Destinations & Itinerary
Istanbul – Ephesus – Pamukkale – Antalya – Cappadocia – Istanbul
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul
Upon your arrival at the Istanbul airport our staff will be ready to meet you as you exit baggage claim and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of your day will be passed at your leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Old City & Bosphorus Cruise Tour
Breakfast, Check out from room. 08:30 – 08:45 You will be picked up from your hotel for a full day tour of the Old City & the Bosphorus Strait. 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.
UNDERGROUND CISTERN:6th century built by Justinius as a water reservoir, largest cistern in Constantinople.
LUNCH
CRUISE ON THE BOSPHORUS: The Cruise on the Bosphorus which will give you the best chance to view the finest palaces and the pavalions along the shores.
RUMELI FORTRESS ( From the sea): The biggest fortification of Istanbul can be seen clearly during our Bosphorus Cruise.
CABLE CAR TO PIERRE LOTI: Enjoy the beautiful view from the cable car as you climb the hill to the cafe named French writer Pierre Loti, birth name Louis Marie Julien Viaud (1850 -1923).
RUSTEM PASA MOSQUE: The Rustem Pasa Mosque was designed by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan. It is famous for its large quantities of exquisite Iznik tiles, set in a very wide variety of beautiful floral and geometric designs.
After, transfer to Airport. Flight to Izmir. Transfer to Kusadasi Hotel. Free and easy day. Overnight in Kusadasi.(Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch )
Day 3 – Ephesus Tour
08:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Ephesus & The House of Virgin Mary. 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. End of the tour transfer to hotel and overnight in Kusadasi. (Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 4 – Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour
08:00 pick up from your hotel drive to Pamukkale visiting; Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis with the Temple of Apollo, the breathtaking Theater, the fascinating Necropolis and the last the great baths of Hierapolis antique city, where St. Philip was martyred. St. Philip is connected with the early church in Hierapolis and played an important role in Pamukkale the history of the city. Finally we visit the calcium terraces and pools. After sightseeing in Pamukkale bus to Antalya ( 4 hours ). Arrive in Antalya bus terminal. Overnight in Antalya.(Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 5 – Antalya Tour
Breakfast, 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. After tour back to Hotel.Overnight in Antalya.
Day 6 – Antalya – Cappadocia
Breakfast, Transfer to bus terminal. Day Bus to Cappadocia ( 10 Hours Journey ) . Arrive in Cappadocia. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia. (Included meals: Breakfast )
Day 7 – North Cappadocia Tour
Breakfast,
09:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of North Cappadocia. In this day you will be able to see:
DEVRENT VALLEY : Devrent is situated on the northern slopes of Aktepe, 1km from Pasabaglari (Monks’ Valley) and 5 km from Avanos. The ruins at Devrent are spread over three valleys, which also house several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems.
MONKS VALLEY : The best place to see three-headed fairy chimneys. Pasabag, the Pasha’s Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.
AVANOS : A center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC, it is a town where you will be invited to visit a traditional pottery workshop, which is possibly set deep into the hillsides. The clay, which comes from the Red River passing through the town, gives life both to the land and to the local economy.
GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM : Goreme was an important Christian centre in the early years of the Middle Ages, was a bishopric administered by Mokissos near Aksaray in the 11th and 13th centuries. Despite the vast number of monasteries, churches and chapels in the vicinity of Göreme, there are not many inscriptions bearing dates. For this reason, these religious buildings are mainly dated according to the iconography or architectural features.
UCHISAR : Uchisar is a troglodyte town situated right in the middle of Cappadocia. It is named after the enormous piece of rock in the center of the town, which was once used as a castle. This extraordinary rock is the highest peak of the area with the view of whole Cappadocia and Erciyes (Argeus) Mountain.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia. (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 8 – South Cappadocia Tour
Breakfast.
09:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of South Cappadocia. In this day you will be able to see:
KIZILCUKUR: is an isolated valley behind Urgup. It has beautiful rock formation with some great hidden rock-carved churches. The most interesting part of this area is the countless tracks connecting the small villages and towns through vineyards and gardens like a spider net. It is always possible to see villagers working in the area and offering grapes, apples or apricots to you.
CAVUSIN: One of the oldest settlements in the area, Cavusin is situated 2km from Goreme, on the Göreme-Avanos road. The Church of St.John the Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintings date back to the 5th century, making the oldest church in the region. It had a large courtyard which is unusual for Cappadocia, this has been eroded away however.
HOSPITAL MONASTRY: One of the oldest monasteries in Cappadocia.
KAYMAKLI: Kaymakli and Derinkuyu underground cities are the two largest and deepest of the 40 others in Cappadocia. They both have eight floors, although not all are open to the public.
PIGEON HOUSE: Visit the pigeon houses and rock formations.
After tour back to hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia. (Included meals: Breakfast &Lunch)
Day 9 – Arrive in Istanbul
Breakfast, transfer to Airport. Flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul. Transfer to Hotel. Free and easy day in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. (Included meals: Breakfast)
Day 10 – Departure from Istanbul
After breakfast check out from hotel (before 12:00), transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport regarding your flight details. End of tour and services. (Included meals: Breakfast)
Please take note of the following:
* 30% discount for children below the age 7, free for the ages 0-2
* The order of visiting sights, may vary slightly from time to time
* You are kindly requested to present your self at the pick up point 15 minutes prior the pre advised pick up time
* Smoking is not permitted but all tours make frequent stops
* Slightly changes possible according to the Domestic Flights availability
What’s Included:
* All transfer from / to Hotel from / to Airport.
* 9 Nights Hotel Accommodation + 9 Hotel Breakfasts
* Domestic Flight Ticket ( Cappadocia to Istanbul )
* Personal Travel Insurance in Turkey
* Fully guided tour with the services of an experienced and qualified professional tour guide
* Luxury non-smoking air-conditioned coach
* On ground support and access to True Blue Tour Istanbul offices should you require any further assistance
* All Admission Fees.
* (B, L, D) B= Breakfast L= Lunch D= Dinner
* V.A.T.
