Turkey on Hot Roads

Updated on 2014-01-22

Daily Program

 

Day 01 : Arrive Istanbul

Day 02 : Istanbul

Day 03 : Istanbul – Safranbolu (410 km.)

Day 04 : Safranbolu – Hattusa (300 km.)

Day 05 : Hattusa – Cappadocia (240 km.)

Day 06 : Cappadocia

Day 07 : Cappadocia

Day 08 : Cappadocia – Tarsus – Mersin (290 km.)

Day 09 : Mersin – Silifke – Konya (360 km.)

Day 10 : Konya – Antalya (305 km.)

Day 11 : Antalya

Day 12 : Antalya – Pamukkale (250 km.)

Day 13 : Pamukkale – Ephesus – Izmir (300 km.)

Day 14 : Departure Izmir via Istanbul

 

Day 01

Today, you will arrive in one of the most important and inspiringly beautiful cities of the world history: Constantinople! Our representative, welcoming you at the arrival hall of the international terminal of Istanbul Ataturk Airport with a sign bearing your last name, will lead you to your luxury minivan for the private transfer to your hotel during which you can catch the first glimpses of this fascinating city where the continents meet each other! You will carry on to your hotel for check-in and relaxation while our representative delivers you a brief orientation as an introduction to the charms of the city. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 02

Today, you will meet your private guide at the lobby of your hotel and start your exploration with a stroll through the famed Hippodrome Square which was once the sporting and social center of Constantinople that hosted the chariot races until the Middle Ages. Istanbul boasts its monumental shrines of different faiths and Blue Mosque is probably one of the most famed masterpieces of Ottoman religious architecture. You will continue touring with the magnificent home of the Ottoman Sultans; Topkapi Palace! Located on the very cape of the peninsula where Constantinople was founded, Topkapi Palace was built as the center of administration of the Ottoman Empire when the city was conquered by Ottoman Turks in 1453 AD. Today, you will have an intense tour of the palace going through the corridors and different sections of also the Harem where Sultan lived with his family members. Leaving the Harem through the “Golden Corridor”, you will reach the inner courtyard to visit the Treasury that displays exclusive examples of jewelry and accessories which were dressed by the Sultans or were given as gifts to ambassadors. Afterwards, you will carry on to the Basilica of Saint Sophia, one of the largest Christian shrines ever built in history. Constantinople needed to have endless water supplies to enable its inhabitants to resist sieges. To serve this purpose, a large number of underground water reservoirs were built through various neighborhoods of the city such as the Underground Cistern known by the locals as the Sunken Cistern. Later in the afternoon, you will find yourself drifting through one of the earliest shopping malls ever built in history, Grand Bazaar which maintains its charm and volume of business to the modern day with its indoor and outdoor sections. INuru Osmaniye District (Glamour of the Ottomans) was where the Genoese and Venetian merchants had their ware houses where they store their inventory of brass, copper, rugs and tiles before they were loaded on the ships to sail to Venice and Genoa. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 03

Today, you will board your private motorbike to ride Safranbolu (approx. 410 km, easy ride, asphalt paved roads, mountain and forest scenery). Safranbolu is famous with its well preserved old traditional Turkish houses. The district was taken under the protection of UNESCO and added in the World Heritage List in 1994. Upon arrival in Safranbolu, you will visit the Hidirlik Hill for a panoramic view of the city. At Hidirlik Hill you will get detailed information about the village from your tour guide. Afterwards, you will visit the most famous traditional house museum of Safranbolu; House of Kaymakamlar. After that you will keep walking in the center of the old city and you will see Izzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque, Arasta Bazaar, Koprulu Mehmet Pasha Mosque and the Clock Tower. At the end of your tour, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. Overnight in Safranbolu.

