Highlights:
- Begin your journey by understanding the architectural marvels and historical significance of City of the World’s Desire Istanbul
- Experience the sensation of troglodytic living in a cave hotel
- Staying in characteristic hotels in Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Antalya
- Enjoy the mineral-rich springs of Pamukkale’s striking travertine terraces
- Unique Sunset & Sunrise views of special creation in the valleys of Cappadocia
- A gate to the ancient wisdom of 12000 years through which you will discover spiritual abodes, legendary temples, ancient myths of origin as well as canonical religions. Home of Sufii Mystics, Artemis Temple (Seven wonders of Ancient World), House of Mother Mary…
- Delve into Turkey's rich ceramic tradition dating back to 2000 BC, during the Hittites period.
- The opportunity to taste local flavors through Anatolia by selected family-owned local restaurants.
Overview:
•Choose this tour if you are deeply curious about the world and how it works, how history, architecture, food, fashion, art, and everything sensual, exciting, and intelligent is connected. How your way is never the only way
•If you’re returning to Turkey and wish to go deeper on some of the city's most iconic sites
•If you ever felt lost in the crowd on those massive "follow-the-umbrella" group tours? That's not us.
•We craft Small Group Tours that offer intimate insights into iconic venues.
•SGT is steered by local experts who bring their city's secrets to life & designed with the same careful curation
•The beauty of our small groups lies in the camaraderie formed among travelers. With personalized attention from our local experts, you have the unique opportunity to ask any spontaneous questions that pop up, ensuring a richer understanding of your destination.
•Academic insights alongside untold stories. Wonderful nuances and local subtleties. Real-world wisdom.
•Welcome. We're delighted to meet you.
Day 1 Arrival to Istanbul
Upon arrival at Istanbul / SAW Airport, you will be greeted and drives to your hotel. Check-in. Overnight in Istanbul.
(No Meal)
Optional: Cruise Dinner with Turkish Dance Performences (19:30 - 23:30)
Day 2 Treasures of Istanbul
(09:00-16:00)
According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Explore Hagia Sophia; was the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. Next; Topkapı Palace; As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the ottoman empire. It housed the ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Continue to with Hippodrome; Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD, during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Next, Blue Mosque; Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Next, Grand Bazaar; With 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops, it is one of the greatest bazaars in the World. Overnight in Istanbul
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 3 HD Bosphorus Cruis / Flight to Izmir
(09:00-13:00)
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out, leave your luggage at the lobby. According your pick up time meet with your guide and start your half-day tour. Visit Spice Bazaar; It was called Egyptian Bazaar during the ottoman period because shopkeepers used to sell herbs and spices brought throughout Egypt and Asia. Next, Cruising on Bosphorus; where you will enjoy a magnificent view. A great history wıth beautiful nature. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, Rustem Pasa Mosque, Rumeli Fortress and further along with the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. After tour drive you back to your hotel. Take your luggage and drive to Airport for your 1hour 15min domestic flight to Izmir. Upon arrival you wıll be greeted by your drıver who wıll drıve you safely to your hotel. Check in. Overnight in Kusadasi.
(Breakfast)
Day 4 Ancient Ephesus Tour
(09:00-16:00)
According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit The House of Virgin Mary; a church was built from the 6C AD to the top of the foundations of a house from 1C AD and it is declared by the church to be the final house where Mary spent her last days.
Your tour continues with the Ancient Ephesus; The best-preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. During the 1C AD, Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250,000 citizens. Ephesus is also so well preserved that, walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on the Asia continent, gives you the feeling of a time traveller.
Next; Temple of Artemis or Artemision was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much visited pilgrimage place. After tour drive you back to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 5 Pamukkale Tour
(08:00-20:00)
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out, According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full day tour. Visit Pamukkale; Pools of Heaven on Earth… Pamukkale has always been a very popular settlement where hot springs were believed to have healing powers so it is considered to be the earliest spa on earth where in history people travelled long distances in order to find a cure. The unique terraces were formed by running warm spring water at a temperature of 35 C, containing calcium bicarbonate. Today Pamukkale is declared as a worlds heritage site by UNESCO. Visit; ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. Also, The Sacred Pool is one of the highlights of the site. Theır shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins that lie beneath. At the end of the tour drıve you to your hotel in Fethiye. Check in. Overnight in Fethiye.
