Elegant Turkey Tour

Duration: 10 Days / 09 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Bosphorus, Pergamum, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Ephesus, Cappadocia
Run: Everyday (by flights)
Note: All Turkey tour packages are modular and you can use these itineraries as a starting point and we can help modify this itineraries to accommodate your personal requirements and desires to find your perfect holiday.

DAY 01 : Arrival in Istanbul
On your arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel with the remainder of day at your leisure to explore city or relax before your tour commences.

DAY 02 : Historical Istanbul Sightseeing Tour
The Historical Istanbul sightseeing tour today includes a visit to the ancient Hippodrome (the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Fountain of Wilhelm II), The Blue Mosque which is famous for its blue Iznik tiles, The Hagia Sophia Museum built in 537 AD, and The Grand Bazaar, where you will be able to shop by bargaining with local merchants over remarkable antiques, colorful spices, stunning jewelry and richly textured fabrics. Then Topkapi Palace, the home of the Ottoman Sultans and their families for over 400 years, a city within a city with 3000 residents. Your final stop for the day will be the Rustem Pasha Mosque which is famous for its exquisite Iznik tiles.

DAY 03 : Bosphorus Cruise Tour
Start the tour today with a drive to Golden Horn, along the way see traces of local history, view Fener Orthodox Patriarchate, Metal Church of St Stephen the Bulgarian, Ahrida Synagouge, Eyup Sultan Mosque and see the 21km long City Walls of Istanbul. You will visit the Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar), then board the ferry which has become one of the icons of Istanbul. Alongside million dollar mansions we will see the two bridges linking Europe and Asia by road, as well as the seaside summer palaces and unique wooden houses not to mention the natural beauty of the forests above. Your afternoon will be free to discover Istanbul.

DAY 04 : Flight to Izmir / Pergamum Tour
After check-out you travel on a one hour flight to Izmir. Upon arrival you will be met and driven to the Ancient Greek city of Pergamum which was built on the top of a cone-shaped Acropolis, rising over a thousand feet above the surrounding valley. You will be escorted to The Sanctuary of Trajan, Sanctuary of Athena, Library, Royal palaces, Temple of Dionysus, Upper Agora, Roman baths complex and Asklepion, which was the Sanctuary of Asclepius (also known as the Asclepieion), the god of healing. At the conclusion of your day of sightseeing, you will be driven to the hotel for your stay in Kusadasi.

DAY 05 : Ephesus Ancient City Tour
After breakfast you will proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus, the best preserved Greco-Roman City in the world. Here you will see the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Celsius Library, famous Roman Baths, the Grand Theatre and Marble Street. After lunch, depart for the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to have spent the remainder of her days. The tour also includes a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Your accommadation will be at Kusadasi.

DAY 06 : Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour
Early in the morning you will depart from your hotel and travel to Aphrodisias, city of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of Love. After the guided tour of Aphrodisias, your next stop will be the Hierapolis Ancient City, which houses Pamukkale ‘’Cotton Castle’’. This natural phenomenon leaves thick white layers of limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain slope, which resemble a frozen waterfall. There will be free time to walk on the terraces (where allowed), after which you will be transferred to Denizli Airport for the flight to Cappadocia connected via Istanbul.

DAY 07 : North Cappadocia Tour with Goreme Museum
Today you will visit Devrent Valley which is situated between Avanos, Zelve and Urgup. From here to you will travel to Pasabaglari Valley, formerly known as the "Monks' Valley" (Rahipler Vadisi). You will visit Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and view the ancient rock-hewn churches sculpted in the hillsides almost a thousand years ago. After lunch, continue on to the small town of Urgup, which has many carved dwellings that are still inhabited. Then you join a Discovery Series “Art of Pottery in Asia Minor” event this afternoon, offering you the opportunity to visit a cave pottery atelier. Your first day sightseeing of Cappadocia will end with visits to Uchisar and Piegon Valley.

DAY 08 : South Cappadocia Tour with Ihlara Canyon
Check-out of your hotel and start another full day tour visiting the famous Derinkuyu Underground City. Afterwards, a short hike through the green Ihlara Valley alongside the stream, stopping at some of the churches along the way. A stop in Belisirma for lunch and then on to Selime for a panoramic view of the Ihlara Canyon. A stop at the Agzikarahan Caravansarai is also included.

DAY 09 : Flight to Istanbul / Free Day in Istanbul
Today you will take the flight back to Istanbul, with the remainder of day at your leisure to take advantage of last minute shopping or relax with a Hamam ‘’Turkish Bath’’.

Day 10 : Transfer to Istanbul International Airport
After you have checked-out from your hotel, we will arrange for the transfer to Istanbul International Airport for your return or onward flight.

What's Included:
* Hotel accommodations in choice of preferred class
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* Noted sightseeing tours on regular group or private guided basis
* Main entrance fees to sights mentioned by the itinerary
* Meals mentioned by the itinerary - Vegeterian meals available
* Required land & or internal flight transportation
* All roundtrip airport transfers with A/C minivans
* Local taxes & handling services
* All tours & travel packages are insuranced by TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)