's vineyard. This site is also called Monks Valley. The hermitage of Simeon monks was here. Next, we will drive to Avanos, where you will enjoy a typical Turkish lunch and a pottery-making experience with local experts. Next, we continue to Goreme Panorama, which has one of the best panoramic views of the fairy chimneys. At the end we will drive to Uchisar, the Natural highest Rock Castle provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. At the end of the tour drive you back to your hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6: CAPPADOCIA – KONYA – ANTALYA (500km – 7hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel check out and visit the 700-year-old Sultanhan Caravanserai (ancient traders and travelers on the Silk Road). Next, visit the museum of 13th-century Philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi in Konya. Mevlana was a philosopher and mystic of Islam, but not a Muslim of the orthodox type. His doctrine advocates unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity, and awareness through love. After lunch travel to Antalya and check in to your hotel.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 7: ANTALYA – PERGE – APSENDOS – KURSUNLU WATERFALL – ANTALYA (120km – 2hrs)
According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. The first visiting place is Perge, one of the largest and most popular ancient cities in the Pamphylia region. Perge was the capital of Pamphylia then eventually came under Roman rule in 133 B.C. and this is when it flourished most and indeed most of the ruins that are left today are from that area. You will see the Agora, Roman Baths, Colonnaded Street, Nympharium and also the Grand Amphitheater which could hold 15.000 people. Our second stop is Aspendos Ancient Theatre. Probably an earlier ancient theatre was built 2nd century on the site. The Aspendos Theatre can hold over 20,000 and is still used for festivals and music concerts. After lunch at the local restaurant on a nearby river, we depart for Kursunlu Waterfall. Enjoy the fresh pine scent, cool atmosphere, and spectacular waterfalls before returning to Antalya.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8: ANTALYA – PAMUKKALE – KUSADASI (450km – 6hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel check out, meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit Pamukkale, Pools of Heaven on Earth. Pamukkale has always been a very popular settlement where hot springs were believed to have healing powers. So it is considered to be the earliest spa on earth where in history people travelled long distances in order to find a cure. The unique terraces were formed by running warm spring water containing calcium bicarbonate at a temperature of 35 C. Today Pamukkale is declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. The Sacred Pool is one of the highlights of the site. The shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient Roman ruins which lie beneath. At the end of the tour drive to Kusadasi.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 9: KUSADASI – EPHESUS – KUSADASI (40 km – 1hr)
After breakfast meet with your guide, and start your full-day tour of Ancient Ephesus. Visit The House of the Virgin Mary; where a church was built. Your tour continues with the Ancient Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. During the 1C AD, Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250,000 citizens. Ephesus is so well preserved that, walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third-largest library of the ancient world or the largest Roman theatre on the Asia continent, gives you the feeling of a time traveller. Next, the Temple of Artemis or Artemision, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much visited pilgrimage place. After the tour drive you back to your hotel.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 10: KUSADASI – ISTANBUL DEPARTURE (80 min by flight, included)
Enjoy the last breakfast a the hotel before checking out. Flight from Izmir to Istanbul will be arranged according to your request.
Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Turkey. Shoes should be removed before entering a mosque or private house. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
