Locations: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Hierapolis & Ephesus
Trip start/End: Istanbul
Total Travel Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Specialty Categories: Archeology, History, Cultural and Natural Beauty
TRAVEL ITINERARY
DAY 1 : Arrival to Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey! You’re greeted upon arrival and
Istanbul Ataturk Airport Arrival Transfer to your hotel located in the Old City area-Sultanahmet. According to your arrival time you can either check in to the hotel and relax or check out the Old city area.
Overnight in Istanbul. Meals(No)
“Spend a day visiting the Old City's must see sights”
* Ancient Hippodrome; Main Square of Old City in Istanbul, decorated with Wilhelm the II. Fountain, Egyptian Obelisk,
Stone Column of Constantine Porphyrogenetus, the Serpent Column.
* Blue Mosque; features the world famous blue medieval tiles, built by the architect Mehmet Aga with the order of Sultana Ahmet in 1604.
* Hagia Sophia; is now a museum and known as one of the great buildings of the world.
(Closed on Mondays – replaced with Basilica Cistern)
* Topkapi Palace; which was the former palace of Ottoman Sultan's and holds a trove of Islamic art, jewels, and decor.
(Closed on Tuesdays – replaced with Kariye Museum)
* Grand Bazaar; where you'll find everything from spices to jewels and antiques.
(Closed on Sundays - replaced with authentic shops)
Overnight: Istanbul - Meals: (B & L)
“Explore 2 continents in a day with panoramic Bosporus Cruise and elegant palace visit.”
*Golden Horn; a fresh-water river dividing Old Istanbul from the Pera (New City) and forming the natural harbor that has Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and other ships for thousands of years.
*Spice Market; of 17th century origin - a colorful bazaar heaped with spices, Turkish sweets, dried foods and much more. (Closed on Sundays – replaced with authentic shops)
*Bosporus Cruise by boat; See the most impressive sights of Istanbul along the strait of Bosporus between the two continents of Europe and Asia. A Truly panoramic and relaxing way to feel the Istanbul’s magic.
*Dolmabahce or Beylerbeyi Palace; the most beautiful Ottoman palaces built on the shores of Bosporus and decorated richly and used as final residence of the Ottoman sultans.
(Closed on Mondays & Thursdays – replaced with Kariye Museum) – *Only one palace visited.
*Camlica Hill; stands as the highest hills on Asian side of Istanbul with a green setting and a panoramic view of Bosporus strait, Asian Istanbul, even Princes’ Islands in a clear day.
Overnight: Istanbul - Meals: (B & L)
* Uchisar, a photo stop nearby the Uchisar castle and introduction of volcanic area with. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Fairy Chimneys.
* Goreme Open Air Museum, houses many painted frescoes cave-churches.
* Pasabagi, the best place to see three-headed fairy chimneys
* Avanos, famous for the pottery and painted tiles in Turkey. You can see pottery being made, including the old techniques, and even try your hand on the potter’s wheel.
* Devrent Valley, a lunar landscape and animal shaped pink rocks.
Overnight in Cappadocia. Meals (B-L)
Morning pick up from hotel and continue to;
* Goreme Panorama, a stop for the panoramic view of Goreme Valley.
* Underground City, a complex of joint caves built by the Christians
* Ihlara Valley, enjoy an easy hike through part of the valley along the Melendiz stream, look up and see many of Roman churches, chapels, monasteries and hermits’ caves
* Selime Castle, It has a great view looking down the valley. The complexes were carved into volcanic rock outcroppings during the Byzantine period.
* Pigeon Valley, named after the thousands of pigeon houses carved into the rocks.
End of tour, take an overnight bus transfer to Pamukkale. Meals: (B & L)
“A great combination of Historical & natural sites”
* Pamukkale; the beautiful, cascading, snow-white terraced cliff-side basins and waterfalls famous for the healing properties of their thermal mineral baths.
* Hierapolis; an ancient Hellenic and Roman city. See the vast Necropolis Roman basilica baths, Domitian gate, latrines, Agora, Colonnaded Street, Byzantine Gate, Roman fountains, and Grand Theatre.
“Extra admission fee for historical Thermal pool”
End of tour, transfer to Ephesus area by bus. Overnight in Selcuk or Kusadasi
Overnight: Selcuk or Kusadasi - Meals: (B & L)
“A day devoted to the largest open air Museum of Turkey.”
* Ephesus; tour starts from the upper entrance gate. The Baths of Varius, Odeon, Prytaneion, Fountain of Polio, The Gate of Heracles, State Agora, Temple of Hadrian, Temple of Domitian, Library of Celsus, Great Theater and Harbor Street with the Necropolis will be visited.
* The Temple of Artemis; one of the seven wonders of ancient world was a famous place of pilgrimage for centuries.
* House of the Virgin Mary; where she spent her last days on a mountain.
End of tour, Transfer back to Izmir airport for evening flight back to Istanbul. Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul
Overnight: Istanbul - Meals: (B & L)
Meals: (B)
Note: Meals as per itinerary: (B = breakfast, L = lunch)
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Accommodations
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3* Hotels
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4* Hotels
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5* Hotels
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Istanbul Hotels
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Istanbul Holiday Hotel
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Albatros Premier Hotel
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The Marmara Hotel
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Cappadocia Hotels
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Canyon View Hotel
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Stone House Hotel
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Anatolian Houses Hotel
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Ephesus Hotels
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Rebetika Hotel
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Kalehan Hotel
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Charisma Hotel
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Inclusions
• Airport Arrival & Departure transfers
• All admission fees in tours
• Lunches in Tours
• Top quality accommodations (Bed & Breakfast)
• Transportation with comfortable AC non smoking car / Van
• Professional guiding services during tours by a licensed Guide
• For group tours-bus tickets and domestic flight tickets
Exclusions
• International airfare.
• Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and meals which are not listed at the itinerary.
• All personal expenses.
• All customary tips to drivers, guides and escorts are made at the traveler’s discretion
• Turkish Visa Fee
• Vacation insurance
• Laundry
Alternatively for any other services or for tailor-made itineraries and quotations, without obligation, just complete the
Enquiry or email us:
info@turkeyvoyage.com - now for a fast response.
