14 Days Flying Carpet Tour
OVERVIEW
Tour Style : Turkey Tour
Duration : 14 Days / 13 Nights
Highlights : Istanbul - Ephesus - Aspendos - Perge - Antalya - Cappadocia
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Istanbul - Arrival Day
Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour
You will be picked up by our tour guide for a day tour. (If you do not know your departure timee please infrom us)
Tour of "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.
Hagia Sophia, the Church of the Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.
Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.
Hippodrome, center of sportive events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm IIare the monuments decorating the Hippodrome.
Grand Covered Bazaar, most attractive shopping center and the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherware and souvenir. (Art demonstration of handmade Turkish carpets upon request)
Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant. Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Live guide commentary is not allowed in special sections. (Harem is not included in the program) Sultan Tombs, there are five tombs of Ottoman Sultans within the graveyard at Hagia sophia. The ceramic panels are the most beautiful examples of the 16th century with purple, red, green and blue flower motives. Prince robes and a small piece from the Kaaba covers are displayed on the sarcophaguses.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Istanbul to Izmir / Kusadasi
Free Day until the afternoon for your domestic flight to Izmir. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi .
Day 4 - Ephesus Tour
A fully Guided Ephesus Tour starts at 09:00, one of the best preserved ancient ruins in the world. A visit to Ephesus - once the commercial centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. The the Temple of Artemis, once considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The tour of the ruins also includes a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. Overnight in Kusadasi / Ephesus.
Day 5 - Didyma-Miletus-Priene Tour
After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel for a full day tour of Didyma-Miletus-Priene.
The Home of a God. Didyma (or Didim) was not a city but one of the three oracle places. It was a center of the cult of Apollo, the god of divination. Divination was always popular and Temple of Apollo had been a very important place for the Paganist people until Christianity gave a fatal blow to paganism. The Apollo Temple is unquestionably one of the most impressive temples of the ancient world. It measured 118 meters by 60 meters with 128 finely decorated columns, some of which are 19.50 meters high.
Miletus was on the seashore in the ancient times. When you arrive at the zone of the ruins, the magnificent theater of the city appears in sight at first. The theater had been constructed during the Hellenistic period and, it acquired its present characteristics by means of the annexes made during the Roman period. The walls of the front facade of the theater, are 140 m long and 30 m high, and are an interesting example of stone workmanship. This theater was large enough to hold 15.000 people, and a fortress was built upon it during the Byzantine period. The theatre, the Faustina Baths, The Harbour Monument and the Ilyas Bey Mosque are the highlights of the site. The remains of the Stadium, Western Agora and the Temple of Athena belonging to the 5th century B.C., are located south of Miletos. The only ancient Turkish work in Miletos is the Mosque of Ilyas Bey. The mosque was built in the year 1404 A.D. and it can be visited today.
The favorite city of Alexander The Great. Priene has one of the best settings of any of the cities of the ancient world. It was established in 350 BC. Being ruled by the Ionians, Lydians and the Persians, the city eventually came under the domain of Alexander the Great. Priene was so beautiful that it became Alexander's favorite place to stay in Asia Minor. After 200 years of Pergamon Kingdom rule, it became first a Roman city and then a Byzantine city. Finally an earthquake and malaria became two major reasons for the end of the city's inhabitation. The Temple of Athena belongs to the 4th century B.C. and it is the work of the architect Pytheos. The temple, with 6 x 11 columns, has dimensions of 19.55 x 37.20 m. The Athena Temple, Parliamentary Building, Fish Market, the Theater and the city walls are the best preserved attractions
Overnight in Kusadasi Ephesus.
Day 6 - Pamukkale Tour
08:30 we depart on our tour of Pamukkale travertine's and the ancient city of Hierapolis. You will visit Domitian Gate, Colonnaded Gate, and Cathedral, Red waters of Karahayit, Lunch, Pamukkale Museum, and The Travertine's of Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 7 - Pamukkale to Antalya
After breakfast depart to Antalya (5 hour drive). Antalya in ancient times it covered all Pamphylia that means "the land of all tribes". Attalia, the ancient name of Antalya, is derived from that of the Pergamon King Attalos II Philadelphus, who founded the city on the Pamphylian seacoast around 150 BC. It is know that it was visited by St. Paul by way of Perge in 46 A.D., that it was an important trading centre in the 2nd century A.D. and that the Emperor Hadrian's visit in 130 A.D. was commemorated with new monuments. Check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to discover Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8 - Antalya Perge Aspendos Tour
After breakfast depart to Antalya (30 minute drive).
Perge : According to the geographer Strabon. Perge has been founded by Akhas who came down here after the Trojan wars. Perge was first mentioned in 334 BC when Alexander the Great passed through here. In the following years, Perge went under the control of Pergamon when the Kingdom of Pergamon became a part of the Roman city. Especially in the first and the second centuries BC, Perge became one of the richest towns in Pamphylia. Therefore it is not a surprising that St. Paul started his campaign in Anatolia from Perge in 46 AD.
