Highlights of Turkey: Itinerary
| 9 Day privately hosted tour of Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia |
| Day 1 |
Sat, Depart US |
|
Depart for Istanbul, Turkey on scheduled airlines.
|
| Day 2 |
Sun, Arrive in Istanbul |
Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Remainder of the day is at your leisure
Meals: Your own
|
| Day 3 |
Mon, Blue Mosque, St Sophia Church, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar |
After breakfast, meet your guide at in the lobby to begin your city tour of exotic city of Istanbul. You will tour the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik
tiles. Next is the , the St Sophia, Church of the Holy Wisdom, a Byzantine church built in 537 A.D. famous for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine
architecture. It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. You will continue your
exploration with the Topkapi Palace the seat of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years. Your final stop is exotic Grand Bazaar with its 4000 shops.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch at the Konyali restaurant located on the palace grounds
|
| Day 4 |
Tue, Full day at your leisure
|
Full day at your leisure
Meals: Breakfast
|
| Day 5 |
Wed, Kusadasi, Ephesus & the Selcuk museum |
In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Izmir, upon arrival meet your guide. Drive to Selcuk Museum featuring important
artifacts found at the Ephesus. Short distance away is the Ancient Ephesus, once the main harbor on the Aegean, now known for its spectacular antiquities and ruins. See the
Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, Gate of Hercules, Greek Theater, and other temples, baths, and colonnaded streets. Continue to your hotel enroute see the piles of
Turkish carpets and colorful kilims at a weaving center.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
|
| Day 6 |
Thu, Kusadasi |
Full day to explore on your own this beautiful Aegean resort town
Meals: Breakfast |
| Day 7 |
Fri, Arrive in Cappadocia |
After breakfast, transfer to Izmir airport for a short flight to Cappadocia, upon arrival, transfer to you hotel, check in and visit Cappadocia valley rest of
the day
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
|
| Day 8 |
Sat, Urgup, Goreme, Zelve |
Centuries of erosion from rain, wind, and water shaped Cappadocia into a striking, surreal moonscape of cone-shaped pinnacles and towers, all in a variety of
lovely hues and fairy chimneys.
Today, you'll discover the under ground city of Kaymakli, then the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and view the ancient rock-hewn churches sculpted in
the hillsides almost a thousand years ago by the Medieval Christian monks. Continue on to the small town of Urgup, which has many carved dwellings that are still inhabited.
Next is the Discovery Series Art of Pottery in Asia Minor event of this afternoon, offering you the opportunity to visit a cave pottery atelier. You will also be able to
see some of the local pottery creations in the atelier. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. On this evening's tour, you have the opportunity to witness a ritual
dance performance by the Whirling Dervishes, monks of the Mevlevi sect of Islam founded in the 13th century.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
|
| Day 9 |
Sun, Cappadocia - USA |
Your tour ends. Early morning transfer to Kayseri airport for the journey home.
Meals:Breakfast & Lunch on the flight
|
|
|
