Arrive at Istanbul airport. You will be picked by our van and head to the hotel. Check in. Overnight at Istanbul.
Today we will have a walking day tour. The sites at Sultanahmet square are close to one another. This enables us to walk everywhere easily. We will start with Hippodrome where the Roman were doing chariot races and many other activities. It was functioning during Ottomans as well especially during Ramadan feasts. You will see the Constantine Obelisk, Theodosius Egyptian Obelisk and the Serpent Column. From there we will head to the Blue Mosque which was built at 16th century by Sultan Ahmet. The enormity of the mosque and the size of dome will overwhelm you. There are more than 10,000 blue tiles were used on its walls which made its name Blue Mosque. The six minarets are perfectly have been standing since 16th and showing the wealth of Ottoman Empire. Please make sure to pick a scarf with you as are not allowed to visit Mosque without it. If you don’t have time to buy they provide you one at the entrance. Afterwards we will head to Hagia Sophia. It was built at 5th century by Emperor Justinian. Until the St. Peter Basilica was built it was the biggest monument in the world. Even today it has got the second biggest dome in the world. After having been used as a cathedral 900 years it was converted into a mosque by Ottoman and was used more than 500 years. 1934 Ataturk made it a museum until 2018. Today it is used as a mosque again. So you will need a scarf again to enter. Then we will go to a local restaurant for lunch. After we will visit the Basilical Cistern which was used for drinking water supply. Istanbul has always been having a drinking water problem. That’s why Romans built many aqueducts and cisterns to collect drinking water. We will call the day with Grand Bazaar. It has got more than 4000 shops and many narrow streets. Get lost in this covered Bazaar and do your shopping. Head back to hotel. Overnight at Istanbul.
Today we will get our bus and head to the Topkapi Palace. It was the first Ottoman Palace which was used until the late of 18th century. The rooms are full of Ottoman treasury. You will be amazed by looking at one of the biggest diamond in the world known as Spoon Diamond. The last part of the Palace will help you to take some pictures of Bosphorus and to see the proximity of two continents Asia and Europe. Afterwards we will get our bus and drive down to the Bosphorus to take a ferry for a boat trip on Bosphorus. Through this trip you will be able to see beautiful Ottoman Houses, palaces etc. The trip takes two hours. After we land we will go for a lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards the bus will pick us to the Camlica Hill where you can watch both sides of the city. Back to hotel. Overnight at Istanbul.
Today we have an early departure to Gallipoli and Troy. our bus and guide will pick you from the hotel at 6:30 am and head to the Gallipoli. After four hours driving you will arrive at Gallipoli and do a two hours’ tour. On arrival we will visit Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Turkish Memorial and New Zealand Chunuk Bair. After we will have our lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards we will take a ferry on Dardanelles to the Asian side. After landing we will drive half an hour to Troy. on arrival you can get into the Trojan Horse which was brought to the site 1976. After taking some pictures we will go through the ruins of epical Troy. during walking through the historical layers your guide will give you the details and talk about mythological aspect of Troy. Overnight in Çanakkale.
Today we will depart at 09:00 am and head to Assos. So- called Behramkale in modern days Assos was a known city during antiquity. The marble stone of sarcophagus was originated from this town. Therefore, it was a rich city. It was known with its philosophical academy where the philosopher Aristo was teaching. After we will visit Athena Temple and some other ruins at the city. Afterwards we will drive to an Ottoman village called Yesilyurt. It is a beautiful village where we can walk through the narrow streets and talk to the local people. Then we will drive two hours to Pergamum. On arrival we will have our lunch at a local restaurant. After we will drive up to the antic city Pergamum. It was the capital of Pergamese Kingdom between 2nd and mid of 1st centuries. The biblical aspect of Pergamum is also worth be known. It is one of the seven churches in the Bible. The ruins of Pergamum are very well preserved. You will see the steepest amphitheatre, Pergamum library, Trajan Temple, Red Hall etc. then we will head to Kusadasi. Check in. Overnight at Kusadasi.
