Discover Turkey
Tour Code CUL 08
Highlights
– Istanbul and the historical peninsula, Hagia Sophia, blue mosque & Topkapi palace
– World heritage Cappadocia
– Ucagiz/Kekova tour by boat with Simena castle & sunken city
– Ancient sites Phaselis, Myra, Patara and Aphrodisias
– Pamukkale & world heritage Hierapolis
– Selcuk & ancient Ephesus
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Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec
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14 days / 13 nights
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A (easy)
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13 nights at the hotel
Itinerary
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DAY 1
Arrival IstanbulMeet at the Istanbul Int. airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to the historical peninsula, known as Sultanahmet, where you spend the night at the hotel.Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 45 - 50 km (Istanbul Int. airport to hotel in Sultanahmet/Sirkeci)ON: in Istanbul at the hotelMeals: - / - / - -
DAY 2
Istanbul sightseeing historical peninsulaAfter breakfast we head out for a fantastic tour through Istanbul, we start the day with a walk through the historical peninsula area where we visit Topkapi palace, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome square and blue mosque. The Topkapi palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years of their 624 year reign. As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. The palace is among the monuments contained within the "historic areas of Istanbul", which became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985. Next to Topkapi palace we head over to famous Hagia Sophia, considered to be one of the world’s most important monuments, a masterpiece and example of great architectural beauty. The marvel complex anchors the old city of Istanbul and has served for centuries as an Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later as a mosque and as museum. On our way we also pass through Hippodrome square, once a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. The surviving monuments of the Spina (the middle barrier of the racecourse), the two obelisks (Obelisk of Thutmose III & Walled Obelisk) and the Serpentine Column, now sit in holes in a landscaped garden. Our final visit takes us to blue mosque (Sultan Ahmed mosque), built between 1609 and 1616. The design is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighbouring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. We conclude the day with a traditional cup of Turkish tee, known as cay and afterwards return to our hotel.ON: in Istanbul at the hotelMeals: B / - / - -
DAY 3
Istanbul to Kayseri & world heritage CappadociaAfter breakfast we drive to Istanbul Int. airport and fly to Kayseri and continue from there to Cappadocia, where we spend the next four nights to explore the history and landscape of this wonder of nature. Cappadocia is undeniably a nature fantasy and it almost feels like another planet with its exceptional geological formations. Wind, rain and frost have sculpted this superb scenery in the volcanic rock during millions of years and eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and forms. In this creation of nature, the curiosity of the landscapes is added to the historical richness.Easy hiking, culture & sightseeing: Cavusin village, Pasabaglari (monk) valley, Zelve monastery & AvanosIn Cappadocia we drive to Cavusin village, one of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia area; a small village made up of rock cut dwellings and elegantly carved stone houses. From here a walking path, close to beautiful rock formations and with magnificent views, permits us directly to nearby Pasabaglari (monk) valley. Here the fairy chimneys are unique and feature bizarre large toadstool like caps which protect the rest of the chimney from erosion. The area was formerly a monastic retreat and used to be known as monk’s valley and features a rock cut church dedicated to St Simeon. Close to Pasabaglari we also visit Zelve monastery valley, where once Christians moved during the Persian and Arab invasions and the region, though recently uninhabited, became an important settlement and religious area. Spreading out over three valleys, of which two are connected by a tunnel, the amazing cave town is famous for its honeycombed dwellings, religious and secular chambers. The monastery is rich in its own beauty; main decorations are high relief crosses representative of the Iconoclastic doctrine. We conclude the day with a visit to Avanos, where the most famous historical feature, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery. It is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used. We will take time to visit one of the pottery studios and you will try to shape by your own.Walking time: 45 min.; walking distance: 3 km; ascent: 60m; descent: 70m; (Cavusin - Pasabaglari)Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 45 - 50 km (Hotel in Sultanahmet/Sirkeci to Istanbul Int. airport)Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 80 km; (Kayseri airport - Cappadocia)ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 4
