Istanbul

Turkey

Welcome to our private Turkey tour, which takes you back in time to revisit Istanbul's Golden Era. With your guide, you'll explore the old city area and uncover the mysterious harem life of Topkapi Palace. You'll also visit Gallipoli Historical National Park to explore the Gallipoli Campaign, and witness the grandeur of Roman Civilization at Ephesus Ancient City. Finally, you'll discover the unparalleled lunar-like terrains and labyrinthine underground city in Cappadocia. .

Day 1

Upon your arrival at Istanbul airport, our local representative will be waiting for you with a board showing your name. After a cordial greeting, you will be escorted to the hotel by a private car. You can spend the remainder of the day relaxing in the hotel or independently exploring this ancient and enchanted city.

Day 2

 Today’s guided tour will focus on its old city area, giving you a thorough look into the city’s history. We will start with Hagia Sophia, a representative building of the Byzantine Empire (395-1453) with a big round roof. Another eye-catching highlight is the Mosaic art inside. You will be astounded by their exceptional craftsmanship and vivid color. The explanation provided by our guide will unveil you the backstories of them.

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Next, we’ll proceed to the opposite Blue Mosque, the highest-level mosque in Turkey with six minarets. Keep eyes on those attractive white-and-blue tiles, Arabic calligraphy and carpets. Amazingly, no nails were used to build the Blue Mosque, but it survived several major earthquakes without much damage.

Blue Mosque

Then you will be led to visit the Hippodrome of Constantinople (Sultanahmet Square). Wandering here, imagine the scenes and competitive spirit of major events like chariot races and gladiator shows that had taken place here.

Sultanahmet Square

In the afternoon, the guide will accompany you to visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853. It’s now a museum with a collection of weapons, treasures, worn clothing and more from pre-19th century Sultan. It is like flipping through Ottoman history books when you study these priceless artifacts. We’ll visit the Basilica Cistern instead when the Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday.

TopkapI Palace

After that, take a stroll in the Grand Bazaar. This indoor market has more than 4,000 shops, selling spices, carpets, nuts, gold and silver ware, and other traditional crafts. It is also a good place to taste various local snacks. We’ll visit the Beyazıt Square instead when the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday. Finally, our guide will then escort you back to the hotel.

Grand Bazaar

Day 3

At the appointed time in the morning, the guide and the driver will pick you up from the hotel and escort you to the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park about 4.5 hours’ drive away. This is the site of the renowned Gallipoli Campaign, currently serving as a historical national park in honor of the 50,000 soldiers in the battle. Upon arrival, the guide will lead you to visit the Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair Memorial, Lone Pine Memorial, and the Canakkale Martyrs Monument.

Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park

When today’s tour ends, our driver and guide will drive about 1 hour to escort you to the meticulously selected hotel in Canakkale, where you can comfortably rest for the night.

Canakkale

Day 4

After breakfast, drive for about an hour to visit the Troy Ancient City. Archaeological digs have revealed that the ruins here are composed of nine stages of Troy civilization building upon one another. The deepest one can date back to 3000-1700 BC. In addition, the famous story “Trojan Horse” is said to have taken place here. An enormous replica of a Trojan horse stands quite prominently not far from the entrance to the ancient city. Try to ascend to acquire an all-round view of the entire ruin. Please take caution on the steep stairs when climbing.

Ancient City of Troy

In the afternoon, continue driving for 3 hours to arrive at the Pergamon Ancient City. You will find the ruins of amphitheaters, public baths, temples and libraries here like many other ancient cities in Turkey. What’s more important, the first psychiatric hospital in the world - Asclepion was established here. Asclepion is famous for its impressive thermal baths, temples and theaters, offering you an insight into the past of traditional medicine. Also, the snake-wrapped caduceus, a symbol of medicine and pharmacy, was born here and spread around the world.

Pergamon Ancient City

At last, drive for approximately 2.5 hours to transfer you to the hotel in Kusadasi, a charming seaside town not far from the famous Ephesus Ancient City. After arriving, you can enjoy the incomparable sea view at our oceanfront hotel, or stroll along the promenade in front of the hotel.

Kusadasi

Day 5

Today’s guided sightseeing will begin with the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although it is severely damaged with only one column left, the remaining carvings on it are the testament to the grandeur of ancient Greek architecture. 

The Temple of Artemis

Next, we’ll visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, where you can find the statue of Artemis and model of the Temple of Artemis.

Ephesus Archaeological Museum

Our next stop is magnificent Ephesus Ancient City, the largest and best preserved ancient Roman city around the world. The Temple of Hadrian, Celsus Library, Great Theater and Baths of Varius here await you to marvel at the achievements of ancient civilizations.

