Turkey Glories Private & Small Group 11 days Guided Tour &Flights

Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul

1. Istanbul
   1h
   Welcome to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul Airport ( IST ) or to Sabiha Gokcen Airport ( SAW ) , Our representative will meet you at the airport with your name sign and private transfer to the hotel for overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 2: Full Day Istanbul Walking Tour (Breakfast)

1. Hippodrome
   20m
   Our tour starts with Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman and Byzantine period.
2. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
   1h
   Only a short walk away, reaches Hagia Sophia built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I.
   
   Update for St. Sophia interior visit :
   Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have a headphone, they can buy at the entrance at the cost of 3,5-USD
   The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs .
3. Blue Mosque
   45m
   Visit Blue Mosque, which has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles
4. TopkapI Palace
   2h · Admission ticket included
   We will continue walking to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section.
5. Grand Bazaar
   1h 30m
   We will visit Grand Bazaar where is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops.
   Drive back to our hotel

Day 3: Istanbul Walking Tour (Breakfast)

1. Misir Carsisi
   1h 15m
   Your guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00.
   You will first visit Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar): The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other concievable herb and spice.
2. Bosphorus Strait
   3.1 days · Admission ticket included
   After Spice Market visit, you will have boat trip on the bosphorus : A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages.
3. Istanbul
   Pass by
   After the tour, you will be back at your hotel for overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4: Istanbul - Fly to Izmir & Ephesus Tour (Breakfast, Dinner)

1. Istanbul
   Pass by
   Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in the morning, and transfer you to airport for your flight to Izmir.
2. Izmir
   Pass by
   Upon your arrival, your guide will meet with you at Izmir Airport and after greetings, you will continue to Ephesus region. This drive will take around 50 minutes.
3. Ephesus Ancient City
   2h · Admission ticket included
   You will start your tour with visiting Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionia (an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor) is located near Izmir. As a port city at the mouth of the Cayster (modern Küçükmenderes) River, it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Known in antiquity for its sacred shrines, notably a famous temple (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) to the goddess Artemis, or Diana, the city was also an important center of early Christianity.
4. Selcuk
   1h 30m
   After Ephesus visit, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center. After the lunch, here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets.
5. The House of the Virgin Mary
   50m · Admission ticket included
   After Lunch visit House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here.
6. Kusadasi
   Pass by
   End of the tour, you will continue to Kusadasi where is around 25 minutes away from Virgin Mary's House. Upon your arrival to Kusadasi, check in to your hotel for overnight.

Day 5: Kusadasi – Pamukkale (Breakfast, Dinner )

1. Kusadasi
   Pass by
   After breakfast check out from your hotel and drive to Pamukkale around 3 hours.
2. Hierapolis & Pamukkale
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis with the Theatre, Apollo Temple and magnificent Necropolis, the graveyard . We wil visit The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders we ever have seen from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side. It looks like creations from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle).
3. Pamukkale
   Pass by
   End of the tour, check in to your thermal hotel for overnight. You will have a chance to swim in thermal pools until 22.30.

Day 6: Pamukkale - Konya (Breakfast)

1. Pamukkale
   Pass by
   After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Konya around 4,5 hours.
2. Mevlana Muzesi
   4h · Admission ticket included
   First visit to Mevlana Sufi temple. Mevlana is the founder of Sufism and whirling Dervishes. visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic, proceed to Karatay Theological School in which beautiful tiles are on display.
3. Konya
   Pass by
   After the tour, check in to your hotel in Konya for overnight.

Day 7: Konya – Cappadocia Tour (Breakfast)

1. Konya
   Pass by
   After breakfast, drive to Cappadocia region around 4 hours.
2. Sultanhani Kervansarayi
   1h · Admission ticket included
   On the way to Cappadocia, visit to Sultanhani Caravanseria, roadside inn where travellers could rest and recover from the day’s journey. Caravanserais supported the flow of commerce, information and people across a network of trade routes of Asia, North Africa and South-Eastern Europe on the legendary Silk Road and the Spice road.
3. Cappadocia
   Pass by
   Continue to Cappadocia after the visit. Upon your arrival to Cappadocia, check in to your hotel for overnight.

Day 8: Cappadocia Tour( Breakfast)

1. Cappadocia
   Pass by
   After breakfast, your first tour day in Cappadocia will start.
2. Kaymakli Underground City
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Tour to Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia.
3. Soganli Valley
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Soğanlı Valley, an Open Air Museum in a wild natural setting near a typical Cappadocian village with its different style Rock-Cut churches and frescoes. Villages in the valleys, surrounded by the “table top” mountains, are spectacular.
4. Keslik Monastery
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   Lunch and Visit to Sahinefendi newly discovered (01 May 2002) mosaic houses & Archaeological excavation site Continue with Keslik Monastery near Cemil, that hides its frescoes behind a very thin smoke layer which we can only see by torch light.
5. 45m
   Our tour finishes with a visit to Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses; very fine examples of late Greek settlements and architecture.
6. Cappadocia
   Pass by
   At the end of the tour, drive back to your hotel for overnight.

Day 9: Cappadocia Tour (Breakfast)

1. Devrent Valley
   2h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast, first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; a journey in the past with its troglodyte houses, visit to Pasabag “fairy chimneys” where the voice of wind mixes with the “songs of fairies” near Zelve.
2. Avanos
   1h
   Lunch in Avanos, centre of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.
3. Goreme Open Air Museum
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century).
4. Uchisar Castle
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Continue to Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Overnight Cappadocia.

Day 10: Capapdocia - Fly to Istanbul ( Breakfast )

1. Cappadocia
   Pass by
   After breakfast check out from the hotel and private transfer to Kayseri / Nevsehir Airport for your flight back to Istanbul.
2. Istanbul
   Pass by
   Upon your arrival to Istanbul, our representative will meet with you at the airport with your name sign. You will be transferred to your hotel in Istanbul for overnight.

Day 11: Home (Breakfast)

1. Istanbul
   Pass by
   After breakfast check out from the hotel and private transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight back home or Istanbul cruise port to your ship.
   The end of our services.

Pickup details

Private pick up and transfer from Istanbul Airport ( IST ) and Sabiha Gokcen ( SAW )

This mini group ( max. 10 pax ) land tour includes the most popular highlights of Turkey. Surround yourself in the world-famous attractions on an 11-day fully guided tour.
Istanbul is the world’s most gorgeous and mysterious city located in 2 continents Europe and Asia.
Cappadocia is the land of Mysterious with amazing rock formations, underground cisties, valleys and the best place for Hot Air Ballooning.
Ephesus Walk through history along marble streets Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus and more.
Pamukkale Discovery the Travertine terraces and Hierapolis ancient city.
Perfect for travelers who are short on time or people who hate planning, all logistical details, including domestic flights, accommodation, and most meals, are included and accounted for.
Selected centrally Located Boutique, Cave and 4 star Hotels
Small group ensures personal service with
Informative, friendly and professional guide
Domestic flights included.
Option with Private Tour for your family

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness