HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY TOUR

11 Days Highlights of Turkey Tour

Highlights of Turkey Tour – 11 Days Highlights of Turkey Tour with Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia Tours. Explore Turkey with our unique Turkey Highlights Tour Package.

ISTANBUL → EPHESUS → PAMUKKALE → ANTALYA → KONYA → CAPPADOCIA

Day 1 – Arrive in Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! Where the continents meet.

Meet at Istanbul Airport: Once you arrive at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, after the luggage claim, you will be greeted by a Romos Travel Representative at the meeting area.

Transfer to the hotel: You will be taken to your hotel, and after check-in, you will have time for leisure, and the rest of the day is yours.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 2 – Istanbul Old City Tour
After breakfast, your pick-up will be scheduled for 8:30 am from the hotel to start the Old City tour. Our professional tour guide will be introducing the ancient sights of Istanbul.

Today you will explore the following highlights of Istanbul.

Hippodrome: An ancient Roman and Ottoman square where the chariot races were held. Within the square is some Roman remains, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column, and Constantine Columns.

The Blue Mosque: An Ottoman Imperial mosque built by Sultan Ahmet I in 1609-1616 CE, famous for the blue Ottoman tiles.

Hagia Sophia: Once the largest cathedral of Christianity when it was built in 532-537 CE by the Roman Emperor Justinian; later converted into a mosque by the Ottomans.

Topkapi Palace: The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II built the palace after the conquest of Constantinople. Topkapi Palace was the home of the royal family and the headquarters for the Ottoman Empire’s administrative center.

Grand Bazaar (Covered Market): The largest and the oldest functioning shopping center in the world. The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II built the Grand Bazaar in the 15th century. The market consists of 5,000 stores, 66 streets, 24 gates, and much more eye-pleasing architecture. Within the bazaar are many Turkish handicraft stores such as rugs, carpets, kilims, and beautiful Turkish tiles. Upon your request, our guide will be more than happy to help you find your masterpiece of Turkish art.

After the Istanbul Old City sightseeing tour, you will be driven back to the hotel. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Note: Breakfast at hotel and lunch at a local restaurant is included

Day 3 – Bosphorus Cruise, Two Continents Tour
After breakfast, your pick-up will be scheduled for 8:30 am from the hotel to start the Bosphorus tour. Our professional tour guide will be introducing you to the Bosphorus.

Today you will explore the following highlights of the Bosphorus:

Spice Market ( Egyptian Bazaar): The Ottomans built the market in the 17th century. Unlike the Grand Bazaar, the Spice market is much smaller but full of beautiful fragrances of mixed spices, herbs, and traditional sweets. It consists of around 100 stores, 2 streets, and 5 gates.

Bosphorus Cruise: The channel divides Istanbul into two continents and stretches about 32 km between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Along the Bosphorus, there are many settlements to see, such as great Palaces, hotels, yali (private houses), etc. While you are on the boat, you will see the highlights of the Bosphorus including the Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Çırağan Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Küçüksu Palace, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge ( the second bridge on the Bosphorus), Maiden’s Tower to name a few.

Beylerbeyi Palace: After the sultans westernized the Ottoman Empire, they built some Palace’s modern-western architectural styles. The Beylerbeyi Palace is one of them, located on the Asian side by the Bosphorus. The garden is full of statues, and the rooms with handcrafted arts will take you back in time to the 19th century.

Çamlıca Hill: The highest hill of Istanbul, situated on the Asian side. The walking path with 360 panoramic views will let you take the best pictures of Istanbul and the Bosphorus.

After the Bosphorus sightseeing tour, drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Note: Breakfast at hotel and lunch at a local restaurant is included

Day 4 – Flight to Izmir/ Ephesus Tour
After breakfast, we will pick you up from the hotel and head towards the airport for the domestic flight to Izmir. At Izmir Airport, your professional guide will start the tour.

