Grand tour of Turkey-September

Starting from

Price

€1599 per person

Duration

11 days

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What's included

Departure Location

Malta International Airport

Return Location

Istanbul Airport

GRAND TOUR OF TÜRKIYE

FROM € 1,599

WHEN

Group 1: 3/09/24 – 13/09/24

Group 2: 11/09/24 – 21/09/24

VISITING

Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Bursa, Taksim, Istanbul & Princess Island

Day 1

We meet at the airport at 8.00am for our Turkish Airlines flight taking us to Kayseri via Istanbul departing at 10.35am. On arrival at 5.30pm, we are transferred to our hotel in Cappadocia and have dinner.

Day 2

(Optional: Hot Air Balloon riding available early in the morning! A unique experience). After breakfast, we go on a full-day excursion to visit Cappadocia. Here, we can see the main Goreme Open Air Museum situated in the Goreme Valley, home of early Christian churches decorated with unique frescos. We proceed to Pasabaglari (Monk’s Valley) to see the world-famous fairy chimneys which have a unique shape. Time for lunch (extra) and visit Avanos, the well-known pottery and craft centre, before we enjoy some free time to shop for some jewellery. We return to our hotel in time for dinner.

Day 3

Today, after breakfast, we check-out, and start our drive to Konya with a stop at Caravanserai. In Konya, we will have lunch (extra) and visit Mevlana Mauseleum. It is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Persian Sufi Mystic. It was also the dervish lodge (tekke) of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. We go to our hotel in Konya in time for dinner and overnight.

Day 4

Breakfast, and then we start our trip towards Pamukkale. Enroute, we will have time to stop for lunch (extra). As soon as we arrive in Pamukkale, we will walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running warm water that contains calcium. The temperature of the water is about 35 degrees. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name Pamukkale (cotton castle). Then, we are transferred to our hotel for check-in. Time for dinner and overnight.

Day 5

Our first visit will be to the Burberry textile outlet. Later we will make our way to Sirince Village (an old Greek Village) where one can taste local products and wine along the way. Then, we make our way to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6

After breakfast, we will join our guide and visit Ephesus. Our first stop will be at the Virgin Mary’s House, where it is said that Mary was brought to Ephesus by the Apostle John after the Resurrection of Christ and lived out her days here. We then go on a walking tour and see the Odeon, The Fountain of Trajan, the stream baths of Scholastic, the temple of Hadrian and the impressive library of Ephesus. We then pass through the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. Lunch (extra), and then we will have time to visit the Carpet Village. We return to our hotel for dinner.

Day 7

Breakfast, check-out and start our road trip towards Bursa, the Old Ottoman capital city. On arrival, we will have lunch (extra) in a famous Kebab restaurant. We then start a historical visit at the Covered Bazaar, the old Silk Market, and visit the Green Mosque. We are then transferred to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 8

After breakfast, we checkout from our hotel, and start our trip towards Istanbul. Upon arrival we will start exploring what Istanbul has to offer, starting by visit the spice market. Afterwards we will go to our hotel for check-in, and later join the leader for an orientation walk around Taksim district which is considered to be the heart of modern Istanbul. It is a great place to experience the nightlife and culture of Istanbul as well as find numerous restaurants and shops.

Day 9

After breakfast, we go on an optional full-day tour of Byzantian and the Ottoman Relics Tour. We begin our tour at the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Saint Sophia. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. We then see the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets, and The Hippodrome. After lunch (extra), we visit the Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul. Will also visit Hagia Sofia (extra), originally built as a Christian Orthodox church, was transformed into a mosque by the Ottomans. The last stop is at the Grand Bazaar, the commercial heart of the old city with its 4,000 shops full of treasures, including carpets and kilims, silks, jewellery, ceramics, icons, and leather goods. We have time to wander around the Grand Bazaar and do some shopping.

Day 10

After Breakfast, we will be transferred to Kabatas Pier, where we will take a ferry (included) to the charming Princess Islands, where we will spend the day away from the crowds of the city. We will enjoy breathtaking views of the old buildings along the Bosphorus and the historical peninsula of Istanbul during the 1.5 hours journey, arriving at Buyukada. From there together with a local guide, we will ride mini electric buses for a sightseeing tour around the island. Afterwards we will have free time to continue exploring the island or opt to have lunch or coffee (extra) before we return back to Istanbul by the same ferry.

Day 11

Breakfast, and today we have a free morning for personal sightseeing. Early afternoon, we go to the airport for our return Turkish Airlines flight departing at 5.20pm and arriving in Malta at 6.45pm.

PRICE PER PERSON

*SPECIAL PRICE

€ 1,699 /*€ 1,599 Adult in Triple

€ 1,779 /*€ 1,679 Adult in Twin

€ 2,099 /*€ 1,999 Adult in Single

€ 1,099 /*€ 999 Child sharing w/2 adults

*Minimum of 25 passengers

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Hot Air Balloon (including transfers) TBA

Byzantian and the Ottoman Relics Tour € 90 per person

Hagia Sofia € 25 per person

Note: Hot Air Balloon excursion is not covered by insurance. It is suggested to be booked with deposit to secure activity