12-Days Private Turkish Treasures Tour in Turkey

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
DAY 1: İSTANBUL> PERGAMUM > IZMIR
1 stop
1
Pergamon Ancient City
Pergamum is also the original home for The Great Altar of Pergamon, on display in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany. Still in its original site, the base of the altar is believed to be dedicated to Zeus and believed to be the "Satan's Throne" referred to by John of Patmos in his Book of Revelation. Admission fee: 50TRY/per person
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
Day 2
DAY 2: IZMIR > EPHESUS > IZMIR
1 stop
2
Ephesus Museum
Feel free to spoil yourself with a little extra sleep this morning (as long as you don’t overdo it!), as this morning’s drive will be a relatively short one. You will visit the ancient city of Ephesus, the Roman capital of Asia Minor. Your tour will include the Odeon, Marble Street, the Hadrian's Temple, the Celcius Library, and the Great Theatre. You may opt for lunch in a local restaurant before paying a pilgrimage visit to the House of the Virgin Mary. This Christian and Muslim shrine is located in the vicinity of Ephesus, and it is believed by many that the Virgin Mary was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there. After the tour of Ephesus, you will return to the hotel overnight. Admission fee: 200 TRY/ per person
4 hours • Admission ticket not included
Day 3
DAY 3: IZMIR > APHRODISIAS > PAMUKKALE
2 stops
3
Aphrodisias
"White" will be the dominant color of the fourth day of your journey, as you will visit the famous "cotton castle" and witness the amazing level of mastery the skilled sculptors of Aphrodisias have demonstrated while creating marble statues. Admission fee: 200 TRY/per person
4 hours • Admission ticket not included
4
Pamukkale
Pamukkale "cotton castle" in Turkish, is a natural site that is created by hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white "castle" You will visit the Cotton Castle, the ancient Hierapolis, the Necropolis, the Roman Baths, and the Theatre. After an optional lunch, you will drive to another land of dreams; this time to Aphrodisias. The city was especially well known with the temple dedicated to protecting Goddess Aphrodite and its sculptors. Your tour of the ancient city will include the Theater, the Basilica, the Roman Baths; and the biggest stadium of the ancient time. Aphrodisias museum with its magnificent marble statues will be visited as well. You will then be transferred to the hotel in Pamukkale for an overnight stay.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
DAY 4: PAMUKKALE > ANTALYA
1 stop
5
Antalya
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Antalya. On the northern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Antalya has been settled since prehistoric times, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the early Paleolithic age. It has been an important city to all the dominant civilizations of Anatolia, and it holds an amazing legacy of incredible historic treasures. Antalya has more to offer with its beautiful beaches and waterfalls. Recently, the city has shown major progress towards becoming a fresh and hot golfing spot, as many top-level courses have been established. Upon arrival in Antalya and checking in to your hotel, you will have free time at your leisure.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
DAY 5: ANTALYA, ASPENDOS, KURSUNLU
2 stops
6
Aspendos Ruins
The first visit will be to the ancient city of Aspendos. The city’s history dates back to 1000 BC, and many historians link it to the Greek sailors of the Argos. Admission fee: 100 TRY/per person
3 hours • Admission ticket not included
7
Kursunlu Waterfalls
You will visit the beautiful Kursunlu waterfalls before returning to the hotel in Antalya for an overnight stay. Admission fee: 20 TRY/per person
4 hours • Admission ticket not included
Day 6
DAY 6: ANTALYA > KONYA > CAPPADOCIA
1 stop
8
Konya
The visit to Konya will not only be an unforgettable trip to the place where this mystic lived, loved, preached, and died, but it will also be a journey to the depths of your soul. You will visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana (with an opportunity to see practicing dervishes) as well as the 13th-century theological schools of Karatay and Ince Minare.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
DAY 7: CAPPADOCIA
5 stops
9
Cappadocia
After your breakfast at the hotel, you will start discovering Cappadocia. Cappadocia was an object of desire to men, even before it was mentioned in the Holy Bible. Once the capital of the powerful Hittite empire, later a refuge for early Christians; it is a land of magic, a region of exceptional natural wonders (in particular characterized by fairy chimneys), and a unique historical and cultural heritage. Prepare yourself to travel back in time, and prepare your mind to wander between the images of ancient people and the breathtaking beauty of the landscape.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
10
Goreme
You will then visit the Goreme valley. Turks have a legend that explains the etymology of the name as: “Gör, Emi (see it for sure)”. This is not without a reason, for this is the most important site of the region. The valley is home to rock churches and monasteries, going back as far as the 2nd century AD, which are richly decorated with colorful frescoes.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
11
Zelve Open Air Museum
You will then visit the Zelve valley. The village was built in the erosion furrows and into the rock-face, carving the tufa rock and sometimes exploiting large openings eroded by water. Admission fee: 65 TRY/per person
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
12
Avanos
The following visit, to the town of Avanos, will be a trip to the Bronze age. Avanos is famous for its terracotas. Typical vases and tiles are crafted by the regional potters, following the techniques devised by the Hittites, circa 2000 BC!
