The most visited highlights of Turkey
DAY 1, Thursday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA or Canada or Australia for Istanbul, Turkey. After overnight flight arrive in Istanbul, Turkey
DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey! Arrive in Istanbul, a unique city in the world was founded on two continents Asia and Europe, and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to rest, relax and acclimate to your new time zone. Tonight, a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner with your fellow travellers celebrates your arrival in Istanbul
Overnight: 5 star hotel Divan hotel or The Marmara hotel or similar one , Istanbul
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Saturday –Istanbul
Topkapi Palace ,Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar
Following breakfast, we begin a full day of sightseeing at the astounding Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans and head quarter of vast Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries, it is the largest and oldest palace in the world to survive to our day. The jewelled turban crests, the reach Imperial treasury, silken caftans, the harem and priceless Chinese porcelains of the palace bear witness to the grandeur of a bygone era. The porcelain collection in the Palace museum is arguably the finest anywhere outside of China. After lunch break, we visit the astounding Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. The jeweled turban crests, silken caftans and priceless Chinese porcelains of the palace bear witness to the grandeur of a bygone era. The porcelain collection in the Palace museum is arguably the finest anywhere outside of China. After lunch break visit the Hagia Sophia (holy wisdom), the jewel of world civil engineering and architecture. Hagia Sophia is considered as one of the eight wonders of the world, also occupies a prominent place in the history of art and architecture, it is a great architectural beauty and an important religious monument both for Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. It is one of the rare works of the size and age has survived to our day. It was built in 537 by Justinian and served as the largest Cathedral for 916 years and converted into Mosque by Turks after conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Ataturk proclaimed it as Museum in 1935.
We proceed to the Blue Mosque, the only one in the world with six slender minarets, shimmering with over 24,000 blue Iznik tiles that give name to the mosque; it is one the finest religious monument in the world. Next, visit the Hippodrome. Inspired by the Circus Maximus in Rome, the Hippodrome served as a stadium-arena for chariot racing, sport activities, games, state ceremonies and public gatherings, We will end our exploration of old city at the Grand Bazaar which was the commercial hum of Ottoman Empire for centuries ,explore the labyrinth of streets and passages with more than 4,000 shops displaying jewels, antiques , souvenirs leathers, carpets and more
Overnight: .5 star Divan hotel or The Marmara hotel or similar one , Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4, Sunday: Istanbul
Gourmet Hunt in Spice Market, Bosphorus Cruise, Beyoglu district and Istiklal Caddesi
Begin today's touring in the Spice Market, a haven of common and rare spices from around the world. Take part in a gourmet hunt for spices and herbs among the many shops and vendors. You'll have the opportunity to interact with locals and learn the basics of shopping in such a lively atmosphere. After leaving the spice market, we board a boat for a private-special cruise on the Bosphorus that crosses the legendary Bosphorus. Photo opportunities abound in the Strait's natural beauty, the 15th century Rumelihisari Fortress, summer palaces. Old mansions wooden houses and expensive luxurious Villas on both sides of Bosphorus.. The cruise ends at the fishing village of Sariyer near the Black Sea. Where we visit The Private Sadberk Hanim Museum which houses excellent collections of antique objects from all over Turkey belong to different ancient civilizations and Turkish ethnographic collections from Ottoman period. Then we drive back to down town, a good opportunity to see the new developed part of city and get an impression about the size and recent development of city. We arrive at the most colourful part of city Beyoglu(Pera) and Istiklal Street (Independence Avenue) is an elegant pedestrian street .1.4 km long, which houses boutiques, music stores. Bookstores. Art Galleries. Cinemas, theatres, libraries cafés. Pubs, bars,night clubs, historical patisserie’s and restaurants. The avenue surrounded by late Ottoman era buildings, designed in the Neo- Classical, Neo -Gothic and Renaissance Revival. What is three? Simply everything, history, culture, art, shopping, entertainment of all kind. It is a must for all travellers to be seen in Istanbul.
, Meals:Breakfast
DAY 5, Monday : Istanbul- Cappadocia,
Kaymakli Underground City, Ayvali Village and Mustafa Pasha Town(Sinassos)
Depart Istanbul by flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, explore Kaymakli, once an eight-story underground city that was refuge for over 5000 people, half of which is open to tour. The people of Kaymakli constructed their houses around nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city. Stop at Ayvali Village, tucked away from the crowds, which still has an untouched style of living. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with produce grown on their own Eco Garden Continue to Sinassos (Mustafa Pasha) an interesting old Greek-Turkish village. once was the most prosperous town in Cappadocia in the. Balance of the day at leisure
Optional: Whirling Dervishes Performance (PM)
at a Luxury cave hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6,Tuesday -Cappadocia
Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabag Valley, Uchisar Castle and Pigeon Valley
Enjoy a full day exploration of lunar look like landscape of Cappadocia. Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, resembling a vast monastic complex composed of scores of refectory monasteries placed side-by-side, each with its own church. The museum showcases 10-12 centuries early Christian rock-cut churches containing spectacular biblical frescoes with vibrant collars still luminous after standing for centuries. On to the Pasabag Valley with its earth pillars (fairy chimneys) in the midst of a vineyard, also called Monks Valley, stop at Goreme Valley(Esendtepe Valley ) the most spectacular scenery of Cappadocia , next visit the Ushisar Castle which has very panoramic view and end up In Pigeon's Valley ) we visit the area that housed countless pigeons during ancient times; villagers used the droppings as a fertilizer for the land. End the day with a visit to a nearby carpet shop for a hands-on experience and lesson in how fine Turkish Carpets are created. In the evening dinner at hotel or special local restaurant enjoy homemade food.
