Wonderful Turkey with Incredible Sights on a 11 Days Tour

Wonderful Turkey with Incredible Sights on a 11 Days Tour

Explore some of the best highlights of Turkey and see some of the amazing places of history and stunning landscape that this beautiful country has to offer. Throughout your trip, you’ll visit Istanbul’s highlights, including Hagia Sofia and cruise between two continents on a Bosphorus cruise.

Explore the fairy-tale landscape of mystifying Cappadocia where you can also see the labyrinth of the underground city.

See Antalya on the Turquoise coast with some amazing and beautiful landscape and get to Visit to Perge, Aspendos and Kursunlu waterfalls or Antalya Museum.

You will venture to the UNESCO-listed Ephesus where you will see one of the worlds best-preserved ancient site and see where Virgin Mary spent her final days at the House of the Virgin Mary. Get to experience Temple of Artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Visit the awe-inspiring pure white travertines of Pamukkale and take a dip in the Cleopatras pool where you can see the fallen columns below.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day

Stop At: Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Sanayi, 34906 Pendik/İstanbul, Turkey
Arrival to Istanbul Airport where our driver/guide will meet you and transfer to your hotel for check-in before having the rest of the day at your leisure.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel in Istanbul

Day 2: Sultanahmet – Old Istanbul

Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Go to the Topkapi Palace, which was once used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries and see the magnificent collection of priceless jewels, silver, crystal, and porcelain, robes that were worn by the sultans and the relics of the prophet Mohammed. (Entrance to the Harem is extra).

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
After lunch, we will visit the stunning Blue Mosque that was built for Sultan Ahmet I, and is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Obelisk of Theodosius, Sultanahmat Meydani Sultanahmet, Fatih, Istanbul Turkey
Go to see the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II and visit the hidden Underground Cistern.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Grand Bazaar, Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
See the Grand Covered Bazaar with its many shops perfect for your holiday souvenirs. 

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel in Istanbul

Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise and Beylerbeyi Palace

Stop At: Mısır Çarşısı, Rüstem Paşa, Erzak Ambarı Sok. No:92, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Visit the exotic Egyptian Spice Market located on the Golden Horn before boarding your cruise of the Bosphorus where the waterway separates the two continents Europe and Asia.

Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Rumeli Fortress, Tarabya Yenikoy Cad., Istanbul Turkey
Pass by Rumeli fortress which was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452, so he could prepare for his conquest of Istanbul.
Time for lunch in a lovely seaside fish restaurant. Cruise is on a public boat unless other arrangements are made.

Stop At: Bosphorus Bridge, Kuzguncuk Mahallesi 15, Istanbul Turkey
Cross over the Bosphorus Bridge to Asia where you will visit Beylerbeyi Palace, which was once the summer address of the Ottoman Sultans, then on to Camlica Hill for a fantastic view of Istanbul.

Time for lunch in a lovely seaside fish restaurant. Cruise is on a public boat unless other arrangements are made.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel in Istanbul

Day 4: Istanbul- Cappadocia

Stop At: Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport, Tuzköyü, Nevşehir Kapadokya Havaalanı Girişi, 50900 Gülşehir/Nevşehir, Turkey
Fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia, and upon arrival, you will be met at the airport just outside the arrival’s gate and transfer to Cappadocia. 



Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kaymakli Underground City, Derinkuyu Turkey
Tour the Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the fascinating underground settlements in Cappadocia then drive to Sahinefendi (Sobesos) which is newly discovered (01 May 2002) mosaic houses and Archaeological excavation site.

Villages in the valleys are surrounded by the “tabletop” mountains which are spectacular.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Keslik Monastery, Urgup Turkey
Continue to the Keslik Monastery close to Cemil, that hides its frescoes behind a thin smoke layer which you can only see by torchlight.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Mustafapasa Yeni Cami, Sht. Nadir Kurt Sk. Yukarı, Mustafapasa, Urgup 50400 Turkey
Visit Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses; outstanding examples of late Greek settlements and architecture.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Saruhan Exhibition and Culture Center, Yeni kayseri Yolu 6 km, Nevsehir 50500 Turkey
Visit Saruhan Caravanserai, a roadside inn where travellers would rest and recover from their day’s journey. Caravanserais supported the flow of information, commerce and people across a network of trade routes of North Africa, Asia, and South-Eastern Europe on the legendary Silk Road and the Spice Road.


Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Red Valley, Nevsehir Ortahisar, Nevsehir 50650 Turkey
Continue with the panorama of the Red Valley, with its fabulous volcanic rock formations and is in the heart of Cappadocia but still away from the tourist crowd.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Cappadocia

Day 5: Cappadocia

Stop At: Devrent Valley, Devrent Mevkii No:1 Aktepe Koyu Turkey
Meet at the hotel reception after breakfast, then have your first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia with some rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley, walk-in Pasabag near Zelve and wonder at the “fairy chimneys” where the sound of the wind mixes with the “songs of fairies”.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Avanos Oren Yeri, Kapadokya Cd., Avanos 50500 Turkey
Lunch in Avanos which has been the centre of terra cotta work of art since around 3000 BC and you will get a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Göreme Tarihi Milli Parkı, Ürgüp/Göreme/Nevşehir, Turkey
Visit Goreme Open Air Museum and see the amazing examples of Byzantine art that are in Cappadocia.


Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Uchisar Castle, Uchisar Turkey
Continue to Uchisar Rock-Castle to see the beautiful view of the valleys of Cappadocia.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Cappadocia

Day 6: Cappadocia – Antalya

Stop At: Ihlara Valley, Guzelyurt 68500 Turkey
OPTION 1: IHLARA CANYON HIKING
Drive to Ihlara and on the way walk in the Ihlara Canyon, a “mirage” in the Steps of Anatolia to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema: “Valley of the Sky” along the Melendiz River.

OPTION 2: TURKISH VILLAGE LIFE AND CULINARY TOUR
Take a visit to the local market (only available only on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays) or take a morning walk to the fruit orchards in Ayvali Village.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Antalya Havalimani, Yeşilköy, Antalya Havaalanı-İç Hatlar Terminali, 07025 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Turkey
At the end of the day, transfer to the airport for a direct flight to Antalya ( or via Istanbul ). Arrival and meeting at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Antalya,
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel in Antalya

Day 7: Antalya

Stop At: Perge Ancient City, Aksu, Antalya 07110 Turkey
We will see Perge, which was initially settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. Visit the impressive collonaded street, baths, nymphaeum, and agora and the fountain of the River God, where waters once poured down the centre of the city.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Aspendos Ruins and Theater, Aspendos, Serik Turkey
Go to see Aspendos to see one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the world.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kursunlu Waterfalls, Antalya Turkey
We will then visit the beautiful Kursunlu waterfalls or Antalya Museum.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel in Antalya

Day 8: Antalya – Ephesus

Stop At: Antalya Havalimani, Yeşilköy, Antalya Havaalanı-İç Hatlar Terminali, 07025 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Turkey
Take a morning flight from Antalya to Izmir (direct). Arrive and meet at the airport and visit the ancient city of Ephesus.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk 35920 Turkey
Visit the ancient city of Ephesus and spend a few hours walking in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Apostles Paul, Caesar, Cicero, and John and many other well-known historical names.

The recently opened Terrace Houses (entry included) which is where the wealthiest Romans lived and are a great example of sensitive excavation and presentation and the mosaics and frescos are stunning.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House), Selcuk 35100 Turkey
It has been known that St John brought Virgin Mary hereafter the Crucifixion and lived her last years close to the city of Ephesus on a secluded mountaintop. A lovely chapel was constructed on the site and tended by Franciscans and open to visitors and has been designated a pilgrimage site by the Pope.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: The Basilica of Saint John, Isa Bey Mahallesi, 2013. Sk. No:1, Selcuk 35920 Turkey
We will continue with Saint John Church where Apostle John spent his final years and was buried and visit the temple of Artemis to see the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Kusadasi

Day 9: Pamukkale- Hierapolis- Laodicea (188km)

Stop At: Laodicea, Just off Denizli - Pamukkale, Denizli Turkey
Drive to Pamukkale and on the way visit Laodicea (present name Denizli) and one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor.

Excavations are still active, and an ancient city as beautiful as Ephesus will soon be uncovered.

We will see the ancient theatres, the remains of the basilica which were recently uncovered, ancient stone water pipes, Temple A, agora and the monumental fountain.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Hierapolis & Pamukkale, Pamukkale 20280 Turkey
After Laodicea, discover the pure white travertine terraces and the ruins of Hierapolis.

The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are definitely one of the most spectacular natural wonders that you will be able to see from several mineral springs in a substantial white cliffside.

About 200 m overlooking the plain you can see how the calcite-laden waters have dripped over a number of terraced levels and created a fairyland of unusual solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins and look like creations made from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle).

Moreover, the water in the basins changes its colour according to how the light enters.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Pamukkale

Day 10: Pamukkale – Istanbul

Stop At: Denizli Airport, Cumhuriyet Mah., Küme Evler Sok. No:1, 20350 Çardak/Denizli, Turkey
Transfer to Denizli airport and take a morning flight from Denizli to Istanbul Airport.

Arrival and transfer to Hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Historic Areas of Istanbul, Istanbul Turkey
Free afternoon for the last chance to complete your visits.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel in Istanbul

Day 11: Departure Day

Stop At: Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Sanayi, 34906 Pendik/İstanbul, Turkey
Transfer to Istanbul Airport to connect to your international flight.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.