Cultural discovery & sightseeing tour of Istanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia
Highlights
Spice bazaars, Blue Mosque & Hippodrome in Istanbul, Greek & Roman ruins at Ephesus, coastal Kusadasi, calcium travertines at Pamukkale, Hieropolis ruins, Cappadocia fairy chimneys, Goreme Valley, underground cities, Ankara
Itinerary
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the centre of Istanbul for the start of your trip. An optional (paid locally) afternoon tour is then available (starting at 1pm) to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, followed by a boat tour covering both the European and Asian banks of the Bosphorous. Additional nights in the hotel in Istanbul are available before the tour starts if you your preferred flights arrive in the afternoon or evening.
OVERNIGHT:
Istanbul boutique hotel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
Extra day in Istanbul - pre-tour
Single room supplement (TUSGDT)
Our trip begins this morning with a fully guided tour of Istanbul. Lying across two continents this historically important city played an integral role in the development of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. We visit the 17th century Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya museum, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum and the Hippodrome. In the afternoon we transfer to the airport for a flight to Izmir, from where we transfer to the coastal Mediterranean town of Kusadasi, our base for the next two nights.
OVERNIGHT:
Kusadasi hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS:
None
Immerse yourself in history today with a guided tour of ancient Ephesus and the legendary site of the Temple of Artemis. Soak in the atmosphere of the ancient city and its grand theater before exploring the Ephesus Archaeology Museum, home to a remarkable collection of regional artifacts. Later, discover Turkey’s rich textile traditions at a local carpet village, where you’ll see how these masterpieces are hand-woven and learn what defines their quality and value.
OVERNIGHT:
Kusadasi hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS:
None
We travel east this morning to Pamukkale, site of the well known white calcium terraces known as Travertines. Pamukkale translates as ‘cotton castles’ and the naturally occuring geology here has created cloud like formations unlike anywhere else. We then head to the ancient city of Hierapolis to enjoy a dip in the hot thermal pools lodged amongst ancient columns left by the Romans who used the pools for their therapeutic powers.
OVERNIGHT:
Pamukkale hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS:
None
Travel back in time today as we follow the ancient Silk Road towards Konya. We learn more about the history of this important trade route with a stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai before arriving in Konya where we include a visit to the Mevlana museum - the former home of the original Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes. A fun and entertaining Turkish Folklore evening is available tonight (paid locally).
OVERNIGHT:
Cappadocia hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS:
None
Today we set out to explore the beautiful and surreal landscape of Cappadocia. Unlike anywhere else on earth, this bizarre setting creates a fairytale view full of improbable rock formations and underground villages. Often described as the jewel of Turkey we have a full tour here to explore the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum, the fairy chimneys, and we'll also explore an underground city full of subterranean churches, living areas, schools and shops used by Christians to avoid persecution over a thousand years ago. Options are available locally to enjoy a hot air balloon flight or a Turkish bath.
OVERNIGHT:
Cappadocia hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS:
None
We leave early this morning for the drive to Ankara, Turkey's modern day capital city. We visit Anitkabir - mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk before returning to Istanbul by road. This is a long day's drive, and we can arrange an upgrade to an internal flight from Kayseri in Cappadocia if you prefer (please ask for current times & prices).
OVERNIGHT:
Istanbul hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Kayseri to Istanbul Flight Upgrade (inc. transfers)
Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping in Istanbul before we transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Optional tours are available locally to see more of Istanbul, and we can also add extra nights in the Istanbul hotel if you'd like to spend more time exploring the city.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Extra day in Istanbul - post-tour
included with
All accommodation in 4-star and boutique hotels
All transport and transfers in private AC minibus/coach
Domestic flight from Istanbul to Izmir
24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
Services of a local tour guide throughout
Entrance fees to sites visited
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Tipping kitty
excluded by
International Flights (available on request)
Visa fees (advance e-visa or visa on arrival available for most nationalities)
Travel Insurance (compulsory, available on request)
Meals not indicated in the itinerary
Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
Tips for guide & driver
Any other items not mentioned above
Extras /
Upgrades
Single Room Supplement
This option guarantees you a single room in hotels throughout the tour. If you are a single traveller who would like to share, let us know and we will see if we can pair you up.
Extra night pre-tour - Price from £30.00
This option adds an extra night to the start of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability at the time of booking). Your airport arrival transfer is still included.
Extra night post-tour - Price from £30.00
This option adds an extra night to the end of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability at the time of booking). Your airport departure transfer is still included
Detailed Description
This 8-day Turkey tour takes you from bustling Istanbul to the Mediterranean at Kusadasi and then inland to the beautiful scenery of Cappadocia. The itinerary is designed to combine some of Turkey's classic highlights in a week's visit, balancing bustling cities, beautiful scenery, ancient ruins and modern Turkey. You'll stay in a mix of 4-star and boutique style properties along the way.
Starting in Istanbul, the beating heart of Turkey and historically a vitally important connecting point between the continents of Europe and Asia, we visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Spice Bazaar, Hippodrome and take a cruise on the Bosphorus before flying south to the Mediterranean coast at Kusadasi. We have two nights here, and a tour to the nearby ruins at Ephesus. One of the best preserved ancient Greek & Roman sites in the whole of the Mediterranean region, this is a spectacular site with a fascinating history. We'll also visit a local village to learn about the importance of carpet making in Turkey. Our next stop is at the stepped calcium travertines and hot pools at Pamukkale, before we continue into the centre of Turkey along the ancient Spice Route, passing old caravanserais and visiting the Mervlana museum at Konya on the way. This brings us to picturesque landscape of Cappadocia where we visit the strange rock formations, cave chuches and 'fairy chimneys' in the Goreme valley and venture down into one of the labarynthine underground cities built by Christians centuries ago to hide from persecution. The tour then finishes with a drive (or optional flight) via Ankara back to Istanbul where extra nights are available to spend more time exploring the city.
Many of our group itineraries can be booked as private departures, offering the flexibility to customise your accommodation or work with our sales team to create a completely tailor-made journey. Contact us for details
