Best of Turkey / 9 Day of Turkey Tours Including visit to: Istanbul, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale - Cappadocia
DAY 1
ARRIVAL Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in 4* hotel.
DAY 2
ISTANBUL Breakfast and Lunch Included Today we will visit the St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years. See its intricate mosaics and huge central dome. (St Sophia is closed on Monday) Continue to the Topkapi palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We will also see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed. (Entrance to the Harem is extra). After lunch we will see the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. Visit the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Walk through the back streets of Old Istanbul and visit the elegant little Sokullu Pasa mosque and the hidden underground Theodosian Cistern (Or instead of the last two a visit to the Suleymaniye Mosque may be made). See the Grand Covered Bazaar. This tour may be done all or partially as a walking tour. Overnight in 4* hotel in Istanbul.
DAY 3
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY- BASILICA OF ST JOHN - KUSADASI Breakfast and Lunch Included 06:00 Pick up from your hotel early in the morning 07:45 Fly from Istanbul to Izmir 08:15 You will be arriving at the Izmir airport a representative holding your name will be present to pick you up and transfer to Ephesus. you will begin the tour.
Today we will visit the house of Virgin Mary, then Ephesus with the Library of Celsius, temple of Hadrian, agora and fantastic Greco-Roman theater and the Basilica of St. John.. Overnight in 4* hotel in Kusadasi
DAY 4
KUSADASI - PERGAMON Breakfast and Lunch Included Today we will visit Pergamon, with its impressive theater and acropolis high atop the hill. Was famous for the Zeus Temple. We will also visit the Asclepion, which as a famous center of healing in the ancient world. Overnight in 4* hotel in Kusadasi
DAY 5
PAMUKKALE - HIERAPOLIS - CAPPADOCIA Breakfast and Lunch Included After breakfast we will depart from Kusadasi and drive inland, and go on a full day tour of Pamukkale Sites you-ll see today *Pammukale which means cotton castle, is the result of limestone formations built over thousands of years. Warm calcium rich mineral water flowed over the cliffs and as it cooled it deposited the calcium into the formations that are seen today. Pammukale is now a world heritage site. *Hierapolis was founded as a healing care centre in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral waters in the area. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centres of the Roman Empire. It eventually had a large Jewish and Christian community. Breakfast and Lunch provided. After tour overnight bus to Cappadocia with non smoking, fully air-conditioned bus at 21:00 or 22:00. (duration 10 hours)
DAY 6
CAPPADOCIA Lunch Included Arrive to Cappadocia. Upon arrival your Tour Guide will meet you at the Bus Station and you will have a full day city tour. Today we explore Cappadocia Zelve open air museum where three canyons meet in the valley.Then visit Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Drive to Pasabag (Monks Valley) to see most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles. Drive to the city of Avanos for lunch. In the afternoon visit Göreme Open-Air Museum where the remains of rock-hewn churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Before end of the tour visit the naturel Castle at Uchisar. After the tour transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in 4* hotel or (Cave Hotel). in Cappadocia.
DAY 7
CAPPADOCIA -ISTANBUL Breakfast and Lunch Included Today we will visit the Derinkuyu Underground City to visit the huge refugee settlement carved by early Christians, where they used to hide from persecutors. From Derinkuyu continue to the beautiful Valley of Ihlara, formely known as Peristerema. Explore the famous rock-hewn churches and hike 4 km through the valley. On the way back to monasteries in Selime Village and 13th century Caravansaray built by Selcuk Turks on the Silk Road. After the tour transfer to Kayseri airport. 18:00 Airport transfer 20:25 Fly from Kayseri to Istanbul 21:55 Arrive in Istanbul and pick up from Istanbul airport to your hotel. Overnight in 4* hotel in Istanbul
DAY 8
BOSPHORUS CRUISE Breakfast at hotel after which we drive Eminonu Port to board the regular city boat for a 2 hour Bosphorous Cruise. Enjoy this relaxing cruise along the shoreline while your guide explains to you the history of sights seen while onboard. We then continue on land to visit the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace and then also visit Camlica Hill. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 9
DEPARTURE After breakfast check out from hotel (before 12:00), transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport regarding your flight details. End of tour and services
what's included
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Domestic flight tickets ( Istanbul - Izmir - Kayseri - Istanbul )
Overnight intercity coach tickets (Pamukkale to Cappadocia)
Accommodation in hotels as mentioned or similar
Museum entry fees
Meals mentioned in the itinerary
Professional English speaking guidance
Transportation in non-smoking mini/midi/coach bus.
