Welcome to Turkey! Arrive in one of the most important and inspiringly beautiful cities of the world’s history. “Istanbul”. Your private assistant, welcoming you at the arrival hall of the International Terminal of Istanbul Airport holding a sign bearing your name, will proceed you to your luxury vehicle for the private transfer to your hotel during which you can catch the first glimpses of this fascinating city where the continents meet each other. Your assistant will escort you to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. Welcome Gift, Nazar Boncuk (Turkish Blue Eyed Bead) Nazar Boncugu is a glass bead that protects the holder from evil eye. It is common in Turkey. Have a look around and you might discover countless Nazar Boncuk dangling from cars, from rear-view windows, backpacks, on necklaces and bracelets, pinned to the sweaters of babies and small children, and hanging above doors in restaurants, hotels, stores, and apartments. Overnight stay at your Istanbul Hotel.
After breakfast you begin your exploration of fascinating Istanbul with the priceless pieces of history available at your doorstep. You begin at the remains of the Hippodrome, once decorated with marble statuary and columns, in its heyday it was the site of chariot races and the focal point of the city’s civic life. The remains of some of its walls are still visible as is an obelisk brought from Egypt in 390 AD by Theodosius I. The next stop will be the Basilica of Saint Sophia, one of the largest Christian shrines ever built in history. Adorned with rich mosaic murals, colossal columns and exposition of divine serenity, Saint Sophia is a true world heritage that has accommodated various faiths throughout the different periods of history and is currently operated as a mosque displaying Byzantine art and architecture embellished by Ottoman taste.
Then, you see the serene Blue Mosque one of Istanbul’s most venerable monuments. It was built in 7 years (1606-1609 AD) with the order of Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I. From the courtyard you will enjoy the striking view of the cascading domes and semi-domes. Once inside you will see how the mosque got its name, viewing the colourful blue Iznik tiles that adorn the interior. These tiles were made at the peak of Iznik tile production in the early 17th Century.
Your next visit will be the magnificent Topkapı Palace, the residence of the sultans for almost three centuries. It is located on the promontory jutting out between the Bosporus and the Golden Horn. This setting provides a magnificent view. The construction of the Topkapı Palace was completed between 1465 and 1478. Being the imperial residence of the sultan, his court and harem, the palace was also the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. 4,000 people lived in the Palace. We will visit the Hagia Irene ("Holy Peace", Turkish: Aya İrini), sometimes known also as Saint Irene, is an Eastern Orthodox church located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul. It is one of the few churches in Istanbul that has not been converted into a mosque, as it was used as an arsenal for storing weapons until the 19th century. The Hagia Irene today operates as a museum and concert hall. The church was dedicated to the peace of God, and is one of the three shrines which emperors devoted to God's attributes, together with Hagia Sophia (Wisdom) and Hagia Dynamis.
Finally, you will visit the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) – Grand Bazaar is one of the earliest shopping malls ever built in history, which maintains its charm and volume of business to the modern day with its indoor and outdoor sections. Istanbul has been the centre of commerce and trade between the Orient and the Occident even before the arrival of Ottomans. Nuru Osmaniye District (Glamour of the Ottomans) was where the Genoese and Venetian merchants had their warehouses where they store their inventory of brass, copper, rugs and tiles before they were loaded on the ships to sail to Venice and Genoa. Today, Nuru Osmaniye District is where you can find the most reputable stores with wide collections of jewellery, antiques and oriental rugs. Breathe in the vivacious atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar with a sip of Turkish coffee while checking the exciting variety of handcrafted souvenirs.
**Unique Moments: During the visit of Grand Bazaar you will be experiencing the Turkish coffee from Sark Kahvesi, Historical Coffee Roasters located in Grand Bazaar. Each variety has been prepared with a blend of traditional knowledge, experience and an abiding “Love of Coffee”. No visit to Istanbul is complete without stopping by the atmospheric Spice Bazaar. While the Grand Bazaar may be the largest and most famous of Istanbul's covered bazaars, this spice market wins the prize for being the most colourful, fragrant, and often the most fun – as visitors can taste the goods on offer.
Overnight stay at your Istanbul Hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Following breakfast, you begin your drive to Canakkale. Your scenic drive will first take you to Gallipoli, the site of the incredible battle played out here during World War I. Tour of the Gallipoli battlefield, scene of the aborted Allied invasion of 1915. Visit Cape Helles, Suvla Bay and Anzac Cove. Here you will cross the Dardanelles and then will proceed to Canakkale for dinner and overnight. Overnight stay and dinner at your Canakkale Hotel.
