Enjoy this six-day cultural tour that covers some of the most important historical and natural wonders in North and West Turkey beginning with the captivating city of Istanbul. Visit the famous Blue Mosque, admiring its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles and explore the ancient Hippodrome in Istanbul. Then, enjoy a  traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia, see Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world, and much more during this memorable trip in Turkey.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Istanbul: Served as a capital city to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, this Euro-Asian city never fails to enthral with its beautiful buildings in the old city of Sultanahmet overlooking the Bosphorus strait which separates the city between Europe and Asia. You can find anything you might be looking for and more in Istanbul.

Ephesus: Discover the ruins of this once vast city, including the Temple of Artemis, the Roman baths, the Library of Celsus, and the House of the Virgin Mary.

Sirince: Stroll the paths of a picturesque whitewashed Anatolian village, which is home to a thriving wine production industry.

Pamukkale: Visit one of Turkey’s top attractions admiring its impressive white travertines formed by calcified minerals running down a hillside.

What’s included?

TOUR GUIDE: 

• Fully escorted by English speaking tour guide on private basis

ACCOMMODATION: 

• Five nights’ accommodation in 4-5* hotels

MEALS:

• All meals as mentioned in programme  

 ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:

• As noted in the itinerary: old city in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Covered Bazaar, Bosphorous Cruise, fully guided tour of Ephesus, Meryamana, Sirince, Pamukkale, Hierapolis

 TRANSPORT

• Arrival airport transfers as per itinerary
• Local airport transfers as per itinerary
• Modern air-conditioned vehicles.

OTHER: 

• All applicable government taxes and fees
• Meet and greet on day 1.

Exclusions

• International and domestic flights, airport fees of any kind
• Meals, other than specified in itinerary
• Optional offered tours and events 
• Beverages
• Porterage
• Tips

Please note

• Day 3: Istanbul – Izmir flight is not included and our recommendation is to book a flight (TK2328 IST-ADB) later than 16:00 hrs.
• St. Sophia Museum is closed on Mondays
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
• The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
• Please note that local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice. 

What do I need to bring?

Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Turkey. Shoes should be removed before entering a mosque or private house. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.

Accommodation options

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-2  Istanbul:

• Superior Hotel Category = Dosso Dossi Old Town or similar 4* 

Day 3,4  Kusadasi: 

• Superior Hotel Category = Charisma Deluxe Hotel or similar 5* 

Day 5  Pamukkale: 

• Superior Hotel Category = Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal or similar 5*

Cancellation policy

Once ordered, this tour cannot be cancelled or refund or amended at any circumstances.

Day 1 :  ARRIVAL ISTANBUL

Arrive at Istanbul airport where a representative will meet and greet you before you are transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, relaxing in the hotel or exploring the surroundings on your own. 

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 :  ISTANBUL

Begin your day with a delicious breakfast before you are picked up from the hotel to start a tour of the old city, known as Sultanahmet. The first stop is Topkapi Palace – the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures and the Holy Mantle, as well as enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Next, see Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque located across from St. Sophia and built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its’ magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Continue with visiting the ancient Hippodrome and admiring the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. After a delectable lunch break, wander around the Grand Covered Bazaar. In this labyrinth of streets and passages, there are more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area, such as the goldsmiths street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, and many other surprises. You can end your day in Istanbul with an optional 1001 Nights Dinner Show. 

Overnight in Istanbul. Lunch included. 

Day 3 :   ISTANBUL – IZMIR – KUSADASI (575 KM – FLIGHT 1HR – 1HR TRANSFER)

After a tasty breakfast, enjoy a Bosphorus Cruise. From the boat, admire the array of beautiful sites, including the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), old city walls, Topkapi Palace and many other impressive landmarks. After this traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia, indulge in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and head towards the Istanbul Ataturk airport to catch your flight to Izmir. On arrival, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in and, if time permits luxuriate in a relaxing Turkish bath. Flight to Izmir and Turkish bath are not included.

Overnight in Kusadasi. Lunch included.

Day 4 :   KUSADASI – EPHESUS – KUSADASI (40 km – 30 mins)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and depart for a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world. This once thriving metropolis gives a real feel of how the city once looked, as you walk down marble-paved streets and admire the remains of the Celsus Library, Hadrian’s Temple and the amphitheatre. We then move on to Meryamana or House of the Virgin Mary which is in a hilltop location a short distance from Ephesus. According to the stories, Mary spent her last years here and it has been sanctified by the Roman Catholic Church. Indulge in a delicious lunch and then visit a carpet weaving centre to watch the ancient practice of carpet-weaving. Afterwards, explore Sirince, a pretty village which sits high up in the hills behind Selcuk and was once inhabited by Anatolian Greeks. The narrow, cobbled streets are packed with stalls selling local products such as homemade jams, souvenirs, wine, and textiles. Famous for its fruit wines, we will visit the vineyards and learn how to make fruit wine with the local winemakers. Before returning to Kusadasi, the final stop is at a leather production centre where you will have the opportunity to get good factory rates.  

Overnight in Kusadasi. Lunch included.

Day 5 :   KUSADASI – PAMUKKALE (200 km – 3 Hrs)

After a tasty breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale. On arrival, check into the hotel and relax while enjoying a luscious lunch. Afterwards, visit the spellbinding calcium terraces of Pamukkale and walk around this natural phenomenon which has been formed by calcium deposits in the water trickling down the hillside and solidifying into white travertines. Then, wander around the charming ancient city of Hierapolis which sits above the travertines. The beautiful city was popular among the Romans for the healing powers of its natural spring water. If you feel adventurous, enjoy one of the optional activities available here. You can choose between paragliding and a memorable hot-air balloon ride. 

Overnight in Pamukkale. Lunch included.

Day 6 :  DEPART PAMUKKALE

After enjoying your breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to the local airport for your flight to Istanbul. The flight is not included. 

Breakfast included.