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 6 12 Island Boat Tour
(10:00-17:00)
According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Fethiye harbour, when you embark our comfortable and spacious boats, our hospitable crew will take you for an enchanting ODYSSEY along the 12 Islands. On a myriad of bays and islands where navies and corsaires sought shelter from tempests all through man’s nautical history, you’ll find yourself in the bosom of the Mediterranean like no other boat trip can compare. Swim in the aquarium clear crystalline waters, disembark and take strolls at various islands and bays, sunbathe and fall asleep in tune with mother nature’s most tranquil lullaby, and have a BBQ lunch on board… You’ll return with unforgettable memories, (remember your camera). With more than enough legroom for our guests, less people and no loud music on our sailing boat, you’ll find comfort and peace. Clean toilets and shower facilities, bar, sun beds and shades, tackle and jackets for non-swimmers and beginners for all ages. After tour drive you back to your hotel. Overnight in Fethiye.
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Note: Fethiye boat tour is not avaılable (15th Oct - 1st May ) wll replaced with leisure day in Fethiye
Day 7 Travel to Antalya
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out. According to your public bus departure time we will drive you to Fethiye bus station for your 4 hours bus journey to Antalya. Upon arrival you will be greeted by your driver who will drive you safely to your hotel. Check in. Overnight in Antalya.
(Breakfast)
Day 8 Antalya City Tour
(09:00-16:00)
According to your pick up time meet your guide and start your our.Visit Karpuzkaldıran and Düden Waterfalls, where cascading water and green surroundings offer a refreshing introduction to the region's natural beauty. Follow the park paths, listen to the rush of falling water and pause at scenic viewpoints for photographs before continuing into the heart of the city.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and taste the flavors of traditional Turkish cuisine. Then explore Kaleiçi, Antalya's atmospheric old town, with 1–1.5 hours of free time to discover its narrow stone streets at your own pace. Look out for Hadrian's Gate, the Clock Tower and Kesik Minare, or browse the boutiques, art galleries and souvenir shops tucked among the historic buildings. Whether you prefer taking photographs, finding a local keepsake or simply soaking up the old town's character, this is your time to enjoy Antalya your way.
Finish the day with a one-hour sightseeing boat tour along the coastline. From the water, admire Antalya's impressive cliffs, the city skyline and the turquoise Mediterranean stretching into the distance. Relax on board and enjoy a fresh perspective on the scenery you have explored throughout the day. This is a sightseeing cruise, with no swimming stop included. Return with photographs and memories of Antalya's waterfalls, cultural heritage and striking coastal landscapes. Overnight in Antalya.
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 9 Flight to Cappadocia
Accordıng to your pick up time meet your driver and drive to Antalya Airport for your flıght to Kayseri. Upon arrival greeted and drive to your hotel.. Check ın. Overnight in Cappadocia
(Breakfast)
Important Note: Depending on flight availability, your flight can be in the morning or in the afternoon.
Optional: Cappadocia Sunset Quad Safari (If your flıght is ın the mornıng)
Optional: Turkish Bath in Antalya (ıf your fllight is at afternoon)
Day 10 Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia
(09:30-16:00)
According to your tour pick-up time, meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Explore Goreme Museum; consists of many rock-cut churches from the second half of 9C with beautiful colorful frescoes decorating the walls. Next; Devrent Valley; famous for its quirky animal shaped rocks. It looks like a sculpture zoo made by nature. Next; Pasabagi which means: the Pacha's vineyard. This site is also called Monks Valley. The hermitage of Simeon monks was here.
Next Avanos; where you will enjoy typical Turkish Lunch and experience make Potter with local experts. Next we continues to Goreme Panaroma, which has one of the best panoramic view of the Fairy chimneys. Next Uchisar the Naturel highest Rock Castle provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. At the end of the tour drive you back to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Optional: Hot Air Balloon Flight (04:30-07:30)
Day 11 Underground Cities of Cappadocia / Flight to Istanbul
(09:30-16:00)
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out, According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit Red Valley; is an incredibly unique area of Cappadocia with sharp ridges, tinted in pink especially during sunset!the minerals in the sandstone have a pink tinge. Next Cavusin; is surrounded by a valley, which becomes gradually wider, called as Red Valley. The houses of the village were cut into massive rock formations. The village is famous with its rock-chuches. Next; Pigeon Valley; earned its name from the countless man made dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Pigeon Valley is one of the best spots for walking in the marvelous Cappadocia region. Next; Underground Cities; once a place of refuge for 15000 christians. These settlements were of enormous value to the development of christianity as they provided shelter and worship and were in use until the end of 7C AD. Witness the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall and food storage rooms in this eight-storey city connected by 30km of corridors and passageways. Tour continue with Ortahisar; famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets and lovely churches as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named At the end of the tour drive you to Kayseri Airport for your 1hour 30min domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival you wıll be greeted by your driver who wıll drıve you safely to your hotel. Check in. Overnight in Istanbul.
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 12: Departure Day
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out and according to your flight time drive you to Istanbul Airport. End of our service.
(Breakfast)