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Elegant Turkey Tour (10 Days)
Duration: 10 Days / 09 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Bosphorus, Pergamum, Aphrodisias,
Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Ephesus, Cappadocia
Run: Everyday (by flights)
Note: All Turkey tour packages are modular and you can
use these itineraries as a starting point and we can help modify this itineraries
to accommodate your personal requirements and desires to find your perfect
holiday.
DAY 01 – Arrival in Istanbul
On your arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your
hotel with the remainder of day at your leisure to explore city or relax
before your tour commences.
DAY 02 – Historical Istanbul Sightseeing Tour
The Historical Istanbul sightseeing tour today includes a visit to the ancient
Hippodrome (the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Fountain of Wilhelm
II), The Blue Mosque which is famous for its blue Iznik tiles, The Hagia
Sophia Museum built in 537 AD, and The Grand Bazaar, where you will be able
to shop by bargaining with local merchants over remarkable antiques, colorful
spices, stunning jewelry and richly textured fabrics. Then Topkapi Palace,
the home of the Ottoman Sultans and their families for over 400 years, a
city within a city with 3000 residents. Your final stop for the day will
be the Rustem Pasha Mosque which is famous for its exquisite Iznik tiles.
DAY 03 – Bosphorus Cruise Tour
Start the tour today with a drive to Golden Horn, along the way see traces
of local history, view Fener Orthodox Patriarchate, Metal Church of St Stephen
the Bulgarian, Ahrida Synagouge, Eyup Sultan Mosque and see the 21km long
City Walls of Istanbul. You will visit the Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar),
then board the ferry which has become one of the icons of Istanbul. Alongside
million dollar mansions we will see the two bridges linking Europe and Asia
by road, as well as the seaside summer palaces and unique wooden houses
not to mention the natural beauty of the forests above. Your afternoon will
be free to discover Istanbul.
DAY 04 – Flight to Izmir / Pergamum Tour
After check-out you travel on a one hour flight to Izmir. Upon arrival you
will be met and driven to the Ancient Greek city of Pergamum which was built
on the top of a cone-shaped Acropolis, rising over a thousand feet above
the surrounding valley. You will be escorted to The Sanctuary of Trajan,
Sanctuary of Athena, Library, Royal palaces, Temple of Dionysus, Upper Agora,
Roman baths complex and Asklepion, which was the Sanctuary of Asclepius
(also known as the Asclepieion), the god of healing. At the conclusion of
your day of sightseeing, you will be driven to the hotel for your stay in
Kusadasi.
DAY 05 – Ephesus Ancient City Tour
After breakfast you will proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus, the best
preserved Greco-Roman City in the world. Here you will see the Agora, Odeon,
Curetes Street, Celsius Library, famous Roman Baths, the Grand Theatre and
Marble Street. After lunch, depart for the House of Virgin Mary where she
is said to have spent the remainder of her days. The tour also includes
a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the
ancient world. Your accommadation will be at Kusadasi.
DAY 06 – Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour
Early in the morning you will depart from your hotel and travel to Aphrodisias,
city of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of Love. After the guided tour of Aphrodisias,
your next stop will be the Hierapolis Ancient City, which houses Pamukkale
‘’Cotton Castle’’. This natural phenomenon leaves thick white layers of
limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain slope, which resemble
a frozen waterfall. There will be free time to walk on the terraces (where
allowed), after which you will be transferred to Denizli Airport for the
flight to Cappadocia connected via Istanbul.
DAY 07 – North Cappadocia Tour with Goreme Museum
Today you will visit Devrent Valley which is situated between Avanos, Zelve
and Urgup. From here to you will travel to Pasabaglari Valley, formerly
known as the "Monks' Valley" (Rahipler Vadisi). You will visit
Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and view the ancient
rock-hewn churches sculpted in the hillsides almost a thousand years ago.
After lunch, continue on to the small town of Urgup, which has many carved
dwellings that are still inhabited. Then you join a Discovery Series “Art
of Pottery in Asia Minor” event this afternoon, offering you the opportunity
to visit a cave pottery atelier. Your first day sightseeing of Cappadocia
will end with visits to Uchisar and Piegon Valley.
DAY 08 – South Cappadocia Tour with Ihlara Canyon
Check-out of your hotel and start another full day tour visiting the famous
Derinkuyu Underground City. Afterwards, a short hike through the green Ihlara
Valley alongside the stream, stopping at some of the churches along the
way. A stop in Belisirma for lunch and then on to Selime for a panoramic
view of the Ihlara Canyon. A stop at the Agzikarahan Caravansarai is also
included.
DAY 09 – Flight to Istanbul / Free Day in Istanbul
Today you will take the flight back to Istanbul, with the remainder of day
at your leisure to take advantage of last minute shopping or relax with
a Hamam ‘’Turkish Bath’’.
Day 10 – Transfer to Istanbul International Airport
After you have checked-out from your hotel, we will arrange for the transfer
to Istanbul International Airport for your return or onward flight.