Best of Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and beyond

  • 11 Days , 5 Cities
  • From $3,660
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Customizable Itinerary This sample itinerary was created by our destination specialist to inspire you. It can be customized to your exact preferences and budget.
Countries Visited Turkey
Places Visited İstanbul, Ankara, , Pamukkale
Suggested Duration 11 days
Travel Styles Cultural Tours

ITINERARY

  • DAY 1
    Picture of Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey which was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinianos
    Picture of Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey which was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinianos

    Welcome to Istanbul, Turkey

    Welcome to Istanbul, Turkey. Upon arrival, meet with your driver and transfer privately to your hotel. Spend the day at leisure to relax in this astonishing city after your overseas flight.

    Istanbul is a historic and fascinating city built on two continents divided by the Bosphorus Strait and is the largest and most populous city in Turkey. Istanbul is also Turkey's most significant cultural and financial center that offers an unforgettable experience for its travelers with its colorful daily city life and dynamic nightlife.

    What's included?

    • Accommodation Accommodation
    • Transfer Transfer
  • DAY 2
    Hagia Sofia is a Christian Patriarchal Basilica in Istanbul
    Hagia Sofia is a Christian Patriarchal Basilica in Istanbul

    Istanbul - Visit the highlight of this fantastic city

    After breakfast, you will be picked up for your privately-guided tour of the Old City. You will see landmarks of different civilizations that flourished in Istanbul, including the Hagia Sophia Church with its Byzantine mosaics, the Blue Mosque famous for its interior tiles, the Byzantine Hippodrome where horses and chariots raced once upon a time, the Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for centuries, and the Grand Bazaar with its more than 4,000 shops. You will enjoy lunch during the tour. Overnight at the hotel.

    What's included?

    • Breakfast Breakfast
    • Lunch Lunch
    • Accommodation Accommodation
    • Tour Tour
  • DAY 3
    Anitkabir is the mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey.
    Anitkabir is the mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey.

    Ankara - Mausoleum of Ataturk then to Cappadocia

    After breakfast and check out, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ankara, where your private driver and guide will meet you. You will visit the Anatolian Civilization Museum in the Citadel, where archaeological pieces dating as far back as the Prehistoric Age are exhibited, and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic lies. After lunch in Ankara, you will depart for Cappadocia. Dinner is at your hotel in Cappadocia.

    What's included?

    • Breakfast Breakfast
    • Lunch Lunch
    • Dinner Dinner
    • Accommodation Accommodation
    • Tour Tour
    • Flight Flight
  • DAY 4
    Hot air balloons flying in Cappadocia, Turkey.
    Hot air balloons flying in Cappadocia, Turkey.

    Cappadocia - Explore the Underground City of Kaymakli, the Goreme Open Air Museum & the Pasabag Valley

    After breakfast, you will start exploring Cappadocia at the natural citadel of Uchisar, viewing its famous lunar-like panorama of unusual formations. Then, you will visit the Underground City of Kaymakli, built in the 7th century by Christians fleeing from persecution, in which a visitor can descend several floor levels. After lunch, continue to visit the Goreme Open Air Museum and its rock churches with Byzantine frescoes, some unbelievably well-preserved, and the Pasabag Valley with so-called “fairy chimneys.” Your last stop will be Avanos Village, famous for its pottery and handicrafts. After an active day, wind down with dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

    What's included?

    • Breakfast Breakfast
    • Lunch Lunch
    • Dinner Dinner
    • Accommodation Accommodation
    • Tour Tour
  • DAY 5
    Pamukkale sintered lime terraces, Turkey
    Pamukkale sintered lime terraces, Turkey

    Pamukkale - Visit Rumi's Tomb & Shrine in Konya en-route

    Today, you leave Cappadocia and continue to Pamukkale with your driver & guide. On the way, you will have a short stop to see and take photos by the Salt Lake and then drive to Konya to visit the Tomb and Shrine of Rumi, the 13th-century scholar, philosopher, and best-selling poet of today who founded an order of mystics of the Sufi sect of Islam. The denomination is famous worldwide for its 'whirling dervish' rituals. Enjoy lunch en-route to Pamukkale. Upon arriving in Pamukkale in the evening, end the day with dinner at your hotel.

    What's included?

    • Breakfast Breakfast
    • Lunch Lunch
    • Dinner Dinner
    • Accommodation Accommodation
  • DAY 6
    The ruins of Hierapolis ancient city in Turkey
    The ruins of Hierapolis ancient city in Turkey

    Kusadasi - Visit the Antique Cities of Hierapolis and Aphrodisias

    After breakfast at your hotel, you will drive to Hierapolis and visit the antique city’s Roman and early Christian remains with the most prominent “Necropolis” in Asia Minor and Pamukkale’s world-famous natural thermal pools. Then you will continue to Aphrodisias, where you will relax with lunch before visiting the antique city. Aphrodisias, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a remarkably preserved Roman-period city dedicated to Aphrodite. After the visit, continue to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight at your hotel.

    What's included?

