Classical Turkey

Welcome to Turkey!

Upon arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will also get to meet your guide and driver who will be your travel companions for your Turkey private package tour.

After breakfast, meet your professional local guide at the hotel and begin your walking tour through Istanbul’s historic Old City.
 
Visit the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the magnificent Blue Mosque, and the iconic Hagia Sophia. Continue to the colourful Grand Bazaar and explore the aromatic Spice Bazaar, filled with spices, Turkish delights, teas, dried fruits, and local products.
 
An optional visit to the Basilica Cistern can also be arranged. The entrance fee is not included.
 
Highlights
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar
Spice Bazaar
Optional Basilica Cistern
 
Overnight in Istanbul.

Important Notes:
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
Blue Mosque is closed on Fridays due to prayers; we are unable to enter

OPTIONAL TOUR: BOSPHORUS DINNER CRUISE
In the evening, we will drive you to the water's edge for an evening that will show you some amazing places. You will enjoy great food and also some fantastic traditional Turkish entertainment.
The mighty waterway of the Bosphorus Strait, which cuts the city into two sides, Europe and Asia, and as you sail along the city's banks, you will pass under the iconic Bosphorus Bridge and also sail by incredible ancient buildings such as Kucuksu Palace and Rumeli Fortress. The night's entertainment will take you on a journey across Turkey with Belly Dancing, Folk Dancers, and some stirring music played on traditional instruments. Your meal will be a great introduction to the food of this country, with classics such as Baklava, mezzes, and Turkish coffee; all you have to do is relax and enjoy the ride.

After breakfast, meet your professional guide at the hotel and visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries.
 
Explore the palace courtyards, imperial chambers, historical collections, and panoramic views over the Bosphorus.
 
After the palace visit, enjoy a scenic two-hour Bosphorus Cruise between Europe and Asia. Along the way, admire Istanbul’s waterfront palaces, mosques, fortresses, traditional Ottoman mansions, and spectacular skyline.
 
Highlights
Topkapi Palace
Golden Horn
Galata Tower
Dolmabahce Palace
Cıragan Palace
Ortakoy Mosque
Bosphorus Bridge
Rumeli Fortress
European and Asian shores
 
Important Notes:
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays

Overnight in Istanbul.

Today you will wake up to this beautiful and historic city of Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. You will tour the city, visiting famous landmarks that have aided giving the name ‘Green Bursa’ to the city.

Along with the city having many natural trees and plants growing throughout, the architecture has been influenced by the unique Green Mosque. This place of worship was commissioned by Sultan Mehmet I; he wanted a mosque that was decorated by the period's best painters. They hand-painted thousands of tiles that gave the overall colour green to the building. Today, there is also the Green Mausoleum, which was commissioned by Sultan Mehmet II, the successor to the original builder of the mosque. This mausoleum was commissioned to keep the design style while giving the previous Sultan an opulent place to rest.

After visiting Bursa, you will travel to the Ephesus region (Selcuk or Kusadasi), where you will stay overnight.

Today your Turkey Private tour will continue with a tour of Ephesus, followed by a journey to Pamukkale.

Ephesus is the highlight of today's Turkey tour. Here you will be able to see some of the best-preserved ruins. While reduced to ruins today, this city was one of the largest of its time, especially in the region, with the suggestion that there were 200,000 people living here 3000 years ago. During the height of its prosperity, it was said to be only second to Rome in the Empire.

Before entering the city, you will notice there is an unusual building nearby; this was the dockyards, as when the city was growing, it was a coastal city that used the harbour for trading and warships; however, now the coast is seven km away!
In this ancient city, there is much to see, starting with the open marble street offering a look at how grand the whole city would have looked when it was a living city. This street connects many of the iconic buildings across this once great city.  The Library of Celsus was one of the largest collections of information, while today the library is only a facade due to earthquake destruction; the grandeur is not lost.

Continuing along the marble street, you come to many remnants, including ancient latrines and baths. Hercules gates can be found standing on the main street, with the Memmius Monument just off the path after the gate. As can be seen from the ruins, this city would have been part of a dense population that offered all amenities such as temples, brothels, and libraries.

Humble and quaint by modern standards, the house of the Virgin Mary is where the mother of Jesus would have lived. Inside, you will find a shrine to Mary; outside, it makes for a peaceful destination to relax at.

Overnight in Pamukkale.

- Early Morning -
OPTIONAL TOUR: PAMUKKALE HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT
This morning you can begin the day by seeing the sunrise from a hot air balloon if you like. This activity is famous in Pamukkale and should definitely not be missed. This is an early morning tour and costs extra.

OPTIONAL TOUR: PARAGLIDING PAMUKKALE
Gliding over the beautiful rock formations, seeing the area as only the birds do.

Translated, Pamukkale means ‘Cotton Castle '; here are natural stepped pools filled with mineral-rich water, predominantly chalk, limestone and travertine. The water that fills these pools comes from a hot spring, giving the water a pleasant warmth as you walk around. These stunning steps have put Pamukkale on the World Heritage list for its beauty and uniqueness.

