Historical Cappadocia, Istanbul, Troy & Antalya

Itinerary

• Day 1: International Arrival, Istanbul

  Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. 

  • Istanbul

• Day 2: Istanbul Tours, Bosphorus Cruise

  After breakfast, be transferred to a 1-hour scenic cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, which is boundary of Europe and Asia, connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Later, you will visit the Rumeli Fortress, built in an incredibly short time in 1452. Continue on to explore the Covered Bazaar, an age-old labyrinth of streets filled with all sorts of tempting items to purchase.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 3: Istanbul Tours, Blue Mosque

  This morning, ascend to Topkapi Palace, and take in the views of its fabulous collections of jewels and other artifacts. Continue to visit the Imperial Harem, another palace inside the Topkapi. Explore the Hagia Sophia, which is a museum encompassing both Christianity and Islam nowadays. Next visit the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles decorating interior walls, considered the landmark of Istanbul. Discover the Basilica cistern, was constructed by Justinian in 532 to supply water to the Byzantine Palace primarily. Later, you will visit the highlights of the ancient hippodrome, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and others. 

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  • Istanbul

• Day 4: Istanbul - Cappadocia

  After breakfast, drive to the airport for a short flight to Capadoccia. Upon your arrival at Cappadocia, be met and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy a private tour to discover the amazing fairy chimneys of Cappadocia at Devrent Valley and Pasabagi Valley. In the afternoon, you will depart from Avanos to see the beautiful examples of Byzantine art in the cave-churches of the Goreme Open Air Museum. Continue to drive to the Uchisar Castle, to enjoy a fabulous panoramic view over Cappadocia. The tour will be concluded with a visit to Pigeon Valley.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 5: Cappadocia, the Subterranean City

  Optional Sunrise Hot Air Balloon flight is available, regular 1 hour flight, join-in tour with 14-20 people capacity Balloons, balloon flight pick up is at 04.30 am in the morning. Ticket not included.

  Today you will visit the Ortahisar, a natural citadel carved in rocks. Then descend into the subterranean city of Kaymakli, caved in the 7th century by Christians fleeing persecution. Continue to drive to Cavusin Valley to uncover the troglodyte dwellings where people lived for centuries. After lunch pay a visit to the Red Valley and Wine House, where is known for its fertile vineyards benefit from the mineral-laden volcanic soil of the area.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 6: Cappadocia - Konya

  Drive to Konya from Cappadocia (about 3.5 hours drive) in the early morning, which was the capital of the Seljuk Empire in 12th and 13th century. Discover the sacred Islamic shrine Mevlana Museum and the tomb of the world famous mystic philosopher Mevlana.

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  • Konya

• Day 7: Konya - Antalya

  Today we will departure for Antalya (about 4.5 hours drive), a famous resort center of Mediterranean coast. Continue to Aspendos, which is the best preserved Roman Theatre built by Marcus Aurelius. Then we will stop by the impressive aqueducts of the city better preserved than the ones in France. In the afternoon, tour the ancient Perge which is one of the impressive Greco-Roman sites of Turkey. Stay overnight in Antalya.

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  • Antalya

• Day 8: Antalya - Pamukkale

  After breakfast, you will drive to Pamukkale (about 3.5 hours drive) to explore the ancient city of Hierapolis with its well-preserved theatre and large necropolis. Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, is famous for its unique geological formations. Take a barefoot walk in its pools and hot mineral springs that overflow to cover the rocks beneath. 

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  • Pamukkale

• Day 9: Pamukkale - Izmir

  Be transferred to Izmir from Pamukkale (about 3 hours drive) in the morning by private vehicle. You will then have a full day tour in Ephesus en route, including the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celcus Library. Continue to the Shrine of Virgin Mary and Basilica of St. John. After the tour, drive to Izmir for overnight.

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  • Izmir

• Day 10: Izmir City Tour

  After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour with a drive to the Agora, the celebrated marketplace of old Smyrna located at the foot of the Pagos Hills and now been arranged into the Open Air Museum of Izmir. Next visit the Kizlaragasi Hani, originally an inn for trade caravan from the East carrying silk and spices, and the Asansör, and old water operated elevator system. After the tour, drive back to Izmir for overnight.

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  • Izmir

• Day 11: Izmir - Canakkale

  Drive to Canakkale (about 4 hours drive) in the morning. Enjoy a tour of Troy, immortalized by Homer in his stories of King Priam, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. Archaeological excavations have revealed nine separate periods of settlements including ruins of city walls, house foundations, a temple and a theatre. A symbolic wooden Trojan horse commemorates the legendary war. The outing concludes with a tour of Canakkale.

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  • Canakkale

• Day 12: Canakkale - Istanbul

  After breakfast, you will have a half day tour of Gallipoli before depart to Istanbul (about 3.5 hours drive from Gallipoli). Explore the Anzac Cove and the memorials dotted across the WW1 battlefields. 

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  • Istanbul

• Day 13: Istanbul, Departure

  After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul International Airport for departure flight. 

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