Turkish Dreams

When you arrive at Istanbul airport, a member of our team will be there to meet you and take you to your hotel. You will have the rest of the afternoon and evening free.

Alternatively, we have an optional extra tour that can be added to your itinerary.

Overnight in Istanbul.

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 Straits, which cuts a 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, Whirling Dervishes 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 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 Straits, which cuts a 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, Whirling Dervishes 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.

This morning, you will be taken to the airport in Istanbul, where you will catch a domestic flight to the amazing central Turkish region of Cappadocia. You will be met on landing and transferred to your tour group.

NORTH CAPPADOCIA TOUR
You will start your North Cappadocia Tour, visiting many of the most amazing sights of the region, including Goreme open-air museum, the panoramic views over the valley at Esentepe. Devrent Valley, which is one of the most photographed areas, as many of the stones here have been sculpted by the winds over thousands of years; many look like everyday objects, but one of the largest and most realistic is the famous camel rock, now fenced off to stop tourists from riding it- yes, they did.

The day will lead you through Monks Valley (Pasabag) and on to see the famous pottery at Avanos a skilled craft that has been handed down through families and is thriving today. You will also visit the Three Beauties, one of the largest and strangest sculptures in the valley.
When the tour is over, you will be taken to your accommodation in the Cappadocia region

- Evening -  
OPTIONAL TOUR: TURKISH NIGHT SHOW & DINNER.
You will not want to miss out on this authentic show, featuring great food and folk dancing from different regions across Turkey. The music and costumes are both colourful and unforgettable. This tour costs extra.

Overnight in Cappadocia

- Early Morning - 
OPTIONAL TOUR: CAPPADOCIA HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT
 If you are an early riser and want to experience this breathtaking activity, then we will arrange all the details for you right down to the champagne. Cappadocia is world-famous for a sky full of hot air balloons, and for good reason: the lunar landscape takes on a new shape from above and is the only place on earth with these unique rock formations. This extra activity takes place before the start of your full-day south Cappadocia tour and costs extra.

South Cappadocia Tour
After a delicious, healthy breakfast, you will start your tour of the southern region. There are so many valleys, each with something unique and beautiful to see, from Love Valley, Rose Valley, and Red Valley, and on to Cavusin village, where homes and hotels are carved out of the sheer rock face. You will spend some time in Pigeon Valley, which means Pigeon Valley, and as you look around you will see thousands of small holes in rock faces, fences on poles in trees; in fact, everywhere there are literally thousands of pigeons living here.

One of the most impressive places to visit in the whole of the Cappadocia region and not to be missed is the incredible underground city. Early Christians and many civilisations over the last 2000 years have sought refuge here; they are complex and massive in size, with many layers and functions from homes to schoolhouses to storerooms, animal stalls, churches and even an air conditioning system and an efficient waste disposal system. There are even special storerooms for the dead. A truly remarkable test of man's skill and initiative.

Overnight Cappadocia

Today you will be taken to the airport for your domestic flight to Izmir. On arrival in Izmir, we will meet you and take you to your accommodation in the Ephesus region.

Overnight in Ephesus

This amazing city is on many peoples bucket list, a stunning visual feast and atmosphere that you do have to experience for yourself, this huge city was home to over a quarter of a million people in the height of its day 3000 years ago and it is amazing that so much has survived and still in situ today from the main street to the latrines the brothel to the library of Celsus and on to the Agora and great amphitheatre. As you walk these worn marble stones, you can easily see how life would have been.

Not far from the city and just within its limits are two other fascinating places that you will visit: the Temple of Artemis,s one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, and, although much of the temple has long gone, the foundations show us the incredible scale of the largest building of its time. Also on a gently sloping mountainside, you will journey to the last known home of the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. It is widely believed that Saint John looked after Mary after the death of her son and was brought to modern Turkey to peacefully live out the last of her days, in a humble home with a baptismal font and small altar.

Overnight in Ephesus

Today's journey takes you to the magical landscape of Pamukkale. Located on a high mountainside, Pamukkale was formed by calcium-rich thermal waters flowing to the surface and cascading down the slopes for thousands of years, creating its famous white terraces and natural pools.

You can remove your shoes and walk across designated sections of this extraordinary natural wonder. Above the travertine terraces lies the ancient city of Hierapolis, which developed as people travelled to the region to benefit from its therapeutic hot springs. The city is home to an impressive ancient theatre and beautifully carved sarcophagi.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred directly from Pamukkale to your accommodation in Antalya.

Overnight in Antalya.

Antalya is a large and modern city located on the Mediterranean coast, offering a rich history and incredibly beautiful natural scenery.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to one of the oldest parts of the city, known as Kaleici, which means “inside the castle.” This historic area features narrow cobblestone streets, the magnificent Hadrian’s Gate, Hidirlik Tower and the main square, all forming part of the original old city that was once protected by strong defensive walls.

The next part of the tour will take you on a boat trip to see Antalya’s famous waterfalls. Both Duden Falls and Karpuzkaldiran Falls offer beautiful scenery, and the short cruise will provide a relaxing break during the tour.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast on your last morning with us, we will pick you up and take you to the airport by private transfer for you to catch your return flight to Istanbul. We wish you a safe journey and hope that this 9-day tour is one that will stay in your heart forever