Day 1: Depart from the USA
Depart from the USA for Istanbul.
Hotel: On the flight
Day 2: Arrive in Cappadocia(NAV/ASR)
Upon arrival at Istanbul International Airport. Then fly to Cappadocia, and transfer to the hotel with our receptionist’s assistance. The hotel check-in time is after 2 pm. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Yunak Evleri Cappadocia or similar
Day 3: Cappadocia
After breakfast, visit Goreme Open Air Museum, which is known for the knowledge and thought of Cappadocia and one of the most special places with its monastery which lives for years. The story of the valley started in the 4th century AD, in the early Christian periods, and was the center of the education and training system until the 13th Century. Visit the beautiful Uchisar Castle and Pigeon Valley from the outside, the rocks everywhere are covered with dense pigeon holes. The ancient trees above the valley are covered with the amulet “Blue Eyes” which is popular among Turks. Afterward, visit the Kaymakli Underground City. It is the biggest and deepest underground settlement in the Cappadocia region and is carved from soft volcanic stone that is connected with each other by narrow tunnels. Visitors may visit stalls, stables, stores, refectories, churches, wineries, kitchens, and the other sections. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Yunak Evleri Cappadocia or similar
Day 4: Cappadocia-Konya-Antalya
After breakfast, transfer to Konya and visit the Mevlana Museum, located in Konya, Turkey, which is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic. It was also the dervish lodge (tekke) of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. Sultanhan caravanserai is one of the most significant tourist attractions in central Anatolia, and also the largest and best preserved Seljuk caravanserai in Turkey. which is an important point on the ancient Silk Road. Then, visit the ancient city of Aspendos. A number of ancient structures survive today, including the nymphaeum, basilica, and agora, the architectural jewel of Aspendos is its theater, widely considered the best-preserved ancient theater in the world. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel the Marmara or similar
Day 5: Antalya-Pamukkale
After breakfast, enjoy yourself in Antalya City. Afternoon, transfer to Denizli, and visit Pamukkale, the Turkish name refers to the surface of the shimmering, snow-white limestone, shaped over millennia by calcite-rich springs. Then, transfer to Hierapolis ruins. The name Hierapolis also means the sacred city, containing the Temple of Oktokonus set in a square area, the theatre with reliefs depicting the mythology of Apollo and Artemis, the Frontinus Street, the Agora, the ruins of Basilica and etc. Stay at a local spa hotel tonight. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Lycus River Thermal or similar
Day 6: Pamukkale-Kusadasi
After breakfast, transfer to Kusadasi. Then, visit Sirince, on the road up you will see the remains of several Roman aqueducts as the village was an important water source for ancient Ephesus. The lush greenery of the natural setting of Şirince is complemented beautifully by the two-story architecture of the buildings in the village. From afar the village looks like a painting, and its homes are as enchanting from afar as they are from up close. Enjoy your night at a beachfront hotel. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Ramada Kusadasi or similar
Day 7: Kusadasi-Canakkale
After breakfast, visit Ephesus, once, the trade center of the ancient world, a religious center of early Christianity, and today, it is an important tourist center in Turkey. Then, come to the House of Virgin Mary. The shrine of the Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Later on, transfer to Canakkale and visit Troy Ancient City. The Troy Ancient City and Alexandria Troas Ruins have hosted many civilizations. Travel through time in these lands and witness unique finds. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Parion or similar
Day 8: Canakkale-Istanbul
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul. Visit the Topkapi Palace which is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. Then, visit the Golden Horn by bus to enjoy the charm of Istanbul. The name “Golden Horn” derives from its color during sunset. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Pullman Istanbul or similar
Day 9: Istanbul
After breakfast, visit the Sultan Ahmet Camii, which is definitely a must-see regardless of how much time you have in the city. Next, you will visit one of Istanbul’s most renowned structures, the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. A stay in Istanbul is not complete without a traditional and unforgettable boat excursion up the Bosphorus. Then, visit the Grand Bazaar. It is the historic center of shopping and commerce in the city. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Pullman Istanbul or similar
Day 10: Leave Istanbul(IST)
Transfer to airport and fly back home. (B)
* Travelers must hold a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure or a vaccination certificate showing full vaccination and a travel insurance cover for COVID-19.
* Turkey is a country where tipping is popular. Generally, it is recommended to give about 1 dollar or 10 lira at a time to restaurant waiters, baggage porters, room attendants, etc..
* Our group provides assistance regarding PCR Tests: for flight back to USA/Canada (the expenses need be paid extra, each time around $50/pp).
* We reserve the right to change our tour itineraries depending on the local government’s COVID-19 safety policies.