After the tour, departure for Aspendos. Lunch break on the way.
Aspendos: The eastern land of Antalya was called Pamphylia in ancient times. Aspendos (Belkis) lies 47 km east of Antalya in the Pamphylian plain. In 486 BC, Greeks and Persians had a great battle here (Greeks won, they didn't stay for long). During the reign of he Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-80 AD) Aspendos got its theatre, which is the best preserved of all. It was built by Romans and maintained by Byzantines and Seljuks. The ruins of the ancient city are extensive and include a stadium, an agora, and a basilica. Dinner at your Hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 9 - Antalya - Cappadocia
After breakfast, we depart for Antalya Airport for our domestic flight to Cappadocia. Transfer from Kayseri airport to your Cave hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore Cappadocia. Overnight in Cave hotel in Cappadocia.
Day 10 - Cappadocia Tour
After breakfast we shall start our Cappadocia tour including Goreme Open Air Museum, Dervent Valley, and Pasabag . After lunch, we will make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like carpet weaving, leather manufacturing and jewellery. Free evening. Overnight in a Cave hotel in Cappadocia.
Before the tour there is an option to go hot air ballooning:
The Hot Air Balloon starts at sunrise and the ride lasts for approximately 45 minutes; in which we will float through valleys, between fairy chimneys and caves. The balloon will rise approximately 1000 feet in which you will experience the extraordinary views Cappadocia has to offer. On landing, champagne will be served to toast arrival. It is a fantastic journey made by the eccentric landscapes and the rising sun.
Day 11 - Cappadocia Tour- Istanbul
After breakfast we head to one of the most interesting sites of Cappadocia: Kaymakli . The Christians hid from the armies of Rome and the raids of hostile tribes in these self sufficient cities in which there were halls for stocks of crop, barns, rooms, kitchens & ventilation channels. The second part of our Cappadocia Tour will include Uchisar Castle, Avcilar, and Pigeon Valley . Overnight in a Cave Hotel in Cappadocia.
Day 12 - Cappadocia to Istanbul
After breakfast you will have free time shoping in Cappadocia. Evening we depart for Kayseri Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul. Transfer from Kayseri airport to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 13 - Istanbul
BOSPHORUS Boat Cruise A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Çiragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortaköy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortaköy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. BEYLERBEYI PALACE The summer residence of ottoman sultans whit its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian. BOSPHORUS BRIDGE unique change to step from one continent (Asia) to another ( Europe) CAMLICA HILL the highest point in Istanbul. at the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style. Possibility to see jewellery, handicrafts centre and leatherware show. Free time provided for shopping. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 14 - Istanbul - End of Tour
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another tour with us.
End o your service
GENERAL NFORMATION
What is included :
- Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
- Domestic flights from Istanbul to Izmir
- Domestic flights from Izmir to Antalya
- Domestic flights from Antalya to Cappadocia
- Domestic flights from Cappadocia to Istanbul
- 4 nights hotel in Istanbul
- 3 nights hotel in Kusadasi
- 1 night hotel in Pamukkale
- 2 nights hotel in Antalya
- 3 nights hotel in Cappadocia
- 1 Full Day Istanbul city tour
- 1 Full Day Istanbul Bosphorus cruise
- 1 Full Day Ephesus tour
- 1 Full Day Didyma-Miletus-Priene Tour
- 1 Full Day Pamukkale tour
- 1 Full Day Antalya tour
- 2 Full Day Cappadocia tour
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
- Professional English-speaking tour guides
- Return airport transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Tour Price Does Not Includes;
- Beverages.
- Personal expenses.
- Tip to driver and tour guide.
- Anything unless specified being included.
Transportation Method: Modern clean cars. According to your group size it can be a car, or a van. We like to organize small size group tours. This big groups like more than 30 people we organize more than one guides and more buses.
Ideal size for us is 1 to 16 people.
Dates and Times: All around the year
Meet up location: Your hotel or Union Station (or other convenient location). Will be waiting you with board written your name on it at the time of arrangement or meet at the hotel lobby.
End location: Depending on the tour, your hotel or near one of the downtown Metro stops or taxi stands -- convenient for relaxing with dinner or drinks before going back to the hotel.
Duration: 14 Days - 13 Nights
Attention Please: According to museums crowd, daily city tours might take around 1 hour longer or lesser.
Accommodation Information : The price of the tour included at least three star hotel standards. Some of our hotels are boutique hotels which is specially chosen for you to make your travel enjoyable and make you observe and feel the culture better. Here is some examples we choose for you; Cave hotels in Cappadocia, Tree Houses in Olympos, Village Houses in Safranbolu.