    • Breakfast Breakfast
    • Lunch Lunch
    • Dinner Dinner
    • Accommodation Accommodation
    • Tour Tour
  • DAY 7
    Greek theater in Ephesus, Turkey
    Greek theater in Ephesus, Turkey

    Kusadasi - Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, and the House of the Virgin Mary

    After breakfast, the day's tour starts with an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ephesus. Ephesus is one of the largest and most impressive ancient cities globally, visited by millions of people each year. It was the second most important city of the Roman Empire of its time. The ruins, including the Library of Celsus, which once housed 12,000 scrolls, the largest ancient amphitheater in Asia Minor, the Odeon, temples, houses, baths, and aqueducts are so well-preserved that the visitors can easily visualize the life in ancient Ephesus. Then, continue to visit the Temple of Artemis. The last visit of the day is to the House of the Virgin Mary, where she is believed to have spent her last days. Many Christians and Muslims consider the place sacred and visit it to pray and drink the waters, which supposedly have healing properties. The tour concludes with lunch before returning to Kusadasi.

    What's included?

    • Breakfast Breakfast
    • Lunch Lunch
    • Dinner Dinner
    • Accommodation Accommodation
    • Tour Tour
  • DAY 8
    The Trojan Horse was a wooden horse that the Greeks used during the Trojan War
    The Trojan Horse was a wooden horse that the Greeks used during the Trojan War

    Canakkale - Discover antique cities of Pergamum and Troy

    After breakfast, you will depart for Pergamum. Enjoy lunch and explore the ruins of Pergamum antique city, visiting the Asclepium Sanctuary and the Acropolis with magnificent views. Then, continue to visit Troy, where the famous Trojan War took place, and learn about its history from your guide. The day ends with dinner at the hotel.

    What's included?

    • Breakfast Breakfast
    • Lunch Lunch
    • Dinner Dinner
    • Accommodation Accommodation
    • Tour Tour
  • DAY 9
    The Gallipoli (Gelibolu) Peninsula battlefields have landscapes fringed by idyllic beaches and coves and covered in pine forests
    The Gallipoli (Gelibolu) Peninsula battlefields have landscapes fringed by idyllic beaches and coves and covered in pine forests

    Istanbul - Visit Gallipoli & It's Famous World War I Battlefields

    After breakfast, you depart for Istanbul. Once you cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry, you will arrive at Gallipoli to visit the famous World War I frontline battlefields and its war memorials. After the visit, you will enjoy lunch on the way before arriving in Istanbul and checking into your hotel.

    What's included?

    • Breakfast Breakfast
    • Lunch Lunch
    • Accommodation Accommodation
    • Tour Tour
    • Cruise/Boat Cruise/Boat
  • DAY 10
    The Bosphorus cruise tour in Istanbul
    The Bosphorus cruise tour in Istanbul

    Istanbul - Enjoy the Bosphorus Cruise

    After breakfast, your morning starts with a cruise along the Bosphorus. The cruise is an enjoyable way to see the beauty of Istanbul from an entirely different perspective. Then explore the Asian side of Istanbul and taste delicious Turkish cuisine for lunch at a restaurant with beautiful views of the Bosphorus before returning to your hotel.

    What's included?

    • Breakfast Breakfast
    • Accommodation Accommodation
    • Tour Tour
    • Cruise/Boat Cruise/Boat
  • DAY 11

    Departure to the airport

    Time to bid farewell to Turkey after a memorable journey. You will be taken to the airport by private transfer for your flight back home.

    What's included?

    • Breakfast Breakfast
    • Transfer Transfer

PRICES

Starting from $3,660 per person

Price per person in double occupancy
The rate is based on 4 Star and luxury accommodation
Price excluding international flights
This trip is customizable for your private travel.
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HIGHLIGHT

What’s Included?

  • 10 nights’ accommodation at 4 Star and luxury and boutique hotels, centrally located
    2 nights in Istanbul
    2 nights in Cappadocia
    1 night in Pamukkale
    2 nights in Kusadasi
    1 night in Canakkale
    2 nights in Istanbul
  • Hotels on a bed & breakfast basis in Istanbul
  • Full-board basis during the tour (breakfasts & dinners in hotels/lunches in restaurants)
  • Transfers & transportation with private luxury vehicle & driver
  • Professional English-speaking guide services throughout the tour
  • Entrance fees to the museums/sites (as mentioned in your program)

Sightseeing Highlights Included

  • Full-day tour in Istanbul, including the Hagia Sophia Church, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar
  • Visit the Anatolian Civilization Museum in the Citadel, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, where the founder of the Turkish Republic lies.
  • See the Salt Lake
  • Visit world-famous Cappadocia: Explore the natural citadel of Uchisar, the Underground City of Kaymakli, the Göreme Open Air Museum and its rock churches with Byzantine frescoes, the Pasabag Valley with so-called “fairy chimneys,” and Avanos Village famous for its pottery and handicrafts.
  • Visit the Tomb and Shrine of Rumi in Konya.
  • Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis and Pamukkale’s natural thermal pools.
  • Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Aphrodisias.
  • Discover the lovely coastal town of Kusadasi.
  • Visit Ephesus and the Ephesus Museum, the Temple of Artemis, and the House of the Virgin Mary.
  • Visit the Pergamum antique city ruins: the Asclepium Sanctuary and the Acropolis
  • Visit Gallipoli battlefields, the famous World War I frontline with war memorials.
  • Enjoy a cruise along the Bosphorus

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