Warm welcome with folded hand at Istanbul Ataturk airport meet & greet then transfer to hotel. Istanbul is Turkey’s most populous city as well as cultural and financial center. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally.
It was also the Former capital of 3 world famous Empires,Roman,Byzantine and Ottoman.Istanbul today honors and preserves the legacy of the past while looking forward to a modern future. The rest of today will be free for you to adjust to the time difference or explore the city.
After leisure breakfast , Full Day Istanbul sightseeing tour including Topkapi Palace,St.Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome ,Grand Bazaar. Haghia Sophia, the most influential church of Byzantium. Originally built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century,reconstructed by Emperor Justinian in 6th century and converted into a mosque by the Ottomans in the 15th century, it still stands today as one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels.
The magnificent interior is testament to the unique eastwest synthesis that is manifest in Istanbul. Shimmering biblical mosaics juxtapose huge plaques bearing the names of Islamic caliphs. Blue Mosque, another of the world’s most important religious buildings. Built in the 16th century the mosque is unique for it’s 6 minarets and it’s celestial interior decorated with the famous blue Iznik tiles. The Hippodrome, scene of chariot races. Although little remains of the great stadium which, in its hey day, is thought to have held 100’000 people, the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine are highlights. Grand Topkapi
Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultan’s from the 15th to the 19th century. With its impressive treasury, exquisite harem,attractive courtyards and pavilions housing huge collections of antiquities, Topkapi Palace offers a true insight into the heart of the Ottoman Empire.Then visit Grand Bazaar which is the biggest Covered Bazaar in the world with 4000 shops!! Return to the hotel and take rest.
Overnight at Hotel.
After leisure breakfast,you will be transferred to Ataturk airport domestic terminal for your flight to Ankara and upon arrival to Ankara,you will be met with our representative there. Then you will continue to the city center and visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then return to hotel and take rest.
Overnight at hotel.
After leisure breakfast ,Meet at the hotel lobby in the morning and start full day tour in Cappadocia. Visit to Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Drive to Pasabagi (Monk’s Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles. Drive to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period.
The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak river, the longest river of Turkey. In the afternoon, visit Goreme Open Air Museum (Dark Church is excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee) to visit the churches where the remains of rock-cut and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Various panoramic viewpoints of castles and fairy chimneys such as Esentepe for Goreme valley, Uchisar and its castle, Pigeon Valley. Then to Kaymakli (or Ozkonak) Underground City, the place where early Christians hid from persecutors. Returning to the hotel and take rest. Optional Hot Air Balloon tour.
Overnight at Hotel.
After early breakfast, latter drive to Pamukkale via Konya .On the way visit to the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai. This fortified structure was built in 1229 (dated by inscription), during the reign of the Seljuk sultan Kayqubad I, by the Syrian architect Muhammed Bin Havlan El Dimaski (Dimaski meaning from Damascus) along the trade route from Konya to Aksaray, leading to Persia (the Uzun Yolu) and arrival in Konya. Visit to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world famous mystic figure and Founder of Whirling Dervishes (Sufis). Then continue on to Pamukkale, Cotton Castle and Return to hotel and take rest.
Overnight at Hotel.
After leisure breakfast visit ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery “Necropolis”, the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop’s Palace. Return to hotel takes rest.
Overnight at Hotel.
After leisure breakfast, Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City, impressive structures we will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theatre and Odeon. (Hillside Houses are excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; We also visit the House of the Virgin Mary and Church of St. John. Evening free for shopping. After shopping return to hotel and take rest. Time for shopping. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D ). * Ephesus Museum in Selcuk is normally closed and no visits are possible when this tariff is released. Once opened, Church of St. John is to be replaced with the Museum
Overnight at Hotel.
After leisure breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Izmir airport and take flight for Istanbul Ataturk airport for connecting flight.