Following your time at Pamukkale, you will head to the ancient town of Hierapolis. There are many ruins to see here, primarily from the Roman Empire. Arts and religion were important to the Roman people; this led to their theatres and temples being well built. The Roman theatre was built twice; once it was destroyed before a hollow was cut from the mountain. To this day, most of the stage, seating, and VIP areas can still be seen.

There are two places of worship that can be found here; one is the Temple of Apollo. Only the foundations are left now, but it is easy to see the size of the building. The second is the Plutonium, a small cave with room for only one. Due to the fast-flowing water further in the cave and the toxicity, it was thought that the god of the underworld sent it, and those who managed to survive had divine protection.  Outside the main areas of Hierapolis, you can find one of the best-preserved necropolises in Turkey, spreading across two kilometres and housing 1200 tombs.

From here, your journey will continue to Konya. Along the way, you can enjoy the natural and rural landscapes of Anatolia. Upon arrival in Konya, you will be transferred to your hotel and have free time to relax.

Overnight in Konya.

Today you will begin by travelling to the city of Konya

As you travel to Konya, you will stop at the Sultanhani, once an important stop on the caravan routes for stopping and resupplying, as well as selling wares. Today it is considered one of the best ‘Hans’ to survive since the Seljuk period.

While here, you will enjoy your time exploring highlights from the centre of the city. This city is the home of the Whirling Dervish, a form of meditation and prayer to the Muslim god. One of the most important buildings in Konya is the Alaeddin Mosque. This place of worship was built around the 12th and 13th centuries. This mosque was built to be the place that royalty came to use and gained the nickname ‘Mosque of the Throne.

As it is home to the Whirling Dervish, there are many different schools dedicated to aiding those who wish to learn. Ince Minaret Medrese is a 13th-century school constructed and designed by the Seljuk Sultanates constructed and designed to benefit those who need it.

The journey from here will take you to Cappadocia; this part is a peaceful natural landscape almost totally untouched by man. The only dwellings are crude mud huts forming small hamlets. Travelling this countryside offers a window into the past and what would have been seen by travellers of old.

Travel to and stay overnight in Cappadocia

- Early Morning - 
OPTIONAL TOUR: CAPPADOCIA HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT
If you choose to wake up in the early hours of the morning to take advantage of a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon flight, this experience can be added to the tour. This activity is famous in Cappadocia and is the perfect way to start the day by seeing the awesome views of the mountains from high in the sky. This tour will cost extra.

Full-Day North Cappadocia Tour
Today’s Turkey Tour is a chance to explore the unforgettable landscape of Cappadocia. This natural landscape feels faintly magical with the fairy chimneys in Devrent Valley. The view of the valleys and the rock formations is spectacular, but from the rise of Goreme, there is a panoramic view that should leave anyone astounded. The town of Avanos is a step back in time; this town is famous for its classical earthenware pottery that dates back to the time of the Hittites. Avanos is beautiful in its traditional style, with cobbled streets and views of the river that the locals collect their much-needed clay from.

- Evening -  
OPTIONAL TOUR: TURKISH NIGHT SHOW & DINNER.
An amazing collection of traditional dances and homemade Turkish food set in beautiful Cappadocia. Traditional Bride and Groom dance show, depicting the romance of Turkish couples, including the chance to join the wedding dance. Folk and Belly dancing shows followed by Fire Dancers and Caucasian Dance.

- Early Morning -
OPTIONAL TOUR: CAPPADOCIA HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT
If you choose to wake up in the early hours of the morning to take advantage of a Hot Air Balloon flight, this experience can be added to the tour. This activity is famous in Cappadocia and is the perfect way to start the day by seeing the awesome views of the mountains from high in the sky. This tour will cost extra.

South Cappadocia Tour
You have one more day in this spectacular region to soak up the rest of the sights. Today you will be picked up from your accommodation after breakfast to start exploring parts of the South Cappadocia region. The highlights of the day will include the Underground City, Uchisar Castle Panorama beautiful stroll through the Meskendir Valley to name a few. The day is full of some of the most beautiful sights in Cappadocia.
 
- Evening -  
OPTIONAL TOUR: TURKISH NIGHT SHOW & DINNER.
Tonight's tour is a special evening organized so that you experience Turkish Culture and traditions. You will also be able to relax after your day of sightseeing in Cappadocia. You will be picked up from your hotel in the evening and taken to a cave restaurant in the centre of Cappadocia for a night you will never forget.
 
Overnight in the Cappadocia region.

Today you begin your return journey to Istanbul on your Turkey private tour.

During the journey, you will have a stopover at Lake Abant. This beautiful landscape is a perfect location for photos. Rolling green mountains with a wide variety of trees and foliage create many shades of green that end on the shore of a calm, deep blue lake.

Overnight in Istanbul

Today you will be taken back to the airport as your Turkey private package tour has come to an end. We hope you had an unforgettable holiday and decide to come back and explore Turkey with us again.