15 Day tour of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye and Antalya
Tour itinerary
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL
Upon your arrival we will pick you up from the airport and transfer to the Boutique Hotel in Sultanahmet area. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 2 - BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN RELICS TOUR (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
08:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Old City. In this day you will be able to see:
Topkapi Palace: The former imperial residence from where the Great Ottoman Empire was ruled. Today a spectacular museum that has one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and the very famous treasury of the Royal Family..
St.Sophia: The magnificent Byzantine Church of all times; one of the finest and largest architectural works of art in the world..
Blue Mosque: One of the biggest mosques of Istanbul from 17th century architecture is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul. Also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarest..
Hippodrome: The former center of sprotive and political activities of Constantinople. You will be able to see the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi and fountain of Willhelm II..
Grand Bazaar: In addition to its historical importance, it's a bazaar that will tempt even the nonshoppers with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewellery, leather and souvenirs.
After tour, return to hotel with the evening then at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3 - BOSPHORUS & TWO CONTINENTS TOUR (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
08:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Two Continents . In this day you will be able to see:
SPICE BAZAAR: Mystical smells of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, caviar and dry fish etc...
BOSPHORUS BY BOAT: On the waterway separating the two continents, Asia and Europe. Opportunity to take photographs of marble palaces and ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture, besides modern residences and luxurious apartments.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE: Unique chance to go from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe) in two minutes.
BEYLERBEYI PALACE: The summer residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the harem on the Asian side.
CAMLICA HILL: Offers a panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the highest point of the city.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 17:00. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 4 - FLIGHT TO CAPPADOCIA / CAPPADOCIA TOUR 1 (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
You will be picked up from your hotel early morning and transferred to airport.
Depart from Istanbul on your flight to Cappadocia. Arrive in Kayseri and be met on arrival at the airport. Transfer to Cappadocia (1 hour drive from Kayseri to Cappadocia).
Today you will be on a full day tour of North Cappadocia
You will be able to see:
DEVRENT VALLEY: Devrent is situated on the northern slopes of Aktepe, 1km from Pasabaglari (Monks’ Valley) and 5 km from Avanos. The ruins at Devrent are spread over three valleys, which also house several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems.
MONKS VALLEY: The best place to see three-headed fairy chimneys. Pasabag, the Pasha's Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.
AVANOS: A center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC, it is a town where you will be invited to visit a traditional pottery workshop, which is possibly set deep into the hillsides. The clay, which comes from the Red River passing through the town, gives life both to the land and to the local economy.
GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM: Goreme was an important Christian centre in the early years of the Middle Ages, was a bishopric administered by Mokissos near Aksaray in the 11th and 13th centuries. Despite the vast numer of monasteries, churches and chapels in the vicinity of Goreme, there are not many inscriptions bearing dates. For this reason, these religious buildings are mainly dated according to the iconography or architectural features.
UCHISAR: Uchisar is a troglodyte town situated right in the middle of Cappadocia. It is named after the enormous piece of rock in the center of the town, which was once used as a castle. This extraordinary rock is the highest peak of the area with the view of whole Cappadocia and Erciyes (Argeus) Mountain.
After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 5 - CAPPADOCIA TOUR 2 (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Breakfast & check out the hotel.
09:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of South Cappadocia. In this day you will be able to see:
KIZILCUKUR: is an isolated valley behind Urgup. It has beautiful rock formation with some great hidden rock-carved churches. The most interesting part of this area is the countless tracks connecting the small villages and towns through vineyards and gardens like a spider net. It is always possible to see villagers working in the area and offering grapes, apples or apricots to you.
CAVUSIN: One of the oldest settlements in the area, Cavusin is situated 2km from Goreme, on the Goreme-Avanos road. The Church of St.John the Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintigs date back to the 5th century, making the oldest church in the region. It had a large courtyard which is unusual for Cappadocia, this has been eroded away however.
HOSPITAL MONASTRY: One of the oldest monastries in Cappadocia.
KAYMAKLI: Kaymakli and Derinkuyu underground cities are the two largest and deepest of the 40 others in Cappadocia. They both have eight floors, although not all are open to the public.
PIGEON HOUSE: Visit the pigeon houses and rock formations.
After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 6 - FLIGHT TO IZMIR & TRANSFER TO KUSADASI (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Breakfast & check out the hotel.
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Kayseri A/P to take a flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore Kusadasi/Selcuk by your own. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 7 - EPHESUS TOUR (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast around 08:30 am departing for fully guided Ephesus tour. First you will visit The Temple of Artemis, which once was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Then you will visit the world famous ancient Greco-Roman City of Ephesus, the most well preserved example in the world. After visiting this impressive site, you will have a lunch break. After lunch, you will visit The House of Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last days. This is a holy place for both Christians and Muslims. After tour transfer to your hotel and stay overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 8 - PAMUKKALE TOUR (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Breakfast & check out the hotel.
08:00 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Pamukkale & Hierapolis. In Pamukkale, you will see the Cotton Cliffs, one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts. Also visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its basilica, theatre and Roman Baths. After tour transfer to your hotel and stay overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 9 - BUS TO FETHIYE (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Breakfast & check out the hotel.
Pick up from hotel and transfer to bus station. From here you will board the intercity day coach to Fethiye (duration 4 hours). Met on arrival & Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Fethiye.
DAY 10 - FETHIYE (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Free day at leisure. Overnight in Fethiye
DAY 11 - FETHIYE (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Free day at leisure. Overnight in Fethiye
DAY 12 - BUS TO ANTALYA (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Breakfast & check out the hotel.
Free day in Fethiye. In the evening bus to Antalya (duration 2 hours). Arrival in Antalya and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Overnight in Antalya.
DAY 13 - ANTALYA TOUR (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
08:15 pick up from your hotel to visit Perge antique site in detail; Stadium, Roman Gate, Nymphaeum, Roman Bath, Hellenistic gate, Colonnaded Main Street and the Agora. Lunch on the Koprupazari stream near the Aspendos Theater after lunch visit Aspendos Theater and the Historical Aqueducts. Shopping Break where also the Turkish handcrafts are introduced. Introduction of Side and an hour and a half free time
After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Antalya.
DAY 14 - FLIGHT BACK TO ISTANBUL (Meals: Breakfast)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Antalya airport for your flight to Istanbul. When you arrive in Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day will be free in Istanbul. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
DAY 15 - ISTANBUL / DEPARTURE (Meals: Breakfast)
After breakfast check out from hotel (before 12:00), transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport regarding your flight details. End of tour and services. (If you would like, you can extend your trip by adding extra nights in Istanbul, please advise
Please contact us for more information: info@istanbultravelturkey.com