Istanbul Cappadocia Pamukkale Ephesus by bus in 7 days

Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul (-)
Today is the first day of your time travelling tour, on your first day you will arrive in to the city of Istanbul where you will then be transferred to your hotel for your first overnight so you can get well rested for your day of exploring tomorrow.

Day 2 – Byzantine and ottoman Relics Tour, Overnight bus to Cappadocia
Checkout from hotel. Your pick up from your hotel will come in the morning around 08:15 to take you to go on and visit  St. Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture because of its magnificent artistic value and its interior is decorated with mosaics, marble pillars and colourful coverings.The temple itself was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed “Solomon, I have outdone thee “ Justinian himself had overseen the completion of the greatest cathedral ever built up to that time, and it was to remain the largest cathedral for 1,000 years more up until the completion of the cathedral in Seville in Spain. Just across from St. Sophia is theBlue Mosque, which is famously recognizable its grand scale with having its six minarets that were built between 1609 and 1616 – Sultan Ahmet I had decorated the inside with 21,043 tiles from Iznik in a dominant blue colour because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles is how the name of ‘ Blue Mosque’ came to be. You will also go on to take a visit to the Ancient Hippodrome which was the scene for the chariot races, there is also 3 monuments grounded here which are named – The Obelisk of Theodosius, The Bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. We will continue onwards to see Topkapi Palace – the great palace of the Ottoman sultans dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries and hosts an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain. You are also able to find here the robes that were worn by the sultans and their families, famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, and the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. To conclude your day of touring there will be a short drive to the exotic Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays and Eid Holidays), which is one of the most colourful institutions of Istanbul. Todays tour will finish around 18:00 where you will then be transferred to your hote for the evening. (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

We kindly ask you that to please be ready at the reception of the hotel before 19:00, as we will move from here at 21:00 for Cappadocia. Today will be an overnight stay within the bus but be assured that our buses are all non smoking, fully air-conditioned and of course we make sure that for such long journeys we provide you with our most comfortable bus seats. (duration is 11 hours)

Day 3 – Cappadocia Tour, Overnight in Cappadocia
As we arrive in Cappadocia you will be transferred to your hotel so you have the chance to freshen up before we start our exploration of Cappadocias secrets. We will leave from your hotel where our first visit of the day will be to Devrent Valley – Devrent Valley is also known by the name of ‘Imagination Valley’ this valley has none of the cave churches, Byzantine frescoes or Roman citadel ruins that are famous throughout the rest of Cappadocia; but dont be put off as what it does have is very unique and extraordinary landscape shapes that are formed in many kinds of animals, so let your imagination run away with you and see what you animals you can spot, it will most certainly make you laugh with wonder. Our next visit will be to Pasabag (Monk’s Valley) where you will be able to take a look at the mushroom shaped fairy chimneys, these chimneys are very interesting structures and were formed due to the harder rock material been deposited above. The valley gets the nickname Monks valley because of the ascetic monks who came here as early as the 5th century and lived hermit lifestyles here. It was a so called ‘stylite’ way of living, from the greek work stylos, meaning pillar – the christian monks built dwellings inside the pillars and its where they lived, fasted and prayed. After discovering Pasabag we will then head over to the town of Avanos, Avanos is set on the banks of Kizilirmak which is translated to ‘The Red River’. We will first start with the old village of Avanos that winds up the hills leading away from the town it truely is a beautiful magical maze of old stone houses, some that have been  restored over time and some that have been converted to other purposes. In some of the abandoned houses the features oftraditional Ottoman architecture can still be seen along with ancient decorations, motifs and murals. You will also get the chance to participate in a hands-on pottery work shop. We will then take a lunch break ( thats included) for recharge our batteries. After your lunch we will proceed to the Goreme Open Air Museum, this museum has incredible rock formations and the most fascinating rock-cut churches, you will definately enjoy your time exploring the depth of Goreme and im certain that you will need extra camera film. Our last stop for today will be to Uchisar – which is a village perched on a steep rock formation, this town provides some of the most dramatic panoramas of the astonishing Cappadocia that you will never want to leave. Take a wander into the town as its a very nice place to sit and watch the harmony between nature and human. During the tour today there will be 1 hour free time for you to relax, grab some cold refreshments and just simply soak up the panoramic views that surround you. Our tour for today shall finish around 17:00 to which we will then transfer you back you your hotel for the evening. (Lunch Included).

