Customized 10 Days Turkey Family Tour with Aegean Sea

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Pick-up
1 stop
1
Istanbul
Upon your arrival at Istanbul airport, our local representative will be waiting for you with a board showing your name. After a cordial greeting, you will be escorted to the hotel by a private car. You can spend the remainder of the day relaxing in the hotel or independently exploring this ancient and enchanted city.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Istanbul Old City: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar
5 stops
2
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Today’s guided tour will focus on its old city area, giving you a thorough look into the city’s history. We will start with Hagia Sophia, a representative building of the Byzantine Empire (395-1453) with a big round roof. Another eye-catching highlight is the Mosaic art inside. You will be astounded by their exceptional craftsmanship and vivid color. The explanation provided by our guide will unveil you the backstories of them.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
3
Blue Mosque
Next, we’ll proceed to the opposite Blue Mosque, the highest-level mosque in Turkey with six minarets. Keep eyes on those attractive white-and-blue tiles, Arabic calligraphy and carpets. Amazingly, no nails were used to build the Blue Mosque, but it survived several major earthquakes without much damage.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
4
Sultanahmet Square
Then you will be led to visit the Hippodrome of Constantinople (Sultanahmet Square). Wandering here, imagine the scenes and competitive spirit of major events like chariot races and gladiator shows that had taken place here.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
TopkapI Palace
In the afternoon, the guide will accompany you to visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853. It’s now a museum with a collection of weapons, treasures, worn clothing and more from pre-19th century Sultan. It is like flipping through Ottoman history books when you study these priceless artifacts. We’ll visit the Basilica Cistern instead when the Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
6
Grand Bazaar
After that, take a stroll in the Grand Bazaar. This indoor market has more than 4,000 shops, selling spices, carpets, nuts, gold and silver ware, and other traditional crafts. It is also a good place to taste various local snacks. We’ll visit the Beyazıt Square instead when the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday. Finally, our guide will then escort you back to the hotel.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Istanbul - Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park -Canakkale
2 stops
7
Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park
At the appointed time in the morning, the guide and the driver will pick you up from the hotel and escort you to the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park about 4.5 hours’ drive away. This is the site of the renowned Gallipoli Campaign, currently serving as a historical national park in honor of the 50,000 soldiers in the battle. Upon arrival, the guide will lead you to visit the Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair Memorial, Lone Pine Memorial, and the Canakkale Martyrs Monument.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
8
Canakkale
When today’s tour ends, our driver and guide will drive about 1 hour to escort you to the meticulously selected hotel in Canakkale, where you can comfortably rest for the night.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Canakkale - Troy Ancient City - Pergamon - Kusadasi
3 stops
9
Ancient City of Troy
After breakfast, drive for about an hour to visit the Troy Ancient City. Archaeological digs have revealed that the ruins here are composed of nine stages of Troy civilization building upon one another. The deepest one can date back to 3000-1700 BC. In addition, the famous story “Trojan Horse” is said to have taken place here. An enormous replica of a Trojan horse stands quite prominently not far from the entrance to the ancient city. Try to ascend to acquire an all-round view of the entire ruin. Please take caution on the steep stairs when climbing.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
10
Pergamon Ancient City
In the afternoon, continue driving for 3 hours to arrive at the Pergamon Ancient City. You will find the ruins of amphitheaters, public baths, temples and libraries here like many other ancient cities in Turkey. What’s more important, the first psychiatric hospital in the world - Asclepion was established here. Asclepion is famous for its impressive thermal baths, temples and theaters, offering you an insight into the past of traditional medicine. Also, the snake-wrapped caduceus, a symbol of medicine and pharmacy, was born here and spread around the world.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
11
Kusadasi
At last, drive for approximately 2.5 hours to transfer you to the hotel in Kusadasi, a charming seaside town not far from the famous Ephesus Ancient City. After arriving, you can enjoy the incomparable sea view at our oceanfront hotel, or stroll along the promenade in front of the hotel.
