Essence of Turkey Tour

Transfer from Istanbul airport to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Evening welcome briefing. Overnight Renaissance Bosphorus.

Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding Harem). Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the center of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Visit St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, still inhibited as a mosque in the present day and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. (B) 

This morning depart on an optional Bosphorus cruise and enjoy the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighbourhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants and cafés. The tour will be ended in Asian side and drive to the capital city Ankara for overnight at Grand Mercure or similar. (B, D)

Today visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai holding artifacts from up to 7500 years old including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artifacts in the world. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravanserai enroute. Pay a visit to the under- ground city of Saratli, one of the many underground settlements built for protection and religious reasons. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. Overnight in Cappadocia at Crown Plaza Nevsehir or similar.(B, D)

Today we recommend an optional early morning hot air balloon tour to experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which was first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi, Red Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)

After breakfast drive to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. Overnight Adempira Hotel. (B, D) 

Morning visit the unique cotton fortress of Pamukkale, with its white lime cascades formed by mineral springs, and the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Proceed to Izmir for dinner and overnight at Park In by Radission Izmir  (B, D)

Spend a full day at leisure, or join the optional tour to Ancient Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world. Explore the 2,000-year-old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsus, a gymnasium, and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see the stone cottage of St. Mary, where it is believed the Virgin Mary spent her last years with St. John. Continue to a regional rug production center to experience this unique art form firsthand.

Visit the ancient medical center Asclepion in Pergamum. Continue to Troy, renowned for its famous wooden horse and as the setting of the Trojan War, with many cities built on top of each other. Proceed to Canakkale for an overnight stay, dinner at your hotel. Continue to Canakkale for overnight at Double tree by Hilton Hotel. (B, D) 

In the morning depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles WW1. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk, and then drive to Istanbul and visit the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Istanbul at Renaissance Bosphorus (B,D)

After breakfast transfer to Istanbul airport. (B)