DAY 1
Arrive in Istanbul Airport, where you will be met by
our representative, for a private transfer to your hotel.
After check-in, you will be given a brief orientation
by your English-speaking guide,
with the remainder of the day left free to spend at
your own leisure.
Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide for a
full day Old City tour. The tour begins with a visit
to the Imperial Palace of Topkapi, from which Ottoman
Sultans ruled their grand empire for over 400 years,
with Treasury section included. Following a lunch break
in the old town, you will visit Hagia Sophia, a 5th
century church, once the greatest in all the world.
The next stop is at the Blue Mosque, renowned for its
striking blue Iznik tiled interior. The ancient Roman
Hippodrome follows, featuring the Egyptian Obelisk and
other monuments. The tour ends with a final stop-off
at the world famous Grand Bazaar - a shopper's paradise
of over 4000 authentic shops. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide for a
full day Bosphorus tour. Begin the day amid the wafting
aromas of the Spice Market before visiting the Rustempasa
Mosque - the piece de la resistance of mosques, praised
for its graceful design. This is followed by a sightseeing
boat cruise through the Bosphorus, the strait dividing
the European and Asian continents, by which lunch will
be served in Ortakoy, a quaint fishermen' village. In
the afternoon, visit the 19th century Dolmabahce Palace,
the last but most luxuriously opulent residence of the
sultans. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 4
Begin the day in Devrent Valley, followed by Zelve Open
Air Museum, one of the most impressive monastery complexes
in the area. Next, visit Pasabag (also known as Monk's
Valley), followed by driving to Avanos, a village situated
on the banks of Kizilirmak River, famous for its clay
pottery. After a lunch break there, where you can also
participate in a hands-on pottery work shop demonstration,
you will proceed to the Göreme Open Air Museum, featuring
the most impressive of all rock-carved churches in Cappadocia.
The last stop-off will be at Uchisar Village, located
next to a natural Citadel. Overnight in Urgup. Optional:
Whirling Dervishes performance to Sufi music in an old
Caravansarai.
DAY 5
The day's first stop-off is at Red Valley, presenting
an opportunity to hike through orchards and vineyards,
between fairy chimneys and rock-carved houses. Continue
the walk in Rose Valley. Afterwards, visit the
old Christian village of Cavusin. Following a
lunch break, visit Pigeon Valley, so named after the
hundreds of little windows carved into the rocks to
attract nesting pigeons. Then visit Kaymakli Underground
City, Ortahisar Castle and Mustafapasa Village, an old
Greek village also known as Sinasos. Overnight in Urgup.
DAY 6
Transfer to Kayseri Airport and fly to Izmir. Arrive
in Izmir, where you will be transferred to your hotel
in Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 7
After breakfast, you will visit Pamukkale, the center
of natural thermal springs and waters with healing properties.
Following a lunch break there, you will visit the cascading
travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis, which
has the largest Nekropol in Anatolia, of 1200 gravestones.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 8
Breakfast at the hotel. Today's full day tour begins
at the remains of the Artemis Temple, one of the seven
wonders of the ancient world. Next, visit the spectacular
site of Ephesus, undoubtedly the most superbly preserved
Greco-Roman city in the world. Following a lunch break,
you will visit the House of Virgin Mary, reputed to
be where she spent her final days. The tour ends by
visiting the old Seljuk Mosque of Isabey in Selcuk.
Then, you will be driven back to Kusadasi. Dinner at
hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 9
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport.
Fly back to Istanbul. Spend the rest of the day at your
own leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 10
Transfer to the airport.
|