Empire to Aegean | Partially Guided Tour | 8 Days

DAY 1:                                   ISTANBUL 

Transfer from New Airport to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. 

DAY 2:                                   ISTANBUL 

Enjoy a guided tour including Topkapi Palace (closed Tuesdays), the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia (external visit only*), and the Grand Bazaar (closed Sundays). (B, L) 

*Internal visit to St. Sophia is not included. 

DAY 3:                                   ISTANBUL – GALLIPOLI – ISTANBUL  

Pick up from Istanbul hotel at 6:30am. Drive along the Marmara Sea to Gallipoli and visit ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, Johnston’s Jolly, The Nek and Chunuk Bair. Return to Istanbul. (B, L)  

DAY 4:                                   ISTANBUL – KAYSERI – CAPPADOCIA 

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kayseri (flight included) where you will be picked up and taken to Cappadocia. Visit the Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Drive to Pasabagi (Monk’s Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles. In the afternoon visit Open Air Museum in Goreme where the remains of rock-cut churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, L, D) 

DAY 5:                                   CAPPADOCIA 

Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at 09.30am-10.00pm depending on the arrival time of the other participants and drive to Ihlara Valley, created from the ashes of the volcanic Mt. Hasan. After hiking through the valley, which is watered with Melendiz River by Belisirma, proceed to Selime with hollowed out citadel and churches where fairy chimneys rest on the steep hillside. Stop at Yaprakhisar village to take photos. In the afternoon, visit to Derinkuyu Underground Village where dwellings with stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches and wineries were used as refuges for the Christian communities. Thereafter transfer to your hotel. (B, L, D) 

DAY 6:                                                 CAPPADOCIA – KAYSERI – IZMIR 

After breakfast, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Izmir (flight included). Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. (B)  

DAY 7:                                 KUSADASI – EPHESUS  

Full day tour of the ancient site of Ephesus with its theatre, library of Celsius, gymnasium, and Hadrian’s Temple. Continue with a visit to the stone cottage of the Virgin Mary. Overnight Kusadasi. (B, L) 

DAY 8:                                  KUSADASI 

After breakfast, transfer to Kusadasi port. End of services. (B) 

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

STANDARD CLASS*: 

ISTANBUL: Asur Hotel 

CAPPADOCIA: Burcu Kaya Hotel 

KUSADASI: Carina Hotel 

SUPERIOR CLASS*: 

ISTANBUL: Yasmak Sultan Hotel 

CAPPADOCIA: Yusuf Yigitoglu Mansion

KUSADASI: Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel 

*OPTIONAL UPGRADE:

Upgrade to a cave hotel in Cappadocia (supplement applies). 

CAPPADOCIA: Gamirasu or similar 

INCLUDES: 

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