10 Days Highlights of Turkey

Your guide will be meeting you in the lobby of your hotel at 9 am. You will visit The Topkapi Palace; Ottoman Sultan’s residence built on the slopes of Sarayburnu. Topkapi Palace is a combination of different architectural styles. Topkapi Palace is the most visited museum in Turkey and you will be able to see the Ottoman Empire treasury, Dynasty clothing, and Sacred Relics. The Hippodrome was once used for chariot races, celebrations, riots, executions, and other important events through the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Hagia Sophia (St. Sophia) Museum, bearing the symbols of Christianity and Islam together. The church was built in 537 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian and was converted into a mosque in the 15th century. The next stop will be The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) decorated with some of the best examples in Turkish Tile Art History. Built in the 17th century, Blue Mosque is a symbol of Istanbul standing in the heart of the city. Our final stop will be in Grand Bazaar which is one of the biggest trading centers in the world with more than 4000 shops.

We will check out and travel to Gallipoli through the beautiful landscape of Thrace. Lunch on arrival in Eceabat by Dardanelles( Gallipoli Bosphorus). After lunch, we will visit WWI Memorials; Anzac Cove, original tunnels and trenches at Johnston Jolly, The Nek Cemetery, Chunuk Bair- New Zealand Memorial, Lone Pine Cemetery-Australian Memorial, and Brighton Beach. While you're passing the other side of the strait, you may see the horse of Troy which was used in the movie of Troy. Overnight in Canakkale.

We will start our day with the ancient city of Troy after a short drive (30 minutes) which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's most important archaeological sites coming from 1184 BC. After Troy, we proceed to Pergamon. Explore Athena and Trojan Temples, only a few columns standing from the temple, Zeus Altar which was taken to the Pergamum Museum in Germany, and Dionysos Temple. 2nd largest Library of the ancient world, Agora, the Great Hellenistic steepest Theatre, and the Roman Bath, and visit the ancient health center of Asclepion who is the son of Apollo and god of health. After our visits, drive to Kusadasi

Today we will visit the Greco – the Roman City of Ephesus which is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities in the world. Then drive up to the House of the Virgin Mary where it is believed she spent her final years. This is an official pilgrimage and holy place for Christians. After lunch, we visit the Temple of Artemis which is one of the seven Wonders of the ancient world, and visit the Greek Village Sirince which is a famous authentic house and winery. (Terrace House is not included)

Today we will drive to Pamukkale which is a UNESCO World Heritage site with its white calcified terraces. Lunch on arrival. Then visit the ancient city of Hierapolis right next to the white terraces where there are the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre, the Necropolis, and the thermal baths where Cleopatra and famous Roman general Mark Antony stayed for their honeymoon. (Cleopatra pool is not included) If you like to swim, do not forget the bring your towel.

Today we check out and transfer to Izmir Airport for a flight to Kayseri-Cappadocia. On arrival at Kayseri Airport, you will be transferred to your cave hotel. The rest of the day at your hotel, leisure time. Overnight in Goreme. 

Goreme Panorama Point to see Goreme Town and the valleys of Cappadocia from a higher point. Our guide will give you information about the history and geography of the region. The next visit will be after 40 minutes drive to Derinkuyu Underground City which is the deepest one in the Cappadocia region. The underground city has all the amenities of a classical underground city, but in this one, you will reach 60 meters below the ground.

We will then visit one of the most spectacular canyons in Turkey: Ihlara Gorge. A 3 km hike will be one of the highlights of our tour. We will hike through the canyon for about 1 hour along the river, passing by Byzantine rock-cut churches decorated with frescoes. We end the hiking portion of the tour near Belisirma village, where we will have lunch in a quaint riverside restaurant.

After lunch, we will drive about 15 minutes to climb up to Selime Monastery which is the biggest one in the region. We will see the monastery, kitchen, cathedral, and church sections after climbing there. Then, we will drive about 1,5 hours to get back to the Uchisar area to see the traditional stone art demonstration and Pigeon Valley at the same place. After these visits, we will drive you back to your hotel around 17:30

Please be in the lobby at 8:30 am. Your tour guide and driver should be there ready for you. The destinations for today are as follows: Goreme Open Air Museum, a viewpoint called Esentepe, Uchisar Castle, Love Valley, a sultan pottery workshop in the small town of Avanos, Lunch Çavuşin Village, Pasabagi (a.k.a. Monks’ Valley), Devrent (a.k.a. Camel Rock) and Meskendir Valley (a.k.a. Rose Valley). Note that you are to pass by Rose Valley rather than hike in it.

You should be transferred to the airport.

Free day in Istanbul. Within the day of your transfer to the airport. We say goodbye to you and hope to see you again in Turkey.