Turkey Tours
Turkey Tour Itinerary 3 :
DAY 1
Departure from the hotel for the old city of Istanbul. Visit Blue Mosque from the 17th century, the Hippodrome Square where ancient chariot races used to be held, Hagia Sophia, the famous church of divine wisdom from the 6th century, and Topkapi Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman sultans.
DAY 2
Departure from the hotel for the full day Bosphorus tour. First stop by the spice market and then board the boat to have a ride along the Bosphorus. After lunch pass to the Asian side to visit the Beylerbeyi Palace which was the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Then visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the first shopping malls of the world.
DAY 3
Early departure from the hotel for Canakkale. On the way stop by the Gallipoli peninsula to visit the battlefields, cemeteries and the monuments of WW1. Continue to Troy to visit the the places which are mentioned in Homer's Illiad. Overnight in Canakkale.
DAY 4
Departure from the hotel for Kusadasi. On the way visit the ancient city of Assos, an exotic fishermen's village and see the Temple of Athena. Continue to the ancient city of Pergamon to see its temples, library and the steepest theatre of the ancient world. Visit the Asclepion, which was built as a dedication to the God of Health, Asclepios. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 5
Departure from the hotel for the full day Ephesus tour. Ephesus is one of the biggest cities of the ancient world with its temples, baths, agoras, odeon, theatre and library. After the visit of the ancient city continue to the museum to see the artifacts which have been excavated in the area. After lunch, visit the house where Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last years. Then continue to Sirince, an old Greek village, for wine tasting. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 6
Departure from the hotel for Pamukkale via Aphrodisias. Visit the ancient city of Aphrodisias which was built as a dedication to the Goddess of Beauty and was excavated with the support of the National Geographic Society. Then visit the ancient city of Hieropolis to see the biggest necropolis of the ancient world and the travertines, where nature formed surrealistic lagoons down the mountain side over a period of 5 million years. Overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 7
Departure from the hotel for Kas. On the way visit the ancient city of Patara which was the port town for Lycians. See the beach where caretta carettas (turtles) lay eggs. Overnight in Kas.
DAY 8
Departure from the hotel for the boat trip to Kekova and Kale village. See the sunken city of Kekova and the ruins at Kale Village. Swim in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. Overnight in Kas.
DAY 9
Departure from the hotel for Antalya. On the way visit the ancient city of Myra to see the rock cut tombs. Also visit the Church of St. Nicholas, where Santa Claus lived. Then continue to the ancient city of Phaselis to swim in the shade of the Roman ruins. Overnight in Antalya.
DAY 10
Departure from the hotel for the ancient city of Perge. Visit the Roman baths, Hellenistic Gate, agora and the famous stadium. Then visit the best preserved theatre of the ancient world in Anatolia, Aspendos. After lunch, continue to the downtown of Antalya to visit the Archaeological Museum and the Minaret from the Seljuk period. Overnight in Antalya.
DAY 11
Early departure from the hotel for Cappadocia. On the way stop in Konya to see the monastery of the Whirling Dervishes and the tomb of their leader, Rumi. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 12
Departure from the hotel for the full day tour in Cappadocia. Visit the underground city of Kaymakli, the fortress at Uchisar, Goreme Open Air Museum and the pottery making town of Avanos. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 13
Full day tour in Cappadocia. Hike in Ihlara valley in the morning. After lunch visit Cavusin, Pigeon valley, Ortahisar and Sinassos. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 14
Departure from the hotel for Ankara. On the way visit the Agzikarahan. After arrival in Ankara visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum. Overnight in Ankara.
DAY 15
Departure from the hotel for the connecting flight back home.