Splendors of Türkiye: From Istanbul to Ephesus
Splendors of Türkiye: From Istanbul to Ephesus
A wonderful discovery of Turkey's must-see destinations!
From Istanbul to Cappadocia and from Pamukkale to Ephesus, travel through stunning contrasting landscapes to discover a beautiful Turkey where cultures meet and mingle in the Bosphorus and the blue Mediterranean.
Arrival at Istanbul airport, meet and group transfer to the hotel
Your first dinner is free.
Overnight at the hotel
After breakfast, set off for the historic heart of Istanbul. You will discover the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine art and one of the city's most renowned monuments. Then, explore the fascinating Blue Mosque, opposite the basilica, an architectural gem famous for its six minarets. Have lunch at a restaurant offering fish specialties, then discover the Byzantine Hippodrome and visit the Topkapi Palace, an iconic site of the city and former residence of the Ottoman sultans. Finally, stroll through the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with its 6,000 shops!
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Istanbul.
Breakfast at the hotel, then an early departure for Ankara to visit the Turkish capital and Atatürk's mausoleum, the father of modern Turkey. On the way to Cappadocia, admire the famous salt lake and stop to take photos at this spectacular site. Then, we will visit a caravanserai, an ancient inn from the Silk Road era. Lunch at a typical restaurant in Ankara and arrival in Cappadocia in the evening.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Cappadocia.
After breakfast, set off to explore one of Turkey's most beautiful regions, Cappadocia! Be amazed by the fascinating and unique landscape, formed by volcanic lava over 3 million years ago. Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, housing several chapels carved into volcanic rocks and decorated with 13th-century frescoes. Also, discover the splendid valleys of Avcilar and Guvercinlik, famous for their countless fairy chimneys. Next, we will visit an impressive underground city built by ancient local communities, and we will end the day with a visit to a carpet and jewellery centre to learn more about Turkey's ancient artisanal production.
Overnight at the hotel
After breakfast, travel to Pamukkale to visit the ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder of dazzling whiteness where the flow of hot springs, saturated with calcium salts, has covered the cliff. Admire a giant waterfall as well as impressive stalactites and natural pools.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Pamukkale.
After breakfast, head to the magnificent site of Ephesus, the city of Artemis, the most famous ancient site in Turkey. Discover the renowned Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan, the splendid theatre, and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built in 1000 BC by the Greeks, this site is now a must-visit pilgrimage destination for Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Muslims alike, as it is believed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary.
The day concludes with a visit to a leather factory, followed by a return to the hotel and dinner in Kusadasi.
After breakfast, set off for Bursa for a panoramic exploration of this significant city, which was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Green Tomb, one of the earliest major works of Ottoman architecture and one of the most beautiful in Turkey. You will also have the opportunity to stroll through the old Ottoman quarter and the ancient silk market, which is full of antiques, perfumes, pashminas, and of course, silk items. After exploring Bursa, head to Istanbul, have dinner, and settle into the hotel in Istanbul.
Breakfast at the hotel,
shared transfer to Istanbul airport, boarding for your return flight.
End of the stay
During your stay, you will be accommodated in 4-star and 5-star hotels (local standards):
During your stay, you will enjoy a full board offer, excluding dinner on the first evening, from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast on day 8.
Please note that lunches during the tour consist of simple dishes, such as salads and grilled items.
Includes breakfasts, lunches and dinners, excluding drinks, from dinner on the first evening to breakfast on the last morning.
Please note: The itinerary of this programme is subject to change due to technical requirements or for reasons related to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances related to the organisation of the trip.
Maximum group size: 38 people.
Guaranteed departure: minimum 2 people. The supplier reserves the right to change the departure date if this minimum is not reached.
The pace of the visits can be intense (see all visits included in the day-by-day details), which means getting up very early in the morning.
Shared transfer is included for arrivals between 8 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. on the dates of the tour. If the customer chooses to arrive or depart outside these times, they will have to pay a supplement of £85 for a private transfer. In addition, on day 2, departure is at around 8 a.m. for the first excursion of the tour. Please note that the transfer time between the airport and the hotel is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
As transfer operators are not allowed to enter the airport, please carefully follow the instructions provided in your travel documents for the transfer meeting point.