Beauty of the West

Intro

Have you ever walked on the surfaces where thousands of years ago people were walking? You will have a chance to live multiple religious atmospheres on Istanbul and old Christian's hiding places on Cappadocia, and restorative water believed in ancient times on Cotton Castle. And of course the great city of Ephesus on the coast of Ionia.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival & Hotel Check-in

Welcome to Turkey. Our tour guide will meet you at the airport exit. And take you to your hotel. We will check-in. After you rest a little bit you will meet with your guide at the lobby and s/he will inform you about Istanbul and your 9 days trip.

• Overnight in Istanbul

Day 2 - Istanbul Tour(by walking)

• Blue Mosque

Later we will visit the Blue Mosque. Its name comes from the Blue Iznik tiles which cover the interior. 

• Topkapi Palace

We will visit the palace which was the political center of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries

• Lunch at a local Turkish restaurant.
• Grand Bazaar

The colorful and chaotic Grand Bazaar is the heart of İstanbul's Old City and has been so for centuries.

• Spice Market

We will start our tour at the Spice Market, where you can find great deals on spices from around the world.

• Overnight in Istanbul

Day 3 - Istanbul Tour & Cappadocia Flight

• Hippodrome

We will begin our walking tour with the Roman Hippodrome, which dates back to the 2nd century A.D. At this site, you will have the opportunity to see German Fountain, Obelisk of the Tuthmosis the 3rd, Serpent Column, and the Roman Obelisk.

• Hagia Sophia

Often referred to as the eighth wonder of the World, the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya in Turkish) in Sultanahmet is easily one of Istanbul's most impressive sights. It also must have one of the most turbulent histories of any museum in the world.

• Underground Cistern (Basilical Cistern)

We will stop and see the Basilica Cistern, which was built at the same time as Hagia Sofia. In this 6th century structure, you will be able to see the heads of Medusa, which brought here from the temples of Constantinople.

• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Bosphorus Cruise

We will check-out from the hotel and will have Bosphorus Cruise for 2 hours to see the magnificent view of Istanbul from the sea.

• Transfer to Airport
• Overnight in Cappadocia

Day 4 Cappadocia District

• Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)

The day will begin with the Devrent Valley. Scattered about the valley you can find animal-shaped rocks and Fairy Chimneys among other interesting formations, the easiest to spot are the dolphin, snake, seal, alligator and praying Mary. Feel free to use your imagination while exploring. 

• Pasabag (Monks Valley)

 Then we will go to the Pasabag which is one of the most popular spots in Goreme, Cappadocia with its epic fairy chimneys and cave dwellings.

• Pottery Workshop

At this stop, we will learn how humans used potteries in times past and will learn how to make pottery. If you wish you can try it. And then we will visit the pottery shop to make shopping.

• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Goreme Open Air Museum

One of Turkey's Unesco World Heritage sites, the Göreme Open-Air Museum is an essential stop on any Cappadocian itinerary. First, an important Byzantine monastic settlement that housed some 20 monks, then a pilgrimage site from the 17th century, this splendid cluster of monastic Byzantine artistry with its rock-cut churches, chapels, and monasteries is 1km uphill from Göreme's center.

• Uchisar Castle Region

We will stop at Uchisar Castle and Pigeon Valley for the photograph. Both of them are one of the best places to take a photo in the world.

• Pigeon Valley

We will return to our hotel.

• Overnight in Cappadocia

Day 5 - Cappadocia District

First, we will check out from the hotel and prepare for the tour. 

• Kaymaklı Underground City

We will take about a 40-minute way to reach the Kaymaklı Underground City. 

It was built to escape from persecution and invasions, temporarily by the earliest Christians. 

• Mustafapasa (Sinassos)

Mustafapasa in the central Cappadocia region of Turkey is steeped in Greek Orthodox history, specifically the Ottoman years before the Turkish War of Independence in the early 20th century, when Turks and Greeks lived side by side in harmony. 

• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Soganli Valley

We will have the opportunity to see the abandoned churches. Generally, people do not visit this magnificent historical valley. But you will have an exceptional change.

• Transfer to Kayseri Airport

We will transfer to Kayseri airport to take our flight to the Izmir.

• Overnight in Selcuk or Kusadasi

Day 6 - Ephesus District

• Ephesus

We will check out from the hotel and will go to the Ephesus where we will be fascinated by the Roman structure and the historical background.

• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Temple of Artemis

After lunch, we will drive to the Temple of Artemis, which was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

• St. John’s Basilica

The Basilica of St. John was constructed over the burial site of John the Apostle by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century.

• Virgin Mary’s House
• Selcuk Ephesus Museum

We will visit the Selcuk Ephesus Museum and see some amazing artifacts from Ephesus.

Then we will fly to Istanbul and relax for the other day.

• Overnight in Istanbul

Day 7 - Prine, Miletus, Didyma

• Priene

Priene is an ancient Hellenistic city located just to the north of Miletus in western Turkey. It was an ancient Greek holy city and the home of an important temple of Athena.

• Miletus

Miletus, Byzantine Palation, Turkish Balat, ancient Greek city of western Anatolia, some 20 miles (30 km) south of the present city of Söke, Turkey. It lies near the mouth of the Büyükmenderes (Menderes) River.

• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Didyma

Didyma (nearby Didim, in the Aegean region of Turkey) was a cult center for the city of Miletus. It is located in the present-day village of Yeniköy, about 15 kilometers (10 miles) from the site of Miletus. In ancient times, these two cities were connected to each other by a sacred road that had statues located on either side of it.

• Overnight in Selcuk or Kusadasi

Day 8 - Aphrodisias & Hierapolis

• Aphrodisias

Aphrodisias is one of the oldest sacred sites in Turkey. Dedicated to the ancient Mother Goddess and then the Greek goddess Aphrodite, it was the site of a magnificent Temple of Aphrodite and the home of a renowned school of marble sculpture. The Temple of Aphrodite later became a Christian basilica through an impressive swapping of columns.

• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Hierapolis (Pamukkale / Cotton Castle)

It is known that the king of Pergamum, Eumenes II, founded the city in 190 BC. It was named Hierapolis after the Amazon's Queen Hiera, the wife of Telephos, the founder of Pergamum.

You can also visit the travertines.

• Overnight in Pamukkale

Day 9 - Travelling Home

If you plan to depart, we will transfer you to the airport.

We come to an end to our 9 Days Cappadocia, Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale Tour. We hope you enjoy Turkey and our services at TB Turkey Travel. We look forward to welcoming you in Turkey.

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