Highlights of Turkey Tour
Visits: Istanbul - Ephesus - Priene, Miletus, Didyma - Pamukkale - 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 & OTTOMAN RELICS TOUR (B-L)
Meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby for a full day to discover the fantastic city Istanbul. Today our visits include Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace and Suleymaniye Mosque. After the tour you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3 - BOSPHORUS & 2 CONTINENTS TOUR (B-L)
After breakfast meet your english speaking tour guide in the hotel lobby and transfer for a Full day Bosphorus Cruise & Two Continents, First we will visit Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise for 1.5 hours, Rumeli Fortress (vision from the sea), Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Camlica Hill. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 5:30 pm. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 4 - FLIGHT TO IZMIR / EPHESUS TOUR (B-L-D)
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.
DAY 5 - DIDYMA, MILETUS AND PRIENE TOUR (B-L-D)
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.
DAY 6 - PAMUKKALE & HIERAPOLIS TOUR / BUS TO CAPPADOCIA (B-L)
After breakfast we will depart from Kusadasi to Pamukkale, as soon as we arrive we will continue onto guided tour of Pamukkale and Hiarapolis.
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.
DAY 7 - FREE DAY IN CAPPADOCIA (B)
Arrive in Cappadocia and transfer to your authentic hotel in Cappadocia. Free time at leisure. Stay overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 8 - CAPPADOCIA TOUR 2 (B-L)
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 Goreme Open Air Museum to explore the numerous churches and monasteries with their frescoes. These churches and monasteries where 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.
DAY 9 - CAPPADOCIA TOUR 2 / FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL (B-L)
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 and transfer on to Kayseri airport for the return flight to Istanbul. Arrive back in Istanbul and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 10 - ISTANBUL / DEPARTURE (B)
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@allistanbultours.com