(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis) Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Bodrum
This tour features Turkey's best hotels and most important and diverse locations, including the fascinating city of Istanbul, ancient underground cities in
Cappadocia, impressive ruins, and the whitewashed coastal town of Bodrum.
Begin in Istanbul. During flexible private touring with your own guide and driver, visit sights such as the Aya Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and its Harem, the Rustem Pasha Mosque, an ancient underground cistern, and Istanbul's Spice Market. Shop for carpets and kilim, jewelry, glass, textiles and antiques at the Grand Bazaar and at our favorite boutiques. Enjoy a boat ride on the Bosphorus, the waterway separating old Istanbul from new, Europe from Asia. Also visit Istanbul's most interesting museums, including the Istanbul Modern, and explore the city's most interesting neighborhoods.
Next, fly inland to Cappadocia to explore ancient subterranean cities filled with frescoed churches and cave dwellings in Goreme, Kaymakli and other locations. Also visit a local winery, shops selling the local style of carpets, and a pottery studio. Upon request, hot air balloon rides can be arranged. Accommodation is in a luxury cave-style hotel.
Enjoy a private tour of Ankara, including the superb Anatolian Civilizations Museum, before flying to Izmir. With your expert private guide, tour the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, including the Library of Celsus, the Terrace Houses and Ephesus Museum, as well as the nearby House of the Virgin Mary.
Tour additional ruins (Priene, the first planned city in the ancient world; Miletus, the famous Ionian city; and Didyma, home of the well-preserved Temple of Apollo) en route to Bodrum, an ancient harbor town. Enjoy a private tour of the beautiful whitewashed backsteets, Roman amphitheatre, the Castle of St. Peter and the remains of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. There will also be time to enjoy your beautiful resort.
Finally, fly back to Istanbul for two nights for flexible city touring.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1
Arrive Istanbul
VIP airport assistance. Private transfer to hotel for 3 night stay
Day 2
Istanbul
Full-day private city tour
Day 3
Istanbul
Full-day city tour
Day 4
Istanbul - Cappadocia
Private airport transfer to flight to Cappadocia. Private tour of underground cities and caves
Day 5
Cappadocia
Full-day private tour
Day 6
Cappadocia - Kusadasi
Private tour of Ankara. Afternoon flight to Izmir. Private transfer to Kusadasi for 2 night stay
Day 7
Kusadasi & Ephesus
Private tour of Ephesus
Day 8
Izmir - Bodrum
Private tour of Priene, Miletus and Didyma en route to Bodrum for 3 night stay
Day 9
Bodrum
Half-day private tour
Day 10
Bodrum
At leisure at resort
Day 11
Bodrum - Istanbul
Private transfer to flight to Istanbul. Private transfer to hotel for 2 night stay
Day 12
Istanbul
Half-day city tour
Day 13
Depart Turkey
Private airport transfer
Hotels
Istanbul:
Four Seasons Sultanahmet or Park Hyatt (first stay)
Ciragan Palace
or Four Seasons Bosphorus (second stay)
Cappadocia:
Argos Hotel
Kusadasi:
Kismet Hotel or Korumar Hotel
Bodrum:
Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay or Amanruya (*supplement applies for the Aman resort)
