Cultural discovery & sightseeing tour of Istanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia
Highlights
Istanbul, coastal town of Kusadasi, Ancient Greek & Roman ruins at Ephesus & Hieropolis, Pamukkale calcium travertines, Sultanhani Caravanserai, Cappadocia underground churches & fairy chimneys.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive into Istanbul. Transfer to hotel
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul for the start of your trip.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - Boutique / 4 star hotel
| MEALS: None
| EXTRAS: Extra nights in Istanbul, Single room supplement (required if no room share available)
Day 2: Istanbul city tour, fly to Kusadasi
Our trip begins this morning with a full day 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 - Boutique / 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Kusadasi. Ephesus Greek & Roman ruins
After breakfast we drive to the Roman site of Ephesus. The city at one time housed 250,000 people and is regarded as one of the best preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. We visit the Temple of Artemis, and explore the ancient marble streets of this ruined Greek & Roman city. This afternoon we visit the fruit wine growing village of Sirince and learn about the history of carpet weaving in Turkey.
| OVERNIGHT: Kusadasi - Boutique / 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Drive to Pamukkale and Hieropolis
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 - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Drive the Silk Road to Konya
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 arrivingin 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 - Boutique cave hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Cappadocia. Full day tour
Today we set out to explore the beautiful and surreal landscape of Cappadocia. Unlike nowhere 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 subterrenean churches and fortresses used by Christians to avoid persecution over a thousand years ago.
| OVERNIGHT: Cappadocia - Boutique cave hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Return to Istanbul via Ankara
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 - Boutique / 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 8: Istanbul. Free time. Transfer to airport
Your time is free in Istanbul today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping before we transfer you to the airport for departure.
| OVERNIGHT: N/A
| MEALS: Breakfast
included with
- All accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels as stated in the itinerary
- All transport and transfers
- 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
- Visa fees
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Drinks, snacks, tips and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
- Tips for guide & driver
- Any other items not mentioned above
Detailed Description
Day 1: Arrive into Istanbul. Transfer to hotel
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul for the start of your trip.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - Boutique / 4 star hotel
| MEALS: None
| EXTRAS: Extra nights in Istanbul, Single room supplement (required if no room share available)
Day 2: Istanbul city tour, fly to Kusadasi
Our trip begins this morning with a full day 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 - Boutique / 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Kusadasi. Ephesus Greek & Roman ruins
After breakfast we drive to the Roman site of Ephesus. The city at one time housed 250,000 people and is regarded as one of the best preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. We visit the Temple of Artemis, and explore the ancient marble streets of this ruined Greek & Roman city. This afternoon we visit the fruit wine growing village of Sirince and learn about the history of carpet weaving in Turkey.
| OVERNIGHT: Kusadasi - Boutique / 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Drive to Pamukkale and Hieropolis
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 - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Drive the Silk Road to Konya
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 arrivingin 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 - Boutique cave hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Cappadocia. Full day tour
Today we set out to explore the beautiful and surreal landscape of Cappadocia. Unlike nowhere 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 subterrenean churches and fortresses used by Christians to avoid persecution over a thousand years ago.
| OVERNIGHT: Cappadocia - Boutique cave hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Return to Istanbul via Ankara
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 - Boutique / 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 8: Istanbul. Free time. Transfer to airport
Your time is free in Istanbul today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping before we transfer you to the airport for departure.
| OVERNIGHT: N/A
| MEALS: Breakfast