Day 1: Depart from the USA
Depart from the USA for Istanbul.
Hotel: On the flight
Day 2: Arrive in Cappadocia(NAV/ASR)
Upon arrival at Istanbul International Airport. Then fly to Cappadocia, and transfer to the hotel with our receptionist’s assistance. The hotel check-in time is after 2 pm. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Yunak Evleri Cappadocia or similar
Day 3: Cappadocia
After breakfast, visit Goreme Open Air Museum, which is known for the knowledge and thought of Cappadocia and one of the most special places with its monastery which lives for years. The story of the valley started in the 4th century AD, in the early Christian periods, and was the center of the education and training system until the 13th Century. Visit the beautiful Uchisar Castle and Pigeon Valley from the outside, the rocks everywhere are covered with dense pigeon holes. The ancient trees above the valley are covered with the amulet “Blue Eyes” which is popular among Turks. Afterward, visit the Kaymakli Underground City. It is the biggest and deepest underground settlement in the Cappadocia region and is carved from soft volcanic stone that is connected with each other by narrow tunnels. Visitors may visit stalls, stables, stores, refectories, churches, wineries, kitchens, and the other sections. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Yunak Evleri Cappadocia or similar
Day 4: Cappadocia-Konya-Antalya
After breakfast, transfer to Konya and visit the Mevlana Museum, located in Konya, Turkey, which is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic. It was also the dervish lodge (tekke) of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. Sultanhan caravanserai is one of the most significant tourist attractions in central Anatolia, and also the largest and best preserved Seljuk caravanserai in Turkey. which is an important point on the ancient Silk Road. Then, visit the ancient city of Aspendos. A number of ancient structures survive today, including the nymphaeum, basilica, and agora, the architectural jewel of Aspendos is its theater, widely considered the best-preserved ancient theater in the world. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel the Marmara or similar
Day 5: Antalya-Pamukkale
After breakfast, enjoy yourself in Antalya City. Afternoon, transfer to Denizli, and visit Pamukkale, the Turkish name refers to the surface of the shimmering, snow-white limestone, shaped over millennia by calcite-rich springs. Then, transfer to Hierapolis ruins. The name Hierapolis also means the sacred city, containing the Temple of Oktokonus set in a square area, the theatre with reliefs depicting the mythology of Apollo and Artemis, the Frontinus Street, the Agora, the ruins of Basilica and etc. Stay at a local spa hotel tonight. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Lycus River Thermal or similar
Day 6: Pamukkale-Kusadasi
After breakfast, transfer to Kusadasi. Then, visit Sirince, on the road up you will see the remains of several Roman aqueducts as the village was an important water source for ancient Ephesus. The lush greenery of the natural setting of Şirince is complemented beautifully by the two-story architecture of the buildings in the village. From afar the village looks like a painting, and its homes are as enchanting from afar as they are from up close. Enjoy your night at a beachfront hotel. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Ramada Kusadasi or similar
Day 7: Kusadasi-Canakkale
After breakfast, visit Ephesus, once, the trade center of the ancient world, a religious center of early Christianity, and today, it is an important tourist center in Turkey. Then, come to the House of Virgin Mary. The shrine of the Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Later on, transfer to Canakkale and visit Troy Ancient City. The Troy Ancient City and Alexandria Troas Ruins have hosted many civilizations. Travel through time in these lands and witness unique finds. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Parion or similar
Day 8: Canakkale-Istanbul
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul. Visit the Topkapi Palace which is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. Then, visit the Golden Horn by bus to enjoy the charm of Istanbul. The name “Golden Horn” derives from its color during sunset. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Pullman Istanbul or similar
Day 9: Istanbul
After breakfast, visit the Sultan Ahmet Camii, which is definitely a must-see regardless of how much time you have in the city. Next, you will visit one of Istanbul’s most renowned structures, the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. A stay in Istanbul is not complete without a traditional and unforgettable boat excursion up the Bosphorus. Then, visit the Grand Bazaar. It is the historic center of shopping and commerce in the city. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Hotel Pullman Istanbul or similar
Day 10: Leave Istanbul(IST)
Transfer to airport and fly back home. (B)
* Travelers must hold a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure or a vaccination certificate showing full vaccination and a travel insurance cover for COVID-19.
* Turkey is a country where tipping is popular. Generally, it is recommended to give about 1 dollar or 10 lira at a time to restaurant waiters, baggage porters, room attendants, etc..
* Our group provides assistance regarding PCR Tests: for flight back to USA/Canada (the expenses need be paid extra, each time around $50/pp).
* We reserve the right to change our tour itineraries depending on the local government’s COVID-19 safety policies.