HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY TOUR

Day 1: Istanbul Arrival
 
Arrive in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Meet and greet at the Airport and transfer to your Hotel in Istanbul. A Welcome briefing will be given by Tour Guide on the first day of the holiday giving an overview of the tour. Depending on your arrival time an optional extra tour can be arranged upon request. (-)
 
Day 2: Istanbul Old City Tour

After breakfast meet your guide at the lobby for a full day tour of visiting St Sophia Museum, the pride of the Byzantine architecture, Byzantine Hippodrome, where once chariot races were held; The Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik tiles; and enjoy shopping in the world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops, is known as Grand Bazaar. Lunch will be served at Traditional Turkish Restaurant. After lunch visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour) and see the Treasury, royal gardens,
 
Sultan’s kitchen and Sacred Relics. (B&L)

Day 3: Half Day Bosphorus Cruise Istanbul – Ankara (By Flight)
 
Stroll through the Spice Market also called Egyptian Bazaar, be filled with the atmosphere of the exotic East. Enjoy the magnificent shores of the Bosphorus, a narrow strait which separates Europe from Asia. Cruise along the Bosphorus by seeing Istanbul Modern Art Museum, Ottoman Summer palaces, Rumeli & Anadolu fortresses, forested hills, Bridges and shore villages with Ottoman architecture. After visits you will be transferred to the airport to
 
take a flight to Ankara. Arrive in Ankara and transfer to your hotel for Dinner and overnight stay. (B&D)

 
Day 4: Ankara – Cappadocia (By Coach)
 
After breakfast, you will be picked up from the Hotel and drive to visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous artifacts from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display; then visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. After visits, continue to Cappadocia. Pass by the Salt Lake and by the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. Arrive in Cappadocia and visit Kaymakli Underground City, which has 8 levels. The underground cities were used by the Christians fleeing persecution
 
in the 7th century, who created a self-sufficient environment underground including bedrooms, kitchens and storage rooms. Transfer to the hotel in Cappadocia for Dinner and overnight stay. (B+L+D)


Day 5: Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride & Highlights of Cappadocia
 
An early start for an optional Hot Air Balloon Flight (one hour), this is truly a once in a lifetime experience and there is no better way to see the distinctive landscapes of Cappadocia than by gently floating overhead in a hot air balloon. Your skillful pilot will skim the basket across fruit trees and rise up over the fairy chimneys, before ascending to great heights for breathtaking views. Upon
 
landing, you will celebrate your flight with a champagne toast! Return to your hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and explore the beauty of Cappadocia. Visit Devrent and Pasabagi Valleys, Avanos Pottery Town, Goreme Open Air Museum, panoramic view of Uchisar castle then stop at Pigeon Valley for viewing the area and taking some pictures. At the end of the tour you will be transfer to your Hotel in Cappadocia. Dinner & Overnight in Cappadocia. (B+L+D)
 
 
Day 6: Cappadocia Pamukkale via Konya (By Coach 8 Hours)

After an early breakfast, depart for Pamukkale via Konya. On the way to Pamukkale visit the 13 th century Seljukian Caravanserai "Sultanhan". Then stop in Konya to visit The Mausoleum of Jalal Ad-Din Muhammad Rumi also known as Mevlana or Rumi the founder of Theological Scholl of Whirling Dervishes. Lunch enroute, drive to Pamukkale. Dinner and Overnight in Pamukkale(B+L+D)
 
 
Day 7: Pamukkale & Hierapolis (World Heritage Site)

After breakfast, check out from your Hotel and visit the ruins of Hierapolis and Necropolis, whose name means "sacred city,", the ancient Greco-Roman city on top of hot springs and it was famed for its sacred hot springs, whose vapors were associated with Pluto, god of the underworld. The city also had a significant Jewish community and was mentioned by Paul in his Letter to Colossians. You will be amazed by travertines, and the terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing spring water. Enjoy walking with bearfood on a cotton castle. The great (12,000-seat) Roman amphitheater of Hierapolis lies just above
 
the travertines and swim with roman ruins in a large natural swimming pool located just past the topmost travertines which should not be missed. After visit drive to Kusadasi. Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi. (B+L+D) 
Day 8: Highlights of Ephesus

After breakfast you will be driven to the Ancient City of Ephesus the best preserved Greco-Roman City in the world. Then visit the Basilica of St.John; it is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. The Basilica was built by the Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St.John the Apostle (527 -565 AD). After lunch, visit the House of Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations. The belief that the Virgin Mary had spent 
her last days in the vicinity of Ephesus and that where she had lived to the end of her life. At the end of your tour you will be transferred to your Hotel in Kusadasi for Dinner and Overnight. (B+L+D)
 
 
Day 9: DEPARTURE
 
After breakfast, check out from your Hotel and transfer to Izmir Airport for your return flight home. End of our services.
 
(B)
 
 
 
Including
 
·          10 Nights Accommodation @ 4 or 5 Star Hotels
 
·          Domestic Flights from Istanbul/Ankara
 
·          Transfers from/to Hotel/Airport/Hotel
 
·          English Speaking Tour Guide
 
·          Transportation in A/C & non-smoking vehicle during tours
 
·          Entrance fees to the sites and museums
 
·          Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
 
·          Local Taxes and Service Charge
 
Excluding
 
·          International Flight
 
·          Personal expenses
 
·          Tips to the Driver, Guide and Hotel Staff
 
·          Beverages with Lunch&Dinner
 
·          Portrages at Hotels&Airports
 
 
NOTE:
*  Itinerary can be customized upon request to suit your specific interest.
 
*  An extra additional fee is required for historical roman swimming pool.
 
*  3 Days Gulet Cabin Charter Cruise or Private Gulet Cruise can be added at the end of the tour or the beginning.
 
*  In addition to these Standard itineraries, we can custom design a private tour to fully meet your aspirations.