Splendors of Turkey

Daily Program

Day 01 – ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL

Arriving at Istanbul Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 02 – FULL DAY ISTANBUL

After breakfast meet your guide at lobby of your hotel and start your day Hippodrome Square, once the sporting and social centre of Constantinople. Visit Blue Mosque known for its Turquoise colored tiles made of quartz minerals. Continue to explore home of the Ottoman Sultans; Topkapi Palace! Tour Harem and Treasury. Next will be Basilica of Saint Sophia built by Justinian the Great during 6th century. In the afternoon, you will visit Grand Bazaar and Nuru Osmaniye District where you can find opportunities of fine shopping especially for jewelry, leather products and many other handcrafted souvenirs. At the end of your tour, your guide will escort you back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 03 – ISTANBUL - BURSA

After the breakfast, you will set out from Istanbul and drive partly along the southern shoreline of the Sea of Marmara to Bursa (approx. 3 hours), the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. You will stop en route to visit Iznik (Ancient Nicea), founded in the 4th century BC by the Macedonian King Antigonus I Monophthalmus. Nicea was an important center in late Roman and Byzantine periods. Among a number of important Ottoman edifices you may see upon your arrival in Bursa are the mausoleums of the early Ottoman Sultans, Green Mosque with a beautiful interior decoration of blue and green tiles and Great Mosque. Great Mosque with a total of twenty domes and a fountain was built in 1396 and you will find it unlike any other mosque you may have seen up to now. Bursa, famous for its thermal baths, is also the heart of the country's silk industry with several lively bazaars. One of the oldest market courts is Koza Han, once the major center of Turkey’s silk trade and where you will spend some free time today before carrying on to your hotel. Overnight in Bursa.

Day 04 – BURSA - CANAKKALE

The legendary city of Troy - with nine different layers of occupation revealed during the excavations started in 19th century by Heinrich Schliemann - is approximately a 4-hour scenic ride from Bursa. Observe the ruins of the ancient city that has witnessed the battle of Achilles and Hector, the story of which has been immortalized by the famous historian Homeros in his legend Illiad. The excavations of Troy constitute the beginning of modern study of archaeology. Continue towards the southern regions on the western coastline, famed for its olive oil that is said to be the best in Turkey. The end of the day brings you to Assos, a tranquil fisherman town on the Aegean. Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 05 – CANAKKALE - IZMIR

Drive through the pretty scenery of the fertile fields of the Aegean Region for an excursion to the Greco-Roman city of Pergamon, famous for its remains of the Acropolis as well as Asclepion, the ancient medical center where the father of doctors, Galen, cured patients during the Roman era. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 06 - IZMIR

This morning you will be having your first stop at the remains of Temple of Artemis Then, you will have a short drive and reach the city of Ephesus where history and archaeology will offer you their majesty with incredible richness. You will be walking on the Marble Road that runs through the city, having various structures resting on it: Temple of Hadrian is a unique beauty with its articulate facade while Library of Celsus has all the expression of the grandeur of “good old days” of the Roman Period. Today you will also tour the Terrace Houses, the ancient residential section of Ephesus. Among all the archaeological remains, the Great Theater of Ephesus bears the major Biblical importance. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 07 - IZMIR - DENIZLI

Today you will enjoy the picturesque scenery of the fertile fields and fabulous vineyards of the Aegean Region during your ride to the ancient city of Sardis. Afterwards, you will visit Hierapolis, founded during Hellenistic period as a control point of trading routes connecting East to West. Today’s ancient city of Hierapolis has recently been appointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in Denizli.

Day 08 - DENIZLI - ANTALYA

Today, you will ride from Denizli to Antalya. Upon arrival in Antalya, you will visit Aphrodisias, the ancient city well known for its Roman Stadium that is the best preserved Roman Stadium in the world and still used for classical music events during the festival of Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 09 - ANTALYA

Today, you will start touring with Perge known for its well preserved stadium, continue with a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Antalya, where works of art unearthed from Perge are on display. Your guide will escort you back to your hotel at the end of the day. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 10 - ANTALYA - KONYA - CAPPADOCIA

Today, you will be met by your private guide at the lobby of your hotel and start exploration with Aspendos, Heading on to Cappadocia en route, you will arrive in Konya to visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, Before reaching Cappadocia, you will enjoy touring ancient motel build for Silk Road merchants during 13th and 14th century, named as Sultanhan Caravanseraglio. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 11 - CAPPADOCIA

Your expedition will start with the Monastic Center of Goreme. Then, you will be enjoying walking through the valleys of Zelve. You will then appreciate the breathtaking scenery of the Pigeon Valley. The last stop of today’s touring before returning to the hotel is Avanos, the famous town of Cappadocia that was established by the Hittites on the riverbanks of Halys River. You will visit one of the studios of a pottery artist of Cappadocia and watch the interactive presentation of creating masterpieces of pottery and ceramics. At the end of your tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 12 - CAPPADOCIA - ISTANBUL DEPARTURE

Today, you will be transferred to the Nevsehir / Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul and you will connect your international flight back to home.

Notes

Tour Package Inclusions:

- Airport transfers in Istanbul and Cappadocia.

- Accommodation on BB basis at the selected category of properties.

- Services of the same English speaking professional guide throughout the program.

- Transportation by A/C non-smoking brand new deluxe vehicle throughout the program except for the walking tour on Day 02.

- All entrance and parking fees for the sightseeing in the mentioned program.

- Private visit to the studio of a pottery artist in Cappadocia.

- Domestic flight tickets from Cappadocia to Istanbul.

- Complimentary refreshments on vehicle throughout the journey.

- Travel kits including guide books, bookmarks, stamped postcards and maps.

 

Excluded Items:

- Meals except for the breakfasts at hotels.

- Beverages.

- Porterage at airports and hotels.

- Hot Air Balloon Flight.

- Visa fee.

- Personal expenses.

- Honorary gratuities for guide and driver.

 

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