Ancient City of Ephesus

Then our guide will accompany you to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the last place where the Virgin Mary once lived. You may doubt its saintly status, but the visits of three popes may testify to it. Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI visited the site in 1967, 1979 and 2006, respectively. Afterwards, you’ll be escorted back to the hotel in Kusadasi and stay overnight there.

House of Virgin Mary

Day 6

In the morning, we are going to drive about 2.5 hours to visit Pamukkale in a well-prepared private car. It is one of the most beautiful natural sites in Turkey, getting its name because of the cotton-like appearance from distance. Prepare to be surprised by those iconic white terraces stretching out layer upon layer. They are formed by calcium that has been deposited by the nearby hot springs. ★ Special Arrangement: Relax in Hot Spring of Travertine Pool

Pamukkale

Then we’ll visit the ruins of Hierapolis Ancient City, which was formerly a thriving vacation spot for aristocrats. It is laid out with tombs, baths, markets, arches, amphitheaters, and ancient hot springs. Among them, the most attractive one is the Ancient Theater. It took 150 years to build. And it is hard to imagine how much money and labor were needed in that age to create such a wonderful theater!

Hierapolis

Finally, the guide will transfer you to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Cappadocia. Upon landing, our local guide will meet you there and transfer you to the hotel.

Cappadocia

Day 7

We will spend the next two days exploring Cappadocia, famous for its lunar-like landscapes and architectures carved in the rocks. Today, the guide will accompany you to visit the northern Cappadocia. The first stop will be the Goreme Open Air Museum. Get ready to be in awe of over 30 different-sized cave churches and rock wonders! ★ Our Guest Privilege: Special Access to the Dark Church Included

Goreme Open-Air Museum

Our next stop is Avanos, a town known for its pottery production. Around everywhere are various ceramic ornaments and dishes, with tulip serving as the most prevalent motif. And the inexhaustible raw materials for Avanos ceramics come from the nearby Kizilirmak River. The water is rich in iron, so the soils along the bank have unique red color.

Avanos

The following destination is Pasabag Valley, also called Monks Valley, where many hermits and monks lived and practiced. 

Paşabağ Vadisi

Next, we’ll head to the Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley), which is renowned for its wonderful animal-shaped rock formations. Their peculiar appearances are so amazing that they might enhance your endless imagination. 

Devrent Valley

On the way back to hotel, make a stop at the Love Valley, where you can take magnificent pictures of the sunset scenes of Cappadocia.

Tatildokya Balloon Cappadocia Tour & Travel Agency

Day 8

Today, go on to explore the southern Cappadocia. At first, we will pay a visit to a historical village - Cavusin Village, where houses are carved out of the rock. There are many beautiful murals in the Great Basilica (St. John the Baptist Chapel), which is an important place to understand local religious culture and art.

St. John the Baptist Chapel

 Then our guide will escort you to enjoy a short hike in Rose Valley for about 2 hours.

Rose Valley

Our next stop is Red Valley, which is stunning for its red hue of the surrounding terrain. Rich tones of crimson, terracotta, and ochre are the result of millions of years of wind and water eroding the rocks here, showing you a warm atmosphere.

Red Valley

We will visit the Uchisar Castle after that. Stepping inside to feel an intricate yet well-organized space. Move through narrow corridors and winding stairs here, then you’ll be constantly surprised by rooms in different sizes and functions. Climb to the top of the castle, and you can enjoy the views of the surroundings.

Uchisar Castle

The last stop, as well as the highlight of today will be Kaymakli Underground City. It has eight floors, four of which are open to the public, with meticulously designed ventilation shafts, water wells and escape routes. After that, you will be driven back to the hotel by our guide and driver to spend one more night in Cappadocia.

Kaymakli Underground City

Day 9

In the morning, the driver will escort you to the airport to take a 1.5-hour flight back to Istanbul. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to the hotel for a short break. 

 Around 2:00 pm, our guide will navigate you from the hotel to the dock for a 2-hour Bosphorus Strait Cruise. You can admire the Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Bridge and the Camlica Hill along the way. Frequent visits of the playful seagulls may add to your enjoyable experience. Prepare a Simit (sesame bread) before boarding, and these clever guys may be attracted by your friendly greeting and share this wonderful afternoon with you.

Bosphorus Strait

Day 10

This will be the last day of your 10 days Turkey tour. Depending on your flight schedule, our driver will pick you up from the hotel and escort you to the airport. Have a safe and happy journey home!

Customized 10 Days Turkey Family Tour with Aegean Sea

Customized 10 Days Turkey Family Tour with Aegean Sea

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