Day 1 – Istanbul – Arrival Day
Welcome to Turkey. Arrival into Istanbul. Transfer from the airport & check in to your hotel. Tonight you and your special loved one will enjoy a welcome dinner where you will be introduced to Turkish cuisine and enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Istanbul City Tour
We depart at 09:00 for the Istanbul City Tour. We will begin with ancient Hippodrome, which was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. We will then continue with Sultanahmet Mosque across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles we then arrive to our last stop, which is the famous Hagia Sophia. This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. After the tour you have the option to make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like 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. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 – Gallipoli
Morning you will be picked up from your hotel and join your group to depart for Canakkale. The group will arrive in Eceabat at noon and begin the fully guided Gallipoli tour. Visiting Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston ‘s Jolly, The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand memorial. During the tour there will be a lunch break. Late in the afternoon we will arrive in Canakkale. Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 4 – Troy
Morning we depart for the ancient city of Troy. Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan horse and Helen of Troy, as well as the history and discoveries of the archaeological diggings from its discovery by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870’s to the
present day and ongoing. Nine cities have been discovered built one on top of the other dating back to 3500 B.C. After Troy we will depart for Kusadasi, late arrival and Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5 – Kusadasi
Morning we visit one of the best-preserved ruins in the world ‘ Ephesus’. We tour this amazing site and wonder at the people who built and walked through this ancient city. We will also visit the House of Virgin Mary (supposedly where St. John brought her to live out her final days). After the tour we will visit a carpet-weaving centre, which belongs to the national arts of Turkey. In the evening, as being one of our optional activities, you will have the chance to experience the traditional Turkish bath. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6 – Pamukkale
Morning we depart for Pamukkale. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region. We then drive on to Pamukkale for our tour and of the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ancient ruins of Hierapolis. After walking around this natural phenomenon you will have the opportunity to lay in the waters of the natural thermal springs. Overnight in Thermal Hotel Pamukkale.
Day 7 – Pamukkale – Egirdir
You will have time this morning to lounge in the Thermal pools at your Hotel before we continue to Konya around 12:00. We then continue for our overnight stop in the small town of Egirdir, overlooking Turkey’s 4th largest lake. Overnight in Egirdir.
Day 8 – Egirdir – Cappadocia
Witness one of the most beautiful sunrises over the lake, followed by breakfast. We then drive along the ancient silk trade route, stopping at Caravanserays Sultanhani and Agzikarahan. We arrive in Cappadocia late afternoon. Check in to your hotel. After having some rest and then
dinner, you will have the chance to go to the famous traditional Turkish Night, you will enjoy Whirling Dervishes, Belly Dancing & Traditional Turkish Folklore. We recommend it should not be missed. Overnight in Authentic Cave Suite Hotel.
Day 9 – Cappadocia
The beautiful horse country Katpatuka, (as the Persians called her) is an unbelievable, enchanting and mysterious strip of land. Our guided tour will start at 09:30 and covers Avcilar, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar Castle and the pottery village of Avanos. We have a lunch
break in Avanos and then tour the Dervent Valley & Goreme Open Air Museum. Return to your hotel for dinner. Overnight in Authentic Cave Suite Hotel.
Day 10 – Cappadocia
We depart for one of the most interesting sites of Cappadocia: Derinkuyu 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 crop, barns, rooms, kitchens & ventilation channels. Overnight in Authentic Cave Suite Hotel.
Day 11 – Cappadocia – Istanbul
Morning we depart for for Kayseri Airport to catch our plane for Istanbul. Check in to your hotel. Free night. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 12 – Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Tour
Morning depart for Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise, 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 Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions 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. Enjoy a magical Istanbul Bosphorus Boat Cruise and Spice Market Tour starting at Enjoy the array of sites you can see from the boat including:
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. 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 Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its 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.
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 (after cruise)
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 13 – Istanbul – End of Tour
We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again. Have a nice trip back home.