Day 01: Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.
Day 02: Istanbul (09:00-17:00)
A full day walking* tour with Topkapi Palace - Harem section is excluded - (Closed on Tuesdays); built in 1468 on one of the seven hills of Istanbul by Mehmet the Conqueror, the seat of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years and a huge complex serving as a museum today facing superb views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The palace houses the treasures of the Sultans including the extravagant Treasury with its magnificent jewels, and the priceless Chinese porcelain, one of the best collections in the world, weapons, calligraphy section, and more. Then on to Sultan Tombs, located behind St. Sophia Museum. In the afternoon, St. Sophia (Closed on Mondays during winter months. If still closed on the tour date, it will be replaced with the Underground Cistern – only on the PRIVATE tours), one of the great architectural marvels of the ancient world, constructed as a basilica in 536 AD by Emperor Justinian, turned into a mosque in 1453 and now into a museum, takes the breath away with the sheer size of its interior and its magnificent dome. Continue to Blue Mosque (Closed on Friday mornings and the last minute occasions beyond our control and therefore no responsibility is assumed), famous for its mosaics with some 20.000 blue Iznik tiles and its six minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet in the 17th century, one of the best examples of classical Turkish art. Cross through the Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations and political activities of the old city where one can also see the “Obelisk of Egypt”, “Serpent Column” from Delphi, the “German Fountain of Wilhelm II” and the “Colossus”. Thereafter proceed to Grand Covered Bazaar (Closed on Sundays), which is the biggest “souk” in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets, ceramics and leatherwear.
*Depending on the preference of the guests public transportation including taxi, subway, tram or funicular can also be taken whilst touring
Day 03: Istanbul (08:30-12:30)
A morning tour to visit the aromatic Spice Bazaar from 1663 with its domed and vaulted shops selling spices and herbs along with a wide variety of commodities, also known as Egyptian Bazaar as it was once endowed with the Cairo imposts. Then proceed to the pier so as to embark the public boat. Sailing through the waterway separating the two continents - Asia and Europe - with a possibility to take pictures of the marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials. During this trip Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges will be visible from the sea. Disembark the boat and end of our services.
*Depending on the preference of the guests public transportation including taxi, subway, tram or funicular can also be taken whilst touring
Day 04: Istanbul-Cappadocia (09:00-18:00)
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Nevsehir or Kayseri. On arrival proceed to Devrent Valley where various types of fairy chimneys are abundant. We will walk through this amazing valley. Thereafter visit Pasabagi (Monk's Valley) with multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. After visiting Pasabagi, drive to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak River, the longest river of Turkey. Further to the time for lunch proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum (Dark Church is excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee) to visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescos painted on the walls. Thereafter time to take photos in the neighboring valleys before going back to the hotel.
Day 05: Cappadocia (09:00-18:00)
Optional (extra) balloon tour
If taken, the tour departs at 04:00-04:30 early morning.
Meet at the hotel lobby in the morning and visit to Rose Valley, one of the most beautiful trekking valleys in Cappadocia, and explore the famous rock- cut churches by hiking through the valley. Rest in Cavusin, an old Greek village, known for its Christian houses and churches. After having time for lunch visit Ortahisar Castle, similar to Uchisar Castle in style, where storage caves can also be observed. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli (or Ozkonak) Underground City where early Christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back visit to panoramic Pigeon Valley where pigeons contributed to the lives of locals with their manure to fertilize the vineyards. You may also like to taste Cappadocia wine in a local winery. Drive back to the hotels.
Day 06: Cappadocia-Izmir-Kusadasi (09:00-15:00)
Transfer to the airport in Nevsehir or Kayseri for the flight to Izmir (Depending on the travel date/flight schedule a direct or indirect flight via Istanbul can be used). On arrival transfer to the hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 07: Kusadasi
Day at leisure.
The following optional tours can be taken:
*Pamukkale tour
*Pergamum tour
*Priene-Miletus-Didyma tour
Day 08: Kusadasi-Ephesus-Kusadasi (09:00-17:00)
Departure in the morning and visit Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded), one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated port city, one of the 12 cities of the Ionian League. Walk through the marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings like the Temple of Hadrian, Baths of Scholastica, Library of Celsus and Grand Theatre where St. Paul preached during his missionary journey. Stop by the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. In the afternoon drive on to the House of Virgin Mary where she was claimed at the Third Ecumenical Council in 431 A.D. that she had spent her last years in Ephesus together with St. John (Only on PRIVATE tours, St. Jean Basilica - or, depending on preference - Ephesus Museum - is added on to the itinerary before going back to the hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 09: Kusadasi-Transfer to the Next Destination
Transfer to the port in Kusadasi, airport in Izmir or another destination.
* Our tours are locally hosted in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Kusadasi
* On both GROUP and PRIVATE options Istanbul and Pamukkale tours are carried out on PRIVATE basis for the sake of better service quality
* We suggest to extend your trip with Greece arrangements
Our Rates Include:
* Pick up from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport and transfer to the hotels in Sultanahmet, Taksim, Sisli and Ortakoy
Additional fees may apply for all the other locations
* Accommodation on the designated hotels – depending on availability on the requested dates
The inclusions at the tours are shown with the following initials:
B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner
* English speaking licensed professional guides throughout the tour
Additional fees apply for the other languages that can be assigned only on PRIVATE basis
* Air-conditioned vehicles the size of which depends on the number of the participants, unless specified as walking tours
* Admission fees
* Domestic air tickets as designated on the itinerary
* Lunches only on full day REGULAR/SEAT-IN-COACH tours
* Local taxes and service charges
Our Rates Exclude:
* Personal expenses
* Customary tips to the guides and drivers
* Lunches on PRIVATE tours
* Anything that is not designated as included
