Classic Turkey Tour

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

  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 - Izmir - Kusadasi

  Get to the airport for the flight to Izmir. On arrival, be welcomed and escorted to explore the city. Visit Agora Open Air Museum to see the remains of the central public space - the political, business, and living center of Izmir in Rome times. Take the historical Elevator to get on its upper promenade for an incomparable view of the Gulf of Izmir.

  Afterward, continue with a 1.5-hour land journey to Kusadasi for the night.

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  • Kusadasi

• Day 7: Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi

  Spend the day discovering the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean, to get some idea of its past splendor from the ruins of the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celsus Library. A little further northeast, visit the Shrine of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John before returning to Kusadasi.

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  • Kusadasi

• Day 8: Kusadasi - Bodrum

  Today, a three-hour scenic journey will take you to Bodrum, a picturesque city with discernable fragments of ancient heritage sites and spellbinding coastal views of the Aegean Sea.

  After checking in at your hotel, have some leisure time to take in the enigmatic elegance of the town.

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  • Bodrum

• Day 9: Bodrum

  Enjoy a private city tour of Bodrum and visit St. Peter's Castle, a beautiful castle built by the Knights of St. John. Afterward, meditate on the remains of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, then proceed to see one of the windmills, a symbol of the region. En route, visit the ancient amphitheater.

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  • Bodrum

• Day 10: Bodrum - Istanbul - Departure

  Enjoy some free time until your guide escorts you to the airport in Bodrum for your flight to Istanbul to connect with your homebound flight.

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