Biblical Tours / Pearls of Turkey Religious Tour

TOUR DETAILS:

Pearls of Turkey Religious Tour (7 Nights/8 Days)

Key Information:
Tour Duration: 8 nights / 7 days
Days of Operation: Private Tour
Destination's: Turkey
Hotel's Class: 5, 4, 3 Stars Hotel or Tourist Class
Season: All Year
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No

Overnight Places:
4 nights Istanbul, 2 nights Cappadocia, 1 night Izmir.

Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Istanbul.
Arrival at Istanbul airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. A short briefing and Welcome Cocktail in the evening. (D)

Day 2: Istanbul.
Following the breakfast we will drive to the old city where we will visit the Topkapi Palace. Perched on a hill that commands the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn, this vast complex has been the seat of government of the Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852). You will see the Blue Mosque, the Basilica of St. Sophia, the Kariye Museum and the Underground Cistern. We will finish up the day in the bustling Grand Bazaar , with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets and leatherwear. (B/L).

Day 3: Istanbul / Cappadocia.
Early in the morning we will fly to Kayseri for the Cappadocia Valley in the heart of the Anatolian Plateau, and marvel at the twisted lunar landscape. Successive eruptions of a now-extinct volcano left the plateau covered with volcanic tuff, which was transformed by intense erosion into beautiful landscapes of cones, columns, and canyons. Between the 4th and 13th centuries Christians hewed dwellings and sanctuaries from the rock, totally incorporating the architecture into the landscape. (B/D).

Day 4: Cappadocia.
Further exploration today includes the Valley of Fairy Chimneys, Goreme Valley, with its Byzantine rock churches, the city of Zelve and the subterranean city of Kaymakli. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B/D).

Day 5: Cappadocia / Ankara / Izmir.
Following the breakfast we will drive to Ankara , where you'll visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Ankara is the capital of Turkey. The history of the city reaches way beyond 3rd century B.C. Transfer to airport for your flight to Izmir, and get settled in your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B/D).

Day 6: Ephesus Excursion / Istanbul.
Your full day tour of Ephesus includes visits to the Arcadian Way, the Marble Road, the Great Theater, the Library of Celcius, St. John's Basilica and the Shrine of Virgin Mary. Following the excursion we will drive to Izmir for our flight to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B/D).

Day 7: Istanbul.
We will spend the day with exploring the city on our own. An optional Bosphorus Cruise is also available. (B).

Day 8: Free until transfer time.
Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for flight back to home. (B).