Day 4 –  Cappadocia Tour, Overnight in bus to Pamukkale (11 hours drive)
Today you will need to take your suitcases and all of your belongings with you, as we will be checking out from the hotel after breakfast to head on to your next destination. During our tour today we will first be visiting Red Valley and Rose Valley. Red Valley has to be one of the nicest and most beautiful places to go walking in Cappadocia. The two valleys are next to each other and are easily combined. Once in Rose Valley you don’t want to miss the Hacli Church and the Ayvali Church, both of which have astounding painted decorations one the interior. Afterwards we will take a visit to the old Christian Village of Cavusin, followed by a tour to Pigeon Valley, the path through Pigeon valley offers spectacular views of the natural cliffs and the man-made caves, it passes through a few tunnels that have been carved into the rockside. Finally we will visit Kaymakli Underground City and Ortahisar Castle, here in Kaymakl? underground city there is 8 levels of the underground city that date from 6th – 9th centuries and 5 of which are open to the public. The tunnels, cellers, store rooms, stables have all been exacvated from the soft volcanic rock they are absolutely astonishing on your eyes. Castle of Ortahisar is situated at 86 m height cave in the period of Eti and is the most pronounced structure of Nevsehir. During your today today you will have 1 hour free so if you wish you can take some refreshments and take the time to relax. Our adventure through Cappadocia will come to an end around 17:00 pm for today. Tonight we will depart at around 21.00 and drive through the night for reach our next destination Pamukkale for tomorrow. (10 hour duration bus route). Breakfast and Lunch Included

Optional : Hot air balloon tour (per person 119.Euros) Last minute bookings may not be available. No show release date : 3 days

Day 5 – Pamukkale Tour, bus to Kusadasi (3 hours drive)
As we arrive in Pamukkale, you will firstly be transferred to your hotel so you have the chance to freshen up before we begin our day of discovering Pamukkale. We will leave from your hotel at 08:00. Pamukkale when translated means ‘Cotton Castle’ and has been drawing the weary and the curious from all around the world to its thermal springs for more than 23 centuries. The Turkish name refers to the extraordinary surface of the snow white cliffs, shaped over millennia by the accumulation of calcium deposited by mineral springs. Legend has it that the formations are actually solidified cotton (the area’s principal crop) that was left out to dry by giants. Dripping slowly down a vast mountainside, mineral rich water foams and collects in bowls that terrace the decline, spilling over petrified cascades of stalacties into milky pools below. The site of ancient Hierapolis and the accompanying museums are overshadowed by the springs but are nevertheless fascinating.You shouldn’t leave Pamukkale without having a healing dip in the sacred fountain of Cleopatra’s pool. Cleopatras Pool has warm clear fizzy water that bubbles from the springs source, but in these days has now blocked off to prevent divers from disappearing into its hidden depths. On the bottom surface of the pool you can clearly see the Ancient remains of the Roman columns – Cleopatras Pool is an Oasis. After taking a walk along the terraces we will take a short walk to Hierapolis City which can also be known as ‘Holy City’ and just outside the main entrance is the Necropolis (Grevyard), with more than 1200 tombs and sarcophagi the people who wished to have been buried here believed that bee within close proximity to the hot springs and vapor-emiting that the cracks would ease their trip to the Underworld. Among the tombs lies the Martyrium which is a octagonal 5th centruy edifice believed to have been erected upon the site where St.Philip was martyred in 80 CE. Hierapolis CityBath – The springs of Hierapolis were particularly popular among vacationing Romans. The cities bath’s had a glossy marble interior that has now been converted into a mediocre Archaelogical Museum.You will notice that carved into the side of the mountain is the monstrous Grand Theater that dominates the Vista of Hierapolis, almost all of the seating area which had a capacity for 25.000 is still intact,and so are various ornately sculpted decorative elements adorning the 3rd century CE. During todays tour you will have one hour free break time to rest take in the views, and of course if you like you can take some refreshments from the cafeteria on site. Between the tour, you have taken one hour free time to relax, you can take some refreshments or lunch in the cafeteria.  At the end of the drive to Kusadasi or take a public bus to Kusadasi (3 hours). Overnight Kusadasi. Lunch Included.

