Western Turkey Tour (08 Days 07 Nights Guaranteed Departure)

Day 01 / Saturday: Home – Istanbul (No meal) Hosgeldiniz...

Arrival to Istanbul in the morning. You will be met upon your arrival by our driver and transfer to hotel. At noon time pick up from hotel and you will be starting your touring with half day afternoon tour. You will first visit Rustem Pasa Mosque, constructed by Architect Sinan and decorated with the best examples of Turkish tiles. Afterwards you will have a short introduction tour to Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market) built in 1664 and filled with the fragrance of the exotic East such as spices, dried fruits, Turkish delights. The highlight of the day is the Bosporus cruise by a public boat taking about 1.5 hour and you will see the most impressive sights along the shores of the Bosporus including Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Maiden´s Tower, Bosporus bridges, Rumeli and Anadolu fortresses and Ottoman Residences. Return to the hotel about 17:30. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

• Spice Bazaar
• Bosphorus

Day 02 / Sunday: Istanbul - Cappadocia; (Lunch)

Take the early morning flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia (Kayseri or Nevsehir airport). Meet with your driver and start the tour. Today, you will visit Devrent Imagination Valley and walk through this lunar landscape. Next, visit Pasabaglari (the world-famous Fairy Chimneys), the village of Avanos, where you will witness a Pottery-making demonstration using ancient Hittite techniques, lunch at a local cave restaurant, Uchisar Rock-Castle, (the highest point in the region, Esentepe (a panoramic view of Goreme valley) and Goreme Open Air Museum (Rock-cut churches, frescoes, monastery.)Transfer to hotel after tour and check in. Evening at leisure and overnight stay at Cappadocia.

• Uchisar Castle
• Pasabaglari
• Goreme Open Air Museum
• Devrent Imagination Valley
• Cappadocia

Day 03 / Monday: Cappadocia ; (Breakfast and lunch)

Optional Hot air balloon flight over the fairy chimneys at sunrise.

Today, you will visit Kaymakli Underground City (See how the people lived in this multi-level city complete with stables, kitchens, storage chambers and wine making rooms), Soganli Valley (Relaxing 3km walk through the valley with Byzantine period rock tombs),Sobesos (A Roman Bath from the 5th century and mosaics and graves from Byzantine Empire Period), Taskinpasa Medresesi (an Ottoman theological school) and Mustafapasa (Experience the Ottoman and Greek architecture of this old Greek Village once called Sinasos).After tour return to hotel and overnight stay in Cappadocia.

• Soganli Valley
• Sobessos
• Mustafapasa (old Greek village Sinasos)
• Kaymaklı Underground City

Day 04/ Tuesday: Cappadocia – Konya - Pamukkale ; (Breakfast and dinner)

After breakfast, drive to the holy city of Konya. On the way you will see Sultanhani Keravansarai. Then drive to Konya home of the Sufi mystic, Mevlana Rumi, and visit the Museum of the Whirling Dervishes . After lunch break the tour continues to Pamukkale. Arrival at early evening and check into hotel. Dinner at hotel and overnight stay in Pamukkale.

• Pamukkale
• Mevlana Museum
• Konya
• Cappadocia

Day 05 / Wednesday: Pamukkale – Aphrodisias - Kusadasi; (Breakfast and dinner)

After breakfast at hotel you will visit Pamukkale. Walk along the Hierapolis ancient city ruins, see the huge Necropolis, and feel the warmth of the natural spring as you go barefoot on the Travertens. After lunch break, the tour continues to Kusadasi. On the way you will visit Aphrodisias, the remains of an ancient city that flourished in the 1st century B.C. Archaeological excavations are ongoing, uncovering a wealth of artifacts, the remains of a once thriving community of 60,000 inhabitants. Check in to hotel and dinner at hotel. Overnight stay in Kusadasi.

• Pamukkale
• Hierapolis
• Aphrodisias Ancient Site

Day 06 / Thursday: Ephesus - Virgin Mary – Temple of Artemis - Istanbul; (Breakfast only)

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Ephesus Ancient City. Enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with your guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan. Next we will visit the ruins of the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the World). Lunch at a nice local restaurant and then we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary's - The Vatican has recognized this small house in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when the ruins of the house were first discovered. After tour transfer to Izmir Airport and fly to Istanbul. Meet at the airport and transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure and overnight stay in Istanbul.

• Temple of Artemis
• Kusadasi
• House of Virgin Mary
• Ephesus Ancient City
• Celcus Library

Day 07 / Friday: Walking Old City Istanbul (Breakfast and lunch)

After breakfast at hotel, start the tour in Istanbul around 08:15. This tour would include with visits to Hippodrome & Obelisk the former center of sportive and political activities of Constantinople, Blue Mosque for famous for its blue Iznik tiles and unique six minarets. After lunch in a local restaurant, you will see St. Sophia Museum the magnificent Byzantine Church of all times visit Topkapi Palace the former imperial residence from where the Ottoman Sultans ruled their grand empire for over 400 years.Finish the day with incredible Grand Bazaar which is; In addition to its historical importance, it’s a bazaar that will tempt even the non-shoppers with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewelry, leather and souvenirs.After tour return to hotel as well and overnight stay in Istanbul.

• Izmir Airport
• Topkapi Palace
• Istanbul
• Hippodrome
• Hagia Sophia
• Grand Bazaar
• Blue Mosque

Day 08 / Saturday: Istanbul -Home (Breakfast only)

After breakfast at hotel day at leisure for shopping. Transfer to Ataturk Airport and fly to your home or other destination at desired hour according to your international flight. End of Services… Hoscakalin…