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Ephesus Day Trip: Ephesus Ancient City and House of the Virgin Mary
4 stops
12
The Temple of Artemis
Today’s guided sightseeing will begin with the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although it is severely damaged with only one column left, the remaining carvings on it are the testament to the grandeur of ancient Greek architecture.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
13
Ephesus Archaeological Museum
Next, we’ll visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, where you can find the statue of Artemis and model of the Temple of Artemis.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
14
Ancient City of Ephesus
Our next stop is magnificent Ephesus Ancient City, the largest and best preserved ancient Roman city around the world. The Temple of Hadrian, Celsus Library, Great Theater and Baths of Varius here await you to marvel at the achievements of ancient civilizations.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
15
House of Virgin Mary
Then our guide will accompany you to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the last place where the Virgin Mary once lived. You may doubt its saintly status, but the visits of three popes may testify to it. Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI visited the site in 1967, 1979 and 2006, respectively. Afterwards, you’ll be escorted back to the hotel in Kusadasi and stay overnight there.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Drive from Kusadasi to Pamukkale to Enjoy Hot Spring, Fly to Cappadocia
3 stops
16
Pamukkale
In the morning, we are going to drive about 2.5 hours to visit Pamukkale in a well-prepared private car. It is one of the most beautiful natural sites in Turkey, getting its name because of the cotton-like appearance from distance. Prepare to be surprised by those iconic white terraces stretching out layer upon layer. They are formed by calcium that has been deposited by the nearby hot springs. ★ Special Arrangement: Relax in Hot Spring of Travertine Pool
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
17
Hierapolis
Then we’ll visit the ruins of Hierapolis Ancient City, which was formerly a thriving vacation spot for aristocrats. It is laid out with tombs, baths, markets, arches, amphitheaters, and ancient hot springs. Among them, the most attractive one is the Ancient Theater. It took 150 years to build. And it is hard to imagine how much money and labor were needed in that age to create such a wonderful theater!
3 hours • Admission ticket included
18
Cappadocia
Finally, the guide will transfer you to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Cappadocia. Upon landing, our local guide will meet you there and transfer you to the hotel.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Northern Cappadocia: Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabag Valley & Devrent Valley
5 stops
19
Goreme Open-Air Museum
We will spend the next two days exploring Cappadocia, famous for its lunar-like landscapes and architectures carved in the rocks. Today, the guide will accompany you to visit the northern Cappadocia. The first stop will be the Goreme Open Air Museum. Get ready to be in awe of over 30 different-sized cave churches and rock wonders! ★ Our Guest Privilege: Special Access to the Dark Church Included
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
20
Avanos
Our next stop is Avanos, a town known for its pottery production. Around everywhere are various ceramic ornaments and dishes, with tulip serving as the most prevalent motif. And the inexhaustible raw materials for Avanos ceramics come from the nearby Kizilirmak River. The water is rich in iron, so the soils along the bank have unique red color.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
21
Paşabağ Vadisi
The following destination is Pasabag Valley, also called Monks Valley, where many hermits and monks lived and practiced.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
22
Devrent Valley
Next, we’ll head to the Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley), which is renowned for its wonderful animal-shaped rock formations. Their peculiar appearances are so amazing that they might enhance your endless imagination.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
23
Tatildokya Balloon Cappadocia Tour & Travel Agency
On the way back to hotel, make a stop at the Love Valley, where you can take magnificent pictures of the sunset scenes of Cappadocia.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Southern Cappadocia: Uchisar Castle & Kaymakli Underground City
5 stops
24
St. John the Baptist Chapel
Today, go on to explore the southern Cappadocia. At first, we will pay a visit to a historical village - Cavusin Village, where houses are carved out of the rock. There are many beautiful murals in the Great Basilica (St. John the Baptist Chapel), which is an important place to understand local religious culture and art.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
25
Rose Valley
Then our guide will escort you to enjoy a short hike in Rose Valley for about 2 hours.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
26
Red Valley
Our next stop is Red Valley, which is stunning for its red hue of the surrounding terrain. Rich tones of crimson, terracotta, and ochre are the result of millions of years of wind and water eroding the rocks here, showing you a warm atmosphere.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
27
Uchisar Castle
We will visit the Uchisar Castle after that. Stepping inside to feel an intricate yet well-organized space. Move through narrow corridors and winding stairs here, then you’ll be constantly surprised by rooms in different sizes and functions. Climb to the top of the castle, and you can enjoy the views of the surroundings.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
28
Kaymakli Underground City
The last stop, as well as the highlight of today will be Kaymakli Underground City. It has eight floors, four of which are open to the public, with meticulously designed ventilation shafts, water wells and escape routes. After that, you will be driven back to the hotel by our guide and driver to spend one more night in Cappadocia.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Fly from Cappadocia to Istanbul, Bosphorus Strait Cruise Walking Tour
2 stops
29
Istanbul
In the morning, the driver will escort you to the airport to take a 1.5-hour flight back to Istanbul. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to the hotel for a short break.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
30
Bosphorus Strait
Around 2:00 pm, our guide will navigate you from the hotel to the dock for a 2-hour Bosphorus Strait Cruise. You can admire the Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Bridge and the Camlica Hill along the way. Frequent visits of the playful seagulls may add to your enjoyable experience. Prepare a Simit (sesame bread) before boarding, and these clever guys may be attracted by your friendly greeting and share this wonderful afternoon with you.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 10
Istanbul Airport See-off
1 stop
31
Istanbul
This will be the last day of your 10 days Turkey tour. Depending on your flight schedule, our driver will pick you up from the hotel and escort you to the airport. Have a safe and happy journey home!
1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• You MUST confirm and obtain any visa requirements prior to border crossing. All visa requirements are the sole responsibility of the traveler.

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