Drive to Virgin Mary’s House, upon German nun Anna Katherina Emerich’s dream, the Lazarist priests followed the descriptions and the signs then discovered the house 1891. According to Catholic belief, Mary was taken here by St. John, and she spent the rest of her earthly life there. After the Virgin Mary’s House, we proceed to Ephesus Ancient City, the capital city of Asia Minor during the Roman era. According to myth, Ephesus was founded by Greek commander Androculos around 1,000 BCE. Moreover, Alexander the Great, Lysimachus, Coressus, Antiochus II either invaded or ruled in this city. While the excavations are still going on, you will see the remainings such as; State Agora, a marketplace, and meeting point. Odeon (Bouleuterion), concert house, and council. Town Hall and Artemis Sanctuary. Domitian Square, a complex, consists of a temple, fountain, and a bath. Curetes Street, colonnaded and monumental Street in Ephesus. The Hadrian Temple, dedicated to Emperor Hadrian, dating to 200 BCE. Latrines, the public toilets. Celsus Library proves to us that how Ephesians were intellectual dates back to 200 BCE. And the library had 12,000 scrolls. Forum, a commercial center located by the port.The Great Theater, the largest ancient theater with 25,000 capacity.

After Ephesus ancient city, we drive to lunch at a local restaurant. And the next stop is Isa Bey Mosque, built-in 1375 by the Anatolian Seljuks. Unlike Modern and Ottoman architecture, It has geometrical architecture, a roof, and two minarets. The mosque is still functioning for the five times prayers. After Isa Bey Mosque, we drive to the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven ancient wonders of the World.

After the Ephesus sightseeing tour, drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 5 – Pamukkale Tour
We will pick you up from the hotel after breakfast and check-out, and drive to Pamukkale or Cotton Castle, one of Turkey’s most popular and beautiful spots. The town is located in Denizli province, southern Turkey. Pamukkale has hot springs that have come from underground for 14,000 years. The hot springs color the slopes in white because the water consists of calcium and carbonate. This site not only attracts tourists, but many people visit Pamukkale with Doctors’ advice. The spring water is good for the skin and bones. It is believed that Cleopatra and Marcus Antonio also came to Pamukkale and swam in the ancient pool together.

Pamukkale also has an ancient city which is called Hierapolis. This city was founded by the Pergamon king Eumenes in 2 BCE. When the city passed to the Romans, they built ancient theatres, baths, forums, agora, and many waterways. Hierapolis has the largest ancient cemetery of all time. After the apostle Philipe was martyred in 80 CE, the city became a pilgrimage center for Christianity. Today, apostle Philipe has a monumental tomb in Hierapolis/Pamukkale.

After the Pamukkale sightseeing tour, we will drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 6 – Antalya Old City Tour
After check-out and breakfast, we will drive to Antalya. We will arrive in Antalya by noon time and will promptly begin the Antalya Old City Tour.

The Pergamon King Attalos founded Antalya, and it is believed that the name of the city derives from Attalos. We’ll be walking among the ancient streets, and the first spot is The Hadrian Gate, built by the Romans on behalf of Emperor Hadrian upon his visit to Antalya in 130 CE. The gate has three arches and Corinthian style Hıdırlık Tower, built-in 2nd Century CE by the Romans, and it is located on the southwest of the Old Town, by the dominating spot of the cliffs. The tower has a small room on the first floor, and in the upper gallery, there is an observation spot where they could follow the ships or any reaching invasion to the city. Once Antalya is surrounded by a defense wall, the Clock Tower is a small part of today. They renovated the last part of the defense wall and added a clock in honor of Sultan Abdulhamid to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ascent to the throne. While walking down to the water, near the ancient port, we will stop for a while and rest whilst following the ships and breathing the fresh Mediterranean air.

After the Antalya Old City tour, drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 7 – Aspendos, Perge, Side Tour
After breakfast, we shall drive to Aspendos Theatre, built by Emperor Aurelius, designed with a U-shaped style and leaning slopes. It has 5 gates, and it still protects its acoustic ability, and with 20,000 person capacity, the theatre is still used today to host concerts. Perge was founded as a colony of the Pergamum Kingdom around 300 BCE. During Alexander’s invasion of Anatolia, the residents of Perge served him as his guides. The mathematician Apollonius was born in Perge around 200 BCE. The city passed under Roman control in 188 BCE after Romans inherited the Pergamum Kingdom. Side, the naval city was founded by the Anatolian indigenous people who spoke a local dialect that was different from Greek. Side never passed under the control of the Pergamum Kingdom. The city’s name means pomegranate, which locals are still growing today. The Mediterranean Sea situates side, and most of the remains date back to 1-4C CE.

