Turkey Highlights 12 Days Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Istanbul

Your private guide will welcome you at the Istanbul Airport and take you to your hotel in the heart of Istanbul. 
You will have time to have your first culinary experience in Turkey before turning in for the night.

Day 2: Istanbul

Today we will meet you at your hotel, and you will first visit the Hagia Sophia to explore its incredible architecture and remarkable story.
Later you will also visit one of the Ottoman Empire’s greatest architectural achievements: the Blue Mosque.
Following a typical Turkish lunch, you will marvel at the Hippodrome and the newly renovated Basilica Cistern.
In the afternoon, you can browse the shops of the Spice market to understand even better how these lands had become the center of the Silk Road before retiring to the hotel for the night.

 Day 3: Istanbul

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you will take off to the neighborhood of Balat, the old Jewish part of İstanbul which has been going through its own gentrification and has much to offer. From Balat, we head to Topkapi Palace! After conquering Constantinople in the 15th Century, the Ottomans built Topkapi Palace. You'll have the opportunity to explore the palace and its treasures, including the hidden chambers of the Imperial Harem.
Typical Turkish Lunch break.
Next, you'll be taken to the largest shopping center in the world, the infamous Covered Bazaar.

Day 4: Istanbul

Today we are starting the day by the Galata, the old Genoese neighborhood. Walking this neighborhood as we stop by little cafes to have some typical Turkish delights on the way toward the Karakoy neighborhood. 
Now one of the most iconic ways to experience this city that divides Europe from Asia, a Bosphorus boat trip to see both continents engulfed by some of the most beautiful landscapes and architecture.
Time allowing either stopping by the Kadikoy neighborhood on the Asian side of İstanbul to experience one of the top restaurants.

Day 5: Istanbul to Cappadocia

Enjoy breakfast in Istanbul and then get ready for your flight to Cappadocia!
A private driver will meet us at your hotel and transfer you to the Istanbul airport for a one-hour flight to Cappadocia.
Your private guide and driver will welcome you to Cappadocia as you exit from baggage claim.
Directly from the airport, your tour will begin with a visit to Uchisar Fortress, OrtaHisar, and Red Valley.
After a day of exploration and travel, you will check in at your hotel and retire for the night.

Day 6: Cappadocia

You may choose to rise today or day 6 before dawn for a hot-air balloon ride over the picturesque Cappadocian valleys. Let us know if you would like to add this additional experience to your tour.
Today, your Cappadocia guide will take you to explore Pasabaglari (Fairy Chimneys), and Zelve Open Air Museum (houses carved in rock, Seljukian Mosque and remains).
Following lunch, continue to Esentepe for a panoramic view of the Goreme Valley, Goreme Open Air Museum (rock-cut churches, frescos, monastery), and Kaymakli Underground City.
Enjoy the incredible views of the Cappadocia landscape and enjoy the hospitality of your hotel in the evening before you retire for the night.

Day 7: Izmir / Alaçati

We will use Izmir as our base for Ephesus. Following the cultural overload of the previous days, we rest at the seaside metropolitan Izmir - the perfect place to immerse yourself in the Turkish seafood culture and rakı.

Day 8: Ephesus

Explore Ephesus with your private guide and private vehicle. Visit the Antique Theatre, the Roman Baths, Arcadian Way, and the Celsus Library.
Enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant, and then head to the Virgin Mary’s shrine and the Basilica of St. John. With time allowing visit the cute village of Şirince.

Day 9: Bodrum

Today we are heading to Bodrum, a city which was called ‘Halicarnassus’ which was the birthplace of Herodotus; the ‘Father of History who lived in the 5th century B.C.
After arriving at our hotel, we will explore the ancient Bodrum castle built by the Knights of St John. The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy this seaside Mediterranean town at leisure.

Day 10: Gulet Trip

Our day starts with a full traditional Turkish breakfast and resumes with us boarding a beautiful Gulet yacht to explore the bays of the Bodrum peninsula. We will leave the crowds of Bodrum behind and enjoy a day of relaxation, adventure, and exclusivity on a private boat tour to take your Turkish trip to a next level. 
Note: We can always arrange to extend your private Gulet trip to a Three-Day to Seven-Day trip.

Day 11: Istanbul

After our breakfast, we will head to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul. Once we check in to our hotel, we will enjoy the rest of the day by having our lunch by Bosphorus, strolling along the ancient city walls, watching the fishermen try their luck with their daily catch, and having Turkish tea by one of the charming cafes by the shores of Bebek or the Çırağan Palace.

Day 12: Departure

Let us personally take you to the airport to wish you a safe journey back home. We are sad to see you leave, but we also that we will be seeing you very soon again.