9-Day Historical and Cultural Discovery in Turkey | La Vacanza Travel

9-Day Historical and Cultural Discovery in Turkey

Duration: 9 days
Destination: Turkiye, Turkiye, Istanbul
from
5715.16

Check Availability

  • 9 days
  • Istanbul
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

Start your 9-day Turkey tour from vibrant Istanbul to admire the exquisite Blue Mosque and dive into Spice Bazaar to be a "local", explore glories of ancient Greek and Roman by strolling through numerous of the ruins of Ephesus, relax in the hot spring of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle, and experience a hot air balloon flight in the enchanting Cappadocia.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Pick-up

Stop At: Istanbul, Istanbul
Upon your arrival in Istanbul airport, a local representative will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. After check in, please take a good rest and get ready for your adventure in Turkey!
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Yasmak Sultan (4 stars) or similar

Day 2: Istanbul Old City tour

Stop At: Istanbul, Istanbul
Today, your local guide will show you around the old city area. Firstly, visit the Blue Mosque, a Byzantium style building with round roofs and 6 minarets.

Then visit Hippodrome from the Roman Period. It is a square where many important monuments and buildings stand on or around, including the Knitted Obelisk, Serpent Column, a German pavilion and the Blue Mosque.

Afterwards, visit the Hagia Sophia Museum, a rare religious architecture dated to the Byzantium period.

After lunch, go to Topkapi Palace, the imperial palace of Ottoman Sultans for nearly 4 centuries. It is like a small city, made up of courtyards, gardens, libraries, schools, mosques and more. You will also see many treasured porcelains, weapons, paintings, jewelry and more inside.

Turn to Grand Bazaar, one of the largest fairs in the world. It is also a good place to look into the locals’ daily lives.

When today’s visits end, send you back to the hotel.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:


Accommodation included: Yasmak Sultan (4 stars) or similar

Day 3: Bosporus Cruise, Fly to Izmir & Transfer to Kusadasi

Stop At: Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the wharf for a two-hour Bosporus Cruise. It is a great way to enjoy the amazing views of Istanbul. You can see Dolmabahce Palace, Bosporus Bridge, Camlica Hill and many Ottoman-style buildings on two banks of Bosporus Strait during the cruise.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Kusadasi, Kusadasi, Turkish Aegean Coast
After the cruise, send you to the airport and help you check into the afternoon flight to Izmir. On your arrival at Izmir Airport, your local driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel in Kusadasi. The rest of the day will be left for you to explore the beautiful and charming seaside town of Kusadasi.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:


Accommodation included: Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Day 4: Full Day Ephesus Sightseeing

Stop At: Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk 35920 Turkiye
We will drive for about half an hour to visit Ephesus Ancient City after breakfast. It is currently world’s largest and most complete city ruins dated to Roman Empire. You will see Marble Street; Celsus Library, one of the three major libraries in the East Roman era; the Temple of Hadrian, which was named after the Roman Emperor Hadrian with the statue of snake-haired Madusa exquisitely carved on the front of the interior wall; the Trajan Fountain and Great Theater where Saint Paul preached.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ephesus Museum, Selcuk Turkiye
After lunch, continue to visit the Ephesus Archeological Museum, where relics excavated from the Ephesus Ancient City are displayed, among which the most famous is the statue of the Goddess Artemis, who in Greek myth is in charge of hunting, vegetation and childbirth.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Temple of Artemis, Ataturk, Park Ici Yolu No:12, Selcuk Turkiye
After, have a look of Temple of Artemis, which is one of the seven ancient wonders of the world.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House), Sultaniye Mahallesi, Selcuk 35100 Turkiye
Today’s guided sightseeing will be ended at the House of Virgin Mary, where the Virgin Mary spent her last 5 years. At last, escort you back to the hotel.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:


Accommodation included: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Day 5: Drive to Pamukkale, Visit Hierapolis Ancient City

Stop At: Pamukkale, Pamukkale
Today, your guide will accompany you to the next destination, Pamukkale, literally “Cotton Castle”. It is about 2.5 hours’ drive away. There, hot springs gushes out from the 200-meter-high (655 feet) rock and flows down slowly. As the calcium contained in the springs settles year after year, many semi-circle ponds in milky white have been formed layer upon layer, which look from afar like white cottons scattering on the hillside, hence the name “Cotton Castle”. Prepare your swimsuit, because you will have the opportunity to swim in these hot springs pools upon arrival.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Hierapolis & Pamukkale, Pamukkale 20280 Turkiye
In the afternoon, we will go on to visit Hierapolis Ancient City on the mountain top of Pamukkale, where you'll see a large number of cemeteries, beautifully carved Roman stone pillars, amphitheaters and city gates. At the end of the day, send you to the hotel in Pamukkale for overnight stay.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:


Accommodation included: Colossae Thermal Hotel (5 stars) or similar

Day 6: Drive to Konya for a Visit, then to Cappadocia

Stop At: Konya, Konya
Early this morning, we will leave for Konya. After arriving approximately 5 hours later, visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana. Mevlana is the most famous sage of Turkey, who was not only the founder of Whirling Dervishes but also the spiritual leader of Islam. Thus his mausoleum is a holy temple for all Muslim in Turley, too. Then continue to visit Sultanhani Caravanserai, a 13th-century caravan station survived and well protected on the ancient Silk Road.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Cappadocia, Cappadocia
After lunch at a local Turkish restaurant, we'll continue driving to Cappadocia, taking about 2.5 hours on the way. After checking into the hotel and unpacking the luggage on arrival, the rest of the day will be given to you to explore the region featured by moon-like landscapes on your own.

