Turkey Tours Escorted

Journey Through an Ancient World

Istanbul - Kusadasi -Ephesus - Pamukkale - Antalya - Cappadocia - Istanbul

2009

14Days/13nights 

February - 9th 23rd, April - No Tour ,May - 9th 23rd
June - 9th 23rd,July - 9th 23rd, August - 9th 23rd
September - 9th 23rd, October - 23rd, November - 9th ,December - No Tour 

Description
The Best Tour in Turkey, including quaint authentic boutique cave hotels in Cappadocia. First class service and guided transportation through the historical and picturesque sites of Istanbul, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the hot springs of Pamukkale, Perge, Aspendos and beautiful views of the Mediterranean coast in Antalya before seeing the underground cities of Cappadocia. This an exquisite tour for you with all the bells and whistles

Day 1 Istanbul 
Welcome to Turkey, arrival into Istanbul. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul!!
      
Day 2 – Istanbul City Tour
We depart at 09:00 for the Istanbul city tour. TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Lunch break and then we head to the SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar) the air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. After the tour you have the option to experience The bosphorus Cruise. You will have the chance to enjoy magnificent views of bosphorus which is connecting Asia to Europe. The rest of the evening is you’re to enjoy Istanbul. Over night in Istanbul.

Day 3 Istanbul to Izmir / Kusadasi
Free Day until the afternoon for your domestic flight to Izmir. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel in Kusadasi. Over Night in Kusadasi

Day 4 Ephesus Tour
A fully Guided Ephesus Tour starts at 09:00, one of the best preserved ancient ruins in the world. A visit to Ephesus - once the commercial centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The tour of the ruins also includes a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. Overnight in Kusadasi/Ephesus

Day 5 Daily Trip to Turkish Village Sirince
Sirince's construction style today belongs to Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slope are all Orginal with their white paint. There is a good view at the slope are all Orginal with their white paint. There is a good view at the entrance of the entrance of the vilage and its streets are also wonderful. Sirince is very popular for its buiding style, house, streets and apple wine made by the vilagers. In 1922 the anatolian Greeks immigrated back to greece and Turks coming from Grece settled there. There are remains of 42 Churches and Monastires in and around the village that is why Sirince is also known as " Ephesus in the mountains". Sirince is one of the Government Protected Areas (G. R. A) Of Izmir and so most of its Original Authentic buildings are well preserved, especially the two Churches in the village Center . Overnight in Kusadasi/Ephesus

Day 6 Pamukkale Tour
08:30 we depart on our tour of Pamukkale travertine's and the ancient city of Hierapolis. You will visit Domitian Gate, Colonnaded Gate, and Cathedral, Red waters of Karahayit, Lunch, Pamukkale Museum, and The Travertine's of Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale

Day 7- Pamukkale to Antalya
After breakfast depart to Antalya (5 hour drive). Antalya in ancient times it covered all Pamphylia that means "the land of all tribes". Attalia, the ancient name of Antalya, is derived from that of the Pergamon King Attalos II Philadelphus, who founded the city on the Pamphylian seacoast around 150 BC. It is know that it was visited by St. Paul by way of Perge in 46 A.D., that it was an important trading centre in the 2nd century A.D. and that the Emperor Hadrian's visit in 130 A.D. was commemorated with new monuments. Check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to discover Antalya..  Overnight in Antalya

Day 8- Antalya Perge Aspendos Tour
After breakfast depart to Antalya (30 minute drive).
PERGE : According to the geographer Strabon. Perge has been founded by Akhas who came down here after the Trojan wars. Perge was first mentioned in 334 BC when Alexander the Great passed through here. In the following years, Perge went under the control of Pergamon when the Kingdom of Pergamon became a part of the Roman city. Especially in the first and the second centuries BC, Perge became one of the richest towns in Pamphylia. Therefore it is not a surprising that St. Paul started his campaign in Anatolia from Perge in 46 AD.
After the tour, departure for Aspendos. Lunch break on the way.
ASPENDOS: The eastern land of Antalya was called Pamphylia in ancient times. Aspendos (Belkis) lies 47 km east of Antalya in the Pamphylian plain. In 486 BC, Greeks and Persians had a great battle here (Greeks won, they didn't stay for long). During the reign of he Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-80 AD) Aspendos got its theatre, which is the best preserved of all. It was built by Romans and maintained by Byzantines and Seljuks. The ruins of the ancient city are extensive and include a stadium, an agora, and a basilica. Dinner at your Hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 9- Antalya - Cappadocia 
After breakfast, we depart for Antalya Airport for our domestic flight to Cappadocia. Transfer from Kayseri airport to your Cave hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore Cappadocia. Overnight in Cave Hotel in Cappadocia

