| Day 1 - Welcome to Istanbul!
We meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or gather your first impressions of this exciting new city. Speed travel will help you get your bearings with a travel survival kit which will provide you with invaluable maps, directions, tips and recommendations! Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Old City Tour
Following breakfast, we set out to the 'Old City' where we visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the famous Blue Mosque, and Santa Sophia. Once a church, then a mosque, and now a museum, Santa Sophia will take your breath away with its sheer size and magnificent dome. Explore the mysterious Harem where women planned and plotted their way into Ottoman history. View the extravagant Treasury, home of the world famous Topkapi Diamond and millions of dollars worth of gems and jewels. Following lunch we will travel by coach to the Suleymaniye Mosque, built by master architect Sinan during the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. The last stop will be Grand Bazaar which is the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets and leather apparel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 –Egyptian Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, and Dolmabache Palace
Our morning starts with a visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme, rise from hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every store-front. We then board our ferryboat for a relaxing cruise along the shores of the legendary Bosphorus, the natural gateway that divides Asia and Europe. As you sit back and enjoy Turkish coffee or well-brewed tea, summer palaces and palatial homes pass by on either side. At the northern end of the Strait, we stop at our favorite restaurant for a tasty meal of local seafood. In the afternoon, we make our way to Dolmabache Palace. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4 - An early morning start for Cappadocia!
A short 1 hour and 20 minute plane ride puts you in the heart of Turkey - within the lunar landscape of Cappadocia; a magical place of rock formations unlike anywhere else on earth! Spend time viewing the unique rock formations of Devrent valley and visiting picturesque fairy chimneys of Pasabag. We stop for lunch in Avanos, a centre of terra cotta works of art since 3000 BC. and take in a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. At the next stop are the cave houses and fairy chimneys of Urgup, where we also stop at a winery and sample some of the local wines. The old Greek village of Mustafapasha is next, where the old Greek mansions are being restored to their former glory. In the afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Lastly, we stop at Uchisar Rock-Castle for a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia, before returning to your hotel for a good night’s rest. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5 – Hot Air Balloon Ride and Walking Tour of Goreme
Another early morning start! One hour before sunrise, you are transferred to the launch site of Cappadocia’s hot air balloons. Enjoy breakfast while the balloons inflate and then you are off just as the sun rises for a truly unique perspective on this already fascinating landscape. Upon landing there is a champagne toast and you will be transferred back to the hotel for a little rest and relaxation. In the afternoon, enjoy a light walking tour of Goreme with a local guide on hand to answer your questions. The rest of your afternoon is free for you to take in this lovely heritage-protected town. Overnight in Cappadoccia.
Day 6 – Underground City and Ihlara Valley
After breakfast at the hotel, we pick you up for a day of exploring the outer edges of Cappadocia. Visit the fascinating Derinkuyu Underground City, where whole villages of Christians hid underground from prosecutors and invaders. Next, hike through the cool, green Ihlara Valley, visiting some of the rock-cut churches along the way. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant the end of your walk and then on to Selime for a panoramic view of a rock-cut village. Also stop at the remote Agzikarahan Caravansarai, an ancient rest stop along the silk road for traders and their camels. In the evening, take the overnight bus to Pamukkale.
Day 7 – Pamukkale Tour: Travertine Pools and Heiropolis
Spend the morning discovering the travertine terraces and Hierapolis with our tour guide. The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are another spectacular natural wonder. Formed from various mineral springs in a vast cliff side, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins. It looks like creations from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle). The water in the basins changes colour according to the light, so bring your camera! Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 8 – Free Day in Selchuk
After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to Selchuk from Pamukkale by bus. Selchuk has a laid-back, easygoing atmosphere and has charmed many visitors. Upon arrival in the afternoon you will have a free day to enjoy this area’s charms. Overnight inSelcuk.
Our recommendations…
Sirince is a wonderful little Aegean village that dates from the 19th century. Built at a time when Sirince was predominantly a Greek village, it’s surrounded by peach orchards, vineyards and olive groves. Villagers make wine and olive oil, and grow some of the best peaches in the country. The surroundings are full of idyllic country walks. Local wines can be sampled at the restored old Municipal School House.
Kusadasi is a bustling resort town that offers shopping, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. Visit the castle in the harbour or just go for a swim in the clear blue sea.
Selchuk is a charming sleepy little town but it does offer up a few gems, the Ephesus Museum is highly recommended, highlighting some of the statues and artifacts found while excavating Ephesus just a few miles away. Up on the hill behind the town is The Basilica of St John, a restored Byzantine church marking the spot where St. John the Evangelist was buried.
Day 9 – Ephesus Tour, the Temple Of Artemis, House of The Virgin Mary
First you will visit the ruins of Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus is special because it’s easy to imagine how people lived in this ancient city. Ephesus was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Impressive structures at Ephesus include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theatre and Odeon. We will also visit the House of the Virgin Mary thought to be the last place where the Virgin lived. At the time of writing, three popes have visited the house to bless it and the adjoining well. Overnight in Selcuk.
Day 10 – Priene, Miletus, Didyma, and a flight back to Istanbul!
Depart from Selchuk after breakfast, and begin the day among the Hellenic art and architecture of the ruins in Priene, an ancient Ionian city dramatically overlooking the fertile plains of the Meandre Valley. Afterwards, continue to the second archaeological site of the day; the ancient city of Miletus, formerly a prosperous commercial harbor city and the most prominent in Anatolia in its heyday. Most noteworthy among the scattered ruins are the Great Theater and Roman Baths. Eventually, the tour reaches Didim town, where there is time for an open buffet lunch. Following that, the tour proceeds to the ancient city of Didyma, the setting for one of the most colossal temples in the Hellenic World, venerating the God Apollo. There is also a temple to Athena and Alexander the Great’s house. Continue on to Istanbul by plane. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 11 – Free day in Istanbul
Your last day is free for shopping for those last-minute souvenirs, enjoying the city’s nightlife or relaxing in one of the cool cafes near the Bosphorus! Your choice! But whatever you do, don’t overdo it! Save some energy for Turkish night, an evening of good food and live entertainment, featuring high-energy dances from the black sea to the mesmerizing spinning of the Whirling Dervishes. Overnight in Istanbul.
Our suggestions…
Taksim Square and Galata Walking Tour - A wonderful and enjoyable half day walk includes these places: Taksim, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Pera, Galata Tower, Tunel, Galata Bridge and the Egyptian Bazaar and the flower market.
Old City Walls and The Kariye Museum - Built by Constantine the Great, the Kariye Museum (Church of the Holy Savior in Chora) has the best Byzantine mosaics in the region. If you can spare a few hours, you must see them. (Note: the museum is closed Wednesday.)
The Princess Islands – Sandy beaches, pinewood scenery, and restored wooden houses, once the pleasure island of Byzantine princes. Tour the islands with horse-drawn carriages, (there are no cars on the island) before lunch at a local restaurant. There is also a 6th century Byzantine monastery on the island, which is open to visitors.
Traditional Turkish Bath (Hamam) – Featured on several “100 things to do before you die” lists, this is one of those unique experiences you’ll be telling your friends about for years! Don’t be shy! Where else can you bathe in a luxurious marble bath built by Mimar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect for sultans? The entrance fee includes a locker for your belongings and a wash and massage. (Ask your guide for recommendations as quality varies greatly.)
Day 12 - Transfer to airport.
We transfer you and your belongings to the airport in plenty of time for your flight. Good-bye and we hope to see you again next year!
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