Istanbul Trip Overview
Turkey, an intoxicating blend of old and new, of East and West. Experience exciting Istanbul with a full-day tour and enough leisure time to discover its hidden charms. Marvel at the unusual rock formations of Cappadocia, the unique calcium cascades of Pamukkale and the Roman ruins at Ephesus before stopping at Troy and Gallipoli.
Additional Info
Duration: 11 days
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
Explore Istanbul Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Istanbul, Turkey, Turkey
Turkey, an intoxicating blend of old and new, of East and West. Experience exciting Istanbul with a full-day tour and enough leisure time to discover its hidden charms. Marvel at the unusual rock formations of Cappadocia, the unique calcium cascades of Pamukkale and the Roman ruins at Ephesus before stopping at Troy and Gallipoli.
Itinerary
Day 1: Day 1 – Istanbul
Pass By: Istanbul Airport, Tayakadın, Terminal Cad No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Welcome briefing will be held.
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Renaissance Bosphorus, a 5 star hotel.
Day 2: Day 2 – Istanbul
Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding Harem). Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the center of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the
Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Your last stop St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and now a museum and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. B
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Renaissance Bosphorus, a 5 star hotel.
Day 3: Day 3: Istanbul – Ankara
Pass By: Bosphorus Bridge, Kuzguncuk Mahallesi 15, Istanbul Turkey
This morning depart on an optional tour of cruise along Bosphorus cruise enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighborhoods, Ottoman palaces,
fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants and cafés. The tour will be ended in Asia side and drive for the capital city of Ankara for overnight. B D
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Crown Plaza Ankara, a 5 star hotel.
Day 4: Day 4: Ankara – Cappadocia
Stop At: Anadolu Medeniyetleri Muzesi, Gozcu Sokak No: 2 Ulus, Ankara 06240 Turkey
Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai holding artifacts from up to 7500 years old including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artifacts in the world. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravanserai en route. Pay a visit to the underground city of Saratli, one of the many underground settlements built for protection and religious reasons. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. Overnight in Cappadocia. B D
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Crown Plaza Nevsehir, a 5 star hotel.
Day 5: Day 5: Cappadocia
Stop At: Goreme National Park, Goreme 50180 Turkey
Consider an optional early morning hot air balloon tour and experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which was first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi, Red Valley and attend a brief
regional pottery workshop in a cave. B D
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Crown Plaza Nevsehir, a 5 star hotel.
Day 6: Day 6: Cappadocia – Pamukkale
Stop At: Pamukkale, Pamukkale
Drive to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. B D
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Colossae Thermal, a 5 star hotel
Day 7: Day 7: Pamukkale – Kusadasi
Stop At: Pamukkale Natural Park, Pamukkale orenyeri kocacukur alani pamukkale kasabasi, Pamukkale Turkey
Visit the unique cotton fortress of Pamukkale, with its white lime cascades formed by mineral springs, and the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Proceed to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. B D
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Charisma Deluxe, a 5 star hotel
Day 8: Day 8: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House – Kusadasi
Stop At: Ephesus Museum, Selcuk Turkey
Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a regional rug production center to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. Join an optional afternoon tour of Sirince. B D
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Charisma Deluxe, a 5 star hotel
Day 9: Day 9: Pergamum – Troy – Canakkale
Stop At: Asclepieion of Pergamon, Zafer, Site Sk. No:16, 35700 Bergama Osb/Bergama/İzmir, Turkey
Visit the ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamum and then continue to Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of each other. Continue to Canakkale for overnight. B D
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Kolin Hotel Canakkale, a 5 star hotel
Day 10: Day 10: Dardanelles – Gallipoli – Istanbul
Stop At: Anzac Cove, 17900 Canakkale Province, Gallipoli Turkey
In the morning depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles WW1. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, and then drive to Istanbul Visit to Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Istanbul. B D
Duration: 2 days 22 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Renaissance Bosphorus, a 5 star hotel.
Day 11: Day 11: Istanbul – Return
Pass By: Istanbul Airport, Tayakadın, Terminal Cad No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. B
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
