Discover Turkey, taking part to this memorable tour! Explore the marvelous Istanbul, the unique Cappadocia, the ancient Ephesus, the wonderful Pamukkale, the magnificent Pergamon… and be amazed!

DAY 1–Arrival and free day

Upon your arrival at Istanbul airport, our staff will be waiting for you in order to transfer you to your hotel. During the rest of the day, you will have free time to explore the city on your own

DAY 2–Istanbul

The first day of the tour starts by visiting the masterpiece of Hagia Sophia. A Christian church for over 900 years … also called “the eighth wonder of the world” (Closed on Mondays & replaced with Basilica Cistern). We continue visiting the magnificent Topkapi Palace, a place that housed not only the Sultans, but also many unbelievable stories and countless intrigues. (Entrance to the Harem is with extra cost). We will take a break for lunch and then follows the Blue Mosque, an imposingly beautiful mosque, that dominates the sky of Istanbul. Afterwards we will admire the ancient Hippodrome with the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Snake Pillar and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II.

We continue with a walk through the back streets of the Old City. During this walk we will visit the elegant Sokullu Pasa Mosque and the hidden underground Theodosian Cistern (Instead of these two last sights, we could visit Suleymaniye Mosque). Last but not least the Grand Bazaar! A huge covered market with over 4000 small shops!  (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

*This tour may be done all or partially as a walking tour*

Overnight stay in Istanbul

DAY 3–Ephesus & Kusadasi

The day starts early in the morning. At 6:00 am we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport to catch the flight to Izmir. Upon arrival at the airport, a member of our  staff will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name, in order to be transferred to Ephesus. During the tour to this ancient Greek city, we will have the chance to visit the Catholic shrine of Virgin Mary, the temple of the Greek goddess Artemis, we will take a walk at the Celsus Library and admire the Temple of Hadrian which is one of the best preserved and most beautiful structures. Moreover you will admire the fantastic Greco-Roman theater and the Basilica of St. John

Overnight stay in Kusadasi

DAY 4–Kusadasi & Pergamon

Today we will visit Pergamon, an ancient Greek city, with great strategic value, which also became the first capital of the Asian province. The archaeological site of the city is really impressive! The magnificent Hellenistic theater is the masterpiece of the acropolis of the ancient city. Acropolis of Pergamum is perched atop a high, to the northeast of the modern city center. Another amazing sight is the Asclepion, the world’s most famous ancient medical center and most important site in Pergamum  (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Overnight stay in Kusadasi

DAY 5–Pamukkale & Hierapolis

Pamukkale is a city which in Turkish literally means ”cotton castle”. You will understand why, when you arrive at the valley of Meander! The restorative qualities of the calcium rich waters of the town have a centuries old reputation! Next stop is the ancient city of Hierapolis, a World Heritage site! An ancient city which according to Stephanus of Byzantium was given this name because of the large number of temples it contained! Hierapolis became a healing center where doctors used its’ thermal springs as a treatment for their patients. Nowadays the ruins of Hierapolis brilliantly remind us, how life was centuries ago…  (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

At the end of the tour we will continue with an overnight bus to Cappadocia, with non smoking, fully air-conditioned bus at around 21:00. The duration is approxrimately 10 hours

DAY 6–Cappadocia

Upon arrival your tour guide will meet you at the Bus Station. Starting the tour to Cappadocia, we will visit the Zelve Open-Air Museum, which once housed one of the largest communities in the region. A spectacular cave town which hosts religious and secular chambers. Follows the amazing Devrent Valley where we can admire the unique fairy-chimneys.  We continue driving to Pasabag, the Monks Valley, to observe all these interesting mushroom shaped pinnacles! Afterwards we will take a break to have lunch at the city of Avanos.  In the afternoon we will drive to Goreme Open-Air Museum, where are the incredible remains of the rock-hewn churches and Christian settlements, dating back hundreds of years! Before we return to the hotel, we will visit the uncommon rocky Castle at Uchisar  (Lunch Included)

Overnight stay in Cappadocia

DAY 7–Cappadocia & Istanbul

Today we will start the tour with a visit to the extraordinary Derinkuyu underground city, that used to be a refugee settlement.  From Derinkuyu we will continue to the beautiful Valley of Ihlara, formerly known as Peristerema. We will explore all the famous rock-hewn churches and then hike 4 km through the amazing valley! On our way back, we will have the chance to admire the monasteries in Selime Village and the 13th century impressive Cavansary that was built by Selcuk Turks.

After the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Kayseri airport. At 20:25 you will take the flight to Istanbul. At 21:55 you will arrive in the city, where a member of our staff will transfer you back to your hotel. (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Overnight stay  in Istanbul

 DAY 8–Departure

After breakfast you will check out from your hotel (before 12:00) and we will transfer you to Istanbul Ataturk Airport