Essential Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia & Izmir

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Tour Code: ODY-TK-006

Destination: Turkey

Duration7 Days
Tour TypePrivate & Bespoke
Tour Style Classic

About This Trip

This week-long tour of Turkey combines the country's cultural and historical sites with its enchanting landscape. Beginning your tour in Istanbul's bustling capital, you will visit the renowned Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque with a private guide. Then, you will travel to Cappadocia to admire the stunning valleys. Later, visit the Izmir Open Air Museum and Kaymakli Underground City, and finally ends your tour with a cultural exploration of the Ancient City of Ephesus.

Itinerary Summary

DAY

PLACE

HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 2

Istanbul

Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar
3 - 4

Cappadocia

Fairy Chimneys, Goreme Open Air Museum, Kaymakli Underground City
5

Izmir

Agora Open Air Museum, Kizlaragasi Hani
6

Kusadasi

Ruins of Ephesus includes Arcadian Way, Theater, Roman Baths, Celsus Library
7

Kusadasi - Izmir

Departure

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Itinerary

Day 1: International Arrival, Istanbul
Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. Rest of day is free on your own to explore Istanbul.
- Istanbul
Day 2: Istanbul City Tour
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. After, encounter 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 - Cappadocia
After breakfast, drive to the airport for a short flight to Capadocia. 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 4: Cappadocia, the Subterranean City
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 5: Cappadocia - Izmir - Kusadasi
Be transferred to the airport for the flight to Izmir (stopover in Istanbul) this morning. Upon your arrival, be picked up and escorted to the Agora, a celebrated marketplace of old Smyrna located at the foot of the Pagos Hills and turned into the Open-Air Museum of Izmir. Next, visit the Kizlaragasi Hani, originally an inn for trade caravans from the East carrying silk and spices, and the Asansör, an old water-operated elevator system.
Afterward, continue to Kusadasi for the night.
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- Kusadasi
Day 6: Kusadasi, City of Ephesus
Have the day to explore the antique City of Ephesus, including the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celcus Library. In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Shrine of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John.
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- Kusadasi
Day 7: Kusadasi - Izmir, Departure
Enjoy your leisure time in Kusadasi before driving to Izmir airport for your onward flight.
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