Turkish Delights Tour - (6 Days / 5 Nights)
Istanbul - Ephesus - Pamukkale - Antalya - Istanbul
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Arrival in Istanbul
Upon your arrival at Istanbul airport our staff will be ready to meet and transfer you to your hotel. Time at leisure, stay overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 2 - Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Tour
08:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Old City. In this day you will be able to see:
HAGIA SOPHIA: Byzantium largest cathedral, converted to mosque 1453 by the Ottoman Empire and today open as a museum to see both religion remains.
BLUE MOSQUE: This mosque complex, containing Istanbul's only mosque with six minarets was built by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga for Sultan Ahmed 1st. early 17th century.
HIPPODROME and OBELISKS: Center of sport activities and political events of the Eastern Roman Empire. The vast Hippodrome, known as At Meydani or ¨plaza of the horses¨,stretches between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
GRAND BAZAAR: The oldest and the largest covered market place in the world is situated in the center of the city. Famous shopping center worldwide. Shopping possibilities for carpet, jewellery, leather etc
TOPKAPI PALACE: Topkapi Palace was the main residence of the sultan and his court. It was initially the seat of government as well as the imperial residence. Built between 1475 and 1478 by Mehmet II, Fatih, the conqueror of Istanbul, served as the residence of the sultan and administrative seat of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years.
RUSTEM PASA MOSQUE: The Rustem Pasa Mosque was designed by Ottoman imperial arthitect Mimar Sinan. It is famous for its large quatities of exquisite Iznik tiles, set in a very wide variety of beautiful floral and geometric designs.
Tour finishes around 17:00, transfer back to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
DAY 3 - FULL DAY TOUR OF EPHESUS & THE HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY
You will be picked up from your hotel around 06:00 and transfer to airport.
Depart from Istanbul 07:30
Arrive Izmir at 08:30. Met on arrival and transfer to Ephesus. (1 hour drive from Izmir to Ephesus)
Full day tour of Ephesus & The House of Virgin Mary starts around 09:30.
First you will visit The Temple of Artemis, which once was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Then you will visit the world famous ancient Greco-Roman City of Ephesus, the most well preserved example in the world. After visiting this impressive site, you will have a lunch break. After lunch, you will visit The House of Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last days. This is a holy place for both Christians and Muslims.
After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi. (Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
DAY 4 - PAMUKKALE & HIERAPOLIS TOUR
08:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Pamukkale & Hierapolis. In Pamukkale, you will see the Cotton Cliffs, one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts. Also visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its basilica , theatre and Roman Baths. After tour bus to Antalya with non smoking, fully air-conditioned bus (duration 4 hours). Overnight in Antalya.
(Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
DAY 5 - ANTALYA TOUR
08:15 pick up from your hotel to visit Perge antique site in detail; Stadium, Roman Gate, Nymphaeum, Roman Bath, Hellenistic gate, Colonnaded Main Street and the Agora. Lunch on the Köprüpazari stream near the Aspendos Theater after lunch visit Aspendos Theater and the Historical Aqueducts. Shopping Break where also the Turkish handcrafts are introduced• Introduction of Side and an hour and a half free time. After the tour transfer to Antalya airport for flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
DAY 6 - DEPARTURE FROM ISTANBUL
07:30 Arrive in Istanbul. Met on arrival & Transfer to airport. End of tour and services. (If you would like, you can extend your trip by adding extra nights in Istanbul, please advise. (Included meals: Breakfast)
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
• Pick up and drop off at your hotel
• Domestic flight ticket - (Istanbul to Izmir / Antalya to Istanbul)
• Transportation in non-smoking mini/midi bus with professional English speaking guide and experienced driver.
• 3 night hotel stay in Istanbul at 4 star or Boutique hotels (including breakfast)
• 1 night in Kusadasi at 4 star hotel including breakfast & Dinner
• 1 night in Antalya at 4 star hotel including breakfast & Dinner
• 1 Full Day Tour of Istanbul with lunch
• 1 Full Day Tour of Ephesus with lunch
• 1 Full Day Tour of Pamukkale with lunch
• 1 Full Day Tour of Antalya with lunch
• Meals mentioned by the itinerary
• Entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary
• Services charges and local taxes