Express Tour Turkey (Extended) – 10 Days

TOUR PROGRAM: FIT 10Days / 9Nights

Day 1 – Arrival to Istanbul, Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel:

Hosgeldiniz to Turkey. Upon arrival to the airport your assigned tour guide will awaits for you at the airport exit and will drive you to your hotel destination. Then he/she will assist with your hotel check-in process and ensure that you are all setting in. On the way to your hotel your tour guide will provide you with general information about your upcoming activities and will delight you with Istanbul’s rich culture and traditions, and the history of many of its iconic monuments and buildings which are full of legends and extraordinary facts.

End of the day and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 – Bosphorus Tour:

After breakfast we will continue our program to Eminonu’s Old Trade area. Spice Bazaar: It opened the doors in 1664 with wide variety of products. Here is the ideal place to find Turkish delights, spices, saffron, the best Turkish coffee, tea and much more. Enjoy shopping in the ancient and mystical atmosphere during free time. Bosporus Cruise: Prepare yourself to enjoy these beautiful moments in the Bosporus Strait which is a natural canal between two continents: Asia and Europe. There will be chance to witness the incredible views of both side from the ship, including Dolmabahce palace, Ortakoy district, some of the best and most expensive villas in the world and much more. Our boat will also cross from under the hanging bridge that was built in 1973 to connect Asia and Europe. Bosphorus Bridge: Have you ever crossed from a continent to another via a bridge? Asia and Europe first connected to each other with this bridge in 1973. Time for an exclusive experience and unforgettable moments while crossing the continents. Lunch: Our tour includes lunch. Beylerbeyi Palace: One of the summer residences of Ottoman Sultans which was built in 1865.  It is located at the Asian side of the Bosphorus at a point very near to the Bosphorus Bridge. During the visit there will be a chance to view the bridge while walking through the garden to the entrance door of the palace. As you walk inside this amazing palace, the patterns, paintings, chandeliers, original furniture and the handmade carpets will be unforgettable part of the visit. Camlica (Lover’s) Hill: It is time to learn more about Istanbul and understand its geography by viewing the both continents from an altitude of 260 meters. Enjoy the scenery of Marmara Sea, Historical area, Bosphorus and 2 hanging bridges and much more. Shortly here is the summary of Istanbul.

End of the day and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 – Old City Tour

After breakfast you will be picked up (time) from your hotel by your tour guide for a historical visit to the Old City of Istanbul. Our program will take you to its magnificent sights starting at Sultanahmet Square following by the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome of Constantinople, Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Blue Mosque: Also called Sultanahmet Mosque is a monument of the Ottoman Empire which was built between 1609-1616. By being the first mosque built with 6 minarets makes it very unique. In addition, about 21 thousand blue tiles are decorating its high ceilings and inner walls, with various flowers designs, especially tulips, the symbol of the Ottoman Empire. It’s indeed a beautiful example to discover Classical Ottoman Mosque Architecture. Hippodrome of Constantinople: Our excursion continues with a visit to the Hippodrome of Constantinople. This large racecourse was built by the Roman Empire to perform chariot races.  It was used for hundreds of years to entertain the people and emperors during the Roman period. Although the Hippodrom maybe not full exist today still have remaining monuments that have witnessed its history, like the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, the Constantine Column and the German Fountain among others. Hagia Sophia: Ayasofya is one of the most important Byzantine structures ever built. It holds historical significance as a culminating feature of the Christian era Roman Empire and stands as a monument to artistic and architectural achievement. Meaning “Holy Wisdom”, it was built in just 5 years between 532 – 537 AD with the order of Emperor Justinian. Hagia Sofia served as a church for 916 years, as a mosque for 482 years and it has been serving as a museum since 1935. This masterpiece was recognized as the largest cathedral in the world until the 16th century. Wonderful place to see Byzantine and Ottoman art. Topkapi Palace: Due to its intense history is one of the most important places in this program. The palace was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet between 1465-1478 when Istanbul was taken over by the Turks. It became the residence of 24 Ottoman Sultans, including the most known and powerful sultans such as Suleiman the Magnificent and Sultan Ahmet. Topkapi “Cannonball Gate” Palace will take you back to the years that the sultans lived and will give you an unforgettable experience. Get ready to see some of most valuable Ottoman treasures, weapon collections, parliament rooms, clocks, Sacred Relics and ceramic collections of the palace through the beautiful courtyards. Sultan Tombs: The Sultan Tombs, which are part of the Hagia Sophia complex, are not as well-known, yet they possess some of the best of Ottoman tile work and calligraphy. In a structure that’s part of the Aya Sofya complex, 16th and 17th century Ottoman sultans rest in their tombs. Lunch: This tour includes lunch at a typical restaurant near Sultanahmet Square. Grand Bazar: Finally, we are reaching The Grand Bazaar and you will enjoy free time to discover its long halls and do some shopping. The Grand Bazaar has been open since 1461 and is one of the oldest commercial complexes in the world. In this bazaar you will have the opportunity to buy all kinds of products, and souvenirs suitable for all tastes.