Cappadocia is also one of the best places to ride hot air balloon on the earth. If you want to enjoy it, book a seat in advance as they are limited. We will also be glad to make a reservation for you. Just inform us in advance.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:


Accommodation included: Hera Cave or similar

Day 7: North Cappadocia tour

Stop At: Cappadocia, Cappadocia
After breakfast, we will set off to explore the north Cappadocia. your guide will firstly accompany you to Goreme Open Air Museum with more than 30 churches carved out in rocks, most of which are in Byzantine style with beautiful frescoes.

Then proceed to Avanos, a small town famous for pottery making. The potteries here are made of the clay from the Red River flowing by, very unique.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After, go to the Devrent Valley famous for the lava rocks. There, you will see many peculiar rock formations, among which the most famous is the one shaped like a camel.

Next, go on to Pasabag Monks Valley, where many tall and natural stone pillars like chimneys in the fairy tales stand, hence it is also named Fairy Chimney Valley.

The last stop of today will be the Love Valley, where you can take in the stunning evening views of Cappadocia.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:


Accommodation included: Hera Cave or similar

Day 8: South Cappadocia Tour, Fly to Istanbul

Stop At: Cappadocia, Cappadocia
Today’s tour in south Cappadocia will begin with Uchisar Castle dug out on a 60-meter-high (200 feet) giant rock. It was used as a defensive fortress in ancient times. When invaders came, the dwellers can stay inside for months. Climb to its top, you can overlook the whole Cappadocia.

Then your guide will escort you to hike in the Red Valley noted for many churches carved in the rocks. After about 2 hours hike, arrive at Cavusin Village to visit two well-known churches, namely Great Basilica and Cavusin Church.

After lunch, we'll drive to visit Pigeon Valley rich in caves resembling pigeon nests and Kaymakli Underground City. With a depth of 40 meters (130 feet) and 8 levels, Kaymakli is the largest underground city in Cappadocia once dwelled by about 10,000 people. Going inside, you will find bedrooms, churches, meeting rooms, wells, washing rooms, wineries and more.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Istanbul, Istanbul
At the end of the day, the guide will drop you off at the airport and help you board the flight back to Istanbul.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:


Accommodation included: Yasmak Sultan (4 stars) or similar

Day 9: Departure from Istanbul

Stop At: Istanbul, Istanbul
After breakfast, please check out the hotel before 12:00. Your driver will take you to the airport and see you off there.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:

No accommodation included on this day.

Inclusions
  • Domestic airfares of Istanbul - Izmir, Cappadocia - Istanbul.
  • Service of English speaking guides per itinerary.
  • Private driver & air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel Accommodation based on twin-sharing room
  • Entrance fees for mentioned sights visited.
  • 8x Breakfast
  • 7x Lunch
  • Accommodation included: 8 nights
  • Entry/Admission - The Temple of Artemis
  • Entry/Admission - Hierapolis & Pamukkale
  • Entry/Admission - Ephesus Museum
  • Entry/Admission - Bosphorus Strait
  • Entry/Admission - Ancient City of Ephesus
  • Entry/Admission - Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

Exclusions
  • International flight into and out Istanbul.
  • Turkey Visa Fee
  • Gratuities
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia is available. Please let the operator know in advance if you wish to take it for limited seats.
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered
Pick up all travelers from Istanbul Airport, Turkey.

Airports

  • Istanbul Airport, TayakadIn Terminal Street No. 1, Istanbul 34283 Turkiye


Departure Time

09:00 AM

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

9 days


User's Reviews

JODY K

18 Jan, 2024

Our trip to Turkey was extremely well planned and was seamless. Agate travel did a great job putting together a last-minute trip when our tour of Egypt was canceled. They were very prompt in responding to all emails and accommodating to make any tweaks that we had of the itinerary. We had excellent local guides and accommodations. We were dropped off at picked up on time at every transfer. Even when one of our flights was diverted because of weather, the company was involved every step of the way. I had such a good experience that am planning my next vacation to China with the company. Would recommend Agate without reservation.

VICTORIA A

08 Dec, 2023

The trip was excellent. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable and everything was organized well. Even when we asked to do some changes to the days’ activities; they readily adapted to our needs. This is my second tour with these people and they are great

XavierS23

27 Dec, 2021

Here is our review for the Istanbul portion as we are currently experiencing the rest of this itinerary. Nothing like arriving to Istanbul after a long international flight and have a private transfer waiting for you at the exit to take you to the hotel. Agate chose an excellent Hotel (Hotel Fer) which is centrally located in Istanbul old town and has excellent breakfast. We are very happy with the services of our private guide, Mehmet, who gave us a unique perspective on the historical sites visited. Thanks to his explanations, we understood well the Islamic rituals carried out during prayer at the mosques visited. We also got a very good understands of each site visited by his explanations. Mehmet also took us to try authentic Turkish cuisine as the restaurants we visited were not touristy at all, but places where the locals eat. Our drivers also did a great job I getting us to evening activities and airport transfer on time measuring well the local heavy traffic. Agate’s local travel partner is contacting us daily through WhatsApp to ensure all tours and transfers are proceeding smoothly. Thank you Agate Travel, Serkan, Mehmet, Mustafa, and the other drives for their excellent service. I highly recommend Agate Travel’s Turkey Tours. Will post review for the rest of the itinerary as we complete it.

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