12 Days Private Different Colors Turkey Tour

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Arrival in Istanbul

You will arrive to the New Istanbul Airport. Here, you will meet your warm travel agent employee to get a transfer to your authentic hotel. You will stay in Istanbul for that night.

Meals : Dinner
Hotels : Legancy Ottoman Hotel – Kalyon Hotel

DAY 2 – Istanbul

Your private guided Turkey tours will start with the Ottoman heritage in Istanbul. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and start the tour from Blue Mosque completed in 1616. Next, you will visit the famous Topkapi Palace. This palace has a comprehensive collection of the belongings of the sultans for the last five centuries. You can visit the Harem to witness the imperial lifestyle. You will walk the road to the Imperial Council called Divan Yolu. Next, you will have your lunch in a local restaurant. You will walk on the cobble stones streets to see the Rustem Pasha Mosque completed in 1561 by Sinan the Architect. Next, you will go to the famous Spice Market where the goods of the Venetians and Genoese and eastern spice were sold in the ancient times. Your tour will end at Grand Bazaar which was the most important shopping area of the ancient todays. You can shop in this amazing bazaar. After having your dinner, you will spend the night in Istanbul.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels : Legancy Ottoman Hotel – Kalyon Hotel

DAY 3 – Istanbul

On this day of your private tour, you will visit the Byzantine Relics. When you travel to Turkey, you can see different cultures across the country. Byzantine culture is one of them. You will start your tour with the Hippodrome at the middle of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Cisterns. Here, you will see the Serpentine Columns and Egyptian Obelisk. You will also visit the nearby Wilhelm German fountain. You will take your lunch in a local restaurant. Next, you will go to Chora Museum also known as Kariye Museum to see the amazing Byzantine frescoes. Your tour will end in the Basilica Cistern known as the Yerebatan Cistern. After having your dinner, you will spend the night in Istanbul.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels : Legancy Ottoman Hotel – Kalyon Hotel

DAY 4 – Istanbul – Edirne

After having your breakfast in your hotel, you will discover the Edirne city centre. You will visit the famous Selimiye Mosque that has a magnificent large dome and 4 narrow minarets. The mosque is an important work of art in the former Ottoman capital. The embellished interior area shows the meticulous and detailed craftsmanship. The marble courtyard and high-quality Iznik tiles are the best example of manufacturing of those times. This mosque is the amazing architectural success of the famous Architect Sinan and one of the best examples of an Ottoman Islamic Social Complex. One of the landmarks of UNESCO World Historical Site List, the old city centre as well as the old mosque, Ali pasha Arasta bazaar and Sultan Beyazid II complex are the places you will see. You will also visit Darüssifa which was a mental treatment centre in the Ottoman times that used water and sound to calm the sick people. You will have your lunch in a traditional Turkish restaurant in the old city centre. Then, you will visit Edirne grand synagogue which is a historical Sephardi synagogue. The synagogue is considered to be the third largest in Europe and the largest in Turkey. After this visit, you will stay in luxury hotel in Edirne for the night.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels : Hilly Hotel – Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Edirne

DAY 5 – Edirne – Canakkale

Then, you will go to 5000 years old antique ruins of Troy listed in UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998. You will explore the mythical areas here. Also, you will get the chance to take photos of the replica of the famous wooden horse. From here, your private Turkey tour will continue in Canakkale where you will see the Dardanelles. You will spend the night in Canakkale.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels : Kolin Hotel – Buyuk Truva Hoteli

DAY 6 – Canakkale – Pergamon – Ephesus

On this day, you will visit the historic metropolis of Assos. Here, you will explore the ancient ruins and authentic settlements. Your next stop will be Pergamon which is included in UNESCO world heritage list in 2014. You will see amazing examples of the Hellenistic architecture as well as an acropolis, amphitheatre, Zeus altar, and the second one-biggest ancient library around the world. You will discover the rich history of this ancient town. Then, you will drive to Kusadasi. You will spend the night in Kusadasi.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels : Charisma De Luxe Hotel – LaVista Boutique Hotel & Spa

