Istanbul, Antalya, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Princess island & Bursa – P65

Description

Daitailed Tour Plan

• Day 1; Welcome

   

  Welcome to Turkey. Arrive at Istanbul Airport, get picked up and transfer to your hotel. Check in,

   

  Free day,

   

  First overnight stay at your hotel in Istanbul,

• Day 2; Breakfast, Included

  Breakfast,

  Half day tour of Iconic Istanbul – pick up by 08:30, drop off by 18:00;

  You can take in some of the most iconic sights of Istanbul in this morning tour that commences with a visit to the Blue Mosque.  This magnificent mosque which was designed by Sinan and completed in 1616 is known for its majesty and superb iznik ceramic tiling.

  Continue outside to stroll along the Hippodrome.  This vast public space was built by the Romans in the 3^rd and 4^th centuries AD to accommodate events such as chariot races and gladiator fights.  It is also home to the Column of Constantine, an Egyptian obelisk and the Serpentine Column.

   

   

  Next to the Hippodrome we will visit the Hagia Sophia (only from outside view, no interior visit). Originally built in 537AD as a Greek Orthodox church, this breath-taking building was converted to a mosque by the Ottomans and is now a museum.  Inside there are two floors built around a central nave.  It is adorned with superb decorations and has an enormous dome that soars overhead.

  Finish the morning with a walk through the Grand Bazaar for some shopping or just to absorb the sights, sounds and historic architectural beauty of this bustling market.

   

  Evening transfer to Istanbul Airport and flight to Antalya. Transfer to your hotel following the flight and check in,

  First overnight stay at your hotel in Antalya,

• Day 3; Breakfast, Lunch Included

  Breakfast,

   

  Full day Antalya City Tour – pick up by 09:30, drop off by 16:00;

  NOTE: On Monday, the cable car is closed. Therefore, it is replaced with the boat cruise.

  Antalya is one of the most sightseeing attractions in Turkey. Its history dates back to 200 BC when the Greeks began their settlement.

  We will take you to the historical old town (Kaleici) where you will encounter the beauty of Ottoman Architecture and the Hadrian Gate which was built in 130 AD in order to commemorate the Emperor Hadrian.

   

  Along the way, we will visit the Duden Waterfalls. Afterwards, you will have a free time at Antalya Bazaar where you can go shopping.

   

   

  The Old Fluted Minaret with its 38 m height is one of the top historical attractions in Antalya. It was built in 13th Century by the Seljuks. Today, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List (not operated from october to april, we will skip during winter months).

  Tunektepe Cable car has length of 1706 metres. It can carry 1200 people and has 36 cabins. Enjoy the cable car ride which will last 9 minutes.

   

  Drop off at your hotel finishing the tour,

  Second overnight stay at your hotel in Antalya,

• Day 4; Breakfast Included

  Breakfast,

  Free day,

  Afternoon pick up from your hotel and transfer to Antalya bus station. Get on the bus and drive to Pamukkale. Get picked up upon arrival and transfer to your hotel, check in,

  Overnight stay at your hotel in Pamukkale,

• Day 5; Breakfast, Lunch Included

   

  Breakfast,

   

  Full day Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) tour – pick up by 09:30, drop off by 15:30;

   

  This tour starts in Pamukkale to visit the expansive and magnificent ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis that was founded in the 2^nd century BC to take advantage of the thermal pools nearby.

  Hierapolis sits atop a hill and features an enormous necropolis, baths, theatre, temples, an agora and antique pool.  You will have time to yourself to wander the site before walking down the hill on the sparkling white travertine and enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

  Entry to Cleopatra’s Pool in Hierapolis is not included in the cost of the tour.

  Drive to Kusadasi following the tour. Arrive at the hotel and check in,

  Overnight stay at your hotel in Kusadasi,

• Day 6; Breakfast, Lunch Included

   

  Breakfast,

   

  Full day Ephesus Tour – pick up by 08:30, drop off by 16:30;

   

  The day starts with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary that is significant to both Christians and Muslims and currently serves as a chapel. From here, the tour continues to Ephesus – one of the most important harbour cities of the antique world. The ruins are magnificent and highlights include the Celsus Library, Gate of Augustus, the beautifully-decorated terrace houses, a huge amphitheatre and the Temple of Hadrian.

  Enjoy lunch at a local Turkish restaurant and afterwards, a trip to Isa Bey Mosque (1375) and the ruins of the Artemis Temple which was one of the Seven Wondders of the World.

  Evening transfer to Izmir Airport and flight to Kayseri. Transfer to your hotel following the flight and check-in,

  First overnight stay at your hotel in Cappadocia,s

• Day 7; Breakfast, Lunch Included

   

  Optional: Morning Hot Air Balloon Flight Cappadocia – Early morning at Sunrise;

  Have you thought of making a hot air balloon trip one of the highlights of your trip to Turkey? It is hard to imagine anywhere better to experience the thrill of the ride than above the incredible landscape of Cappadocia. In a balloon, you can take in the beauty and expanse of this breath-taking place from a different perspective as you drift in silence to heights of up to 700 meters.

   

  Breakfast,

   

  Full day Regional Tour – pick up by 09:30, drop off by 16:00;

   

  Cappadocia is known for its stunning conical rock formations (fairy chimneys), colourful landscapes and ancient homes that were carved into the rock formations. This tour takes you through the beautiful Devrent (Imagination) Valley where fairy chimneys tower overhead before moving into Pasabag (Monk Valley) nearby, where the fairy chimneys have strange double and triple-headed caps.

  After lunch at Avanos, you will visit the Goreme open air museum that has churches and frescoes from the 10^th and 12^th centuries. The day finishes at Uchisar Castle, a fortress that was cut from a large and tall fairy chimney.

  Second overnight stay at your hotel in Cappadocia,

• Day 8; Breakfast, Included

   

  Breakfast,

   

  Noon transfer to Kayseri/Nevsehir Airport and flight to Istanbul. Arrive and transfer to your hotel following the flight, check-in.

  Second overnight stay at your hotel in Istanbul,

• Day 9; Breakfast, lunch Included

  Breakfast,

   

  Full day Green Bursa Tour – pick up by 08:30, drop off by 22:00;

  Across the Marmara Sea from Istanbul and nestled on the slopes of Mt Uludag is the beautiful city of Bursa known as the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire.  Join us for a long day tour to visit the city’s many UNESCO world heritage listed sites, magnificent mosques, the covered bazaar and the silk market. The day’s tour also takes you to Mt Uludag where you are free to wander on your own or you may prefer to go on a quad bike safari or snow ski during the winter.

  Third overnight stay at your hotel in Istanbul,

• Day 10; Breakfast Included

  Breakfast,

   

  Free day for Shopping

   

  Fourth overnight stay at your hotel in Istanbul,

• Day 11; Breakfast, Lunch Included

  Breakfast,

  Full day Princess Islands of Istanbul – pick up by 08:30, drop off by 18:00;

  Enjoy a full day’s tour to the scenic islands of Heybeliada and Buyukada, the largest of the Princess Islands in the Marmara Sea. This is a really relaxing day – enjoy the views of Istanbul on the ferry ride to and from the islands, a delicious lunch, free time to wander, and a swim if the weather is nice.

   

  Fifth overnight stay at your hotel in Istanbul,

• Day 12; Breakfast Included

  Breakfast,

  Transfer to Istanbul Airport 4 hours before your flight. End of our services here. Thank you for choosing us for your travel in Turkey.

Location Map