The best tour in Turkey, including Istanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale and back to Istanbul by domestic flight. This is an exquisite tour for you with all the bells and whistles. There are no long bus rides just domestic flights getting you to your destination comfortable and relaxed.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Istanbul: a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.
Ephesus: was one of the most famous cities of the ancient Mediterranean. Founded in the Bronze Age and important from ancient Greek times, it contained the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and served as a crossroads between the East and West for centuries.
Sirince: a village of 600 inhabitants located about 8 kilometres east of the Ephesus ancient city. The area around the village has history dating back to Hellenistic period (323–31 BC). Today the village prospers through agriculture (olive oil, peaches, wine) and tourism. It is well protected, rare and attractive example of Ottoman Christian architecture.
Pamukkale: deriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 meters high overlooking the plain of Curuksu in southwest Turkey, calcite-laden waters have created an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins given the name of Pamukkale (Cotton Castle).
Day 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL (45km – 50 min)
Upon arrival at the airport meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring Istanbul.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: ISTANBUL: CITY TOUR
After breakfast, start the Istanbul City Tour with the visit of the Hippodrome. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Then, visit Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue ‘’Iznik’’ tiles. Next, visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. After lunch, the guide will take you to the Asil Efendi with a unique atmosphere and reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find; exotic spices and herbs, traditional Turkish sweets and coffee, souvenirs and many other goods in souvenir shops and stores. After the tour transfer back to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3: ISTANBUL: BOSPHORUS CRUISE – IZMIR (70 min by flight, not included)
After breakfast pick-up from the hotel. Join the Bosphorus Cruise, a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. Enjoy the array of sites you After breakfast enjoy Bosphorus by boat, a traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will see from your boat the magnificent sights of Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries. Rumeli Fortress, built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosporus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul. Stop for a lunch break at the Turkish restaurant. After lunch the route leads to the Grand Spice Bazaar, where you can find everything from local food and spices to souvenirs such as evil eyes totems. After the tour transfer to Istanbul Airport for a domestic flight to Izmir (not included). Upon arrival, transfer from the airport and check in to your hotel in Kusadasi where you will enjoy your dinner.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 4: KUSADASI – EPHESUS – SIRINCE – KUSADASI (55 km – 1.5 hrs)
After breakfast pick-up from the hotel. Today you will enjoy a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world en-route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curetes street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library and Grand Theatre. After the lunch break, we will visit a place that continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet weaving centre. Then, we will continue to the Turkish village Sirince with Anatolian Greeks construction style. The houses on the slope are all Original with their white paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey - especially fruit wines. We will visit the vineyards and learn how to make fruit wine with Turkish winemakers. In the evening you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. On this guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Return to your hotel where your dinner will be served.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5: KUSADASI – PAMUKKALE – KUSADASI (380 km – 6 hrs)
After breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale Tour. On arrival to Pamukkale enjoy delicious lunch in a local restaurant. Afterward we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. After the tour return to the hotel where you can enjoy your dinner.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6: KUSADASI – ISTANBUL DEPARTURE (70 min by flight, not included)
Today after breakfast we depart to Izmir Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul (not included) and then back home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again.
Comfortable and warm clothing for the mountains and comfortable summer clothes & shoes. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
