Turkish Delight Turkey Tour

Turkey Tour Destinations: Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia

Turkey is an amazing diverse country.  It has stunning scenery, such as the volcanic landscape in Cappadocia and the white stunning travertines at Pamukkale.  Then there is the remarkable UNESCO listed archaeological sites at Ephesus and Hierapolis.
Istanbul’s history encompasses three major civilizations of the ancient world: Roman, Greek, and Byzantine, plus the johnny-come-lately Ottoman Empire. And, all that history is visible on almost every street corner with modern buildings built on top of ancient ruins and rem- nants of ancient walls lining today’s streets.
The Bosporus, a waterway famed in the ancient world, provides the backdrop to all that makes Istanbul Istanbul–exotic, Eastern and yet Western, a magical skyline.
Pamukkale, famous for its healing thermal mineral waters, and beautiful snow-white petri- fied pools and waterfalls; a walk among the ruins of Hieropolis, now famous for its well- preserved Necropolis.
Ephesus is one of the Western world’s finest examples of a classical ancient city. Originally
a Roman city, built in 1000BC, it became a center for the worship of Artemis, the Anatolian Mother Goddess. The ruins of today date from the 4th century BC and the city founded by Lysimachus, successor to Alexander the Great. However, it was under the Romans that Ephe- sus became a major port on the Aegean. Ephesus played an important role in the spread of Christianity, as two great Councils of the early church were held here, in AD 431 and 449. Cappadocia’s landscape is hard to describe in physical terms. It’s often been described as
a moonscape, so unusual with its conical rock outcrops, called fairy chimneys. It is also home to churches and chapels carved into the rocks, many decorated with extraordinary frescoes, and extensive underground cities, built to protect the early Christian inhabitants from in- vaders.
Itinerary:

Day 1: Istanbul (-)

Welcome to the transcontinental city! Upon arrival in Istanbul  airport, you will be transferred to your hotel by private minivan. You will have the rest of the day at your leisure, and you will spend the night at your hotel.

Day 2: Istanbul Old City Tour (B, L)

You will have breakfast at your hotel’s buffet, after which you will meet your guide and driv- er in the lobby for Istanbul’s full day classical city tour. By the end of this tour, you will have gained a complete vision of Istanbul while having visited Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column and the Grand Bazaar, where Turkish handicrafts and local products are demonstrated. After the tour ends, you will be transferred back to your hotel, where you will spend your night.

Day 3: Istanbul Half Day Bosphorus Tour – Kusadasi (B)

You will have breakfast at your hotel’s buffet, after which you will meet your guide and driv- er in the lobby for a half day Bosphorus tour. The tour will start with a panoramic Halic ride that will eventually take you to the Spice Bazar, where your guide will assist you in getting the most out of your shopping experience. From Eminonu, you will catch a ferry along the Bosphorus, which separates the Asian and European continents, for a 90-minute journey experiencing the best sceneries the city has to offer. After the tour ends, you will be trans- ferred to the airport to catch your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival in Izmir, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi, where you will spend your night.

Day 4: Kusadasi – Pamukkale Tour (B, L)

You will have breakfast at your hotel’s buffet, after which you will meet your guide and driv- er in the lobby for your full day Pamukkale tour. Upon arrival in Pamukkale, you will have lunch, after which you will visit Hierapolis ancient city, including the Roman Theatre, Apollo Temple and magnificent Necropolis cemetery. At the end of the tour, you will enjoy the thermal pools of calcareous origin, one of its main attractions. After the tour ends, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi, where you will spend your night.

Day 5: Full Day Kusadasi (Ephesus) Tour – Cappadocia (B, L)

You will have breakfast at your hotel’s buffet, after which you will meet your guide and driv- er in the lobby for a full day Ephesus tour. The tour will start with a walk through the sacred marble street, which connects the Grand Theatre to the Celsius Library. It will also include a walk to the Agora through the streets of marble columns and a visit to the Temple of Hadri- an and several monuments of this ancient Roman city. After lunch, you will visit the Temple of Artemis then onward to visit the House of Virgin Mary. After the tour ends, you will be transferred to Izmir airport to catch your flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival in Kayseri, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia, where you will spend your night.

Day 6: Cappadocia Full Day Underground City Tour (B, L)

HOT AIR BALLOON AT SUNRISE!
*The optional sunrise hot air balloon is a lifetime must experience whilst in Cappadocia!*
You will have breakfast at your hotel’s buffet, after which you will meet your guide and driv- er in the lobby for Cappadocia’s full day Underground city tour. You will visit Red valley and explore the famous intagliated churches and hike 5 km through the Güllüdere valley. Then you’ll visit Cavusin village, which is famous for the houses and churches of Christian clergy- men, and continue to the Pigeon valley for lunch. In the afternoon you will visit Kaymakli underground city, ancient Christian city that spreads 8 floors below ground. On the way back, you will visit the natural castles at Ortahisar. When the tour ends, you will be trans- ferred back to your hotel, where you will spend your night.

Day 7: Cappadocia Full Day Regional Tour – Istanbul (B, L)

You will have breakfast at your hotel’s buffet, after which you will meet your guide and driv- er in the lobby for Cappadocia’s full-day regional tour. You will enjoy Cappadocia’s land- scape in the Devrent valley, then continue with a walk through Pasabag’s “fairy chimneys”, where the voice of the wind harmonizes with the songs of the fairies, and visit Avanos center of terracotta art. After lunch, you will visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia. You will end the tour with a visit to the Uchisar rock castle, which offers a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. After the tour ends, you will be transferred to Kayseri airport to catch your flight back to Istanbul. Up- on arrival in Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you will spend your night.

Day 8: Depart from  Istanbul (End of Tour) (B)

You will have breakfast at your hotel’s buffet, after which you will meet your driver in the lobby for your transfer to the airport, where you will catch your flight back home. We hope your tour will meet your satisfaction, and we would like to see you again in the future. Wish you a safe flight.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Experience Bosphorus Dinner Cruise.
Purchase tickets for Istanbul attractions Such as Whirling Dervishes, Horseback Riding  in Cappadocia
Paragliding in Pamukkale
Hot-Air Balloon ride in Cappadocia

CUSTOMIZE THIS TOUR!
Add flight ticket Antalya to Cappadocia
Have your very own private driver-guide chauffeur your tour of Cappadocia.
Enjoy an upgrade to a luxury hotel for the duration of your stay.