The best tour in Turkey, including Istanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Capppadocia. This is an exquisite tour for you with all the bells and whistles. There are no long bus rides just domestic flights getting you to your destination comfortable and relaxed.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Ephesus: was one of the most famous cities of 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 history dating back to 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
Today after breakfast depart for the Istanbul City Tour. Start with the "Topkapi Palace", the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The palace houses an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain. Robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, and the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. 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. Outside the Blue Mosque we find the "Hippodrome". The Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races and entertainment. The Hippodrome comprises of three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. After a short enjoyable lunch break we head to the Grand Spice Bazaar for shopping. After the shopping transfer back 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. We will visit the vineyards and learn how to make fruit wine with Turkish wine makers. In the evening you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine. 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 – KUSADASI (380 km – 6 hrs)
After breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale Tour. On arrival to Pamukkale enjoy delicious lunch in a local restaurant. 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. After the tour return to the hotel where you can enjoy your dinner.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6: KUSADASI – CAPPADOCIA (80 min by flight, not included)
After breakfast, we depart for İzmir Airport for our domestic flight to Cappadocia (not included). Upon arrival transfer from Kayseri airport to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring Cappadocia. Lunch and dinner will be served at the hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7: 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. Then visit 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.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 8: CAPPADOCIA – ISTANBUL DEPARTURE (80 min by flight, not included)
After breakfast you will have free time in Cappadocia. Today we depart for Kayseri Airport for domestic flight to Istanbul (not included) and then back home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in 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.
