Turkey In-Depth Vacation

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Istanbul

  Welcome to Istanbul, a Middle East country that jams fascinating history, breathtaking natural wonders, and stunning coastlines! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

  • Istanbul

• Day 2: Istanbul, City Highlights

  Your city exploration will start from Istanbul's historical center with the first stop at the Blue Mosque which owes its name to the exquisite tiles that make the interior of the mosque a dreamy blue world when the sunshine flows through the colorful glass windows.

  Following it, you will pass through the Hippodrome of Constantinople, on which the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column may draw your attention, and reach the Hagia Sophia. The building itself with its gorgeous mosaics makes it the best surviving example of Byzantine.

  Later on, walk down to the underground Basilica Cistern to feel its unique ambiance: Rows of marble pillars standing out from the water, sporadic sounds of water drops from the roof, Medusas' heads under the pillar, etc.

  And then, you will arrive at the Topkapi Palace, once the residence of Ottoman sultans. The imperial collections of the Ottoman Empire and the well-preserved architecture, especially the Imperial Harem, will show you some stories about the Ottoman royal family.

  • B
  • Istanbul

• Day 3: Istanbul, Blend into Daily Life of Turks

  Besides the fascinating history, Istanbul is also a great place to get deeply into the daily lives of Turks. Follow your local guide to explore this charming city from an insider perspective.

  Start your journey from the bustling Spice Bazaar, a heaven for foodies with spices in different colors stacked high in mounds, delicious Turkish delight made into beautiful shapes, and dry flowers mixed into various kinds of tea. Later, proceed to the pier and enjoy a 1-hour sharing cruise on the Bosphorus Strait.

  In the afternoon, continue to the Kariye Mosque where you can appreciate the oldest and finest surviving Byzantine Christian mosaics and frescoes. Make a stopover at the Suleymaniye Mosque and then spend the rest of the day exploring the Grand Bazaar. Different from the Spice Bazaar, the Grand Bazaar crammed with jewelry, ceramics, and carpets will offer you plenty of opportunities to seek some special souvenirs and practice bargaining skills.

  • B
  • Istanbul

• Day 4: Istanbul - Kayseri - Cappadocia

  Fly to Cappadocia this morning. Upon arriving at Kayseri airport, you will be transferred to the wonderful land of Cappadocia. When driving through the Devrent Valley and Pasabagi Valley, stop and take a short walking tour to discover a mass of rock in various shapes, including the famous "fairy chimneys". Take a rest at the town of Avanos and then proceed to the Goreme Open Air Museum. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its dozens of churches, chapels, and monasteries that were carved into the rock from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescos painted on the walls. Take photos in the neighboring valleys if time permits before going back to the hotel.

  • B
  • Cappadocia

• Day 5: Cappadocia, Subterranean City of Kaymakli

  Continue your exploration of this magical land. Visit the Ortahisar, a natural citadel carved in rocks. Later, descend into the subterranean city of Kaymakli, the largest underground city in Cappadocia. Walking through the narrow tunnels to search and see the rooms with different functions, you can easily imagine how the Christians lived after fleeing persecution in the 7^th century. Followed by is Cavusin Valley, where many dwellings were carved into a massive rock wall. The tour will end at the Red Valley and Wine House. Surrounded by fertile vineyards, this cozy place with a nice atmosphere will refresh you.

  • B
  • Cappadocia

• Day 6: Cappadocia - Konya

  After breakfast, drive to Konya. Stop at Sultan Han, a large 13th-century Seljuk caravanserai on the road to Konya for rest. Upon arriving in Konya, pay a visit to the Mevlana Museum, the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Turkish Sufi mystic, as well as the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order. Later, explore Catalhoyuk, a very large Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlement that existed from approximately 7500 BC to 5700 BC in southern Anatolia, as well as the largest and best-preserved Neolithic site found to date.

  • B
  • Konya

• Day 7: Konya - Antalya, Aspendos & Perge

  Today you will drive toward Antalya and the journey usually takes about 4.5 hours. The Aspendos on the road between Konya and Antalya is famous for its Roman Theatre built in the 2^nd century AD by Marcus Aurelius. Until now, more than 2,000 years later, the theatre is still nearly intact and used for music and drama festivals. The followed Perge is one of the impressive Greco-Roman sites of Turkey. Passing through the arch of its Roman Gate, you will see the remains of once the most prosperous city. After the tour, spend overnight at Antalya.

  • B
  • Antalya

• Day 8: Antalya, Free Day

  Located on the Mediterranean coast, Antalya is a famous resort center. Today you can explore this city on your own. Walking around the center of Antalya decorated with ancient houses and restaurants, or just simply sprawling in deck chairs on soft white sands and clear blue waters, you can feel charmed and relaxed.

  • B
  • Antalya

• Day 9: Antalya - Pamukkale, Cotton Castle & Hierapolis

  After breakfast, about a 3.5-hour drive will take you to Pamukkale, which is famous for its unique geological formations named "cotton castle" in Turkish. Collections of terraced basins filled with blue waters among a pristine, all-white landscape, what a picturesque area it is! Close by is the ancient city of Hierapolis. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along Pamukkale, Hierapolis flourished under the Roman era. Today several remains can be seen such as the main street, the gates, and the theatre.

  • B
  • Pamukkale

• Day 10: Pamukkale - Kusadasi, Ruins of Aphrodisias

  Breakfast at the hotel and then proceed to the ruins of Aphrodisias, a small ancient Greek Hellenistic city famous for marble sculptures. Here, you can see some important remains including the Aphrodisias Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. After the tour, drive to Kusadasi for the night.

  • B
  • Kusadasi

• Day 11: Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi

  Breakfast at the hotel and begin the day with a tour of Ephesus, one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. It was built in the 10^th century BC and flourished in ancient Greek and Roman times. Walking along the Arcadian Way, a 4^th-century white marble chariot thoroughfare, you will be greeted by the two-story Library of Celsus, the Ephesus Theater, the remaining graceful columns and mosaics of the Basilica, and other major civic buildings. The tour today also includes a visit to the House of Virgin Mary.

  • B
  • Kusadasi

• Day 12: Kusadasi - Bergama - Canakkale, A Visit to Troy

  Depart early for Bergama and then visit the Asclepion, once an important healing center of the Roman world. Remnants of many structures have been preserved on site for you to see how the healing center would be during ancient times. Continue your journey to Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After the tour, drive to Canakkale for the night.

  • B
  • Canakkale

• Day 13: Canakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul

  After breakfast, sail to the other side of Dardanelles by a ferryboat and then drive to visit Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles. You will arrive in Istanbul in the late afternoon. Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest time at leisure.

  • B
  • Istanbul

• Day 14: Istanbul, Departure

  Time to say goodbye! After breakfast, your tour guide will escort you to the airport for your departure flight. Wish you a happy journey and look forward to seeing you again.

  • B