Best Turkey Tour

Today, as you arrive at Istanbul Airport by flight booked by yourself, our local representative will pick you up on time. After greeting you warmly, he or she will transfer you to the hotel to settle down. The rest of the day will be left for you to recover from jet lag. If you feel fine, it would be a good choice to take a stroll in the neighborhood. The hotel we carefully select for you is located in the old city area of Istanbul, so you can easily learn some first-hand knowledge of this city with a history of more than 2,600 years. 

Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4 stars) or similar

The guided sightseeing in Turkey will officially begin today in the historical area of Istanbul, which is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. The first stop we will visit will be Topkapi Palace, the official residence for the Sultans of Ottoman Empire from 1465 to 1853. It consists of four courtyards. The 4th courtyard is the most scenic; located on the most eastern part of the whole palace, it’s also one of the best points to have a bird’s eye view of the Bosphorus Strait, the division line of Europe and Asia. Then the guide will lead you to visit the Hippodrome Square and the nearby Blue Mosque. Hippodrome Square was where the chariots races were held in ancient times. Presently, it is more like an open-air museum preserving the Obelisk brought from Egypt, the Serpent Column brought from Greece and a German pavilion built to memorize the visit of German Emperor, etc. The Blue Mosque is named so because it is decorated by over 20,000 blue and white İznik tiles inside; this round-roof building is also a landmark of the city.

In the afternoon, continue to visit Hagia Sophia Museum, a mosque representative in the Byzantine period of Turkey. After, spend the rest time of this afternoon at the bustling shopping mart, Grand Bazaar. Dated to 1461, it is one of the world’s oldest markets. The commodities here mainly include jewelry, candies, lights, porcelains and carpets. 

After today's sightseeing, the guide will escort you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4 stars) or similar

Today’s cruise on Bosphorus Strait will last for about 2 hours, during which you will see Golden Horn, Dolmabahce Palace and the famous Bosphorus Bridge, as well as the Topkapi Palace on the banks. It is a great way to admire the city where Europe and Asia meet from another perspective.

Later according to the flight time, we will send you to Istanbul Airport and help you board the flight to Izmir. On arrival, transfer you to the hotel in Kusadasi to settle down. The rest of the day will be left for you to explore the lovely small town along Aegean Sea.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel By Karaaslan Inn (4 stars) or similar

Ephesus is about half an hour’s drive away from Kusadasi. Built in 10th century BC, it was initially a Greek city and later in a long time, the second largest city of Roman Empire only after Rome, dwelled by 250,000 people. It fell in the 15th century, only leaving some relics telling its past prosperity. In 2015, it was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. 

There, you will see quite a lot historical sites, such as Temple of Hadrian, Celsus Library, Roman Baths and Grand Theater. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to visit Artemis Temple. It is one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. Sadly, only a column stands there nowadays, surrounded by some rocky ruins. Then, we'll pay a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where Virgin Mary spent her last time of life. When today's visits end, transfer you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel By Karaaslan Inn (4 stars) or similar

Today, our trip will be extended to Cappadocia, which is rich in architecture carved in rocks and featured by landscapes similar to the moon surface. Before that, please enjoy the breakfast at the hotel. Then our driver will pick you up and send you to Izmir airport for you to take the flight to Cappadocia. If the direct flight is not available, we'll help you to transfer in Istanbul. Upon arrival, our local driver will be waiting for you at the exit of the airport, holding a welcome board with your name on, and send you to the luxury 5 star Kayakapi Premium Caves Hotel. The rest of the day is for your own plan. 

After check-in, you may have a stroll in the hotel at first, which is rebuilt on the cave houses. Located on a cliff, you can also overlook the surroundings from the hotel. Besides, Hot Air Balloon is available in Cappadocia. If you wish to have fun on it, please let us know in advance as seats are limited. We will be glad to make a reservation for you.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hera Cave or similar

Today, our local guide will accompany you to explore the northern Cappadocia. The first stop will be Goreme Open Air Museum, which is a UNESCO World Cultural and Landscape Heritage with nearly 1,000 cave churches and monasteries. They had been dwelled by Christians for over 1,000 years. Inside, you can still find many delicate frescoes. Then, we will go to Pasabag, also called Monks Valley, to see the interesting rock formations looking like mushrooms and fairy chimneys. 

In the afternoon, drive through the Imagination Valley to visit the Devrent Valley, where many natural rocks in animal shapes lie. At last, on the way back to the hotel, we will pass through Love Valley for you to admire the incredible night views of Cappadocia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hera Cave or similar

After breakfast in hotel, the southern Cappadocia tour will begin with the visit to the Derinkuyu Underground City, one of the deepest underground cities of Cappadocia which can accommodate as many as 20,000 people. The second stop of today will be the beautiful Lhlara Valley. There, the guide will escort you to hike for 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 mi) to explore the small rock-cut churches along the river. Around noon, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in Belisirma, a small village along the Melendiz Stream. 

In the afternoon, we will get to Selime Monastery, the largest rock cathedral in Cappadocia. Pigeon Valley will be our last stop today, where you will have a chance to take the wonderful photos of groups of caves like pigeon nests and unusual wind-erosion landform. 

Finally at the end of the day, you will be transferred to the airport to take the return flight to Istanbul. Arriving in the late evening, our local driver will pick you up and send you to the hotel safely.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4 stars) or similar

According to the schedule of your leaving flight, our driver will transfer you to the airport by the private car. Our best Turkey tour ends here. We hope you have had a memorable journey with Agate Travel! If you are interested in extending your visit in Turkey or plan to visit other world’s destinations, please feel free to contact us any time. We will be very glad to serve you! 

Meals: Breakfast