Overnight: Luxury Cave Hotel, Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Wednesday – Cappadocia
Avanos-Urgup and Dervent Valley
Following breakfast, we begin our day with a drive to Avanos, a centre for carpet weaving and pottery crafts. You can see the pottery craftsmen using the same techniques as the Neolithic men of Anatolia, namely the ancient revolving potter's wheel. You'll even have a chance for to try this technique for yourself! Then continue via Urgup to the Dervent, also called the “Valley of the Fairy Chimneys.” Enjoy the very special experience of wandering through the valley and climbing the hillsides with the unusual chimneys. Afternoon at leisure in Cappadocia
Optional: Hot Air Balloon Ride (AM)
Overnight:, Lykia world Hotel or Cave Hotel Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8, Thursday – Konya-Antalya
Travel to Konya, Mevlana Museum, Tea with Locals in Beysehir, Antalya
Depart Cappadocia and travel to Konya. First, visit the Sultanhani, a prime example of the Seljuk-Turkish caravansaries, with its lofty, portal framed by massive walls; its stone-paved courtyard surrounded with rooms that served as treasury, refectory, hamam, mosque, and shops and sleeping quarters. Next, take a visit to the Mausoleum of Mevlana and the museum at the Mevlana convent in Konya. Proceed to the Karatay Theological School to see the beautiful collection of colourful Seljuk tiles on display. Then, enjoy a specially arranged visit for our group to a local home in the village of Beysehir. Meet with the residents, share tales and conversation, and enjoy home-brewed Turkish tea. Drive further south through scenic Toros Mountains to Antalya , the end of the day arrive in Antalya, the trendy “resort capital” on the Turkish Mediterranean coast for overnight
Overnight: Marmara,or similar one Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Friday - Perge, Aspendos, Archaeological Museum
Begin today's venture at ancient Perge, the former capital of Pamphilya founded around 1500 BC by the Hittites and later occupied by the Romans. See the ancient theatre, stadium, Roman bath, agora and unusual Hellenistic-Roman towers leading to an impressive street once lined with shops. Then, continue on to Aspendos, known for its best preserved Roman Theatre seating over 30,000 people, and its beautiful fountain. All of these ruins have remained from the Roman period and the theatre is still being used for contemporary concerts. Our next stop is the Antalya Archaeological Museum, one of the most important of museums in Turkey. It houses 13 exhibition halls and an open-air gallery, with statues of ancient gods and goddesses. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in this vibrant seaside city on the Mediterranean Sea. (PLEASE NOTE: Due to renovations, we will visit he Kursunlu Waterfalls and Hadrian's Gate instead of Archaeological Museum)
Overnight: Marmara, Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Saturday – Antalya via Aphrodisias- Pamukkale
Today we travel to ancient Aphrodisias (The city of Aphrodite) , the Greek goddess of love. It is one of the finest archaeological sites of Anatolia, still only partially excavated. The icty as built near a marble quarry that extensively exploited in the Hellenistic and Roman periods and sculpture from Aphrodisias became famous in the Roman world. There was a school of sculpture, philosophy and medicine and Aphrodisias became centre of art, philosophy and science under Greek and Roman rule. Visit the theatre, agora, Roman bath, Odeon, Temple of Aphrodite, one of the best preserved Roman Stadiums in the world and outstanding Local Archaeological Statue Museum of Aphrodisias . After lunch at a countryside Anatolian restaurant, we continue to Pamukkale to see the cascading snow white “cotton castle”. Visit the impressive ruins of Hierapolis, where the hot thermal baths were once considered sacred. Continue to your hotel in Pamukkale for overnight
Overnight: Colossae Hotel, or similar one Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 11, Sunday – Pamukkale -Sardis=Izmir
Sardis, City Tour, Museums of Archaeology and Ethnography and Agora
Today we travel to Izmir. On the way Izmir we visit Sardis, the ancient capital strong Lydian Kingdom where we visit the oldest and largest Synagogues of Anatolia, the Roman Bath -Gymnasium Bath complex and Temple of Artemis. Then continue to Izmir ,the city tour in begins with Roman Agora , and panoramic views of the city and the Bay of Izmir from the walls of Kadifekale, an ancient fortress built by Alexander the Great. Tour the Museums of Archaeology and Ethnography, then visit the symbol of Izmir, its magnificent Ottoman Clock Tower. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps re-visit some of the sights, or just relax in this scenic seaside city. Check into your hotel for overnight
Overnight: Swissotel Buyuk Efes, or Hilton Hotel Izmir
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Monday - Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, Izmir
An extraordinary day at the ancient city of Ephesus. The centre of Trade, commerce and meeting point of sea road and silk road. The ruins at Ephesus are the best preserved in the region and one of the most beautiful cities in antiquity. Once a flourishing port, Ephesus witnessed successive settlements at many different times in history. As you walk along the marble and cobblestone streets see the Great Theatre that once seated over 25,000, the Library of Celsus, the baths and the grand Temple of Artemis, The rich people houses(Terrace houses_. Proceed to the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed that she spent the last days of her life. Lunch at a local restaurant in a nearby village or . Srince villageAll the narrow streets of the village are filled with different handicrafts, including olive oils, other local specialties and the renowned locally-produced wine. Tonight, we meet together for a farewell dinner in a local Izmir restaurant. Take some time to share travel memories with the group and bid farewell to Turkey
Overnight: Swissotel Buyuk Efes, Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 13, Tuesday - Return to the USA
After breakfast, transfer to the Izmir airport for your home bound connected flight home
Meals: Breakfast
