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10-Day Turkey Explorer

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Overview

Travel to Turkey on this explorative journey and go deep into history and culture as you hop between the oldest and most fascinating sites in the country.

Starting in Istanbul, you'll explore the essentials sites in the city and get a feel for its electric atmosphere before you venture out into the ancient world, as you enter what was once Mesopotamia. Filled with underground cities, cave dwellings and architectural structures unlike any other, Cappadocia's towns and cities are only to be matched with the space like landscape that surrounds them.

Heading further south, you'll finish your trip in Kusadasi, where you'll find yourself at the centre of Greek and Roman history in Ephesus. The city seems to have found itself at the centre of all important events in history, as told by the excavations that litter this archaeological site.

Your tour finishes on a relaxing note, as you are taken to the hot springs known as the Cotton Castle. The relaxing medicinal baths look like they have been cut from heaven.
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Wellness
Cruising
Hiking & Trekking
Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Istanbul!

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Welcome to Istanbul!

Upon arrival in Istanbul airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel in the city centre. Once settled, you'll be free to explore the city or make use of the hotel facilities.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Yasmak Sultan Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Istanbul Airport to Yasmak Sultan Hotel

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Fatih

Day 2

Guided Tour of Istanbul

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Guided Tour of Istanbul

Today, you'll have a guided day tour of the city, including lunch. Start off with the UNESCO World Heritage-listed, Old Istanbul. Visit the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and the Byzantine Hippodrome, where emperors once saw chariot races. You'll then go to the Hagia Sophia museum, a place of worship for 900 years, and finish the day at the lavishly appointed Topkapi Palace.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Yasmak Sultan Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Istanbul City Tour

    Sultan Ahmed Mosque

    Grand Bazaar

    Hippodrome of Constantinople

    Hagia Sophia

    Topkapi Palace

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Fatih

    Istanbul

Day 3

Bosphorus Cruise

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Bosphorus Cruise

Today's exploration crosses Istanbul's two continents on a Bosphorus cruise. Discover the city spanning two continents on a delightful Bosphorus Cruise. You'll have lunch on the cruise while enjoying views across the water. Visit the bustling Spice Bazaar, Beylerbeyi Palace summer residence of the Sultans, and take in the panoramic views over Istanbul from Camlica Hill.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Yasmak Sultan Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bosphorus Cruise

    Spice Bazaar

    Beylerbeyi Palace

    Camlica Hill

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Fatih

    Turkey

    Istanbul

Day 4

Travel to Mesopotamia

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Travel to Mesopotamia

A full day of travel takes you deep into Mesopotamia. You'll be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Cappadocia, then you'll be greeted and taken to your cave hotel. When you arrive, you'll be free to take a stroll around Cappadocia to stretch your legs after a long day of travel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    CappadociaOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Yasmak Sultan Hotel to Domestic Departures

    Plane from İstanbul to Kayseri Erkilet Airport

    Private Driver from Kayseri Erkilet Airport to MDC CAVE HOTEL CAPPADOCIA

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Fatih

    Ürgüp

    Yeşilhisar

Day 5

North Cappadocia Tour

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North Cappadocia Tour

Explore the beauty of this space-like landscape on a north Cappadocia tour, including the Devrant Valley, famous for its irregularly shaped rock formations, Pashabag known for its 'fairy chimneys', Avanos, and Goreme. During your tour, you'll have lots of opportunities to explore as you introduced to what was Mesopotamia.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hot Air Balloon Ride in CappadociaOptional Activity

    Devrent Valley

    Avanos

    Göreme

    Pashabag Valley

    Esentepe Panoramic Viewpoint

    Uchisar Castle

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ürgüp

    Göreme Belediyesi

    Nevşehir

    Avanos

Day 6

South Cappadocia Tour

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South Cappadocia Tour

You'll start the day by hiking in the Rose Valley. You'll then continue to Cavusin one of the oldest settlements of Cappadocia, the underground city of Kaymakli and Ortahsir, with its unique castle. Later in the afternoon, you'll have some time to enjoy the five-star facilities of your hotel. Relax by the pool with a cocktail from the bar and enjoy the sunset.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Rose Valley

    Çavuşin

    Kaymakli Underground City

    Ortahisar

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ürgüp

    Nevşehir

    Çavuşin

    Kaymakli Underground City

    Ortahisar

Day 7

Travel to Kusadasi

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Travel to Kusadasi

You'll have the day free to explore Cappadocia and perhaps do a little souvenir shopping before boarding your evening flight to Kusadasi. When you arrive, you'll be transported to the city and taken to your hotel. Rest tonight in light of your full day of activities tomorrow.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    LaVista Boutique Hotel & Spa4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    CappadociaOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from MDC CAVE HOTEL CAPPADOCIA to Kayseri Erkilet Airport

    Plane from Kayseri to İzmir

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ürgüp

    Yeşilhisar

    Kusadasi

Day 8

The City of Ephesus

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The City of Ephesus

Absorb yourself in history today as you travel to Turkey's Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, the site of Temple of Artemis and the ancient city of Ephesus. With its well preserved collonaded Arcadian Way, Hadrians Temple, Celsus Library, market and theatre, this archaeological site takes you a step back in time. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the city and stadium where chariot and horse races were once held. You'll finish the day at the last home of the Virgin Mary.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    LaVista Boutique Hotel & Spa4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ephesus Guided Tour

    The Temple of Artemis

    Ephesus

    Library of Celsus

    The Great Theatre of Ephesus

    House of Virgin Mary

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kusadasi

    İzmir

    Selçuk

Day 9

Pamukkale

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Pamukkale

Pamukkale is the centre of a thermal spring with healing properties. Due to the chemical properties in the water, pure white coloured travertine and water terraces have been created on the mountain slope. Visit the travertine and the Ancient City of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. The sacred pool also is one of the highlights of the site; shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins which lie beneath.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    LaVista Boutique Hotel & Spa4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Pamukkale Tour

    Pamukkale

    Hierapolis

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kusadasi

    Pamukkale

    Denizli

Day 10

Departure

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Departure

Take some time in the morning to do any last-minute shopping before being transported to the airport in time for your flight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Kuşadası to Izmir Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kusadasi

Included in Price

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • 29 activities
  • 9 breakfasts and 6 lunches
  • Airport transfer
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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