Highlights:
-Visit Istanbul; where Asia meets Europe and was the capital for several different empires.
-Explore Gallipoli, home to one of the most dramatic battles in history
-Pergamum; Where John wrote his letter
-Walk on the ancient roads of the greco-roman city of Ephesus and see the Holy Mary house.
-Visit Pamukkale and swim in Pools of Heaven on Earth.
-Visit Konya, Home of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi
-Cappadocia; The land of beautiful horses and home of the fairy chimneys.
-Antalya; the bossom of Mediterranean
Overview:
Explore magnificent Turkey with 11 Days customized package with a local tour guide in a small group from/to Istanbul. Visit Istanbul; where Asia Meets Europe and was the capital of 3 different empires. Explore Gallipoli, home to one of the most dramatic battles in history and home of the Trojan Horse. Visit Pergamum; Where John wrote his letter, Pergamum had been a capital city for almost four hundred years. Walk on the ancient roads of best-preserved greko-city with House of Holy Mary nearby. Swim in Pamukkale's healing thermal springs. Walk in the cobblestone paved with colorful flowers streets of ANtalya (old town) and see clock tower, Hadrian Gate and Kesik Minare, Explore the Underground cities of Cappadocia, learn history about early Christians and see rock churches, make photos of the fairy chimneys from the best photoshoot points.. This is a Fully Guided small group tour.
Day 1 Arrival to Istanbul (Sunday)
Upon arrival at Istanbul / SAW Airport, you will be greeted and drives to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
(No Meal)
Day 2 Treasures of Istanbul (Monday)
(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. At the end of the tour drive you back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 3 Gallipoli&Troy (Tueday)
(08:30-19:30)
According your pick up time from your hotel, drive to Canakkale. Here we begin our guided tour of ANZAC Battlefields visiting Brighton Beach, ANZAC Cove, Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Turkish and allied tunnels and trenches at Johnston’s Jolly, 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Next; Troya Archeological Site where we see the UNESCO recognized ruins of the Ancient kingdom of Troy. We stroll through the site where many worldwide used terms like the Trojan War, Trojan Horse, Helen of Troy, Prince Paris comes from Battle between Archilles and Hector, Walls of Troy II and Megaron House, The Ramp of Troy II, Roman bath, Odeon, The Temple of Athena and Ruins of Athena. Check-in. Overnight in Canakkale
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 4 Pergamum&Asklepion (Wednesday)
(08:30-19:00)
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out and Drive to Pergamum; Where John wrote his letter, Pergamum had been a capital city for almost four hundred years. After the mythical times, Pergamum had been the scene of several cultures, ranging from those of the Stone and Bronze Ages until the Archaic and Classical Periods. Among the temples, palaces and agora’s, the Asclepion, which were constructed in the course of one century, belonged the big Zeus Altar and the Parchment Library. After lunch visit the ruins of Asklepion; was known under the name of "The Pergamum God of Health". Asklepius the dietary health and medicine served the people for several hundred years; thus making Pergamum a medical centre of very great importance. Famous medical Scholars, like Hippocrates and Galenus, were born in Pergamum and worked there. Along the way, feast your eyes on the beautiful Agean sea view with lush olive trees and some Greek and Turkish Islands. Overnight in Kusadasi.
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 5 Ancient Ephesus&House of Virgin Mary (Thursday)
(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. Continue with the Ancient Ephesus; The best-preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250,000 citizens. It is also home to one of the Seven wonders of the ancient world, Temple of Artemis. 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 traveler.
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. Overnight in Kusadasi
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 6 Pamukkale Tour (Friday)
(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 drive you to Antalya. Check in. Overnight in Antalya.
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 7 Antalya City Tour (Saturday)
(09:30-16:00)
Today you visit the cable car ride 'from sea to sky'. Enjoy amazing views from the top of Tunektepe which stands 1365 mt above sea level. You will see the beautiful coastline of the Antalya region, gorgeous mountains, pine forests, and turquoise Mediterranean sea. Great pictures taken during the trip will remind you of this unforgettable experience. Next; Duden waterfalls are the most beautiful and the most visited in the Antalya region. Walk through the beautiful park and listen to the sound of falling water.
After lunch at a local restaurant with a beautiful panoramic view you will have 1-1.5 hours of free time to explore the old town (Kaleici). You will see top attractions of the city: Hadrianus Gate, Clock Tower, Kesik Minare (Truncated Minaret) and city walls dated back to the 2d century. Old Town with its narrow stone streets is also a great place to explore numerous boutiques, art galleries, and interesting museums. Do not forget to buy some memorable souvenirs from the authentic shops before leaving Kaleici. Overnight in Antalya.
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 8 Konya&Cappadocia (Sunday)
(08:30-20:00)
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out, visit the museum of 13th century Philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi. Mevlana was a philosopher and mystic of Islam, but not a Muslim of the orthodox type. His doctrine advocates unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love. Then visit 700-years-old Sultanhani Caravanserail (ancient traders and travellers on silk road) After lunch travel to Cappadocia. Check ın. Overnight in Cappadocia
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Optional: Depending on your request and flight availability, land drive can be upgraded as flight for today at the additional cost of 150 USD per person.If a flight upgrade is selected, there will be no visit to Konya and lunch and airport transfers will be provided by us.
Day 9 Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia (Monday)
(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
Day 10 Underground Cities of Cappadocia / Flight to Istanbul (Tuesday)
(09:00-16:00)
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out, Today you visit Rose 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. After tour drives 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 11 Departure Day (Wednesday)
Upon breakfast at the hotel checkout and according your flight departure time drives to Airport. End of the service.
(Breakfast)