Best of Turkey Tour

Thanks for joining AgateTravel to explore Turkey. Once you land in Istanbul Airport, our local representative will pick you up with a welcome board and send you to the hotel in downtown. We will then leave the rest time of the day for your own plan. You may take a rest in the room to recover from the long flight, or go out to visit some sites per your preference. 

Activities Suggestion: It is recommended that you pay a visit to Basilica Cistern, about 6-8 minutes walking to the west of the hotel. It was built underground in 532 about 1,500 years ago to store drinking water in case of wars. Inside, you will find many pillars with delicate carvings. After, you may walk westward for about 10 minutes to reach Cemberlitas Hamami to enjoy a traditional Turkish bath. At the end, walk northward for about 5 minutes to return back to the hotel. Tonight, have a good rest, so as to start the escorted sightseeing energetically tomorrow. 

Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan or similar

After breakfast, our local guide will meet you at the hotel lobby. After self-introduction, he or she will accompany you to explore the charming city spanning Europe and Asia. The first stop will be the ancient Hippodrome, which is now a public square, and where several monuments still stand, including the most eye-catching obelisk. Then head to the nearby Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul's landmarks. The origin of its name is because its walls are decorated by more than 20,000 pieces of blue and white İznik tiles. Next, we will visit Hagia Sophia, which is a masterpiece of religious architecture in Turkey that combines Christian and Islamic styles. Its most distinctive part is the big round roof, which is 54.8 meters (179.8 feet) high above the ground and supported by four pillars.

After lunch, we will continue to visit the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Topkapi Palace is the residence of Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853. Initially built in 1459, it has four courtyards and several small buildings. In its fourth courtyard, you can look far into the Bosporus Strait. The Grand Bazaar has 65 streets and houses more than 4,000 shops. There are tea sets, spices, porcelain, carpets, gold and silver ornaments, lamps and lanterns, paper art gadgets and so on. Some shops also serve local Turkish delicacies such as barbecued meat and burritos. Finally after today’s sightseeing, send you back to the hotel. 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan or similar

In the morning, the guide will lead you to the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, where you can buy Turkey's most traditional spices and food. Locals often come here to buy daily goods, so it's a great place to have an in-depth understanding of their daily lives, too. Then we will board a ship to enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, which will last for about 2 hours. The strait bisects Istanbul and comprises a part of the dividing line between Asia and Europe. On the cruise ship, you can see many historical sites along the shore, such as Dolmabahce Palace, the new royal palace for Ottoman Sultans; Ciragan Palace, a palace representative of the late Ottoman Era and now a luxury 5-star hotel; Bosphorus Bridge and many other Ottoman-style buildings. 

After, the driver will transfer you to the airport for you to board the flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, our driver based there will welcome you at the airport and then send you to the cave hotel. After settling down and if time is enough, it is advised you to try hot air balloon ride, which is a quite popular way to overlook Cappadocia among tourists. Just inform us in advance so we can reserve a seat for you successfully. 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hera Cave or similar

There are so many sites worth visiting in Cappadocia, so we will stay here for two days. This day, we will focus on exploring its northern part. 

Cappadocia is famous for lunar-like landscapes and cave buildings. Among various sites in the region, Goreme Open Air Museum, the first stop we are going to visit today, is the best site to appreciate them. The museum houses over 30 rock cave churches decorated with exquisite frescoes and paintings and peculiar rocks formed by the erosion of wind and rain. Next, we will visit Avanos, a small town specializing in making pottery with red clay from Red River; Pasabag Monk Valley boasts rocks shaped like chimneys and hence also named Fairy Chimney Valley; Devrent Valley famous for rocks resembling various animals; and Kizilirmak River, aka Red River, the longest river in Turkey. After the tour, we will transfer you back to the hotel. On the way, stop over at Love Valley to admire the spectacular night views of Cappadocia. Remember to take some pictures, which can be used as desktop pictures.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hera Cave or similar

Today’s south Cappadocia tour will start with Uchisar Castle, which was used as a defensive fortress in ancient times. It is the highest and largest Chimney in the Cappadocia region. Then we'll go to Rose Valley, famous for the land and rocks in red. There, the guide will escort you to enjoy a hiking for about 2 hours. Next, proceed to Cavusin village and Kaymakli Underground City. Kaymakli is the largest underground city in the Cappadocia region. Consisting of 8 layers connected by tunnels, it is like a huge maze with bedrooms, library, churches, meeting rooms and more. It was built by Hitties as early as in 12th century BC and enlarged by Christians in 2nd century BC to escape persecution. At the end of the day, also send you back to the hotel in Cappadocia downtown. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hera Cave or similar

After breakfast, move on to Izmir by flight to continue this Turkey tour. Our driver will send you to the departure airport on time. Please note that direct flights are not available every day. If there is no direct flight, we will help you to transfer in Istanbul. Upon arrival at the Izmir airport, our driver based there will meet you at the exit and then send you to the hotel in the seaside town Kusadasi. During the rest time of the day, you may explore this beautiful coastal town by yourself. It is rich in restaurants and cafes. You may take a seat there to appreciate the scenery while enjoying the delicious food or coffee. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel or similar

At the agreed time, our Ephesus guide will show up on time at the hotel lobby. After briefing today’s itinerary, set out for Temple of Artemis once worshipping Artemis, twin sister of Apollo and the goddess of hunting, chastity, vegetation and childbirth. However, the temple has been destroyed badly, only leaving one stone pillar standing there alone. Then we will go to Ephesus Ancient City, once the largest city of Roman Empire only after Rome. Get ready to be shocked by the “modern” facilities there dated to 2,000 years ago, including civil hall, music hall, theater, hospital, market, public toilet, street lamps and drain. After lunch, we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the last place where the Virgin Mary lived, and Isabey Mosque. After the visit, escort you back to the hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel or similar

Pack your luggage and set out to Pamukkale after breakfast, which is about 2.5 hours’ drive away. Pamukkale, meaning Cotton Castle in Turkish, is a group of terraced white ponds formed by the deposition of the calcium carbonate rich hot springs. Please take your swimsuit as you may have a chance to enjoy a bath in the hot springs or relax in Cleopatra Swimming Pool at extra pay. We will also visit the Hierapolis ancient city nearby, which flourished because the royal and noble families in ancient times used to come here to soak in the hot springs. There, you will see a huge amphitheater and a large number of burial areas because many people chose to spend their last days here. 

After the visit, the driver will send you to the airport for you to take the flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we will offer you the airport-hotel transfer service by a clean private car.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan or similar

Our service will draw to an end after the driver sending you to the airport. If you want to discover more places in Turkey, feel free to contact us and we will be glad to customize the itinerary for you. Hope you will spend a great time in this charming historical country!

Meals: Breakfast