Day 04

Today, you will be met by your private guide at the lobby of your hotel and ride to Bogazkale (approx. 300 km, mountain and plateau scenery). Bogazkale was the capital of Hittite Kingdom and their important cities were Alacahoyuk and Alisar. Between 2000-1750 BC Asyrian merchants in the northern Mesopotamia formed the first commercial organizations by establishing trade colonies in Anatolia. The center of these colonies was at kanesh near Kultepe in Kayseri province. Another important commercial market place is the Kharum Hattush at Hattusash. Hittite empire which lasted for six centuries in the region, collapsed around 1200 BC when the confederation of Hittite states was invaded by the Phyrigian people from the Balkans. Late Hittite Kingdom continued its existence until 700 BC around Kayseri and Southeastern Anatolia. Today, you will visit Alacahoyuk which is 34 km northwest of Bogazkale; visit the remains of the old city and museum. Overnight in Bogazkale (Hattusas).

Day 05

After the refreshing breakfast; you will board your motorbike and ride to Cappadocia(approx. 240 km, Central Anatolia plateau, winding narrow roads). Cappadocia will thrill you with its unique landscapes formed by erosions of winds and water. Today’s inactive volcanoes of Erciyes and Hasan used to be active thousands of years ago and erupted continuously covering the region with a blanket of tuff that gets eroded so easily due to its soft character. Cappadocia has been occupied by various civilizations including Hittites, Greeks, Romans and Turks living in rock dwellings for centuries. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 06

Today, you will start touring with Monastic Center of Goreme. Goreme was founded by St. Basil as the first Monastic Center of Christianity during 4^th century. This morning you will have an extensive tour of the Monastic Center that functions as an open-air museum, having very well preserved rock-hewn churches decorated with Byzantine frescoes. Then, you will be enjoying walking through the valleys of Zelve that was a town composed of hundreds of rock-carved houses occupied until 1942. You will then appreciate the breathtaking scenery of the Pigeon Valley. Today, you will have the chance of visiting one of the local weaving courses where you can blend with the local Cappadocian people and see how they compose their “woven poetry”! 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. Making use of the red clay that is obtained from the shores of this famous river, Hittites created outstanding examples of pottery ware and used potters wheel as early as 2^nd millennia BC. 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.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: This morning you may enjoy an unforgettable memory of Cappadocia: Hot air ballooning over the nature-formed valleys. Early in the morning (5.30 am), you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the open fields for a delicious breakfast before heading to the selected launch site for your hot air ballooning experience. You will much appreciate the tranquility of your morning over the colorful valleys and rock formations, gliding in your balloon. Concluding your experience, enjoy a glass of champagne to celebrate the joy of seeing Cappadocia from the air and get transferred to your hotel approximately by 8.30 am.

Day 07

After a refreshing breakfast, you will start touring with Kaymakli Underground City, a subterranean settlement composed of troglodytic cave dwellings, where early Christians lived protecting themselves from invaders. Once you start hearing your guide, you will be impressed by the self-discipline of the ancient people living in the underground cities under such difficult conditions. Afterwards, you will visit Soganli Village to see one of the early centers of monastic life and the most authentic dwellings that reflect the exclusivity of the region’s natural character. Driving through the inspiring valleys and towns of Cappadocia that will captivate you with their beauty, you will reach Sinassos to visit its well preserved houses and rock-carved Byzantine churches. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 08

Today, you will ride from Cappadocia to Mersin (approx. 290 km, passing over Taurus Mountain range and reaching East Mediterranean). Upon arrival in Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul, you will visit the Well of St. Paul and the Gate of Cleopatra. In the prechristianity period, Tarsus was known as the place where Cleopatra tempted Marc Antonius after his victory in Philip when he ordered to get the Egyptian queen Tolemita to punish her because of her help to Caslo when the engineers of the antic Tarsus opened a passage way in between the Nord Mountains till the cilician doors, they created one of the most historical mountained routes of all the times. Till then the armies and the merchants used this passage way. At the end of your tour, you will ride to your hotel in Mersin. Overnight in Mersin.

