Turkey (7N / 8D)

Package Highlights

• Sultan Ahmet Center
• Hagia Sophia
• Blue Mosque
• Souk
• Relics of Prophet Mohammed
• Anatolian Civilisations Museum
• Goreme Open Air Museum
• Pigeon Valley
• Pammukkale

Day 1: Arrive Istanbul:
Arrival to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Upon arrival we transfer you to your hotel, Embark thereafter, on the Bosphorus Cruise, with opportunities to photograph the shoreline with its landmarks – Dolmabahce & Beylerbeyi palaces, Ortakoy Mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress and Bosphorous Bridge. In the evening enjoying Istanbul by night including floodlit mosques, a fabulous Turkish dinner and a spectacular floorshow with bejewelled belly dancers. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 02: Istanbul – City Tour
After breakfast at the hotel depart for a city Tour to Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica by Emperor Justinian. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophiabuilt in the name of Sultan Ahmet. Visit Roman Hippodrome, center for events like (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome. The Bazaar, most attractive shopping center and the biggest “souk” in the world which has 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherware and souvenir. Lunch at Turkish Restaurant on your own, then visit Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Later you are dropped back at the hotel for your overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3: Istanbul – Ankara – Cappadocia
In the morning check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Ankara.
Upon arrival, visit the Anatolian Civilisations Museum, which also exhibits the remains of Catalhoyuk, the Neolithic village. Later visit to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. After lunch, onto mysterious Cappadocia. Visit Kaymakli Underground City, carved out of rocks by early Christians. Later you are dropped back to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia

Day 4  : Cappadocia – Full Day Tour
In the morning after breakfast at the hotel. Depart for a tour  to Pasabagi in Zelve area, where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos, where Kizilirmak the longest river of Turkey, the raw material of pottery for centuries. Proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum – a complex of several painted cave-churches. Visit some caves on the cliffs to see Byzantine frescoes decorating early Christian churches followed by a visit to Pigeon Valley and the natural citadel of Uchisar. You have some free time here for shopping
Overnight in Cappadocia Return back to your hotel. Overnight stay at Cappadocia Hotel.

Day 5:  Cappadocia – Pammukale
Early in the morning take a drive to Konya. Visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana. Visit to Pammukkale, the cotton fortress, Hot mineral waters burst from the earth and cascade over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters here are known for ages. Overnight in Pammukale

Day 06: Pammukale – Kusadasi
In the morning a tour to the city of Hierapolis with its ruins see the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre, a large and extensive Necropolis and an ancient thermal pool. Later visit the Aphrodisias, the city named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Visit the museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishops Palace. Back to the hotel and overnight in Kusadasi

Day 07: Kusadasi
After breakfast depart to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City, one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with acres of excavated ruins. The temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of ancient world and centre of pagan religion for 15 centuries. Here Marc Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession, St. Paul preached in the Great Theatre and in a little house outside the city, the Virgin Mary is supposed to spent her last days.Back to the hotel and overnight in Kusadasi

Day 08: Departure – Kusadasi
After Breakfast, Check – Out and transfer   to Izmir Airport for your flight back home via Istanbul