World heritage CappadociaOptional activity: hot air balloon rideIn the early morning before sunrise it is optional possible to go on a hot air balloon flight. Cappadocia is awarded as one of the world's best balloon flight areas and it is one of the best ways to discover the unique landscapes of this impressive wonder of nature.Culture & sightseeing: Uchisar citadel, Goreme open air museum & red valleyAfter having breakfast we drive Uchisar village where we visit the high viewpoint known as “the fortress”. Many rooms hollowed out into the Rock, are connected to each other with stairs, tunnels and passages. The top of the Citadel provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. Afterwards we drive to Goreme open air museum; one of the most beautiful valleys in Cappadocia. The Christian people at the heart of the Cappadocia realized that the soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches and monasteries. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post iconoclastic period. The frescoes inside the Goreme open air museum are a unique artistic achievement from this period. Our last visit takes us to red valley area, another beautiful valley in Cappadocia with spectacular formations and colours, full with old cave houses, complexes and hidden churches from the old Christian civilization. Although it is not definite, the common believe is that most of the churches and complexes carved out of the cliff face date back to the 8th and 9th centuries and its decorative reliefs and frescoes added in the 10th and 11th centuries.Optional activity: Turkish bath (Hamam)In the afternoon it is possible to visit a traditional Turkish bath, better known as Hamam, combines the functionality and the structural elements of its predecessors in Anatolia, the Roman thermal and eastern Roman baths. In Turkish culture it stands for far more than getting a leisurely bath, it is a special place of relaxation designed to regenerate body and mind.ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 5
Cappadocia to Ihlara valley & Selime monastery via Derinkuyu underground cityEasy hiking, culture & sightseeing: Derinkuyu underground city to Ihlara valley, Selime monastery and GuzelyurtAfter breakfast we drive to Ihlara; on route take time to visit incredible underground city of Derinkuyu, opened to visitors in 1965. The city is approximately 85m deep, but only 10 % can be visited, and contains all of the usual rooms found in an underground city, stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches and wineries. Apart from these, a large room with a barrel vaulted ceiling on the second floor served as a missionary school, the rooms to the left used as study rooms. Our hike we start in famous Ihlara valley, a 14 km long canyon with hundreds of rock cut rooms and churches. This valley proved to be an ideal place for Monks to worship in seclusion, as well as provide a safe hideaway and place of defense for people during times of invasion. There are numerous dwellings, some of which are connected by tunnels and corridors. The decorations in the churches date from the 6th to the 13th centuries. After having lunch in Belisirma village we continue our walk to Selime where we visit Selime monastery, a visit to this complex of buildings on a steep mountain slope is a must in the region. In the late afternoon, on our way back to Cappadocia, we also visit Guzelyurt village, formerly Gelveri, an area of great natural beauty and an important place in the history of Christianity.Walking time: 2 h; walking distance: 6 km (Ihlara to Belisirma)Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 95 km (Cappadocia to Ihlara via Derinkuyu / one way)ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 6
World heritage CappadociaCity tours & time at leisure: visit Urgup & GoremeWe start our final day with a visit to Goreme village, designated as an important tourist destination; a "center" for all tourism in Cappadocia. Afterwards we drive to Urgup too, one of the most important places in Cappadocia, known for its famous wines and pleasant cafes.In Urgup and Goreme we take time to relax a while and to taste a traditional cup of Turkish tea before we explore the centers of these famous cities (villages), with their small shops and pleasant cafes, on our own way.Optional activity: Turkish night showIn the evening it is possible to visit a Turkish night show; the show begins with a short version of Dervish Sema (Mevlana) ceremony. Afterwards folk dancers in traditional costumes will show you dances from different parts of Turkey, including the famous ‘bride and groom’ and the highlight of the night, the belly dance show, a perfect finish to a great holiday.ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 7
