DAY - 1 ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL
Arrive at Istanbul International Airport, pick up, and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY - 2 BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN RELICS TOUR (B-L)
08:00 am (subject to change) Pick up from the reception and depart for the tour. Visiting, Hagia Sophia (ancient church & Grand mosque of the Ottoman Empire), Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays and Eid), and Topkapi Palace (Closed on Tuesdays). The tour ends around 4:00 pm. Return to the hotel and overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3 - FULL DAY PALACE TOUR (B-L)
You will be picked up from your hotel. Our visit starts with the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market) built in 1664 and filled with the fragrance of the exotic East such as spices, dried fruits, and Turkish delights. The Bosphorus cruise by TurYol boat takes about 1.5 hours and you will see the most impressive sights along the shores of the Bosphorus including Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Maiden´s Tower, Bosphorus bridges, Rumeli and Anadolu Fortresses and Ottoman Residences. After the cruise, you will return to the Sultanahmet area for a lunch break at a restaurant with your guide using public transport. We will have a lunch break in a traditional Turkish Restaurant.
We continue to the Beylerbeyi Palace (Or Dolmabahce Palace), and we will visit Camlica Hill, exposing a panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the best point of view. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at about 18:00.
DAY 4 – FLIGHT TO IZMIR & JOIN THE EPHESUS TOUR (Breakfast box – Lunch)
04:00 am Pick up from the reception and transfer to the airport. Flight to Izmir. Meet our employee at the airport and transfer to Ephesus cultural tour. Our first destination is the House of Virgin Mary where it is believed that she arrived with Saint John 4-6 years after the death of Christ and spent her final days. Next, we visit the Ephesus which was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Visiting Ephesus ruins, Odeon, Celcus Library, and the Theatre which is still in use today for concerts. As we walk through this ancient site you will notice the streets paved with marble which gives a hint to this city`s great wealth many years ago. "Based on your interests, the itinerary includes a brief visit to the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to explore the artistic highlights of the region, such as hand-made pottery, traditional carpet cooperatives, or a leather crafting center. Return to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Kusadasi.
P.S.: Kindly notify the reception if you wish to request a breakfast box.
DAY - 5 PAMUKKALE TOUR (B-L)
08:00 am (subject to change) pick up from the reception and depart for the tour – 3-hour drive. Visiting Pamukkale "Cotton Castle", once known as Hierapolis, famous for healing thermal/ mineral baths and beautiful snow-white "petrified waterfalls". After lunch, visiting Hierapolis, including the magnificently preserved Necropolis, the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Devil`s Hole, and the Masterpiece Theatre. Swimming or a therapeutic bath in a hotel pool`s hot spring mineral waters (but not in the Cascade Pools) is one of your year-round options, before returning to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY – 6 KUSADASI (B-L)
Free day in Kusadasi. Enjoy your day exploring the environment of the city by walking along the seashore and local areas in Kusadasi city. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 7 – FLIGHT TO IZMIR ANTALYA (B)
Pick up 3 hours before your flight time and transfer to the airport for a flight to Antalya. Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
DAY 8 DAY - Perge-Aspendos-Side and Waterfall Tour (B-L)
You will be picked up from your Antalya hotel. The pick-up time information will be provided to you at least one day before your tour date based on your hotel's location.
In the morning, your tour guide will take you to the Perge Ancient Site, located approximately 16 km from Antalya. Imagining life in this once prosperous town with over 100,000 inhabitants becomes easy as you explore the well-preserved structures, including the Perge stadium, Theater, Agora, Hellenistic Tower, Nymphaeum, and Roman Public Bath.
Next, we will drive to the Aspendos Ancient Site, renowned for its perfectly preserved Roman theater with a capacity 15,000. The aqueduct, an engineering marvel, and the Seljuk Bridge over the Koprucay add to the historical richness. After a delightful lunch in Aspendos, we'll proceed to Side, a resort offering Hellenic ruins, beautiful beaches, and notable landmarks such as the Nymphaeum, Theater, Temple of Apollo, Agora, and Roman Bath.
On the way back to Antalya, a visit to Kursunlu Waterfall (or Manavgat) will be included. Your Perge-Aspendos-Side Tour guide will return you to your pick-up point at the end of the tour. Overnight in Antalya.
DAY 9 – ANTALYA (B)
Free day. Overnight in Antalya.
Optional: Full-day Antalya city tour.
DAY 10 – FLIGHT TO CAPPADOCIA (B)
Pick up 4 hours before your flight time and transfer to the airport for a flight to Cappadocia. Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 11 – CAPPADOCIA TOUR #1 (B- L)
Pick-up around 9:30 am (subject to change). Visiting Devrent Valley, Monk`s Valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world-renowned fairy chimneys. After lunch break continue to the Goreme Open-Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock-carved churches and monasteries. The tour will end with a visit to Uchisar, a natural rock castle. Transfer back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Cappadocia.
OPTIONAL TOURS:
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Whirling Dervishes Show
DAY12 – CAPPADOCIA TOUR #2 (B-L)
Pick up around 09:30 am (subject to change), depart from your hotel to visit Red Valley, and explore the famous rock-cut churches, and walk 4-5 km through the Gulludere Valley. Then visit Cavusin village. This village is famous for the houses and churches of the Christian clergymen. After lunch drive to the Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon visit OZKONAK (or Kaymakli underground city) where early Christians lived in fear and faith. Transfer back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Cappadocia.
OPTIONAL TOURS: Horse safari or ATV safari sunset tour
DAY 13 – FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL (B)
Pick up 3 hours before your flight time and transfer to the airport for a flight to Istanbul. Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 14 – GOODBYE (B)
Pick up 5 hours before your international flight and transfer to the airport. Have a safe trip back home!
No extra hidden cost!
What’s Included
All mentioned transfers in the program.
All mentioned tours in the program include transportation with air-conditioned buses, guidance, and entrance fees.
*The local tour guide is in English (You can ask for other language options for groups).
(Transfer and tours are regular group tour/transfer organizations - Private services are available upon request for an additional cost.)
All meals are described in the itinerary.
13-night accommodation in 3,4 or 5-star hotels according to your choice.
All local taxes.
What’s Not Included
Tips (optional).
International flight tickets.
All domestic flights are mentioned in the itinerary. We recommend checking flight ticket costs at the time of booking for more accurate results.
Drinks with meals (except the drinks served at breakfast).
Visa (if needed).
Travel insurance.
Private sections in the museums.
Personal expenses.
