Western Wonders of Turkey in 8 Days with Cappadocia

Welcome to Turkey, Istanbul Airport. Meet with steps2orient staff and transfer to your hotel for your first night. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Open buffet breakfast and local lunch included)
Pick up at 08:30am from your hotel for the full day tour of old Istanbul city.

HIPPODROME, The scene of ancient chariot races, the ancient Hippodrome, with its four monuments; the GERMAN FOUNTAIN OF WILHELM II, the OBELISK OF THEDOSIUS, the bronze SERPENTINE COLUMN and the COLUMN OF CONSTANTINE.

SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 17th century by the architect Mehmet, this is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.

St. SOPHIA This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great, in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time.

GRAND BAZAAR(COVERED MARKET) In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4000 shops with each trade having its own area; the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as hand painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx ware and meerschaum pipers.

LUNCH (Drinks are extra)

LITTLE HAGIA SOPHIA MOSQUE is known as one of the oldest standing churches in Istanbul dating back to 6th century. It’s early domed-basilica architectural plan of famous Hagia Sophia which was applied here first time in the history. Temple is founded by powerful emperor Justinianos whose reign was golden age of Roman Empire and now is used as a mosque since 1497.

TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries, housing an exquisite collection of precious gems, jewellery thrones of sultans, robes worn by the sultans and their families; miniatures, the Holy Mantle; CHABER OF SACRED RELICS.

(Harem is not included in the program and visit is due to extra entrance fee.)

After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Free evening and optional Istanbul evening shows or Bosphorus dinner cruise including traditional Turkish entertainment and dinner. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Open buffet breakfast, local lunch, local dinner included)

After breakfast depart for Bosphorus Cruise tour. Enjoy a magical Istanbul Bosphorus Boat Cruise and Spice Market Tour starting at 08:30.

CITY WALLS The first breach of the walls was by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the second by the cannons and troops of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453.

DRIVE BY BUS TO GOLDEN HORN As a natural and extremely secure harbor, the Golden Horn has played an important role in the development of Istanbul. The inlet separates the European shore into two. It is approximately 8 km long, and the widest part is the entrance from the Bosphorus. Two streams drain into this inlet at its far end.

SPICE BAZAAR (EGYPTIAN BAZAAR) The air here ?s filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

BOAT TRIP ON THE BOSPHORUS An amazing cruise between the two continents, EUROPE and ASIA, along the Bosphorus by the Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi Palaces, wooden villas and mansions up to the Rumeli Fortress.

THE RUMELI FORTRESS (FROM THE SEA) (NO INTERIOR VISIT) Istanbul had been besieged many times before Mehmet the Conqueror took the city in 1453, but it managed to defend itself with the help of the Roman city walls.

Lunch break at the Turkish restaurant.

After the lunch depart for Istanbul Ataturk or Sabiha Gokcen Airport for domestic flight to Pamukkale. Transfer from airport and check in to your hotel in Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale.

(Open buffet breakfast, local lunch, local dinner included)

09:30 Pick up from your hotel and full day Pamukkale Tour starts.

First destination is Karahayit to see Red Spring Water. We will drive to Pamukkale and visit Hierapolis after Karahayit. The highlights of Hierapolis are Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater and Antique Pool. Later we will take some photos from the nicest corners of Pamukkale. Free time for about 60 minutes to explore the natural beauties of Pamukkale. Then meet with the guide, start walking in the middle of travertines from up to down without shoes and socks. We will have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, drive to Kusadasi and overnight.

(Open buffet breakfast, local lunch, local dinner included)

First we will visit Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to Ephesus antique city. Then we will drive to Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights.

In Ephesus we will see, Celcus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan and the Theater. We will have lunch in a local Turkish restaurant and drive to Virgin Mary’s house. This place is discovered by Lazarist priests after a German nun described the house and the mountain as the last residence of Virgin Mary after she had some visions about the place.

16:00 End of the tour. Drive back to your Hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

(Open buffet breakfast, local dinner included)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take a flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

(Open buffet breakfast, local lunch, local dinner included)
Visit Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Drive to Pasabag (Monk's Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles. Drive to the city of Avanos. In the afternoon visit another beautiful open air museum at Goreme where the remains of rock-cut churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Lastly, before returning to your hotel, visit the natural castles at Uchisar. Overnight at Cave Hotel Cappadocia.

(Open buffet breakfast included)
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 steps2orient Turkey Tour.