Turkish Express

Day 1 Sat: Istanbul | Arrival and transfer to hotel. Welcome briefing will be held.

Day 2 Sun: Istanbul | Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding Harem).

Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the center of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Your last stop St Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, still inhibited as a mosque in the present day and one of the world's greatest architectural wonders. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. B 

Day 3 Mon: Istanbul – Ankara | This morning depart on an optional tour of cruise along Bosphorus cruise enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighborhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants and cafés. The tour will be ended in Asia side and drive for the capital city of Ankara for overnight. B D

Day 4 Tue: Ankara – Cappadocia | Morning departure to view Hittite artifacts at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, father of modern Turkey. Visit the underground city of Sarhatli. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravan inn en route. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. Overnight in Cappadocia. B D

Day 5 Wed: Cappadocia | Early Morning Optional: Hot Air Balloon Tour. Experience of floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves with the sunrise of Cappadocia. After breakfast, visit Goreme, Avanos, Pasabagi, Red Valley, and have a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. Visit the underground city of Sarhatli. B D

Day 6 Thu: Cappadocia – Pamukkale | Drive to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. B D

Day 7 Fri: Pamukkale – Izmir | Today is the day to pay an early morning visit to the unique Cotton Fortress, the white calcium cascades, and also pay a visit to one of the first modern spa centers of the ancient world, Hiearapolis. Then we drive to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. B D

Day 8 Sat: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House – Izmir | Full day tour of the famous ruins of Ephesus and St. Mary’s Cottage. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. Afternoon Optional: tour of Sirince. B D

Day 9 Sun: Izmir | Return transfer to pier. B

Price Includes

- First Class hotels with private facilities

- Meals are indicated on itineraries by B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner

- Licensed guides throughout Turkey

- Private air-conditioned transportation

- Luggage handling

- Local taxes and service charges

- Arrival/departure transfers: only on arrival and departure days (arrivals and departure from/to Istanbul Airport). Pre or post stay transfers are not included

Price Excludes

- Personal expenses

- Optional tours

- Customary tips to guide and drivers