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. Catch sight of Antalya, praising its imposing mountains and relaxing beaches and 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.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
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.
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.
Antalya: wander around the beautiful Mediterranean city of Antalya, admiring its imposing mountains, relaxing on the sunny beaches and exploring its many shopping malls.
Konya: enjoy a stop in charming Konya, home of the Whirling Dervishes.
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.
Day 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
Upon arrival at Istanbul 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. 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, the Basilica cistern; is the size of a cathedral, 143m long and 65m wide and can hold up to 80,000 cubic meters of water. There are 336 giant columns (mostly Ionic or Corinthian in style) supporting the structure. 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 – KUSADASI (1hr by flight, included)
After breakfast at the hotel check out and meet with your guide at the lobby to depart for your half-day tour. The first visiting place is Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar). The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme, and every other conceivable herb and spice. Next, Bosphorus Cruise. A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, Rustem Pasa Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, and further along the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. After the tour drive to the Airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, you wıll be greeted by your drıver who wıll take you to your hotel.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 4: 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 5: KUSADASI – PAMUKKALE – ANTALYA (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 Antalya.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 6: ANTALYA
Today you will enjoy the cable car ride from sea to sky. Enjoy amazing views from the top of Tunektepe which stands 1365 m above sea level. You will see the beautiful coastline of the Antalya region, gorgeous mountains, pine forests, and the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. Next, Duden waterfalls, the most beautiful and the most visited in the Antalya region. Walk through the beautiful park and listen to the sound of falling water. After lunch at a local restaurant with beautiful panoramic views you will have free time to explore the old town (Kaleici). You can see top attractions of the city: Hadrianus Gate, Clock Tower, Kesik Minare (Truncated Minaret) and city walls dating back to the 2nd century. Old Town with its narrow stone streets is also a great place to explore numerous boutiques, art galleries, and interesting museums. Do not forget to buy some memorable souvenirs from the authentic shops before leaving Kaleici.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 7: ANTALYA – KONYA – CAPPADOCIA (500km – 7hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel check out and 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. Then visit the 700-year-old Sultanhan Caravanserai (ancient traders and travelers on the Silk Road). After lunch travel to Cappadocia and check in to your hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 8: 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 before taking you to your hotel for check in.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 9: CAPPADOCIA – ISTANBUL (90 min by flight, included)
After breakfast at the hotel check out and meet with your guide to 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. After the tour drive to Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival you will be greeted by your driver who will take you to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 10: ISTANBUL DEPARTURE
After breakfast at the hotel check out, and according to your flight time drive to Istanbul Airport for your departure flight.
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.