Your guide will meet you at 09:00 at the lobby and head to Ephesus. Ephesus is the best preserved Greco-Roman city. We will start from Magnesian Gate and start our visit with State Agora, Stoa, Bouleuterion, Memius Fountain, Polio Fountain, Hadrian temple, Vespasian Baths, Latrine, Celsius Library, Terrace Houses, Central Agora, Marble Road and Amphitheatre. The tour will take around two hours at the site. then we will visit Artemis Temple which was one of the seven wonders of antic world. St. John Basilica is right next to the temple. We will visit Basilica before we go for lunch. It is believed that St. John was buried at Basilica. The emperor Justinian built this church at 5th century. After lunch we will drive up to the mount where it is believed that Mother Marry spent her last few years down here. Therefore, it is a sacred area and where the sermons are done every day. Overnight at Kusadasi.
Today we will drive three hours to Pamukkale. This unique site is one of a kind. The white limestone made it to be called Pamukkale which means Cotton Castle. The site is quite big including travertines, ruins and Cleopatra’s pool. There is an extra fee for the pool to swim in. your guide will give you the instructions the day before you are coming to the site. the travertines are free. As they are shallow you don’t have to bring your swimwear if you are not swim at the Cleopatra’s pool. You can take off your shoes and walk through the pools. Then we will head to a local restaurant. After lunch we will check into our thermal hotel. You will have free afternoon at the hotel to use thermal pools and other activities. The dinner will be at the hotel. Overnight at Pamukkale.
Today we will head to Antalya. After three and half hours later we will be in Antalya. On arrival we will check into our hotel. Our hotel is located at the old city Antalya. You can walk through the streets do some shopping and have some lunch. Free day in Antalya. Overnight at Antalya.
Today we will get the bus and head to Side. Side is well known place with its antic ruins especially its museum and Athena temple are worth to see. After we will drive to Aspendos whose amphitheatre is best preserved in the world. Afterwards we will drive to a local restaurant for lunch. Then we will drive to Perge. The site has got a huge and well preserved Stadium and many other ruins. After we will drive back to hotel. Overnight at Antalya.
Today we have an early departure to Cappadocia. After three hours driving we will arrive at Konya. On arrival we will visit Mawlana Museum and mosque where the whirling dervishes were originated. Then we will have a lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards we will head to Cappadocia visit Sultanhani Caravanserai on our way. Arrive in Cappadocia check into our cave hotel. Overnight at Cappadocia.
(Note: this morning you will wake up 4:00 am for balloon. The balloon is a must at Cappadocia. so if you like to do it you have to take your reservations days before. Your company will inform you anyway. ) Today we will visit the highlights of Cappadocia at North. We will start with Goreme open air museum where you can see how the local people curved the soft topography and built this many churches in one area. Goreme was used as a theology school where local people were learning about their religion through looking at the frescoes. After we will drive to Pasabag Monks Valley where you can see the clear layers and forms of chimneys. Then we will stop at two panoramic places to take pictures. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before we go to the Devrent Valley. There are many valleys in Cappadocia to walk. Devrent is the best one where you can understand how the local people lived in the caves that many years. No one live in the chimneys at modern days after it was accepted as a world heritage site. we will finish the day with Uchisar castle which is the biggest one-piece rock at Cappadocia. Overnight at Cappadocia.
Today we have an early departure to south Cappadocia tour. After one hour driving we will arrive one of the underground city known as Derinkuyu which is the biggest one. Cappadocian curved these cities as shelters during invasions and wars. They could stay and live in them a few years. Going through the different parts and rooms of the shelter you will be overwhelmed by the enormity of the shelter. Afterwards we will head to the Ihlara valley. Ihlara is a huge gourge where the monks and locals built mainly churches in it. It was a very good place both for hiding and stay away the crowd and live a monastery life style. We will visit couple of them during our walking at the valley. At the end of the valley we will sit at a restaurant which is situated on the river for a local lunch. Then we will drive to Selime Village. People were all living in the chimneys here in this village. On arrival you will see a Caravanserai which was curved out of the rock again during the Seljuk Empire. Overnight at Cappadocia.
End of services. You will be back to the airport according to your flight time.
What's Included • Licensed English speaking guide
