Turkey
Turkey,
6 Nights 7 Days
Tour Overview
The country Türkiye, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a transcontinental country located in Southeast Europe and West Asia. It is bordered by the Black Sea to the north, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east, Iraq to the southeast, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Aegean Sea to the west, and Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest. Türkiye is a regional power with a geopolitically significant strategic location. The economy of Türkiye, which is a founding member of the OECD and G20, is classified among the E7, EAGLEs and NICs, and currently ranks 17th-largest in the world by nominal GDP and 11th-largest by PPP. Türkiye is a charter member of the United Nations, the IMF and the World Bank; a founding member of the OSCE, OIC, BSEC, ECO, MIKTA, TURKSOY and OTS; and an early member of NATO. The turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large bird in the order Galliformes native to North America. The wild turkey is the ancestor of the domesticated turkey, which was domesticated by Mesoamerican Indians thousands of years ago. Turkeys are common and widespread across North America, and they have been introduced to many other parts of the world. Wild turkeys are typically found in hardwood forests, where they feed on a variety of plants and animals. Domesticated turkeys are raised for their meat and eggs, and they are a popular dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
Day 1: Istanbul - Arrival Day
Meeting with your greeter at Istanbul International Airport and transfer to hotel. You can relax or explore the region by yourself for the rest of the day. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: Instanbul City Tour
(Breakfast)
The city tour will start at the Istanbul Old City after the delicious breakfast. Hippodrome is the main rota that was inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List in 1985 and the living heritage of both Byzantines and Ottomans can be seen. Around Sultanahmet, The German Fountain -which was gifted by German Emperor Wilhelm II in 1898-, the Obelisk of Theodosius – nearly 3,500 years old, was brought to the Hippodrome by Theodosius from the Temple of Karnak about in 390- can be seen. Serpent Column -considered that it was at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi before- and the Column of Constantine that was brought from Apollon temple in Rome are other highlighted sites of the tour.The next stop is the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque). Its breathtaking design is the synthesis of 200-year-old of Ottoman Mosque architecture with Byzantine church architecture. The mosque is reflecting majesty and grandeur concepts through its architectural features and its green, white Iznik tiles are fascinating with the blue ornaments of the dome. Hagia which is referred to as the “8th Wonder of the World” is another amazing site that is more than 1,500 years old. The light creates a fascinating atmosphere while flowing inside from the dome windows, combining a colorful, mystic view when it reaches the mosaics on the wall. The lunch break will be around at 13:00 before shopping in Asıl Efendi where all kinds of authentic gifts can be found such as Turkish tastes, Turkish coffee, exotic spices, herbs, and handicrafts. The tour ends with a hotel transfer.
Please Note: Please do not forget to carry a headscarf with you for the visit to religious places such as Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Day 3: Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul to Antalya
(Breakfast)
An amazing Bosporus Boat tour will be waiting for you after breakfast. On the shoreline, you will witness the imposing view of old wooden villas, palaces, fortresses, and small fishing villages. The Ottoman palaces Dolmabahce, Yildiz, Ciragan, and Beylerbeyi will admire you by their elegant architecture with a warm welcome. Ortaköy with its iconic view and Rumeli Fortress which is a well-designed military architecture will be next. After a lunch break in a Turkish restaurant the Grand Spiece Bazaar where you can find authentic goods such as Turkish tastes, Turkish coffee, exotic spices, herbs, and handicrafts.
The tour ends with transportation to İstanbul Airport for a domestic flight to Antalya. Next check in to the hotel in Antalya and overnight in Antalya.
Day 4: Antalya Old City Tour and Waterfalls
(Breakfast)
The day will start with a great breakfast. Antalya is a city where the sea, sun, beach, forest, and coves are made it an attractive location to live throughout history. Many civilizations live and left a historical treasure behind them. Kaleici is the Old City that you can trace Hellenistic, the Roman, the Byzantine, the Seljuk, and the Ottoman periods. Hadrian’s Gate was built in the name of Roman Emperor Hadrian, Yivli Minaret Complex, Gıyaseddin Keyhusrev Madrasah, Selcuklu Madrasah, Zincirkıran Turbah, Nigar Hatun Turbah, Karatay Madrasa, Historical Marina are pieces of this treasure that will be visited during the tour. Plus Karaalioğlu Park reflects the flora of Antalya and Hıdırlık Tower can be seen in Kaleici. Duden Waterfall will be the next stop to relax and be enchanted by its stunning view. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 5: Antalya - Konya - Cappadocia
(Breakfast)
A great breakfast first for energy and arrive at Konya about 2.5 hours’ drive with a coffee break. Lunch will be in Konya. Mevlana Museum and the striking green-tiled mausoleum of Mevlana will take you to the peaceful world of the Sufi sect known as Whirling Dervishes. Arrive in Cappadocia at around 18:30 and overnight in Cappadocia.
2. If you are wishing to join the optional activity of Cappadocia Hot Air Ballooning for tomorrow, please contact your guide and register because it will take place early the next morning.
Day 6: Cappadocia Underground City & Goreme Open Air Museum
(Breakfast)
A new day, new destinations… The day starts with an Ozkonak Underground city visit that was built in Idis Mountain where volcanic granite-made tuff layers are quite dense and the galleries are connected to each other by tunnels. The Goreme Open Air Museum will be the following destination that can be said that it is the heart of Cappadocia. The region was Listed as a Unesco World Heritage site in 1985 and it hides the churches of Durmuş Kadir, Yusuf Koç, El Nazar, Saklı, Meryem Ana (Virgin Mary) Kılıçlar, Tokalı, and Dark churches. Plus Convent of Monks and Nuns, Chapel of St Basil, and St. Barbara can be seen either with lots of captivating church interior paintings that have reached today. With a few minutes’ walk, Cavusin will be waiting for you and you can explore The Christians who created living spaces for themselves in the fairy chimneys of those fleeing the oppression of the Romans. Lunch will be in Avanos which is the home of pottery dating way back to the Hittites. There will be a workshop visit and shopping chances here that can’t be missed. Love Valley and Devrent Valley that you can see the symbols of Cappadocia Three Beauties. This tour will end approximately at 18.00 and overnight in Cappadocia.
Please Note: Our guests who are wishing to experience the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour will be picked up from the hotel at about 05:30 by sunrise. On the Hot Air Balloon, the sunrise over splendid fairy chimneys and valleys can be watched. The flight will last about 1 hour and end with a champagne celebration on the land.
Day 7: Cappadocia to Istanbul - End of Tour
(Breakfast)
After breakfast, you will have free time in Cappadocia. This remarkable tour ends with departing for Cappadocia airport for a domestic flight to Istanbul and home next. Until we meet on another exceptional travel hope the best for you. Thanks for traveling with Booking.