- Information
What's included
Grand Tour of Turkey:
Dates: 28th March-7th April
Visiting:
Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Bursa & Istanbul
THURSDAY, 28TH MARCH
We meet at the airport at 8.00 am for our Turkish Airlines flight taking us to Kayseri via Istanbul departing at 10.40 am. On arrival at 8.20 pm, we are transferred to our hotel in Cappadocia and have dinner.
FRIDAY, 29TH MARCH
Optional: Hot Air Balloon riding is 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 jewelry. We return to our hotel in time for dinner. (b,d)
SATURDAY, 30TH MARCH
Today, after breakfast, we check-out, 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. (b,d)
SUNDAY, 31ST MARCH
Breakfast, and then we start our trip towards Pamukkale. En route, 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. (b,d)
MONDAY, 1ST APRIL
Breakfast and check out. 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. (b,d)
TUESDAY, 2ND APRIL
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. (b,d)
WEDNESDAY, 3RD APRIL
After 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. (b,d)
THURSDAY, 4TH APRIL
After breakfast, we check from our hotel and start our trip towards Istanbul. We go to our hotel for check-in, and later one can join the leader for an optional dinner cruise with unlimited local drinks, a Turkish folk-dance show, and belly dancer show (extra). (b)
FRIDAY, 5TH APRIL
After breakfast, we go on an optional full-day excursion to Byzantium 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 visit 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 Topkapi Palace (excluding Harem Section), which from the 15th to the 19th century was the principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans. 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. (b)
SATURDAY, 6TH APRIL
After Breakfast, we continue to discover Istanbul. We will have an optional full-day excursion. Visiting the Miniaturk outdoor park, the Spice Market, have a private boat tour – a cruise on the Bosphorus and then ending with a stop Camlica Hill for panoramic views of the Bosphorus and the city. (b) SUNDAY 7TH APRIL | 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 4.55 pm and arriving in Malta at 6.20 pm.
PRICE PER PERSON
Adult in Triple €1593
Adult in Twin €1623
Adult in Single €1999
Child sharing with 2 adults €999
PRICE INCLUDES:
Turkish Airlines flights to Kayseri via Istanbul and return from Istanbul to Malta
2 nights in Cappadocia
1 night in Konya
1 night in Pamukkale
2 nights in Kusadasi
1 night in Bursa 3 nights in Istanbul Meals as indicated on the program
All excursions as indicated on the program
Airport transfers Services of tour leader
Professional English-speaking guide during sightseeing
All taxes & and service charge
Insolvency fund
EXCURSIONS
Byzantian and the Ottoman Relics Tour – €79
*Miniaturk Outdoor Park, Spice market, cruise on the Bosphorous and Camlica hill (incl. transfers) – €65 *minimum of 20 passengers
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Hot Air Balloon (including transfers) TBA
Dinner cruise with Belly Dancing show in Istanbul (including transfers) – €79
Miniaturk museum – €8