Via Caravanserai of Sultan Hani, Konya & Mevlana museum to AntalyaToday we drive to Antalya, on our way we take a stop at the caravanserai of Sultan Hani, the largest caravanserai of the country and a hostel for caravans during 13th Century. Sultan Hani is one of the most magnificent Seljuk caravanserais and was built by Sultan Aladdin Keykubat. In the afternoon we arrive in Konya, capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum from 1097 to 1243. Konya reached the height of its wealth and influence in the second half of the 12th century when Sultan Kayqubad I. fortified the town and built a palace on top of the citadel. In Konya we visit Mevlana museum; the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Sufi mystic also known as Mevlana or Rumi. It was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes, who had a prolific impact throughout the Ottoman Empire in classical poetry, calligraphy, visual arts and music. In the late afternoon/early evening we arrive in Antalya and continue to our hotel located in the old city centre, known as Kaleici. It is uncertain when the site of the current city was first inhabited. Attalos II, king of Pergamon, was believed to have founded the city around 150 BC, but excavations have uncovered remains dating to the 3rd century BC, suggesting that the city was founded earlier than previously supposed. The city grew and prospered during the ancient roman period and today includes sites with traces of Lycian, Pamphylian, Hellenistic -but mainly Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman-architecture and cultures.Transfer time: 8 - 9 h; transfer distance: 580 km (Cappadocia to Antalya via Konya & Mevlana Museum)ON: in Antalya city centre at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 8
Antalya to Kas via ancient Phaselis & MyraToday we leave Antalya and drive to Kas, on the way we visit Phaselis first, an ancient Greek and roman city with three harbours. Through the middle of the city runs a 24m wide ancient street. The 'Hadrian waterway gate' is on the southern part of the street with ruins of shops and stores on the sides and near these are ruins of public places such as roman baths, agora and theatres. On our way to Kas we also visit Myra; according to Strabo one of the largest towns of the Lycian alliance; the ancient city consist an impressive necropolis including tombs of rulers and family members and a large Roman amphitheatre. In the afternoon we arrive in Kas, a small fishing, yachting and tourist town; a quiet pleasant place with its blue sea and narrow streets scented with jasmine flowers and with plenty of little quiet cafes to relax.Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 190 km (Antalya – Kas via Myra & Phaselis)ON: in Kas at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 9
Ucagiz/Kekova tour by boat, Simena castle & sunken city - Kas at leisureIn the morning we drive to Ucagiz/Kekova area, a great place for the coastal scenery as well as for the archaeological sites well preserved because they are not easily accessible. A pleasant excursion by boat is the best way to see the ruins on the northern coast of Kekova island, some of the old houses were completely submerged due to earthquakes during the Byzantine period. By boat, we go round the island, where you can see remains down to 2 meters deep, in the bluish light on the seabed. We walk up to the Simena castle rewarding us with a view all around, and on numerous rock tombs. You will fully appreciate this day with a stroll on the Tersane Island. In the afternoon we return to Kas where the rest of the day is at Leisure to explore Kas on your own way.Transfer time: 40 min.; transfer distance: 35 km (Kas to Ucagiz/Kekova)ON: in Kas at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 10
Kas to Fethiye via ancient Patara, Kayakoy (Karmilassos) & Oludeniz lagoonWe leave Kas in the morning and drive to Fethiye; visit ancient Patara on our way, a flourishing maritime and commercial city on the south-west coast of Lycia on the Mediterranean coast. Possessing a natural harbour, Patara was said to have been founded by Patarus, a son of Apollo. Ancient writers mentioned Patara as one of the principal cities of Lycia; it was Lycia's primary seaport and a leading city of the Lycian league. Over a cobbled road we also walk to the sandy beach of Patara. With its gorgeous landscape, unspoilt Patara is one of Turkey’s longest beaches. As part of a national park, it is a key biodiversity area, rich in birdlife and the breeding ground of the endangered loggerhead turtle (caretta caretta). In the early afternoon we arrive in Kayakoy, originally named “Karmilassos”; described by the UNESCO as a world friendship and peace village. Here we start our first walk and climb up to the ruins of the old Greek village given up at the end of the World War I. Today this timeless place, set in a lush valley surrounded by forests and with some vineyards nearby, is known as a kind of ghost town. We will walk through its empty streets, along its ruined stone houses and take time to visit one of its admirable churches, whilst enjoying the village’s air of mystery and surreal atmosphere. For those who want it is possible to go on a trek following a forest path which offers a splendid panorama on the limpid turquoise water splits and leads directly down to the Oludeniz lagoonWalking time: 2 - 3 h; walking distance: 6 km; ascent: 200m; descent: 300mOludeniz lagoon is one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean. The amazing lagoon with its secluded sandy bay is a national nature reserve and building is strictly prohibited. Famous for its shades of turquoise and aquamarine, Oludeniz is an official blue flag beach and frequently rated among the top five beaches in the world by travellers and tourism journals alike. In the late afternoon, after spending some time at leisure at the beach, we drive to our overnight accommodation in Fethiye.Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 110 km; (Kas – Fethiye)ON: in Fethiye at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 11
