Turkey Classical Tour 9 Days / 8 Nights
Tour Overview
Departure : Everyday
Highlights : Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia - Konya - Pamukkale - Ephesus - Istanbul
Discover the best of Turkey on this exciting journey with this 9 Days tour. Amazing Istanbul with its European and Asian influences; Turkey’s capital, Ankara, home of Ataturk; Cappadocia with its strangely shaped landscapes, the white cotton castle of Pamukkale and remarkable actual dwellings built into the rocks and Ephesus, one of the most important and best preserved ancient Roman/Byzantine sites.
Arrive in Istanbul and you will meet your driver waiting for you outside of customs with a sign with your name on it.
You will be transferred to your hotel. You have free time for the rest of the day in Istanbul.
Meal plan: No Meals
Breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full day Istanbul tour.
We begin our tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Hagia Sophia*. Converted into a mosque in 1453, it is now a museum. Its massive dome still dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. Next we visit the Blue Mosque, The Hippodrome and The Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops are full of treasures including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons, and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some shopping, Ottoman style.
After the lunch we begin our tour at Topkapı Palace, which, from the 15th to the 19th century, was the principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the fabulous Imperial Treasury and the Baghdad Kiosk. Topkapı Palace is now a museum and has unrivalled collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, the 3rd largest in the world.We also visit the Imperial Armory, displaying centuries of Ottoman weaponry. But perhaps the loveliest feature of Topkapı Palace are its courtyards with their ancient trees; it is easy to imagine the sultan strolling here far from the cares of state and empire. Last but by no means least, we visit the Rüstem Pasha Mosque, completed in 1563.. The large quantities of exquisite Iznik tiles, arranged in a wide variety of beautiful floral and geometric designs, as well as the spacious central courtyard, make this mosque a must-see Istanbul attraction.
Breakfast at the hotel and then you will be transferred for the tour. We begin with a brief visit to the 17th century Spice Bazaar*, one of Istanbul’s most colorful, bustling attractions. Next, we travel the Golden Horn on our way to an unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the majestic strait that runs through Istanbul, linking Europe and Asia. From our cruise boat, we view the dramatic sights lining the Bosphorus’ wooded shores: mosques, a bridge that for a time was the world’s longest and Rumeli Hisarı, a massive fortress built by Mehmet the Conqueror in just three months as he prepared to take Istanbul. Also noteworthy on this tour are the 19th century mansions of the Ottoman elite and the Sultans’ fanciful gingerbread palaces and hunting lodges.
In the afternoon, your private car and driver will take you to the airport for a quick, direct flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel and enjoy free time for the rest of the day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Early morning transfer to Istanbul airport for flight to Ankara. Start with a visit to Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic. Completed in 1953, it is an impressive fusion of ancient and modern architectural ideas and remains unsurpassed as an accomplishment of modern Turkish architecture. There is a museum housing writings, letters and items belonging to Ataturk as well as an exhibition of photographs recording important moments in his life and the establishment of the republic.
Then visit, The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, close to the citadel gate, a 15th century Ottoman bedesten has been beautifully restored and since 1921 it houses a marvelous and unique collection including Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Urartian and Roman works. In 1997 this great museum won the "European Museum of the Year" award among 65 museums from 21 European countries.
After lunch, drive to Cappadocia for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Book an optional hot air balloon tour if you do not mind getting up early.*
Breakfast at the hotel. Start the visits with Goreme Valley museum consists of steep cliffs and many hidden churches dating from second half of 9th C. Then visit Pasabag in Cappadocia is located on the road coming from Goreme. Highly remarkable earth pillars can be seen here, in the middle of a vineyard, hence the name of the place which means: the Pacha's vineyard. Pacha means "General", the military rank, in Turkish and it is a very common nick name. This site is also called Monks Valley. The name was derived from some cones carved in tuff stones which stand apart. Currently, there is a vineyard and a number of tuff cones standing right next to the road.
Continue to visit the villages of Avanos, is a small town famous for its pottery. It is built along the banks of Kizilirmak (Hayls River), the longest river originated and ending within the borders of Turkey; 842 miles. After lunch, visit traditional pottery making house where guests will see their own talents in producing their own potteries.
Then continue to visit one of the underground city made to accommodate several thousands of people with seven subterranean floors. So far 36 underground cities have been discovered some of them being very recent. It is also estimated that most of them are connected to each other. But it is difficult to identify these connections.
After lunch visit Cavusin village, a Greek town whose history goes back to the Early Christian Period. The rock cut buildings have collapsed because of erosion but the churches are still in place and being used as dovecotes.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Early morning departure to Pamukkale. On the way, visit Konya, the home of Whirling Dervishes. We will see the Mevlana Museum sheltering the tomb of Rumî, known to his followers as Mevlana, a Muslim poet, and mystic. After lunch, continue to Pamukkale.
Arrive in Pamukkale, the oldest spa center in the world and check into your hotel. Stay overnight in Pamukkale.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Departure for the tour for Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia and Pamukkale which is the center of natural thermal spring waters with healing properties.
After lunch, drive to Selcuk for visiting the Temple of Artemis that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Then stroll in the world-famous Ancient City of Ephesus, including the Arcadian Way, Roman Baths, Temple of Hadrian, Celsius Library, and the Antique Theatre. Finally see The House of the Virgin Mary, where she lived her last years and the Basilica of St John. Check into the hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and stay overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for a direct flight from Izmir to Istanbul. The flight duration is around 1 hour. Arrive at Istanbul airport. Upon arrival you will meet your driver at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. Stay overnight in Istanbul.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your international flight. End of services.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
The tour ends with the last night accommodation in Istanbul. Further arrangements can be provided upon request.
Included Services:
• 8 nights accommodation in 3 Star or 4 Star hotels.
• Arrival and departure transfers with air-conditioned vehicles.
• Domestic flight ticket Istanbul to Ankara & Izmir to Istanbul.
• Services of a professional tour guide on sightseeing tours.
• Entrance fees for the sites and museums.
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
Excluded Services:
• Tips to staff, items of a personal nature.
• Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast).
• International arrival & departure flight tickets.
• Entry visa.