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast, you visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Troy, where you will see its legendary walls and the replica of the wooden Trojan Horse. From here you begin your drive towards the Aegean and Izmir. Along the way you will stop at the hauntingly beautiful the Greco-Roman city of Pergamon (approx. 3 hours) which is famous for its Asclepion, the ancient medical centre of which its purpose was most like a spa of the 19th century. Asclepion is the place where the first psychological treatment had been used in history. Leaving the Asclepion, you will see the Acropolis, the Altar of Zeus, and the Temples of Athena, Trajan, and Dionysus. It is from a staircase leading from the Temple of Athena that the magnificent 10,000 seat theatre will be seen.
Overnight stay at your Kusadasi Hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will experience the timeless city of Ephesus where history and archaeology will offer you their majesty with incredible richness. Ephesus was the Capital of the Province of Asia Minor famed for its flavoursome market during the Roman Era and was, therefore, the scene of many political intrigues while commanding an immense wealth due to its port and its trading activities. A city with such importance, authority and prosperity had prestigious buildings that have been able to survive up to today in a wonderful state of preservation. You will pursue the traces of the glorious past of Ephesus walking on the Marble Road that runs through the city with various structures resting on it: Temple of Hadrian is a unique beauty greeting you with its articulate façade that was built to honour the famous Roman Emperor, Hadrian during 2nd Century AD. Rising in the centre of Ephesus is Library of Celsus built in honour of the great governor of Roman days. The façade of the Celsus Library reflects the grandeur and prestige of the Roman Period with a fabulous exposition of intricacy in its mural decoration. Among all the stunning archaeological remains, the Great Theatre of Ephesus bears the major significance as the biggest Roman theatre surviving in the world of archaeology.
Later on, you will head up the hills behind Ephesus, where Virgin Mary is believed to have spent the last days of her life. Presently, there is a charming chapel, consecrated by Pope, at the very spot where the House of Virgin Mary stood. The local tradition suggests that Virgin Mary lived and died at this holy place with the company of St. John to whom she was entrusted by Jesus Christ before he was crucified. See one of the original Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis, as well as the main site with its fabled Library of Celsus.
Overnight stay at your Kusadasi Hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Later on continue to to the ruins of Hierapolis founded during the Hellenistic period as a control point of trading routes connecting East to West. In the Roman Period, Hierapolis became a centre of worship to Hades and Apollo as well as a thermal centre where massive Roman Baths were built to serve the Romans that visited the city from around the ancient world. Upon arrival at the site, you will be welcomed by the spectacular views of calcium pools that have been irrigated by the spring waters of Hierapolis for thousands of years. After a short break to take pictures and enjoy the view, you will continue on to the ancient site that is still being excavated by Italian archaeologists. Today’s ancient city of Hierapolis has recently been appointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wandering through the colossal tomb chambers of Necropolis, you will comprehend the wealth of the society that could afford such impressive graves to be buried in the grounds of the “Sacred City”, as what Hierapolis meant in ancient Greek. You will keep exploring the ancient site by touring the Gate of Domitianus and the Byzantine Baths. Once you reach the lower slopes of the hills that rise behind the site, you will note one of the best preserved Roman Theatres of the world of archaeology. Built during 2nd century, the theatre of Hierapolis was used for both theatrical activities and shows of violence.
Overnight stay at your Pamukkale Hotel.
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast, you will head to Konya. Upon arrival you will visit Karatay Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana. Since 1955, Karatay Museum serves as a museum where Seljuk tiles are united, while artefacts in stone or in wood are on display in Ince Minaret Madrasa, also in Konya. The collection of Karatay Museum was particularly enriched by the finds collected as of the 1970s in Kubadabad Palace royal summer residence on Lake Beyşehir shore, at eighty miles from Konya to the west.
The Mevlâna Museum in Konya, Turkey, started life as the dervish lodge (Tekke) of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. It houses the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi a Persian Sufi mystic.