Fethiye to ancient ruins of AphrodisiasIn the morning we leave Fethiye and drive to Pamukkale, on our way take time to visit ancient site of Aphrodisias, named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. The city was built near a marble quarry that was extensively exploited in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The wealth of the city came from the marble quarries and the art produced by its sculptors. The city streets are arranged around several large civic structures, which include temples, a theatre, an agora and two bath complexes. In the late afternoon we arrive in Pamukkale where we spend the night at the hotel.Transfer time: 4 h; transfer distance: 340 km (Fethiye – Pamukkale via Aphrodisias)ON: in Pamukkale at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 12
Via Pamukkale travertine terraces & ancient Hierapolis to SelcukAfter breakfast we visit the famous travertine terraces and the ancient site of Hierapolis. Pamukkale has the meaning "cotton castle" and is one of the most remarkable natural sites with its cotton white plateaus, pale blue waters topping of the shallow pools and gently cascading down the drape-like stalagmites onto the lower levels for over 300 feet. The city contains hot springs and travertine, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the hot springs have been used as a spa since the 2nd century BC; people came to soothe their ailments, with many of them retiring or dying here. The large necropolis is filled with sarcophagi, including the sarcophagus of Marcus Aurelius. Parts of the archaeological site of Hierapolis are the great bathes, which were constructed with huge stone blocks without the use of cement and consisted of various closed or open sections linked together. In the late afternoon we arrive in Selcuk where we spend the night at the hotel.Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 190 km (Pamukkale – Selcuk)ON: in Selcuk at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 13
House of Virgin Mary & ancient EphesusAfter breakfast we first visit the house of Virgin Mary. The Roman Catholic Church has never pronounced on the authenticity of the house for lack of acceptable evidence, but nevertheless maintains a steady flow of pilgrimage since its discovery. Catholic pilgrims visit the house based on the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption. Afterwards we drive to nearby ancient city of Ephesus, one of the former twelve cities of the Ionian league during the classical Greek era and home to one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the book of revelation. In the Roman period it was for many years the second largest city of the Roman Empire, ranking behind Rome. Ephesus contains the largest collection of roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. Only an estimated 15 % has been excavated. The ruins that are visible give some idea of the city's original splendour and the names associated with the ruins are evocative of its former life. During our visit we also head over to Ephesus terrace houses, located on the hill opposite the Hadrian temple. Also called as "the houses of rich", these houses, with amazing mosaics and frescos, are covered with protective roofing which resembles Roman mansions. In the late afternoon it is possible to have a short walk to the old city centre, famous for its traditional Turkish culture and lifestyle. The old quarter of the town, known as Ayasoluk hill, dominates the surrounding area with several historical buildings on its slopes, including the Isa Bey mosque, the grand fortress and the 6th century Basilica of St. John the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. We conclude the day with a traditional cup of Turkish coffee before we return to our hotel.ON: in Selcuk at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 14
Trip concludes at Izmir airportAfter breakfast; transfer to Izmir airport where the trip concludes.Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 60 km; (Selcuk to Izmir airport)Meals: B / - / -
Inclusions
- All transfers and transportations with private vehicles to the places stated in the itinerary
Days 1 & 3: one/one way arrival/departure transfer from/to Istanbul Int. airport/hotel in Sultanahmet-Sirkeci
Day 14: one/one way departure transfer from/to hotel in Selcuk/Izmir airport - Demavend Travel English speaking tour leader
- Hotel accommodations, in standard rooms on double/twin share base
Service: bed & breakfast (BB) and half board (HB) / Important: HB dinner service available until 20:30/21:00 h - 13 x breakfast / 11 x lunch / 11 x dinner
- Day 9: Ucagiz/Kekova tour by boat (approximately 3 h) with lunch on board
- All international and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- All kind of extra transports & transfers other than stated in the itinerary / extra arrival/departure transfers
- All kind of entrance fees for historical and natural sites
- All kind of optional activities
- Meals other than stated the itinerary
- All kind of soft and alcoholic drinks, bottled water, tea & coffee
- All kind of personal expenses
- Extra nights & single supplements / accommodation upgrades
- Personal equipment
- Tips