DAY 7 – Ephesus

On this day, you will visit Ephesus. You will follow the footsteps of famous ancient individuals such as Alexander the Great, Caesar, Cicero, Apostles Paul and John and many others in this city. Terrace Houses which require an extra entry fee shows the wealthiest Roman. The terrace houses are in an amazing condition. The mosaics and frescos in these houses are incredible. It is believed that the Virgin Mary was brought here by St John after the Crucifixion. It is believed that she spends her last years near Ephesus on an isolated mountaintop. For commemorate her, Franciscans constructed a chapel. The chapel is open for visitors. Pope has designated this chapel as a pilgrimage site for the Christians. You will visit the Temple of Artemis which is regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You will stay in Kusadasi for the night as it is close to Ephesus.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels : Charisma De Luxe Hotel – LaVista Boutique Hotel & Spa

DAY 8 – Ephesus – Pamukkale

On your way, Aphrodisias is one the places you will see. Aphrodisias cist is famous for being a centre for arts. Especially, sculpture was a top characteristic. The Aphrodisias School of Sculpture had a unique style and was well-known across the Greek and Roman world. You will move to Priene. Although Ephesus is the most famous cities in the Aegean region, Priene which is not as popular is an important ancient settlement in this region. Priene is located to view the Meander Valley and the amazing temple in the city is in a good condition. On this day, you will continue your travel to Turkey with travertine terraces and Hierapolis city. The travertine terraces are located in Pamukkale. These terraces are among the spectacular wonders of nature with their white colour. The terraces are formed by the minerals in the springs. They form a 200 m calcite waters ponds in the terraces. This look gives a fairyland- like look with different terrace levels and shell-shaped basins. This scene looks like a snow- covered hills or cotton cover terraces. This is why this region is called Pamukkale which means cotton castle in Turkey. The colour of the basin changes depending on the angle of the sunrays. You will stay in Pamukkale for the night.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels : Doga Thermal Health & Spa – Hotel Colossae Thermal Spa

DAY 9 – Pamukkale – Bursa

After breakfast leave to hotel. Arrival after 4 hours to Bursa. . In this city, you will see the early 15th century Green Mosque and the Green Tomb which is the burial location of Sultan Mehmet I in 1421. This mosque is important with its imperial significance Mosque as well as its architecture with 20 domes and 12 giant pillars. You will have your lunch in a famous Kebab Restaurant to taste the authentic food. Our last stop today will be the famous Bazaar and Kozahan which are the silk caravanserais. You will transfer to your hotel when your Bursa tour is completed. You will stay in Bursa for that night.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels : Sheraton Bursa Hotel

DAY 10 – Iznik – Istanbul

On the 11th day, you will travel to Iznik (Ancient Nicaea) after having your breakfast at the hotel. Iznik was the capital of the Byzantine Empire and it has been an important spot for Christianity around 325. When you arrive in this city, you will pass the ancient gates of the city to enter. The city walls surround Iznik are mostly preserved and offer an impressive scene. Then, you will visit the important ancient monuments in the city which are Hagia Sophia of Nicaea and the Mosque that has tiled minarets. When you take your lunch, you will set your journey to Istanbul. You will stay in Istanbul for that night.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels : Legancy Ottoman Hotel – Kalyon Hotel

DAY 11 – Istanbul

On this day in Istanbul when you travel to Turkey, you will start your amazing tour after having your breakfast. After a short drive, you will see it is worth travelling Turkey. You will visit Dolmabahçe Palace with an amazing Bosporus view. The interior decoration of the palace is impressive with 14- ton gold ornaments. The rich and comprehensive collection includes paintings, furniture and Bohemian crystals. Also, this palace has a Harem section where you can see other important collections. You will have your lunch at a local restaurant.Next, you will go to Kabatas pier to start your 2-hour private Bosporus Tour. After having your dinner, you will spend the night in Istanbul.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels : Legancy Ottoman Hotel – Kalyon Hotel

DAY 12 – Departure

This is the last day of your private travel Turkey tour. You will transfer you to the New Istanbul Airport three hours before your international flight.

Meals : Breakfast

Istanbul, Edirne, Canakkale, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bursa,Iznik