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
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. Over night in Istanbul.
Day 3 – Istanbul to Izmir / 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 Day Trip to Turkish Village Sirince
Sirince's construction style today belongs to Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slopes of the settlement exist today in their original state with their white painted walls. Enjoy the breathtaking views at entrance of the village and experience the lively village streets. Sirince is popular for its unique building style, houses, streets and authentic apple wine made by the villagers. In 1922 the Anatolian Greeks immigrated back to Greece and the Turks settled here in place. There are ancient remains of 42 Churches and Monasteries in and around the village. Sirince is also known as " Ephesus in the mountains". Sirince is one of the few Government Protected Areas (G. R. A) of Izmir, meaning its Original Authentic buildings are well preserved. The two Churches in the village center are particularly well preserved dating back to Anatolian Greek times. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6 – Private Pamukkale Tour
08:30 we depart on our tour of Pamukkale Tavertine'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 Pamukkale.
Day 7 – Private Pamukkale to Antalya
After breakfast we depart for Antalya (5 hour drive). Antalya in ancient times covered all Pamphylia that means "the land of all tribes". Attalia, the ancient name of Antalya, is derived from that of the Pergamon King Attalos II Philadelphus, who founded the city on the Pamphylian seacoast around 150 BC. It is known that it was visited by St. Paul by way of Perge in 46 A.D., and that it was an important trading centre in the 2nd century A.D. The Emperor Hadrian's visit in 130 A.D. was also commemorated with new monuments. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to discover Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8 – Private Pergamon-Aspendos Tour
After breakfast depart for Pergamon and Aspendos (30 minute drive).
PERGE : According to the Geographer Strabon. Perge was founded by Akhas who came here after the Trojan wars. Perge was first mentioned in 334 BC when Alexander the Great passed through here. In the following years, Perge went under the control of Pergamon when the Kingdom of Pergamon became a part of the Roman city. Especially in the first and the second centuries BC, Perge became one of the richest towns in Pamphylia. Therefore it is not a surprising that St. Paul started his campaign in Anatolia from Perge in 46 AD. After the tour of Pergamon, we will depart for Aspendos. Lunch break on the way.
ASPENDOS: The eastern land of Antalya was called Pamphylia in ancient times. Aspendos (Belkis) lies 47km east of Antalya in the Pamphylian plain. In 486 BC, Greeks and Persians had a great battle here (Greeks won, they didn't stay for long). During the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-80 AD). Aspendos is most renowned for its theatre, which is the best preserved ancient ruin of the area. It was built by Romans and maintained by Byzantines and Seljuks. The ruins of the ancient city are extensive and include a stadium, an agora, and a basilica. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 9 – Antalya to Cappadocia
After breakfast, we depart for Antalya 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 10 – 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 11 – 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. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 12 – Cappadocia to Istanbul
After breakfast you will have free time for shopping in Cappadocia. The day is yours to enjoy at your own leisure. In the evening we depart for Kayseri Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 13 – Private Istanbul Bosphorus & Two Continents
Enjoy a magical Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Spice Market Tour starting at 08:30. After lunch we will visit the Dolmabahce Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Asian side of Istanbul.
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.
BEDESTEN exhibits the traditional silk weaving courses and carpet weaving courses authorised by the Ministry of National Education. Possibility to see jewellery, handicrafts centre and leatherwear show. Free time provided for shopping.
BOSPHORUS BY BOAT a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating 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 Dolmabahçe Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Çiragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortaköy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortaköy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.
BEYLERBEYI PALAS (PALACE) The summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe)
CAMLICA HILL the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosporus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style.
SHOPPING AT BEDESTEN
Experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by The Ministry of National Education. You will get the opportunity to see jewellery, handcrafts centre and a modern leatherwear show.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 14 – 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. |