After the Aspendos, Perge, Side tour, drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 8 – Antalya to Konya
After breakfast and check-out, we pick you up from the hotel, then drive to Konya Mevlana/Rumi Museum; the Islamic philosopher, theologian, and poet Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi was born in 1207 in Khorassan. The meaning of Mevlana is “our master and president” and implies the love of people for him. Although he lived in Konya, also went to Damascus and Tebriz, he attended different scholars’ lectures. Mevlana is known as the founder of Mesnevi and the leaders of the Dervishes. After his death, they built a tomb in 1274 where the other dervishes are also buried. The Mausoleum consists of a library, madrasah, kitchen, graves, and rooms of dervishes. After lunch, we drive to Cappadocia, and on the way, we have a break at Sultanhanı Karavansarai, which the Seljuks built in 12C AD. The ancient travelers and the merchants used to stay at those ancient hotels safely. After the break, we drive to Cappadocia.

After the Konya sightseeing tour, drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 9 – Cappadocia/ Cappadocia Tour
After breakfast, we pick you up from the hotel. Then, start to Cappadocia Tour.

Devrent Valley, known as imagination valley or pink valley. The geological situation of Cappadocia gives different shapes and colors to the rocks. Some of them look like animals or humans. In here, prominently, there is a camel-shaped rock formation. Dervent valley is located in the North of Cappadocia between Urgup and Avanos road.

Love Valley the valley is situated a few kilometers away from Goreme. Mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys are located here. Some of those cones split into several cones on the upper side of the valley.

Avanos is situated on the North of Cappadocia by the Red River, the longest river in Turkey. The river’s name derives from its red clay, making the most beautiful potteries in Turkey. Avanos is a local town where you can see ancient streets, dwellings, and artisans there.

Goreme Open-air Museum dates back to the 2nd century A.D, where the ascetic monks who adopted seclusion lived. They had their own independent churches and monasteries where they created a community. Today, the museum houses; St. Basil’s Church, Elmalı Church, Boys and Girls, St. Barbara Church, Serpent Church, etc.…

Esentepe Hill, located on the way to Goreme and Avanos road. As an observation hill, it allows you to explore the landscape of Cappadocia, where you can see the fairy chimneys and take remarkable photos.

Uchisar Castle, almost the peak point of Cappadocia, which can be seen miles away, about 60 meters high and located on the edge of Goreme. It served as a residential place to the locals for many years. The caves and the dwellings still exist on the slopes.

After the Cappadocia sightseeing tour, drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 10 – Cappadocia Day Tour
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and then start the Cappadocia Day Tour.

We will now be visiting other highlights of Cappadocia.

Fairy Chimneys: What makes Cappadocia so popular are those rock formations, called “ fairy chimneys” by the people. Those different rock formations result from millions of years of natural events, such as; rain, wind, and erosion. The fairy chimneys had been dwellings, churches, shelters, natural fortresses for many years. Although the locals are living in the town today, the fairy chimneys can be visited by travelers.

Red Valley: a hiking trail and famous for its red-rose color. The valley is located in the middle of Goreme town where they appreciate with sun-rise and sun-set. The Red Valley houses some abandoned churches, Uzumlu Church, Hacli Church, and Direkli Church, with murals and frescoes.

Cavusin Village: Located on the way to Avanos. The rarest residents were still some people follow the ancient attitudes by using the old stuff. You can see those villagers farming, making potteries, and carving. Cavusin Village houses two churches; one dedicated to St. John the Baptist and the other Nicephorus Phocas. Until the 1920’s the Turks and The Greeks were living there together. After the exchange population, The Greeks left the village.

Kaymakli Underground City: Rather than Derinkuyu and the other underground cities, Kaymakli Underground City is different as it has much lower and narrower passageways. But it has more levels than the others. In recent years, four other floors have been unearthed. And some chapels, wineries, kitchens, stalls have been discovered.

Pigeon Valley: one of the panoramic spots of Cappadocia, which is located between Uchisar and Goreme. Since ancient times, there has been feeding the pigeons resulting in the carved soft tuff on the slopes to make dovecotes. You can also see Uchisar Castle from a different perspective and may feed the pigeons around you.

After the Cappadocia sightseeing tour, we drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 11 – Flight to Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel, Pick up from the hotel, and transfer to Cappadocia Airport for a flight to Istanbul to connect to your International flight.

After completing the amazing 11 Days Highlights of Turkey Tour, Package Tour Turkey wishes all guests a very healthy and wonderful life ahead…

Please Note: This tour package does not include hotel accommodation and only offers land service. For hotel accommodation, we recommend you choose the central and tourist places of the cities, which are suitable for your taste. Global hotel booking systems will assist you in your hotel choice with better promotions and prices.

Highlights of Turkey Tour Updated on 21 March 2023 @ 21:55