Day 10 Cappadocia Tour (B/D)
After breakfast we shall start our Cappadocia tour including Göreme Open Air Museum, Dervent Valley, and Pasabağ Valley. After lunch, we will make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like carpet weaving, leather manufacturing and jewellery. As this will be a guided tour, you will avoid being hassled which will enable you enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Free evening. Overnight in Cappadocia. Before the tour there is an option to go hot air ballooning:
The Hot Air Balloon descends at sunrise and the ride lasts for approximately 45 minutes; in which we will float through valleys, between fairy chimneys and caves. The balloon will rise approximately 1000 feet in which you will experience the extraordinary views Cappadocia has to offer. On landing, champagne will be served to toast arrival. It is a fantastic journey made by the eccentric landscapes and the rising sun.

Day 11 Cappadocia Tour- Istanbul (B/D)
After breakfast we head to one of the most interesting sites of Cappadocia: Kaymaklı Underground City. The Christians hid from the armies of Rome and the raids of hostile tribes in these self sufficient cities in which there were halls for stocks of crop, barns, rooms, kitchens & ventilation channels. The second part of our Cappadocia Tour will include Uçhisar Castle, Avcılar, and Pidgeon Valley. Over night in Cappadocia

Day 12 Cappadocia to Istanbul
After breakfast you will have free time shoping in Cappadocia. Evening we depart for Kayseri Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul. Transfer from Kayseri airport to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 13 Istanbul (B/D)
BOSPHORUS ON PRIVATE BOAT
SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar)
The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other concievable herb and spice.
BEDESTEN exhibits the traditional silk weaving courses carpet weaving courses authorised by the Ministry of National Education. Possibility to see jewellery, handicrafts center and leatherware show. Free time provided for shopping. BOSPHORUS ON BOAT A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating Europe and Asia.The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Çiragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortaköy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortaköy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. BEYLERBEYI PALAS The summer residence of ottoman sultans whit its orginal furnuture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian. BOSPHORUS BRIDGE unique change to step from one continent (Asia) to another ( Europe) CAMLICA HILL the highest point in istanbul. at the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the bosphours from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style. SHOPPING POSSIBILITY AT BEDESTEN Exhebition the traditional silk weaving girls at the carpet weaving courses autohorised by The Ministry of national education Possibility to see jewellery, handscrafts centre and leatherware show. Free time providend for shopping. Over night in Istanbul

Day 14 Istanbul (B)
We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again .After breakfast check out from the hotel. We make your return airport transfer services. Have a nice trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Turkey

Tour Includes
Domestic flights from Istanbul to Izmir - Antalya to Cappadocia and Cappadocia to Istanbul
4 nights accommodation in Istanbul with Breakfast
3 nights accommodation in Kusadasi with Breakfast
1 nights accommodation in Pamukkale with Breakfast
2 nights accommodation in Antalya with Breakfast
3 Night accommodation in Cappadocia with Breakfast
1 Full Day Istanbul City Tour
1 Full Day Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise
1 Full Day Ephesus Tour
1 Full Day Turkish Village Tour
1 Full Day Pamukkale Tour
1 Full Day Antalya
2 Full Day Cappadocia Tour
Air-conditioned busses
Professional English speaking tour guide
All entrance fees mentioned in the Itinerary
Return airport transfers

Tour Prices are in EURO:

  *USD rate varies depending the exchange rate

(T)

Shorter version of this tour also available (10nights) : Highlights of Turkey

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