DAY 1 Arrival in Istanbul
Upon your arrival to Istanbul International Airport, you will be met by our hostess and transferred to your hotel. Before dinner you can take a walk through the historical Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, having a look at the Hippodrome and the famous Blue Mosque. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
DAY 2 Full Day Istanbul City Tour - Overnight Bus Trip to Kusadasi
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will explore the wonderful sites of Old Istanbul, the only city in the world straddling two continents, Europe and Asia. We will visit the Blue Mosque, with its six graceful minarets and famed blue Iznik Tiles, the Hippodrome, ancient Roman arena for chariot racing and Grand Bazaar with its more than 4,000 shops. We will then visit The Topkapi Palace, which from the 15th to the 19th Century was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the fabulous Imperial Treasury and the Baghdad Kiosk. Topkapi Palace is now a museum and has unrivaled collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker's Diamond, the 3rd largest diamond in the world, Ottoman court costumes and ceramics, notably one of the world's finest collection of early Chinese ceramics, much of it gifts from other rulers. Interestingly, some of the ceramics have a special glaze that was said to change color in the presence of poison. We also visit the Imperial Armory, displaying centuries of Ottoman weaponry. But perhaps the loveliest features of Topkapi Palace are its courtyards with their ancient trees, and it is easy to imagine the sultan strolling here far from the cares of state and empire. We will then proceed to The Suleymaniye Mosque, which is the largest and grandest of Istanbul's imperial mosques. It dates from the 16th Century heyday of the Ottoman Empire, and was designed by Sinan, the greatest architect of his day and originator of the Classical Ottoman style of architecture. Of the 2,000 structures Sinan designed, Suleymaniye Mosque and its complex of charitable institutions rank among the most important. Finally, we will then visit the museum Haghia Sophia and the Church of The Divine Wisdom. After the tour, we will transfer you to the bus station for an overnight bus trip to Kusadasi.
* Haghia Sophia Museum is closed on Mondays and will be replaced by St.Sauveur Chora Church.
DAY 3 Ephesus - Virgin Mary's House - Artemis - Kusadasi
Upon your early arrival to Kusadasi, we will depart to spend the day visiting the premiere Greco-Roman City of the ancient world, Ephesus. It was here in the great theater that Saint Paul preached and the site of another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. We will explore the Temple of Hadrian, the famous Celsus Library, the Temple of Artemis and other Roman sites. We will then visit the House of Virgin Mary, where the Mother Mary spent her final days. Finally we will visit the Basilica of St. John, where the Saint is said to have been buried and the basilica built around his tomb. After the tour, we will return to your hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and stay overnight.
DAY 4 Pamukkale - Hierapolis - Kusadasi
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will journey inland to Pamukkale to enjoy the spas, pools, and terraces of this natural wonder, called the "Cotton Castle". This name is truly fitting, the brilliant white calcified terraces do truly resemble a castle made of cotton. We will also spend time in Hieropolis, with one of the largest and most diverse necropolis in the world. We will visit the Roman Baths, Bazilica, calcium cliffs and Red Spring. You may also swim in the Cleopatra Thermal Pool, which is not included in the tour prices. After the tour, we will return to your hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 5 Pergamon Tour - Overnight Bus Trip to Cappadocia
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the celebrated Roman city of Pergamon, the site of an enormous library built with Roman tiles. Then we will proceed to Aesculapium, ancient medical center built in the name of Aesculapis, "God of Medicine". Then we will visit Asklepion and Acropolis, the place where parchment was invented. We will then visit Athena and Trojan Temples, Temple of Zeus, Temple of Dionysos, Gymnasium of Youth, Odeon, Library, Agora, Great Theater and Roman Bath and other sites. After the tour, we will transfer you to the bus station for an overnight bus trip to Cappadocia.
DAY 6 Cappadocia Tour
Upon your early arrival to Cappadocia, you will be transfered to the Special Class Cave Hotel to check-in. After having breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for a full day Cappadocia tour visiting, Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy chimneys, Zelve Open Air Museum where three canyons meet in the valley, Pasabag (Monk's Valley), Avanos, the stunning valley of Goreme and Open Air Museum where the remains of churches and early Christian dwellings, hewn from the rock, date back thousands of years. After the tour, we will return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 7 Cappadocia Tour - Overnight Bus Trip to Istanbul
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will again depart for a full day Cappadocia tour starting from Derinkuyu Underground City. Then we will continue to the Valley of Ihlara and continue to the Monastaries in Selime Village and the last stop will be the 13th Century Seljukian Caravanserai on the ancient silk road. After the tour, we will transfer you to the bus station for an overnight bus trip back to Istanbul.
DAY 8 Flight Back Home
Upon your early arrival to Istanbul, we will transfer you to Istanbul International Airport for your flight back home. End of our services.
What is Included :
- Airport Assistance by our hostess.
- All airport, hotel and tour transfers with non-smoking A/C vehicles.
- 4 nights hotel accommodation including breakfast at the hotels (1 night in Istanbul, 2 nights in Kusadasi, 1 night in Cappadocia)
- 3 overnight bus trips.
- 5 breakfast, 6 lunch and 7 dinner are included in the program.
- All sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary include; transportation, entrance fees and professional English speaking guides licenced by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
- All bus tickets (Istanbul to Kusadasi / Kusadasi to Cappadocia / Cappadocia to Istanbul).
- All local taxes.
- No hidden or extra costs.
What is Excluded
- International airfares.
- Airport taxes.
- Tips to guide, driver, hotel staff etc.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast).
Additional Information :
- The accommodations to be used in this package are 4 star hotels, clean and centrally located.
- The hotel accommodations can be upgraded upon your request.
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Istanbul
Pamukkale
Pergamon
Pergamon
Shown prices are per person in the
mentioned rooms. Please ask for group rates.
Departure dates:
Daily departure yearly round.
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TURKEY