Overnight stay at your Konya Hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Today you will have your transfer to Cappadocia. En route you will visit Sultanhan Caravanserai. The Sultanhan Caravanserai was built in 1229 by Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I when Aksaray was an important stopover along the Silk Road that crossed through Anatolia. After suffering partial destruction in a fire, the building was restored and extended in 1278 under the reign of sultan Kaykhusraw III. The monumental caravanserai then became one of the best examples of Anatolian Seljuk architecture. The caravanserai enjoyed its glory times during the Seljuk period, but lost its importance during the Ottoman era. More recent restorations were made during the Republic period and opened to visitors.
Overnight stay at your Cappadocia Hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Optional this morning you may enjoy an unforgettable memory of Cappadocia. Hot air ballooning over the nature-formed valleys. Early in the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the open fields to the selected launch site for your hot air ballooning experience. You will much appreciate the tranquillity of your morning over the colourful valleys and rock formations, gliding in your balloon. Concluding your experience, enjoy a glass of champagne to celebrate the joy of seeing Cappadocia from the air and get transferred to your hotel approximately by 8.30 am. (Subject to weather conditions).
You will experience Goreme Open Air Museum, Kaymakli Underground City, Uchisar and Avanos Pottery Workshop today.
Goreme Open Air Museum, known as the knowledge and thought of Cappadocia, is one of the most special places with its monastery which lives for years. The story of the valley started in the 4th century AD, at the early Christian periods. Monastery life denominated the valley when Kayseri Bishop of St. Basil came there to spread his teachings and raise students. The region where is called Goreme Ruins too, was the centre of the education and training system until the 13th Century. Kaymakli underground city is built under the hill known as the Citadel of Kaymakli and was opened to visitors in 1964. The people of Kaymakli (Enegup in Greek) village have constructed their houses around nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city. The inhabitants of the region still use the most convenient places in the tunnels as cellars, storage areas and stables, which they access through their courtyards. The Kaymakli Underground City has low, narrow and sloping passages. While the underground city consists of 8 floors below ground, only 4 of them are open to the public today, in which the spaces are organized around ventilation shafts. Uchisar Castle is the highest point of the region and also the biggest and the most beautiful fairy chimney of the region where you may enjoy a unique panoramic views over Cappadocia. The Castle is one of the most prominent landmarks in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. The castle is situated in the town of Uchisar, which is located in the Nevsehir Province. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the region and offers visitors a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the area. Avanos, located on the banks of Kizilirmak (Red River), is about 8 kilometres from Cappadocia’s city centre. Pottery has been produced in this region as far back as 2000 BC, during the Hittites period. Humans have been creative throughout history by using what resources the land provides to their advantage for daily living. The Red River, the longest river in Turkey, has supplied many generations of master artisans with red clay to produce artistic pieces of pottery.
Overnight stay at your Cappadocia Hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Today you will have your transfer to Kayseri/Nevsehir Airport for your returning flight.
Meal: Breakfast
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sultanhani-Caravanserai-.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Colorful-Turkish-traditional-ceramic-handycrafts-in-a-local-pottery-shop-in-Cappadocia.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/underground-cities-and-caves-of-Cappadocia.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pamukkale-aphrodisias-1.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/House-of-Virgin-Mary.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Parthenon-Temple-at-the-Acropolis-of-Athens-Greece-during-colorful-sunset-7.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Asclepion-1.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Turkey_wooden-horse_Troy.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Turkey_Anzac-Cove_gallipoli.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Grand-Bazaar-1.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Topkapi-Palace.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Hagia-Irene.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Turkey_the_Blue_Mosque_instanbul-600-x-400.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Basilica-of-Saint-Sophia.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Hippodrome-1.jpg)
• Private sightseeing as per above itinerary
• Hotel accommodation for 7 nights on Bed and Breakfast Basis (Room with Breakfast) and 2 nights on Half Board Basis (Room with Breakfast and Dinner).
• All escorted transfers
• Transportation by A/C deluxe vehicle
• English speaking professional tour guide throughout the tour
• All entry fees to the sites & museums
• Unique Moments, Turkish Coffee at Sark Kahvesi
• 4 Unesco World Heritage Sites visits
• Service charges & local taxes
• International & domestic flight tickets
• Any service not mentioned above
• All personal expenses
• Tips to the tour guide and driver
Suggested Hotels Or Similar
Istanbul, Grand Hyatt Hotel, or similar
Canakkale, Kolin Hotel, or similar
Kusadasi, Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel, or similar
Pamukkale, Signature Hotel, or similar
Konya, Hich Hotel, or similar
Cappadocia, Nino Cave Suites, or similar