Day 09

You will board your motorbike to ride to Konya (approx. 360 km, passing over Taurus Mountain range and reaching to Central Anatolia Plateau). En route you will visit Catalhoyuk which is an ancient city its history goes back till 7000 BC. The Neolithic site of Catalhoyuk was first discovered in the late 1950s and excavated by James Mellaart between 1961 and 1965. The sites rapidly become famous internationally due to the large size and dense occupation of the settlement, as well as the spectacular wall paintings and other art that was uncovered inside the houses. Since 1993 an international team of archaeologists has been carrying out new excavations and research in order to shed more light on the people that inhabited the site. Upon arrival in Konya, was called Iconium during Roman period and was an important post for Roman legion and control of trade routes of antiquity. It served as the Capital of Seljuqi Turkish Kingdom during 13th century; you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Konya.

Day 10

After the refreshing breakfast, you will ride from Konya to Antalya (approx. 305 km, beautiful landscape on Taurus Mountains, reaching Western Mediterranean). Antalya founded by the King of Pergamon, Attalos II, as an important port controlling the southern borders of his kingdom, Antalya has maintained its value throughout the history. The city has been home to numerous civilizations including the Romans, Seljuks and finally the Ottomans. You will visit Aspendos, the ancient city well known for its Roman Theatre that is the best preserved Roman Theater in the world and still used for classical music events during the festival of Antalya. Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel in Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 11

Day at leisure. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 12

Today, you will ride from Antalya to Pamukkale (approx. 250 km). Upon arrival in Pamukkale, you will visit Hierapolis founded during Hellenistic period as a control point of trading routes connecting East to West. Upon arrival at the site, you will be welcomed by the spectacular views of calcium pools that have been irrigated by the spring waters of Hierapolis for thousands of years. After a short break to take pictures and enjoy the view, you will continue on to the ancient site that is still being excavated by Italian archaeologists. Today’s ancient city of Hierapolis has recently been appointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will keep exploring the ancient site by touring the Gate of Domitianus and the Byzantine Baths. Once you reach the lower slopes of the hills that rise behind the site, you will note one of the best preserved Roman Theatres of the world of archaeology. Built during 2^nd century, the theatre of Hierapolis was used for both theatrical activities and shows of violence. Concluding your tour of Hierapolis, you will have free time to enjoy the hot springs in the region by swimming in the antique pool also known as Cleopatra’s Pool or you may choose to stroll over the extraordinary thermal spring water laden. (Please note that entrance fees to the hot springs are at guests’ own discreet.) Calcium cliffs create a fairylike view in which the dominating color is white, making the region deserve its title among Turkish people as “Pamukkale” (Cotton Castle). Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 13

Today, you will ride your final route to Izmir (approx. 300 km, easy ride by the olive and fig trees). En route, you will visit the remains of Temple of Artemis that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. When you continue a little further, you will reach the timeless city of Ephesus where history and archaeology will offer you their majesty with incredible richness. You will pursue the traces of the glorious past of Ephesus walking on the Marble Road that runs through the city with various structures resting on it: Temple of Hadrian is a unique beauty greeting you with its articulate façade that was built to honor the famous Roman Emperor, Hadrian during 2^nd Century AD. Standing right across Temple of Hadrian are the Terrace Houses, the ancient prestigious residential section of Ephesus, where you will bear testimony to the flamboyant style of luxurious life of the rich Ephesians, exposed by the handmade frescoes and mosaics of the interior décor. Rising in the center of Ephesus is Library of Celsus built in honor of the great governor of Roman days. The façade of the Celsus Library reflects the grandeur and prestige of the Roman Period with a fabulous exposition of intricacy in its mural decoration. Among all the stunning archaeological remains, the Great Theater of Ephesus bears the major significance as the biggest Roman theater surviving in the world of archaeology.

Day 14

Our representative will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and transferred to Domestic Terminal of Izmir Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will connect to your international flight back to home.

 

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