ELEGANT TURKEY (10 Days)

The palace was constructed between 1459 and 1478 and rapidly grew to become a jumbled complex of elaborate living quarters and administrative offices.

Uchisar Castle is a rocky volcanic outcrop located in the village of Uchisar. The rock is riddled with tunnels and caves. From the top of the rock you have great views of Goreme and Cappadocia.

Pergamum is a pre-Greek name presumably meaning "height" or "elevation." The earliest city was built atop a cone-shaped Acropolis rising over a thousand feet above the surrounding valley.

Afrodisias, was already an important place in neolithic times, most of monuments date from Roman times: a theatre, a double agora, baths of Hardian a bishops palace, a staidum and an odeon.

Highlights: Istanbul, Bosphorus, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Cappadocia
Operates: All year-around / By flight
Package Rate: Please fill the form and tell us your travel dates & choice of hotels
Optional Tours: Turkish Bath (Hamam), Hot Air Balloon, Turkish Night Show & Whirling Dervishes
Note: Elegant Turkey tour is insuranced by TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)

DAY 01 – Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul, the city of two continents, you will be greeted by Veni Vidi Travel representative with Turkish hospitality & accompanied during your transfer to the hotel, where you will be briefed by your travel consultant with the remainder of day at leisure to relax &/or check out the city.

DAY 02 – Garden of Emperors Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Your day will commence with a visit to the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where you will tour the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Fountain of Wilhelm II, the elegant Blue Mosque famous with its heavenly six minarets and the Hagia Sophia Museum, built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned down in the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. Then you will have a visit to the Underground Cistern, which known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, as there was a Stoa Basilica above the pre-existing one at the time. Lunch will be served at Topkapi Palace, in a restaurant with panoramic view of the Bosphorus, Asia & Europe. After lunch you will be guided to visit the residence and administrative center of the Ottoman Sultans. Historical tour of Istanbul will conclude with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets and passages housing more than 4,000 shops. After the tour you will be leaded back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 03 – Bosphorus Cruise Tour / Free Afternoon (Meal: Breakfast) 
Start the tour today with a drive to Golden Horn, along the way see traces of local history, view Fener Orthodox Patriarchate, Metal Church of St Stephen the Bulgarian, Ahrida Synagouge, Eyup Sultan Mosque and see the 21km long City Walls of Istanbul. You will visit the Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar), then board the ferry which has become one of the icons of Istanbul. Alongside million dollar mansions we will see the two bridges linking Europe and Asia by road, as well as the seaside summer palaces and unique wooden houses not to mention the natural beauty of the forests above. Your afternoon will be free to discover Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 04 – Flight to Izmir / Ephesus Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 
After check-out you travel on a one hour flight to Izmir. Upon arrival you will be met and proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus, the best preserved Greco-Roman City in the world. Here you will see the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Celsius Library, famous Roman Baths, the Grand Theatre and Marble Street. After lunch, depart for the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to have spent the remainder of her days. The tour also includes a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 05 – Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Early in the morning you will depart from your hotel and travel to Aphrodisias, city of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of Love. After the guided tour of Aphrodisias, your next stop will be the Hierapolis Ancient City, which houses Pamukkale ‘’Cotton Castle’’. This natural phenomenon leaves thick white layers of limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain slope, which resemble a frozen waterfall. There will be free time to walk on the terraces (where allowed). Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 06 – Flight to Cappadocia / Free Afternoon (Meal: Breakfast)
After check-out, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport. Departure on Turkish Airlines flight to Kayseri. On your arrival to Kayseri Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon at your leisure to explore town on your own. Tonight will offer you the opportunity to watch the whirling dervishes performance and Turkish night show in a cave restaurant. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 07 – North Cappadocia Tour with Goreme Museum (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Today you will start the day tour with a visit to the Devrent Valley and travel to Pasabaglari Valley, formerly known as the "Monks' Valley" (Rahipler Vadisi). You will visit Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and view the ancient rock-hewn churches sculpted in the hillsides almost a thousand years ago. After lunch, continue on to the small town of Urgup, which has many carved dwellings that are still inhabited. Then you join a Discovery Series “Art of Pottery in Asia Minor” event this afternoon, offering you the opportunity to visit a cave pottery atelier. Your first day sightseeing of Cappadocia will end with visits to Uchisar and Piegon Valley. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 08 – South Cappadocia Tour with Ihlara Canyon (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Check-out of your hotel and start another full day tour visiting the famous Derinkuyu Underground City. Afterwards, a short hike through the green Ihlara Valley alongside the stream, stopping at some of the churches along the way. A stop in Belisirma for lunch and then on to Selime for a panoramic view of the Ihlara Canyon. A stop at the Agzikarahan Caravansarai is also included. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 09 – Flight to Istanbul / Free Day in Istanbul (Meal: Breakfast)
Today you will take the flight back to Istanbul, with the remainder of day at your leisure to take advantage of last minute shopping or relax with a Hamam ‘’Turkish Bath’’. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 10 – Istanbul / Departure (Meal: Breakfast)
Breakfast, check-out & transfer to Istanbul International Airport as per your onward flight schedule.

Please take note of the following:
* We aim to respond to all requests within 24 hrs. We are happy to modify the itinerary upon request
* Smoking is not permitted in our tours but all tours make frequent stops

What's Included:
* Hotel accommodations in choice of preferred class
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* Noted sightseeing tours on regular group or private guided basis
* Main entrance fees to sights mentioned by the itinerary
* Meals mentioned by the itinerary - Vegeterian meals available
* Required land transport including roundtrip airport transfers with A/C minivans
* Required internal flight tickets
* Local taxes & handling services

What's NOT Included:
* International flights to/from Turkey and personal travel insurance, any other expenses not noted in the above included section or airport tax, visa for Turkey (if required), any tips to guide, driver or staff at hotels, items of a personal nature, hotel extras (minibar, telephone/internet usage, laundry, etc), drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast) and medical services.