Turkish Delight

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival Istanbul

Arrival to Istanbul, meet and assist at the airport and transfer to the city centre. A full day tour with Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its more than 20.000 blue Iznik tiles and unique with its 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet in the 17th century, one of the best examples of classical Turkish art. St. Sophia: The magnificent Byzantine Church; one of the finest architectural works in the world. It has been nominated as the 8th wonder of the world by many historians. Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations, and political activities of the old city where one can also see today the “Obelisk of Theodosius” from Egypt, “Serpentine Column” from Delphi, the “German Fountain of Wilhelm II” and the “Colossus”. After visiting the Grand Covered Bazaar, the most attractive shopping center in the world with nearly 4000 shops, time for lunch. In the afternoon, proceed to Topkapi Palace-built in 1468 by Mehmet the Conqueror, the imperial residence of Ottoman sultans housing the souvenirs of 600 years and exhibiting imperial treasury, Chinese porcelains, weapons and calligraphy section. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 02: Istanbul – Canakkale 

After breakfast drive to Canakkale, visit Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles -particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. drive to Canakkale for overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Bergama and visit Pergamum, impressive site of an ancient kingdom, where we visit the Asclepieum, which was a famous health center where methods of treatment including blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation performed. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Drive to the lively coastal town of Kusadasi for an overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City, one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins. Visit leather products center with a fashion show. Continue with Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. After lunch departure for Pamukkale. Tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre. Overnight at your hotel in Pamukkale.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Cappadocia. On the way, lunch in Konya. After visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic figure, and viewing the Sultanhan Caravanserai drive to Cappadocia and overnight.

Day 06: Cappadocia 

Breakfast at the hotel. Optional balloon tour in the morning. After breakfast departs for the Cappadocia tour, visit the valleys where animal-like natural formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Visit the Underground city of Ozkonak or Kaymakli. Drive on to Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. In the afternoon visit Open Air Museum in Goreme, where you can see early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Shopping time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning take a flight to Istanbul. Arrival to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Meet and assist at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Free at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free until transfer time. Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport International Lines for a flight to home.

INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS

Days : 8 | Nights : 7

Attractions

• Pamukkale Water Terraces
• Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul
• Lycian Rock Tombs
• Gobekli Tepe
• Troy
• Pluto's Gate
• Myra Necropolis
• Abandoned Village of Kayakoy
• Kekova Island Sunken Ruins
• Gamirasu Cave Hotel
• City of Manazan
• Termessos
• Safranbolu, Turkey
• Derinkuyu Underground City
• Sumela Monastery
• Kaymaklı Underground City
• Minyatür’s Nautical Instruments
• Olympos Coastal National Park (Çıralı)
• Tombili
• Avanos Hair Museum
• Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross
• Nemrut Dagi
• Çatalhöyük
• Ishak Pasha Palace
• Tombs of the Sultans at Hagia Sophia
• The Museum of Innocence
• Piri Reis Map at Topkapi Palace
• Obelisk of Theodosius
• Balikli Gol
• Bulgarian Iron Church
• Fortress of Kızkalesi
• Suluklugol
• House of the Virgin Mary
• Harran Beehive Houses
• Panorama 1453 Museum
• Lycian Tomb Uçagiz
• Büyükada
• Miniaturk
• The Public Toilets of Ephesus
• Özkonak Underground City
• Hasankeyf
• Serpent Column
• Yedi Uyurlar Mağarası (Cave of the Seven Sleepers)
• Monument to Humanity, Kars
• Kaiser Wilhelm Fountain
• Beylerbeyi Palace