Day 1 – Istanbul (Arrival)
Welcome to Turkey, arrival into Istanbul. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Private Istanbul City Tour
Breakfast Included
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 day tour you have the option to experience the magical Bosphorus Cruise. You will have the chance to enjoy magnificent views of the Bosphorus which connects Asia to Europe by sunset. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 – Istanbul to Izmir Airport / Kusadasi
Free Day until the afternoon for your domestic flight to Izmir. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 4 – Private 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.
Day 5 – Private Pamukkale Tour
Day trip to Pamukkale. At 09:30 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. After lunch we will visit Pamukkale Museum, and The Travertine's of Pamukkale. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6 – Izmir - Kayseri Airport / Cappadocia
After breakfast, we depart for İzmir 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 7 – Private Cappadocia Tour
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 shown some of the ancient arts of Turkey, including 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 Cave Hotel Cappadocia.
Note: Before the tour there is an option to go hot air ballooning:
The Hot Air Balloon ascends at sunrise and the majestic 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 8 – Private Cappadocia Tour / Istanbul
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 crops barns, rooms, kitchens & ventilation channels. The second part of our Cappadocia Tour will include Uçhisar Castle, Avcılar, and Pidgeon Valley. After the tour we will rest at the hotel and have a free afternoon until transfers to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul. After Cappadocia we depart for Kayseri Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 9 – Private Istanbul City Tour
Today you don't have to wake up early. At 10:30 we will start a different city tour of Istanbul. We will visit the Taksim District, which is the heart of the night and intellectual life of Istanbul. It is a bustling centre of activity and outdoor pedestrian shopping malls, bars, restaurants, café, cinemas a street in which is the centre of the Turkish Film Industry. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 10 – Istanbul (Departure)
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another Luxury Turkey Tour. Have a safe trip back home and thank you for choosing Luxury Tours Turkey. |
