Western Wonders of Turkey

Meeting with Aflatoon DMC staff at Istanbul airport and transfer to the hotel for your first night in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

At 08:30 am pick up from the hotel for full day tour of old Istanbul city.
The tour starts at HIPPODROME Square. It was a public arena mainly for chariot races and also home to gladiatorial games, official ceremonies, celebrations, protests, torture to the convicts and so on. The GERMAN FOUNTAIN OF WILHELM II, the OBELISK OF THEODOSIUS, the bronze SERPENTINE COLUMN and the COLUMN OF CONSTANTINE are other monuments at the square.

SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE built in the 17^th century and known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.

St. SOPHIA, This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great, in 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time.

GRAND BAZAAR(COVERED MARKET)More than 4000 shops in this labyrinth of streets and passages trade having its own area; the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as hand painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx ware and meerschaum pipes.

LUNCH (Drinks are extra)

LITTLE HAGIA SOPHIA MOSQUE is known as one of the oldest standing churches in Istanbul dating back to 6th century and ithas been used as a mosque since 1497.

TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from 15th to 19th centuries, housing an exquisite collection of precious gems, jewelry thrones of sultans, robes worn by the sultans and their families; miniatures, the Holy Mantle; CHAMBER OF SACRED RELICS.

[Harem (women’s quarters) is not included in visit program and extra entrance fee is required.]

After old city tour, transfer back to the hotel. Free evening or optional Istanbul night shows or Bosporus dinner cruise including traditional Turkish entertainment and dinner.Overnight in Istanbul.

Pick up from the hotel for a full day tour of Istanbul city is at 08:30 am

CITY WALLS Among the many well-known monuments in Istanbul, the centuries-old city walls stand out with their effective surroundings and construction. They were demolished only twice in their all history, firstly by the Latin Crusaders in 1204 and again in 1453 by the Ottoman Turks who tried to conquer the city of Constantinople.

DRIVE BY BUS TO GOLDEN HORN approximately 8 km long Golden Horn also known by its modern Turkish name as Haliç is a major urban waterway and the primary inlet of the Bosporus, and it separates the European shore into two sides.

SPICE BAZAAR (EGYPTIAN BAZAAR): The Spice Bazaar dates back to the 17th Century. It is one of Istanbul’s oldest covered markets, where the exotic, oriental aspect of the city still survives.It is the best place to find spices, herbal teas, and traditional Turkish foods such as Turkish delight (lokum).

BOAT TRIP ON THE BOSPHORUS: An amazing cruise between the two continents, EUROPE and ASIA, along the Bosporus by the Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi Palaces, wooden villas and mansions up to the Rumeli Fortress.(THE RUMELI FORTRESS FROM THE SEA (NO INTERIOR VISIT))

Lunch break at a Turkish restaurant.

After the lunch depart for Istanbul Ataturk or Sabiha Gokcen Airport for domestic flight to Antalya. Transfer from airport and check in to the hotel in Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

09:30 a.m. Pick up from your hotel and full day Pamukkale Tour starts.

First destination is Karahayit to see Red Spring Water. We will drive to Pamukkale and visit Hierapolis after Karahayit. The highlights of Hierapolis are Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater and Antique Pool. Later we will take some photos from the nicest corners of Pamukkale. Free time for about 60 minutes to explore the natural beauties of Pamukkale. Then meet with the guide, start walking in the middle of travertines from up to down without shoes and socks. We will have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, drive to Kusadasi and overnight.

First we will visit Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to Ephesus antique city. Then we will drive to Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights.

In Ephesus we will see, Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan and the Theater. We will have lunch in a local Turkish restaurant and drive to Virgin Mary’s house. This place is discovered by Lazarist priests after a German nun described the house and the mountain as the last residence of Virgin Mary after she had some visions about the place.

16:00 End of the tour. Drive back to your Hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take a flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Visit Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Drive to Pasabag (Monk’s Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles.Drive to the city of Avanos.In the afternoon visit another beautiful open air museum at Goreme where the remains of rock-cut churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years.Lastly,before returning to your hotel, visit the natural castles at Uchisar. Overnight at Cave Hotel Cappadocia.

After breakfast check out from the hotel and depart for Kayseri airport for Istanbul flight.