After a long and exciting day, you will be the transported to airport to fly to Cappadocia. After arriving to airport in Cappadocia, you will be transported to your hotel in Cappadocia.

End of the day and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4 – Fly to Cappadocia

You will be taken to airport to fly Cappadocia. Upon you arrive to airport you will be taken to your hotel.

Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 5 – South (Green) Cappadocia Tour
Uchisar Castle is the highest point in the region. The castle and its surrounds used to be the most populated area this settlement to survey the enemies. The top of the citadel provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. Kızılçukur is a valley called Rose valley as well because of the red colors of the rocks. This is one of the best valleys for hiking in the area (3,5km). Kızılçukur was also used by Christians at the end of 5th century, so you will explore the cave dwellings and old churches. The colors also change up according to the daylight. It is the best place to see sunset. Cavuşin this village is one of the ancient settlements in the early period of Christian having the oldest church of region dating back to 3rd century. It was exactly settled like a big town where you see lots of cave rooms used as living rooms, sleeping rooms, kitchens, wineries, etc. All these are waiting for you to explore where cave houses collapsed because of landslide in 1960 which has a gorgeous view. Love Valley called originally White Valley offers you a wonderful view with its funny shaped fairy chimneys. Underground City (Kaymaklı or Özkonak) this is the most interesting one in the region among 36 other ones which were firdt used by Hittites and later by Christians like a shelter in during Roman persecution times. By carving lots of rooms all connected with tunnels, they lived in here when the cities were invaded by enemies. you have a change to see the rooms, food storages church and kitchens. Chimneys and defense systems used in the underground city will surprise you during the visit.
Pigeon Valley is a panoramic view point where you will see the pigeons and pigeon houses which were used to keep pigeons in order to collect their dropping for fertilizing the earth especially vineyards.

End of the day and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 6 – North (Red) Cappadocia Tour

Goreme Panorama is a panoramic point where you can see a wonderful view Goreme town with its spectacular cave houses. Goreme Open Air Museum is the first and biggest monastery where this religious education was started. You will visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys with frescoes painted on the walls from 10th to 13th Centuries. In the 4th century three important men created a new unity here they are the Great St. Basil, bishop of Kayseri, his brother St.Gregory of Nyssa and St. George of Nazianus. Avanos is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak River. The Kizilirmak, which divides Avanos into, is the longest river of Turkey. Devrent Valley has various types of fairy chimneys. Among these are those with caps, cones mushroom like forms pillar and pointed rocks. With the action of smaller, secondary volcanoes and the action of rivers, wind and flood waters, this layer of tuff has slowly but steadily been eroded to produce the rock formations known as “fairy chimneys”. we will take a walk through this amazing valley. Pasabaglari (Monks Valley) Many fairy chimneys with multiple stems and caps can be found here, this style being unique to this area. A chapel dedicated to St. Simeon and a hermit’s shelter is built into one such fairy chimney with three heads. Three Beauties has a beautiful view over Urgup town, famous with wine factories, and vineyards with apricot gardens give you memorable shots forever.

After the tour, you will be the transported to airport to fly to Izmir Airport. After arriving to airport in Izmir, you will be transported to your hotel in Kusadasi.

End of the day and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7 – Fly to Izmir

You will be taken to airport to fly to Izmir. Upon you arrive to airport you will be taken to your hotel.

Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 8 – Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour (Lunch)

Drive to Pamukkale that has the meaning of the Cotton Castle in English. Once known as Hierapolis famous for healing thermal/ mineral Baths and beautiful snow-white petrified waterfalls. After lunch visit Hierapolis, including the magnificent preserved Necropolis, the main Street and Gates, the thermal Baths, the devil’s hole, nad Masterpiece Theater. Pamukkale terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the hot springs. In this area, there are 17 hot water springs in which the temperature ranges from 35°C to 100°C. The water that emerges from the spring is transported 320 meters (1.050ft.) to the head of the travertine terraces and deposits calcium carbonate on a section 60 to 70 mt. Long covering an expanse of 240 mt. to 300 mt. At the end of the tour, transfer you to Kusadasi.

Day 9 – Regular Ephesus Tour / Fly to Istanbul

The tour starting with Isabey Mosque, then drive to an ancient Greek city, later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, which is called Ephesus, stroll past the celsus library, the Temple of Hadrian and the Trajan Fountain in the Ancient Ephesus. After walking on the historical marble street, the Great Theater where St. Paul preached will meet at the end. Have a break in a local Turkish Restaurant with open buffet Lunch. In the afternoon proceed to shrine of Mother Mary, it is believed where she spent recent years of her life. Then visit Temple of Artemis, on the side of one of the seven wonders of ancient World. At the end of the tour, transfer to Hotel

Overnight in Kusadasi

Day 10 – Fly to Istanbul

At the end of the tour, transfer Izmir Airport to take your flight to Istanbul Airport and from there your international flight.

End of service.

When this pleasant tour ends, we will be happy to receive you on another tour of Colorido Tours Turkey.