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The 14-day "Best of Turkey" tour covers major attractions including Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Antalya. The itinerary includes guided tours, a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, visits to ancient ruins, and a 4-day Blue Cruise along the Turquoise Coast. Accommodations, meals, and transfers are provided, with options for additional activities. This tour offers a comprehensive experience of Turkey's cultural, historical, and natural beauty.
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul and Check-in to hotel
Once you arrive in Istanbul, our driver will be waiting to pick you up and escort you to your boutique hotel in the heart of the Old City, also known as Sultanahmet. After checking in the the Byzantium Hotel, or similar, you'll have the rest of the day to get acclimated and explore the city on your own.
Day 2
Daily Old City Walking Tour (B,L)
Following breakfast at your hotel, you'll be picked up at 8:30 by our experienced guide to begin a full day walking tour of the Old City. You'll start by seeing the Hagia Sophia, one of the oldest buildings in the city. From there, you'll continue on the the Blue Mosque where you can admire the beautiful interior. The Blue Mosque lets out on to the Hippodrome where your guide will tell you of the significance of each item. Lunch is provided at a traditional Turkish restaurant. After lunch, you'll walk through the historic neighborhoods of Fener and Balat before coming to Topkapi Palace. Admire the longtime palace of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire as you learn how they spent their days. You'll finish your tour in the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered bazaars in the world. At the end of the tour, our guide will take you back to your hotel. You will have the rest of the evening to rest or explore.
Day 3
Free day in Istanbul (B)
You'll have this day free to explore Istanbul on your own. If you'd like to book another day tour, we suggest a luxurious cruise down the Bosphorus, a trip to the fairytale-like Prince's Islands or a day tour of Dolmabahce Palace along with stopovers on the Asian and other European side.
Day 4
Istanbul-Cappadocia by plane and Daily South Cappadocia tour (L)
At 05:00am you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for the one hour flight to Cappadocia at 07:00 am. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, we will meet you at the airport with your name and transfer you to our office in Goreme town. You will be picked up at 9:30 AM for a tour of Southern Cappadocia. You will explore the Underground City of Derinkuyu, stroll through the scenic Ilhara Valley and stop for lunch at a restaurant near the river. After lunch, you will continue to Selime Monastery and then Pigeon Valley for some breathtaking views and great photo ops! At the end of your tour you will be taken to your hotel and you’ll have the rest of the night free.
Day 5
Daily North Cappadocia Tour (B,L)
You can enjoy breakfast before your next tour. Our guide will pick you up from your hotel at 9:30 AM for a tour of the North side of Cappadocia. Your first stop will be at Uchisar Castle, which is one of the best views in the area. Next, you'll visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take in the stunning frescoes. For lunch, you will be stopping in Avanos at a traditional Anatolian restaurant. Following lunch, you'll make short stops for photo ops at the beautifully scenic landscapes of Pasabag Monk's Valley, Devrent Valley and the Urgup Fairy Chimneys. Before returning to your hotel, you'll stop at a traditional kick wheel pottery factory and see a demonstration. If you're lucky, you may even get to try it yourself! At the end of the tour, your guide will drop you back at your hotel. You'll have the rest of the evening free.
Day 6
Cappadocia-Izmir by plane (B)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before our driver picks you up and takes you to the airport for a one hour flight to Izmir. Once you arrive, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Kusadasi. You will be staying at Ilayda Avante Garde Hotel or similar. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the charming seaside town of Kusadasi.
Day 7
Daily Ephesus Tour (B, L)
Following breakfast at your hotel, our guide will pick you up at 9:00 AM for a full day tour of Ephesus. The tour begins at the site of the last dwelling place of the Virgin Mary. You can tour her modest home and leave her a message before departing for the main event. Next, your guide will take you through the ancient city of Ephesus explaining the history and stopping for pictures through the site. Following the tour, you will have lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant before continuing on the view what remains of the Temple of Artemis. Once one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World, only one pillar remains. You'll make a quick stop to learn about the history and take some photos. At the end of the tour, you'll be taken back to your hotel. The rest of the evening is free.
