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Anchor 3
CAPPADOCİA, KONYA, PAMUKKALE, EPHESUS, PERGAMON, ASSOS, TROY, BURSA and ISTANBUL
Day 1 > Nevsehir > Cappadocia (est. 40 min)
arrive at Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) at 10:40AM where our guides will meet us at the exit; then we travel on to the surreal landscape of Cappadocia. We will stop to visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, an impressive collection of monasteries, churches and chapels that date back to the Middle Ages followed by the rock formations.
Overnight in Cappadocia,
Day 2: Cappadocia Treat yourself to a ride on the famous Balloon Tour in early morning (optional but highly recommended). After the balloon tour, we'll continue our tour to see the magnificent view of the valley of unusual rock formations - Fairy Chimneys, Three Beauties, & Zelve. This is one of the must-see places, especially the caves and churches in the valley. Our final destination is the small town of Avanos, home to the terra-cotta industry that dates back to 3000 BC. The clay is sourced from the Red River which passes through the town and we will have an opportunity to visit a traditional pottery workshop and see how it is crafted first-hand. Also, we will get to visit the carpet weavers and their workshop.
Overnight in Cappadocia. Meal: breakfast
Day 3 : Cappadocia > Kaymakli (est. 35 min) > Konya (est. 2.5 to 3.5 hr)
We depart Cappadocia traveling to visit one of the largest underground settlements in the Kaymakli region. Then we head south, towards Konya, a historical Turkish city along the ancient Silk Road, visiting Sultanhani Caravansary, just as the ancient traders did. In Konya we'll stop to visit the Mevlâna Museum.
Overnight in Konya. Meal : breakfast
Day 4: Konya > Pamukkale (est. 4.75 hr)
We head toward Denizli to visit Pamukkale. Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, a natural site. We visit the ruins of Hierapolis and stroll over the magnificent white calcium terraces. We will stay in one of the thermal hotels.
Overnight in Pamukkale. Meal: breakfast
Day 5: Pamukkale > Kusadasi (est. 2.75 hr) > Ephesus (22 min) > Izmir (est. 1.25 hr)
We head to Kusadasi. There we visit the ancient ruins of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Also, we visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the place where Mary lived her final days. Then we continue to Izmir.
Overnight in Izmir. Meal: breakfast
Day 6: Izmir > Pergamon (est. 1.5 hr) > Akçay (est. 1.5 hr)
We visit Pergamon, a listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We will see the oldest Temple of Athena, and the steep theater. Then we will drive around Mount Ida.
Overnight in Assos . Meal: breakfast
Day 7: Akçay > Assos (1hr) > Troy (1 hr) > Bursa (est. 3.25 hr)
We travel to visit the Assos ancient ruins. This center of philosophy was established in Assos in 350 BC where philosophers like Aristoteles and Plato went to school. Next, we visit Troy ancient city, famous for the legend of Troy and the Trojan Horse. It was the most epic battle between the Greeks and Trojans. After visiting the ruins, we drive down to Gallipoli Peninsula before heading to Bursa.
Overnight in Bursa. Meal: breakfast
Day 8: Bursa > Istanbul (est. 2.25 hr)
We have a full day tour in Istanbul where we will visit Hagia Sofia (the oldest and biggest cathedral in the world and converted into mosque), Blue Mosque (second biggest mosque and famous for blue tiles), Topkapi Palace (Ottoman sultans used to live for 400 years there), Underground Cistern, (the biggest roman water reservoir in Europe) and the Grand Bazaar. In the evening, we will watch the whirling dervish or cultural Turkish dance shows (optional) at Hocapasha cultural center.
Overnight in Istanbul. Meal: breakfast
Day 9: Istanbul > Bosphorus > Istanbul
Today, we board a boat tour of the Bosphorus which span two continents between Asia and Europe. The boat has a capacity of 100 people and two floors. Then we visit the Dolmabahçe Palace learning, how this palace was one of the final palaces constructed by the Ottoman Empire, a blend of European and Ottoman architecture. The palace rests along the banks overlooking the Bosphorus Strait. We will visit inside the palace as well. Our last stop, we visit to the Spice Bazaar.
Overnight in Istanbul. Meal: breakfast
Day 10: Istanbul > airport
Time to say good-bye to Turkey. Depart Istanbul International Airport.
Meal: breakfast
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