Charming Turkey | 11 Days

Day 1 – Friday:                                  Istanbul

Upon arrival into Istanbul New airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure. Overnight Istanbul.

Day 2 – Saturday:                            Istanbul

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Topkapi Palace (excluding Harem), St. Sophia (external visit), Blue Mosque, and the Spice Market. Overnight Istanbul. (B)

Day 3 – Sunday:                                Istanbul – Kayseri – Cappadocia

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival you will visit Turasan wine factory, where you can taste the beautiful wines of Cappadocia, before departing on an exciting jeep safari adventure. Begin with a drive from Goreme to Ortahisar, where you will visit the picturesque Ortahisar Castle, and then drive along the brook bank where you will be able to see the pigeon houses carved into the rocks, as you make your way to Uzengi Valley. Continue to Sahintepesi for time to relax before driving back to Goreme via Pancarlik church. After the tour you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight Cappadocia. (B,D)

Day 4 – Monday:                              Cappadocia

Today, you have the opportunity to experience an early morning Hot Air Balloon tour (optional). Then, enjoy a full day excursion in Cappadocia including visits to the Underground City, Open Air Museum in Goreme and natural fortress in Uchisar. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will have the opportunity to discover and understand the rich history behind local handicrafts like hand-made carpets, Turkish tiles, onyx and potteries. Optional night tour with a Turkish show and dinner is available tonight. Overnight stay in Cappadocia. (B,L)

Day 5 – Tuesday:                              Cappadocia – Konya – Pamukkale

After breakfast, Early departure for Pamukkale, visiting the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai and the Mausoleum of Mevlana in Konya on the way. Overnight Pamukkale.  (B, D)

Day 6 – Wednesday:                      Pamukkale – Izmir

After breakfast, visit the ancient Hierapolis with the magnificent Necropolis, graveyard, and the lime cascade. Continue to Selcuk to visit Temple of Artemis ”one of the seven wonders of the ancient world” before driving to Izmir for overnight stay. (B, D)

Day 7 – Thursday:                            Izmir – Ephesus – Sirince – Izmir 

After breakfast, morning drive to Ancient city of Ephesus where you will visit its magnificent library, theatre, and temples. Taste a traditional Turkish Gozleme Lunch in a nomadic tent in Selcuk, before continuing to one of the most beautiful villages in Turkey, Sirince. Here, you be able to taste delicious wines of the village and have time to do some shopping. Return to Izmir for overnight stay. (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Friday:                                  Izmir – Pergamum – Troy – Canakkale

After breaksfast, early departure for Bergama to visit the Asklepion with its well preserved remains before continuing to Troy; the site where the legendary Trojan War took place. Later, drive to Canakkale for an overnight stay. (B, D)

Day 9 – Saturday:                            Canakkale – Gallipoli – Istanbul 

After breakfast, we will cross the Dardanelles and continue to Gallipoli to visit Anzac Cove, Nek, Conk Bair, Lone Pine and 57th Regiment Memorial. Arrival in Istanbul for an overnight stay. (B)

Day 10 – Sunday:                             Istanbul

After breakfast, enjoy a day sampling some of Turkey’s delicious delicacies as you explore the backstreets of Istanbul. Begin with the Spice Market area, where you will experience the smells and colours of Istanbul and learn about the spices that dominate Ottoman cuisine. Here you can sample Turkish Delight and assorted flavored nuts. Continue to the Galata district, a cultural center with designer shops, heute culture designers, wine cellars, and boutique hotels. Stop to taste baklava, one of the most popular desserts in Turkey, Turkish coffee, sesame pretzels and roasted chestnuts on the way to Beyoglu. Here, you will have the chance to taste fried mussels, mussel dolma, pickles and more. After the tour you will be transferred back to your hotel. (B)

Day 11 – Monday:                            Istanbul

After breakfast transfer to the airport (Istanbul New airport). Transfer is by shuttle at either 9am or 11am. End of services. (B)

Accommodation (or similar):

ISTANBUL: Arena Hotel Istanbul

CAPPADOCIA: Afina Cave Hotel, or Yusuf Yigitoglu Konagi

PAMUKKALE: Adempira Hotel

IZMIR: Kaya Thermal

CANAKKALE: Kolin Hotel

Includes:

• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation as listed below or similar
• Meals as per itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
• Touring with English speaking guide
• Entrance fees and local taxes
• Istanbul to Kayseri flight

Things to Note:

–          Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.

–          Itinerary is subject to change at any time.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m. Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.

–          On arrival at your hotel, please check the bulletin board of the hotel for more details. Look for the information from the supplier listed on your voucher.

–          Tour does not include entry visa into Turkey.

–          Please ensure you review the class that you have booked.

–          This is a small group tour – maximum 18 passenger capacity on 45-seater coaches.