Day 1 Friday — ARRIVE Istanbul
Arrive at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 Saturday — Istanbul
After breakfast, a full-day excursion in Istanbul including the Hagia Sophia with its Byzantine mosaics; the Blue Mosque famous for its interior tiles; the Byzantine Hippodrome where horses and chariots raced once upon a time; Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years; and the Grand Bazaar with more than 3,000 shops. Lunch during visits. Dinner at guests' expense. Stay at the hotel in Istanbul. (B-L)
Day 3 Sunday — Istanbul / Ankara / Cappadocia
After breakfast, check out for the Ankara flight. Upon arrival, visit the Anatolian Civilization Museum in the Citadel, where archaeological pieces dating as far back as the Prehistoric Age are exhibited; the Mausoleum of Ataturk, where the founder of the Turkish Republic lies. After lunch in Ankara, depart for Cappadocia driving around Salt Lake. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cappadocia. (B-L-D)
Day 4 Monday — Cappadocia
After breakfast, visit the Uchisar valley for its magnificent views of these unusual formations; then visit the Underground City of Kaymakli, built in the 7th century by Christians fleeing from persecutions, in which a visitor is able to descend several floor levels. After lunch, visit the Göreme Open Air Museum and the Rock churches with Byzantine frescoes, the Pasabag Valley with so-called "fairy chimneys", and finally Avanos Village famous for its pottery and handicrafts. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 5 Tuesday — Cappadocia / Konya / Pamukkale
After breakfast, depart for Konya to visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, founder of Whirling Dervish sect in the 13th century. Lunch en route to Pamukkale. Arrive at Pamukkale in the evening. Dinner and overnight at hotel (B-L-D)
Day 6 Wednesday — Pamukkale / Aphrodisias / Kusadasi
After breakfast, proceed to Hierapolis, and visit this antique city's Roman and early Christian relics with the largest Necropolis in Asia Minor, and Pamukkale's thermal natural-pools. Continue to Aphrodisias, lunch upon arrival, and then visit the ancient city dedicated to Aphrodite, visiting also a well preserved stadium and theater. Continue to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 7 Thursday — Kusadasi / Ephesus / Kusadasi
After breakfast, visit the Ephesus Ruins with its beautiful Library and largest theater in Asia Minor; the Ephesus Museum with a great collection of findings from Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis; and the Shrine of Virgin Mary. After lunch, return to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 8 Friday — Kusadasi / Pergamum / Troy / Canakkale
After breakfast, depart for Pergamum. Lunch and visit the Pergamum Antique City, visiting the Asclepium Sanctuary. Then proceed to visit Troy on the way, where the famous Trojan War took place. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 9 Saturday — Canakkale / Istanbul
After breakfast, depart for Istanbul, cross Dardanelles by a ferry. Visit Gallipoli battlefields, the famous Worl War I frontline with several war memorials. Lunch en route. Dinner at guests' expense. Arrive at hotel in Istanbul and overnight. (B-L)
Day 10 Sunday — Istanbul
Breakfast in the hotel. Day at leisure. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense. Possibility of joining an optional Bosphorus cruise and tour of the Asian side of this magnificent city. You can see our daily city excursions when you click the link. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 11 Monday — DEPART Istanbul
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. End of services. (B)
(B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch - (D) Dinner
Important Notes
- This tour is a Guaranteed Departure Tour and run every Friday (Day 1) from Istanbul.
- Arrival at Istanbul can be arranged for another day of the week as well but it's important that clients will fly to Ankara on a Sunday morning in order to join the group.
- Order of the visits may be changed for the convenience of the tour.
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, Grand Bazaar on Sundays & Turkish public and religious holidays. On these specific days, they'll be substituted with other museums or sites depending on the convenience of the program and schedule.
- Cappadocia - Pamukkale track is a long drive, hence this tour might not be suitable for small children.
- Depending on the seasonal occupancies, Kusadasi stay may be swapped to Izmir or Selcuk.
- This tour operates with a minimum of 8 participants!
ALL TRAVEL SERVICES FOR THIS TOUR ARE BEEN ARRANGED BY A GOVERNMENT LICENSED & RELIABLE TRAVEL AGENCY