Ultimate Turkey Explorer Tour

Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free rest of the day. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

After the breakfast, we begin our tour from the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul at Hagia Sophia. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is famed for its mosaics,including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses. Next we visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial Mosque with six minarets. The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100.000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. After lunch break we continue our tour at Topkapi Palace which, from the 15th to 19th century, was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Final visit will be to the Grand Bazaar which was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4.000 shops are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelery, ceramics, icons and leather goods.

Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

Remark: Hagia Sophia is usually closed in winter period & open in summer periods, it can be closed in all periods so kindly check at the time of booking), Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, Blue Mosque is closed on Friday due to Friday prayers, Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays

After the breakfast, we will depart to visit City Walls The first breach of the walls was by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the second by the cannons and troops of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453. Then you will go for Golden Horn. As natural and extremely secure harbor, the Golden Horn has played an important role in the development of Istanbul. The inlet separates the European shore into two. It is approximately 8 km long, and the widest part is the entrance from the Bosphorus. Two streams drain into this inlet at its far end. Next stop will be 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. After that you will go for the boat trip on the Bosphorus. 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 Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries. You will see Rumeli Fortress (from the sea, no interior visit). 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. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then we will go to Beylerbeyi Palace. The summer residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian. Bosphorus Bridge is a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe). After that Camlica Hill which is the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style. Also there is a possibility of shopping at Bedesten exhibits the traditional silk weaving girls at the carpet weaving courses authorised by the Ministry of National Education Possibility to see jewellery, handicrafts center and leatherware show. Free time provided for shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

After the breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Izmir. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kusadasi.

After the breakfast, first we will visit Virgin Mary House. This place is discovered by Lazarist priests after a German nun described the house and the mountain as the last residence of Virgin Mary after she had some visions about the place. Today this place is a Muslim and Catholic, being cared by Lazarist Fathers. Lazarist Fathers still celebrating the mass every day. Then we will drive to Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights. In Ephesus we will see, Celcus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan and the Theater. We will have lunch in a local Turkish restaurant. After lunch we will visit Isa Bey Mosque which is built in 1375 by Anatolian Seljuks. The last stop of the tour will be the Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to Ephesus antique city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kusadasi.

After the breakfast, it takes 3 hours to get to Pamukkale (Hierapolis) from Kusadasi. There will be a break halfway for the needs. You will have an open buffet lunch upon arrival in Pamukkale, then head to the South Gate of Pamukkale (Hierapolis). After that we will see Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis which is one of the biggest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1.200 graves, Roman Bath, Domitian Gate, and the Main Street, Byzantium Gate. After the tour in Hierapolis, there will be a break which you can spend your time to swim in the Ancient Pool (aka. Cleopatra Pool). Please note that swimming in the pool costs an extra fee. The Cleopatra Pool is warmed by hot springs and littered with underwater fragments of ancient marble columns. It is possibly associated with the Temple of Apollo. The pool provides a rare opportunity to swim among antiquities to visitors! During the Roman period, columned porticoes surrounded the pool; earthquakes toppled them into the water where they lie today. If you want you can walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by the hot water that contains calcium. The temperature of the water is about 35 degrees. You can see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name Pamukkale (cotton castle). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kusadasi.

After the breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Kayseri/Nevsehir. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

After the breakfast, Our first real encounter with Cappadocia almost Martian landscape is in the Dervent valley. We visit Pasabag’s “fairy chimneys”, where the voice of the wind harmonizes with songs of the fairies. From here we pause at Avanos center of terracotta art which is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over the river and is its production of earthenware pottery, it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used. A visit to ceramic & tile center to see how the ceramics made by hand. After lunch we visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia. People of Goreme, at the heart of the Cappadocia Region, realized that these soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post-iconoclastic period. These frescoes are a unique artistic achievement from this period. You visit a carpet cooperative, where you'll see how exquisite Turkish carpets are hand-woven.  We complete the tour with a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

After the breakfast, we will depart to visit Red valley through Cavusin and explore the famous rock- cut churches and hike 2 km. Then visit Cavusin village. Old Cavusin was abandoned several decades ago due to avalanches. The current village of Cavusin is located on the road. Old Cavusin, with its rock-cut dwellings and stone houses, had several hermitages. After lunch drive to the Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon visit Underground City, where early Christians lived in fear and faith. The houses in the village are constructed around the nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city, which is one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia. The underground city was originally carved out as eight floors; however four floors are available to visit. In wartime about 5000 people can refuge in. The tunnels are still used today as storage areas, stables, and cellars. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

After the breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Istanbul to take the international flight.