Day 6 – Ephesus Tour, Overnight in bus to ?stanbul (10 hours drive)
Today you will need to take your suitcases and all of your belongings with you as today, as will be checking out from the hotel to head on to your next destination. Today you will do full day Ephesus sightseeing which will begin in the morning at 09:00 am. We will come to pick you up from your hotel in Kusadasi and hit the road for a short drive to Ephesus (You have the choice to do this tour by group or as your own private tour). Firstly we will take you to see the The House of Virgin Mary which is situated on the top of Bulbul Mountain, the house was discovered back in the 19 th century. Catherina Emmerich (1775-1824), an invalid German nun who had never visited Ephesus went on to describe in great detail the house and its location which she had been known to have seen in a vision. It is also believed that St.John brought Mary (the mother of Jesus) to Ephesus sometime between AD 37-48 and its the place she spent her last years of her life. After seeing The House Of Virgin Mary we will continue on tour to the Ancient City of Ephesus where you will see one of the most spectacular excavations to ever exist in the world, you will have the chance see also the Odeon, The Fountain of Trajan, the stream baths of Scholastika, the Temple of Hadrian, the Grand Theater and last but no means the least the very impressive library of Ephesus. The Ephesus library is adorned with columns and statues and is still in relatively excellent condition, by standing in the middle of the Library or taking a walk down the main street in Ephesus you will feel like you have stepped back in time amongst the romans and the visuals here are fantastic to see. Also within Ephesus is The Grand Theater where Saint Paul preached its believed to be the largest outdoor theater in the ancient world with a capacity of 25,000 seats. The last and perhaps the most important, site in Selcuk is the great Temple of Artemis (Diana) , which is one of the Seventh Wonders of the Ancient World. The Ephesus Artemis was a goddess of fertility and was often pictured draped with eggs or multiple breasts as symbols of fertility. Our tour today will come to an end after visiting the Mosque of Isa Bey, which was built in the 19th century, it was also used as a caravanserai, it definately is a perfect architectural building that you must-see. During todays tour you will have one hour free break time to rest, and of course if you like you can take some refreshments the cafeteria on site. ( your breakfast & lunch will be included). The tour around Ephesus will end at around 18.00, and tonight we will travel by bus up to Istanbul (depart from kusadasi 21.30, duration 11 hours). The public buses are all non smoking, fully air-conditioned and of course we make sure that for such long journeys we provide you with our most comfortable bus seats.

Day 7 – Arrival in ?stanbul and end of the services
Today is the final day of your 6 day adventure so after you have had breakfast it will then be time to make sure you have packed all your belongings as its time to check out of the hotel rooms. We will then head on to reach Istanbul and upon arrival you will take a free shuttle bus for Sultanahmet or Taksim Square to where this then puts an end to our time together.

We trust that your time with us discovering and exploring some of Turkey and Greece’s hidden treasures and we trust that your adventure has been everything that you wanted and more, most of all we would also like to wish you a pleasant journey home and shall look forward to seeing you again on one of our many other time travelling packages

 No extra hidden cost..!

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What’s Included
Transfers mentioned in the itinerary (Regular).
Local taxes and service charges.
Hotel accommodations on the itinerary according to your choice as 3,4 or 5 star.
Meals mentioned in the itinerary.
Professional English speaking guidance. 
(You can ask for other language options for groups).
Entrance fees to the various sites.
Transportation with A/C and non smoking coaches.
Public bus tickets.

What’s Not Included
Drinks.
Tips to guide , driver and hotel personnel (optional).
Personal expenses.

No extra hidden cost !