Tour Code: GR-01
Duration: 15 Days -  14 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul - Ephesus - Pamukkale - Fethiye - Blue Cruise - Olympos - Antalya - Cappadocia
Departures: 04 April - 31 October

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1 - Arrival in Istanbul

Upon your arrival at Istanbul airport our transferman will be ready to meet and transfer you to your hotel. Time at leisure, stay overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 2 - Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Tour

08:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Old City. In this day you will be able to see:

HAGIA SOPHIA: Byzantium largest cathedral, converted to mosque 1453 by the Ottoman Empire and today open as a museum to see both religion remains.

BLUE MOSQUE: This mosque complex, containing Istanbul's only mosque with six minarets was built by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga for Sultan Ahmed 1st. early 17th century.

HIPPODROME: Center of sport activities and political events of the Eastern Roman Empire.

GRAND BAZAAR: Famous shopping center worldwide. Shopping possibilities for carpet, jewellery, leather etc

TOPKAPI PALACE: Built between 1475 and 1478 by Mehmet II, Fatih, the conqueror of Istanbul, served as the residence of the sultan and administrative seat of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years.

Tour finishes around 17:00, transfer back to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul  (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
 

DAY 3 - Bosphorus Cruise & Two Continents Tour

Breakfast & check out the hotel.
08:30 pick up from your hotel to visit Spice Market and followed by a boat cruise through the Bosphorus, the strait dividing the European and Asian continents, Following lunch break in the afternoon, visit the luxuriously opulent Dolmabahce Palace, the last residence of the sultans. A drive to the Asian part of Istanbul crossing the Intercontinental Bosphorus bridge to visit Camlica Hill The highest point where you can overlook Istanbul and take nice pictures. Tour finishes around 17:00, transfer back to hotel.

Overnight bus to Ephesus with non smoking fully air-conditioned at 21:30 (duration 10 hours). (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

DAY 4 - Ephesus Tour

The tour begins by visiting the remains of the Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Afterwards, it proceeds to the spectacular main site of Ephesus, undoubtedly the most superbly preserved Greco-Roman city. Unmistakable highlights surviving among the ruins are the Celsius Library, Agora, Theater, Odeon, Trajan Fountain, Domitianus Temple and Roman Latrines. Following a lunch break, visit the House of Virgin Mary; reputed to be where she spent her final days. End of the tour transfer to hotel and overnight in Kusadasi. (Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 5 - Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour

08:00 pick up from your hotel drive to Pamukkale visiting; Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis with the Temple of Apollo, the breathtaking Theater, the fascinating Necropolis and the last the great baths of Hierapolis antique city, where St. Philip was martyred. St. Philip is connected with the early church in Hierapolis and played an important role in Pamukkale the history of the city. Finally we visit the calcium terraces and pools.

After tour bus to Fethiye with non smoking, fully air-conditioned bus (duration 4 hours). Overnight in Fethiye. (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
 

DAY 6 - Fethiye-Olympos / Boat Cruise

Departure from Fethiye Harbour between 11 and 12 a.m. to Samanlik Bay for swimming & lunch or, depending on the sea conditions, to Butterfly Valley for lunch, a swim & optional visit of this natural reserve, hosting 136 kinds of different butterflies and moths.
Afterwards we cruise to Oludeniz (The Blue Lagoon) again sea conditions permitting. Option for paragliding available.
Last stop of the day is St-Nicholas Island. Byzantine ruins, swim, dinner & 1st night. (Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 7 - Fethiye-Olympos / Boat Cruise

Around sunrise departure to Aquarium or Firnaz Bay near Kalkan for breakfast & swimming.
Cruising to Kas where we stop in the harbour for lunch & visit of this charming fishing village. Of ancient Antiphellos, as Kas was once known, only Lycian rock tombs & sarcophagi and the Roman theatre are left. But the charm of the town remains!
In a bay near Kekova we stop for swimming, dinner & the 2nd night. (Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 8 - Fethiye-Olympos / Boat Cruise

Departure to Sunken City of Kekova (this Lycian - Roman archaeological site is protected, so only looking!). Lunch.
Simena, a traditional Turkish fishing village with no car access and Byzantine/Ottoman castle.
In Gokkaya Bay optional water sports are available. Dinner, relax in this pirates haven or party the night away at the Smugglers Inn.
 (Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
 

DAY 9 - Fethiye-Olympos / Boat Cruise

After breakfast we have a look at the Pirates Cave (sea conditions permitting) before cruising to Andriace harbour (lunch).
Bus transfer to the archaeological site of Myra, and to Demre for the St-Nicholas Church, shopping and banking when requested by your group.
Bus transfer to the Tree houses in Olympos where we arrive between 4 and 6 p.m. Overnight stay in Olympos. (Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 10 - Olympos - Antalya

Free day in Olympos. Spend all your day on the beach. In the evening local bus to Antalya (duration 2 hours). Overnight in Antalya.
(Included meals: Breakfast) 

DAY 11 - Antalya Tour

08:15 pick up from your hotel to visit Perge antique site in detail; Stadium, Roman Gate, Nymphaeum, Roman Bath, Hellenistic gate, Colonnaded Main Street and the Agora. Lunch on the Köprüpazari stream near the Aspendos Theater after lunch visit Aspendos Theater and the Historical Aqueducts. Shopping Break where also the Turkish handcrafts are introduced• Introduction of Side and an hour and a half free time

After tour overnight bus to Cappadocia with non smoking, fully air-conditioned bus at 20:00 (duration 10 hours) (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

DAY 12 - North Cappadocia Tour

Arrival in Cappadocia and transfer to hotel to fresh up before start tour.
09:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of North Cappadocia. In this day you will be able to see:
DEVRENT VALLEY : Devrent is situated on the northern slopes of Aktepe, 1km from Pasabaglari (Monks’ Valley) and 5 km from Avanos. The ruins at Devrent are spread over three valleys, which also house several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems.

MONKS VALLEY : The best place to see three-headed fairy chimneys. Pasabag, the Pasha's Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.

AVANOS : A center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC, it is a town where you will be invited to visit a traditional pottery workshop, which is possibly set deep into the hillsides. The clay, which comes from the Red River passing through the town, gives life both to the land and to the local economy.

GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM : Goreme was an important Christian centre in the early years of the Middle Ages, was a bishopric administered by Mokissos near Aksaray in the 11th and 13th centuries. Despite the vast numer of monasteries, churches and chapels in the vicinity of Göreme, there are not many inscriptions bearing dates. For this reason, these religious buildings are mainly dated according to the iconography or architectural features.

UCHISAR : Uchisar is a troglodyte town situated right in the middle of Cappadocia. It is named after the enormous piece of rock in the center of the town, which was once used as a castle. This extraordinary rock is the highest peak of the area with the view of whole Cappadocia and Erciyes (Argeus) Mountain

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Cappadocia. (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

DAY 13 - South Cappadocia Tour

Breakfast & check out the hotel.
09:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of South Cappadocia. In this day you will be able to see:
KIZILCUKUR: is an isolated valley behind Urgup. It has beautiful rock formation with some great hidden rock-carved churches. The most interesting part of this area is the countless tracks connecting the small villages and towns through vineyards and gardens like a spider net. It is always possible to see villagers working in the area and offering grapes, apples or apricots to you.

CAVUSIN: One of the oldest settlements in the area, Cavusin is situated 2km from Goreme, on the Göreme-Avanos road. The Church of St.John the Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintigs date back to the 5th century, making the oldest church in the region. It had a large courtyard which is unusual for Cappadocia, this has been eroded away however.

HOSPITAL MONASTRY: One of the oldest monastries in Cappadocia.

KAYMAKLI: Kaymakli and Derinkuyu underground cities are the two largest and deepest of the 40 others in Cappadocia. They both have eight floors, although not all are open to the public.

PIGEON HOUSE: Visit the pigeon houses and rock formations.

After tour overnight bus to Istanbul with non smoking, fully air-conditioned bus at 21:00 (duration 11 hours). (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

DAY 14 - Istanbul

07:30 Arrive in Istanbul. Met on arrival & Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (Included meals: Breakfast)

DAY 15 - Departure from Istanbul

After breakfast check out from hotel (before 12:00), transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport regarding your flight details. End of tour and services. (If you would like, you can extend your trip by adding extra nights in Istanbul, please advise. (Included meals: Breakfast)

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

• All arrival and departure ground transportation for airport and hotel transfers.
• Intercity ground transportation tickets - (Istanbul to Ephesus to Pamukkale to Fethiye to Antalya to Cappadocia to Istanbul).
• Transportation in non-smoking mini/midi bus with professional English speaking guide and experienced driver.
• 3 night hotel stay in Istanbul at 4 Star or Boutique hotels (including breakfast).
• 3 Night/4 Day Boat Cruise with breakfast,lunch and Dinner
• 1 Night accomodation in Kusadasi (4 star)with breakfast and dinner
• 1 Night accomodation in Fethiye (3 star) with breakfast
• 1 Night accomodation in Olympos (tree house) with breakfast and dinner
• 1 Night accomodation in Antalya (4 star) with breakfast and dinner
• 1 Night accomodation in Cappadocia (cave hotel) with breakfast
• 2 Full Day Tour of Istanbul with lunch.
• 1 Full Day Tour of Ephesus with lunch.
• 1 Full Day Tour of Pamukkale with lunch.
• 1 Full Day Tour of Antalya with lunch.
• 2 Full Day Tour of Cappadocia with lunch.
• Meals mentioned by the itinerary.
• Entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary.
• Services charges and local taxes.

Not Included: Drinks, tips to guide, driver and personal expenses and optional tours.

Accommodation in below Hotels (or similar)

Istanbul: S Class Rast Hotel or 4* Golden Horn Hotel or S Class Antea Hotel or S Class The Q-Inn Hotel
Kusadasi / Selcuk: 4* Dabaklar Hotel or 4* Tatlises Hotel or Derici Hotel  or S Class Kalehan Hotel
Fethiye: 3* Hotel
Olympos: Tree House
Antalya: 4* Cender Hotel or S Class Blue Garden Hotel
Cappadocia: Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel or Peri Cave Hotel or Sos Cave Hotel

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