Highlights of Turkey Tour (10 Days 9 Nights)
Sites Visited: Istanbul - Ephesus - Priene, Miletus, Didyma - Pamukkale and Cappadocia
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
Upon your arrival we will pick you up from the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour
8:30am - Picked-up from hotel and met by your tour guide for a full day to discover the city of Istanbul. The tour will include visit to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace and the Rustem Pasa Mosque. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel at approximately 5:00 pm. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L)
Day 3: Half Day Morning Bosphorus Cruise
8:30 am - You will be picked-up from your hotel to visit the Spice Bazaar (or Egyptian Bazaar). Filled with spices, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, lokum (Turkish delight) and other edibles, Spice Bazaar has a smell of the fragrance of the exotic East. Then join a boat excursion on the Bosphorus on a shared tour. Enjoy viewing Ottoman palaces, Bosphorus bridge, citadels, centuries-old mansions and the European and Asian shorelines at the same time. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel at approximately 1:00 pm. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 4: Flight to Izmir / Ephesus Tour
Transfer from your hotel to Ataturk Domestic Airport for an early morning flight to Izmir and your transfer to Ephesus for a full day of sightseeing. First 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 the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Kusadasi. (L, D)
Day 5: Didyma, Miletos, Priene Tour
Today visit Miletus, one of the oldest cities of Ionia, and the ancient cities of Priene and Didyma. First you will see Priene which in its time was one of the most spectacular of all the ancient Ionians cities. Then we will lead our way to Miletus to see Miletus with its magnificent theatre and the Byzantine fortress on the acropolis above. Our last stop will be Didyma. Here you will find the largest Ionic Temple in the world, that of Apollo. Also in Didyma lies the huge, cracked head of Medusa which long ago fell from the freeze. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour / Bus to Cappadocia
Breakfast & check out the hotel in Kusadasi.
After breakfast we will depart from Kusadasi to Pamukkale, as soon as we arrive we will continue onto guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis.
Pamukkale means cotton castle in Turkish. It is the result of limestone formations built over thousands of years. Warm calcium rich mineral water flowed over the cliffs and as it cooled it deposited the calcium into the formations that are seen today. Pamukkale is now a world heritage site.
Hierapolis was founded as a healing care center in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral
waters in the area. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centers of the Roman Empire.
After tour overnight bus to Cappadocia with non smoking, fully air-conditioned bus at 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm. (duration 10 hours). There are three breaks on the way for your personal needs. (B, L)
Day 7: Free day in Cappadocia
Arrive in Cappadocia and transfer to your authentic hotel in Cappadocia. Free time at leisure. Stay overnight in Cappadocia. (B)
Day 8: North Cappadocia Tour
Today after breakfast meet with your tour guide and visit Devrent Valley and Pasabag (Monk's Valley) where you will find the world famous fairy chimneys. Break for lunch in Avanos. Then on to visit the Goreme Open Air Museum to explore the numerous churches and monasteries with their frescoes. These churches and monasteries were carved from the soft volcanic stone and decorated by Medieval Orthodox Christian Monks around 1000-1200AD. A visit to Ortahisar natural rock castle for panoramic views. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 6:00 pm. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, L)
Day 9: South Cappadocia Tour / Flights to Istanbul
Breakfast & check out the hotel in Cappadocia.
Today meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby and transfer for a full day tour of Cappadocia sites. Visits include Derinkuyu Underground City which was built as a defence and hiding site during the period of spreading Christianity. Then on to Cavusin Old Christian Village where you will find a triple Apse church and the monastery of St John the Baptist. In Sinasos Old Greek Village you find old Greek and Ottoman houses. The days touring includes an easy grade 3km hike through Red Valley offering some great scenery that would otherwise not be accessible by car and a visit to Uchisar natural rock castle.
At end of the tour, collect luggage from hotel reception in Cappadocia. Transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your return flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival you will be picked-up from the airport & transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L)
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast check out from Istanbul hotel (before 12:00), transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport as per your international flight details. End of tour and services..
Please contact us for more information: info@istanbultravelturkey.com
Tour Code : ITT-3654