2 hours • Admission ticket free
13
Ortahisar
You will then visit Ortahisar, which is distinguished by a series of buildings that are picturesque in their simplicity; before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
DAY 8: CAPPADOCIA > ANKARA
1 stop
14
Ankara
Your half-day tour in Ankara will include the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder and the first president of the Turkish Republic. You will have dinner and spend the night in Ankara.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
DAY 9: ANKARA > ISTANBUL
1 stop
15
Istanbul
You will enter Istanbul from the Asian part of the city, and the first stop will be at Çamlica Hill, overlooking the Bosphorus with a magnificent view. You will be transferred to your hotel, afterward.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
DAY 10: ISTANBUL
5 stops
16
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome had been a center for sports and entertainment in the old Constantinople, the Eastern Roman Capital, and an important center for politics since sports and politics were closely knit in these times. No wonder that the Hippodrome had been a starting point for revolts and political movements throughout history. Echoes of cries by slaves riding chariots in ferocious races and the inspirational words of intellectuals and poets that lit the flame of public movements have still been reminiscent of those with a powerful imagination.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
17
Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque / Blue Mosque Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, arouses admiration with the delicate Ottoman tiles that decorate the shrine’s walls. The floral patterns of the tiles and the well lighted, spacious internal spaces are testimonials of the eternity of the Ottoman spirit.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
18
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
The Shrine of Holy Wisdom, a marvelous Byzantine basilica built in the 6th century, marks the golden age of Justinianus. The domed construction of the sanctuary is an architectural innovation and was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee!". Humankind would have to wait for millennia before building a cathedral that would surpass the gigantic size of Hagia Sophia. Converted to a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of the city, by order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1453, as the young Sultan fulfilled a divine premonition by the Holy Prophet Mohammad himself. In 1935 the building was converted to a museum by the executive order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
19
Grand Bazaar
The largest, oldest, and most attractive covered bazaar in the world, where people have been trading jewelry, carpets, food, perfumes, and even gossiping for centuries! The tour also includes a short demonstration of Turkish rugs.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
20
TopkapI Palace
The Topkapı Palace has been the Imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th century. Its design, initially devised by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror himself and then enhanced by Architect Sinan, hides marks of the rituals and structure of Ottoman hierarchy and the running of state affairs. Home to the imperial treasury, cabinet and the site of the barracks for Janissaries, the elite of the army, every single corner of the palace mentions the splendor of the Ottomans. Apart from the priceless treasury, a distinguished collection of Chinese porcelains, holy relics, Sultan’s attires, and imperial weaponry are exhibited in different palace sections. Admission fee: 500 TRY/per person
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
Day 11
DAY 11: ISTANBUL
7 stops
21
Istanbul
Following breakfast, the day will start with a refreshing cruise on the Bosphorus. A poet once described the Bosphorus as “God’s beautiful calligraphy written by an ink made of sapphires”. This straight, separating (and connecting) to two continents that form the two faces of a city, takes its name from a mythological legend. Ever since those ancient times, it had marveled people with its beauty. The cruise of the Bosphorus will start at the pier; and while cruising along the Asian and European shores, you will be surprised to see the harmony of Ottoman and modern architecture; as well as having an opportunity to see the major highlights of the city’s fairytale-like skyline from the sea.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
22
Rumeli Fortress
Built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
Admission ticket free
23
Ortakoy
A very famous area for handicrafts and nightlife.
Admission ticket free
24
Bebek Park
It was a popular wealthy residential district under Ottoman rule, and continues to be so today.
Admission ticket free
25
Besiktas
Commercial district of the new city.
Admission ticket free
26
Dolmabahce Palace
Magnificent 19th-century palace, which had been the home to the Ottoman Sultans in the last century of the Empire.
Admission ticket free
27
Çırağan Caddesi
This magnificent marble palace, built by Sultan Abdulaziz, was designed and constructed by the Balyan family between 1863 and 1867. Today, it serves as luxury suites for the five-star Kempinski hotel.
Admission ticket free
Day 12
DAY 12: ISTANBUL
1 stop
28
Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight back home.
2 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

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