Day 8
Daily Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour (B, L)
After a quick breakfast at your hotel, your guide will pick you up at 7:30 for the 3 hour bus ride to Pamukkale. When you arrive around 11:00 AM, you'll begin the tour with lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant. Following lunch, your guide will gibe you a tour of the ancient ruins of Hierapolis. After, you'll have two hours of free time. You'll be free the explore the onsite archeological museum, swim in Cleopatra's Pool or head to the main attraction, the white travertines where you can wade through the thermal waters. At the end of the tour, you'll make one final stop at the base of Pamukkale for a great photo op. From there, the guide will drop you off at a hotel in Pamukkale town. You will have the rest of the evening free.
Day 9
Prviate transfer to Antalya hotel (B)
Enjoy the breakfast at the hotel and transfer to hotel Antalya with a Private vehicle. You'll be staying in Kaleici, which is the historic old city of Antalya. You'll have the rest of the evening free.
Day 10
Daily Perge, Aspendos, Kursunlu, and Manavgat tour (B,L)
Following breakfast at your hotel, our guide will pick you up at 8:30 AM for a full day tour of the historic sites of Antalya. Your first stop will be in the ancient city of Perge, which was originally settled by the Hittites around 1,500 B.C. From there, you'll move on to the ruins of Aspendos, which houses one of the best preserved Roman theaters in the country. Lunch will be served at a traditional Turkish restaurant. You'll finish your tour exploring the impressive Manavgat waterfall. Once the tour is finished, our guide will take you back to your hotel in Antalya, where you can enjoy the rest of your evening.
Day 11
Antalya-Demre private transfer and transfer to the boat for 4 day Blue Cruise from Demre to Fethiye (B,L,D)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before our driver picks you up at 8:30 AM. You'll be taken to the Demre with a private vehicle and check-in boat for the start of you Blue Cruise. After lunch on the boat, you'll depart for Pirates Cave, where you will have time for swimming. From there, you'll sail over to the Kekova Sunken City for a glimpse of the ancient Roman ruins. Unfortunately, swimming is forbidden, so you'll only be able to view it from the boat. The next stop will be in Simena town. You'll have time to explore the castle and partake in some water sports if you wish. You can have a relaxing dinner at Pirate’s Haven or party at the Smuggler’s Inn.
Day 12
Kalkan and Kas (B,L,D)
After breakfast in the morning, you'll sail to Kas harbor for lunch and the opportunity to explore the fisherman's village. The area also holds ancient Lycian tombs and a Roman theater that you can visit if you wish. From there, you'll sail to Firnaz Bay, where you'll have dinner on the boat and spend the night.
Day 13
The Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz and St. Nicolas Island (B,L,D)
In the early morning, the boat will sail to Butterfly Valley, where you can watch the sun rise while you have breakfast. You'll also have time to visit the Butterfly Reserve which boasts 130 different kinds of butterflies. Next, you'll cruise to Oludeniz where you'll b given the opportunity to go paragliding over one of the most scenic coastlines in the world. The last stop of the day will be to St. Nicholas Island, where you can tour the well-preserved Byzantine ruins and see a gorgeous sunset from the top of the island. Enjoy dinner and your last evening on the boat.
Day 14
Fethiye-Istanbul by plane (B, L)
Following breakfast, you'll sail to Samanlik Bay for swimming and lunch before docking at Fethiye Harbor around 2:00 PM. Once you've checked out of the boat, our driver will take you to the airport where you can fly back to Istanbul, or on to another destination.
All Airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary
All flight tickets with taxes
All bus transfers and hotel transfers mentioned in the itinerary
All meals mentioned by the itinerary (B-breafast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
7-day small Group tour mentioned by the itinerary (Guide, Lunch, Transportation and all entrance fees
11-Night Boutique hotel with breakfast in the city centers.
3 Night 4day Gulet Cruise with all meals -Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Standard yacht equipment, board games, snorkels & masks, fishing lines. Passengers may bring snacks, such as fruit, nuts, muesli, yoghurt, chocolate and other
Vegeterian meals
Full travel insurance
Dinner
Drinks
Tips
Archeological sites and national park entrance fees on the cruise
