Istanbul

Istanbul - Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be greeted by your driver and guide. You will be transferred to your hotel, and the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.

Istanbul Bursa

Topkapi Palace - The Topkapı Palace served as the residence of the Ottoman Sultan and the administrative center. It has endured for four centuries and was home to 25 sultans.

Hagia Sophia Mosque - The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, also known as Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi, boasts innovative architecture, a rich history, religious significance, and extraordinary features. It has stood the test of time for centuries and was the largest Eastern Roman Church in Istanbul. Built three times on the same site, it is the world’s oldest and fastest-completed cathedral.

Blue Mosque - The Blue Mosque, known as Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish, is a historic mosque in Istanbul. It is called the Blue Mosque due to the blue tiles that adorn its interior walls.

Bursa - After completing the tour in Istanbul, we will drive to Bursa. Upon arrival in Bursa, the rest of the day is free for leisure.

Bursa Kusadasi

The Great Mosque - The Grand Mosque, or “Ulu Cami,” was constructed by Yıldırım Bayezid between 1396 and 1399. Following the victory at Nicopolis in 1396, Yıldırım Bayezid intended to build 20 masjids in Bursa. However, on the advice of Emir Sultan, his son-in-law and a prominent scholar of the time, he built only one, the Grand Mosque, which features 20 domes.

Tombs of Osman and Orhan - Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, is the namesake of the Ottoman dynasty. After the conquest of Bursa in 1326, Orhan Bey buried his father, Osman Gazi (1258-1326), in a building called “Gümüşlü Kubbe” or the “Silver Dome,” fulfilling his father’s last wish. The structure, originally a Byzantine chapel with a lead-plated dome that shone under the sun, was visible from afar during the siege of Bursa.

Munira Bursa - Experience a variety of Turkish Delights, Saffron, and Cosmetics.

Kusadasi - After visiting sites in Bursa, we will drive to Kusadasi, a journey of approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival in Kusadasi, the rest of the day is free for leisure.

Ephesus Pamukkale

Ancient City of Ephesus - We will explore the city of Ephesus, dating back to the 7th century BC. In Roman times, it was located on the northern slopes of the hills Coressus and Pion, south of the Cayster (Küçükmenderes) River. The river’s silt has since created a fertile plain, pushing the coastline further west.

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - According to tradition, St. Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years in Ephesus. She is believed to have arrived in Ephesus with St. John and lived there until her Assumption (according to Catholic doctrine) or Dormition (according to Orthodox beliefs). The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi in Turkish) remains a site of pilgrimage today.

Selcuk - We will visit a leather factory and attend a fashion show.

Pamukkale Thermal Pools - Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been a renowned destination since Roman times. Enjoy the calcium-rich hot springs and the famous white outdoor pools, soaking in both the healthy waters and historical traditions. Explore the Roman ruins and the Hierapolis museum to uncover the area’s rich history.

Hierapolis & Pamukkale - The calcite-laden waters from springs on a cliff nearly 200 meters high have created an otherworldly landscape at Pamukkale, featuring mineral forests, petrified waterfalls, and terraced basins. In the late 2nd century B.C., the Attalid dynasty, kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. The site includes ruins of baths, temples, and other Greek monuments.

Pamukkale Cappadocia

Denizli - Today, we will visit a textile factory. Denizli is the heart of Turkey’s textile industry due to its cotton farming.

Mevlana Muzesi - The primary reason for visiting Konya, for both Muslims and non-Muslims, is to see this former lodge of the whirling dervishes and the tomb of Celaleddin Rumi (later known as Mevlâna). This site is one of Turkey’s major pilgrimage centers, and its fluted dome of turquoise tiles is a distinctive landmark.

Sultanhani Kervansarayi - The Sultanhan caravanserai was built in 1229 by Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I when Aksaray was a key stop along the Silk Road through Anatolia. After partial destruction by fire, it was restored and expanded in 1278 under sultan Kaykhusraw III.

Urgup - Today marks the longest driving day of our tour, with an 8-hour journey from Pamukkale to Cappadocia.

Cappadocia

Goreme Open-Air Museum - This open-air museum served as a monastery complex in the 10th century.

Pigeon Valley - Pigeon Valley, near Uchisar town, is named for the thousands of pigeon houses carved into the soft tufa since ancient times. It offers spectacular panoramic views of Cappadocia and the dovecotes. The valley is one of the most popular and impressive in Cappadocia.

Uchisar Castle - Uchisar Castle, located in the town of Uchisar, stands as the highest point in Cappadocia. Uchisar is just 5 km from the popular town of Goreme.

Ozkonak Underground City - Cappadocia is full of natural surprises, but its underground cities are the most astonishing. Hidden beneath the region’s unique landscape are 36 underground cities that have provided refuge for Cappadocians for centuries.

Pasabag - Monks Valley offers a chance to see the youngest rock formations in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia Bolu

Lake Tuz - Lake Tuz is Turkey’s second-largest lake, covering 1,665 km2, and one of the world’s largest hypersaline lakes. It is located 105 km northeast of Konya, 150 km south-southeast of Ankara, and 57 km northwest of Aksaray.

Anitkabir - Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the great leader of the Turkish Independence War and the founder of the Turkish Republic, lived a life full of struggles for Turkish freedom and efforts to elevate the Turkish Nation to contemporary civilization. He passed away on 10 November 1938. Atatürk is a significant figure in world history, having modernized Turkey. The idea to build a mausoleum to reflect his greatness and commemorate his principles, reforms, and modernization efforts was a collective desire of the Turkish Nation.

Bolu - Today, we will drive from Cappadocia to Bolu, a journey of 6 hours.

Bolu Istanbul

Camlica Hill - Camlica Hill, the highest point in Istanbul at 267 meters above sea level, offers uninterrupted views of the city’s stunning skyline and the picturesque Golden Horn inlet.

Bosphorus Strait - The Bosphorus is one of the world’s most strategic waterways, connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. It is a flooded valley that follows a 32-kilometer course, varying in width from 730 to 3,300 meters and in depth from 30 to 120 meters. The name Bosphorus comes from a Thracian word, interpreted in Greek as “Ford of the Cow,” from the legend of Io, one of Zeus’s lovers, who swam across the sea here as a cow pursued by flies sent by Hera.

Mısır Çarşısı - The Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar, is the place to stock up on spices, nuts, honeycomb, Turkish delight, dried figs, caviar, and aged Turkish cheese.

Istanbul

Grand Bazaar - Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı in Turkish) is one of the world’s premier shopping destinations and, at 30,700 square meters, the largest covered market globally.

Taksim Square - Taksim is one of Istanbul’s most important tourist areas. Historically, it was a water distribution hub for the city, hence the name Taksim, meaning “distribution.” Located in the heart of Istanbul, Taksim features historical sites with modern touches, adding beauty to the monuments. The commercial markets in Taksim Square and Istiklal Street are bustling with activity, attracting tourists, shoppers, and visitors.

Istanbul Airport - Our tour concludes at either Istanbul or Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

• Hotel accommodation with breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

• Tips to Guide and Driver ( per person 5 dollars per day)
• Entrance fees