Marvelous Travel to Pamukkale, Laodicea, Ephesus, Sirince Village, Cappadocia

Day 1 Arrival Istanbul, Turkey - Overnight at Istanbul

1. 1

   Istanbul

   1 hour

   Welcome a board Turkey ! Upon arrival Istanbul, we will be waiting you at our meeting point for your transfer from airport to your hotel in Istanbul. Today will be your free-day in Istanbul.

Day 2 Flight from Istanbul to Izmir - Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Tour - Flight to Cappadocia - Overnight at Cappadocia

1. 1

   Istanbul

   1 hour

   The driver will meet you at the reception of your hotel and then transfer to airport for your flight from Istanbul to Izmir. The pick-up time is between 04.00am and 05.00am for the departure of this trip package. This timing depends the scheduled departure time of flight from Istanbul to Izmir on your travel dates. We will inform you about exact timing after booked your domestic flight tickets.

2. 2

   1 hour

   Upon your arrival Izmir airport, you will be met by your driver & tour guide, and driven to Selcuk town - approx 1 hour from airport. The tour guide will be waiting you at the exit gate of arrival terminal in airport, and holding a signboard written your name on it.

3. 3

   Ayasoluk Castle

   1 hour

   You will pass the Ayasuluk (Selcuk) Castle during drive to Selcuk town and you will see this castle from your car. It is situated just a mile from the site of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus. The Byzantines built Ayasuluk Castle, using stones from disused Greek and Roman buildings, for its construction. On the slope of the hill they built the Basilica of St. John. Defensive walls coming down from the castle, encompassed the basilica. Effectively turning the site into a citadel, with the castle as an upper castle and the area with the basilica as a lower castle.

4. 4

   Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

   45 min Admission ticket included

   Your first visit will be the pilgrimage point claimed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary. Once you arrive there you will be thrilled by the natural beauty that surrounds the monument.

5. 5

   Ancient City of Ephesus

   1 hour 45 min Admission ticket included

   Your next visit will be the Ephesus Ancient City. Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights. You will see the Celcus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan, Odeon, Agora, Fountain of Domitian, Hercule Gate, Grand Theater, Nike, Ancient Toilets during tour in this ancient city.

6. 6

   Selcuk

   1 hour

   You will stop at a traditional Turkish restaurant for your lunch.

7. 7

   The Temple of Artemis

   15 min

   The next stop of your tour will be at the Temple of Artemis which first built during the Archaic period, and one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World.

8. 8

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   After your Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary tour, we will transfer you to Izmir airport for your flight to Kayseri.

9. 9

   Cappadocia

   1 hour

   Upon your arrival Kayseri airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 3 Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional) - Guided Cappadocia Tour - Overnight at Cappadocia

1. 1

   3 hours Admission ticket not included

   REMARK : Hot Air Balloon Ride is offered as an extra activity and not included for options of this tour package. The price of this activity vary according to the season and demand. That's why, for the most accurate information and worth prices, please write your hot air balloon ride request in the special requests section while booking this tour. The tour operator will contact for give you information as soon as possible. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION : The driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to the balloon site where you will have the opportunity to watch the balloon being prepared for flight. The flight will be at sunrise time, where your pilot will climb to a comfortable altitude of about 700 to 1000 meters above ground level. Duration of total activity is approx 3 hours, and total duration of flight is approx 60 minutes. There will be a champagne celebration at end of the flight and you will be presented with a madal, as a souvenir reminder of this magnificent experience.

2. 2

   Keslik Monastery

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   We will pick you up from your hotel on 09.30am-10.00am (Approx) and depar for to southern part of the Cappadocia. Keslik Monastery is a sprawling cave monastery complex with two churches, a large refectory hall, a sacred spring, and endless cave rooms. Located in an idyllic garden setting, this is the most expansive monastery in Cappadocia. This site has been used and developed in many ways throughout the course of 2,000 years. This area was a gravesite in pre-Christian Roman times, a large communal monastery during the Byzantine era, and now a tourist site in modern Turkey.

3. 3

   15 min

   Taskinpasa Madrasah was built during the period of Karamanogullari Principality. Although the date of its construction is not known exactly, it is estimated that it was completed in the 13th century. Taskin Pasha Complex consists of the mosque, the madrasa and the tombs in the courtyard of the mosque.

4. 4

   Sobesos Ancient City

   30 min

   Sobesos Ancient City was discovered by accident in 2002. The city, which is one of the mirrors of Cappadocia's history, was unearthed as a result of a 3-year archaeological excavation. As a result of the excavations, it has been observed that there are many motifs embroidered on colored stones. Especially the floor mosaics are made with interesting geometric patterns.

5. 5

   Goreme

   1 hour

   You will take your lunch by a Turkish Kebab Restaurant in Goreme. Also, Vegetarian meals are available in same restaurant.

6. 6

   Kaymakli Underground City

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Kaymakli, one of the major underground cities of Cappadocia, consists of 8 floors. However, as in many underground cities, not all floors are open to tourists. In the city, the first floor is separated for the animals to go out easily. Establish a connection between the churches and other living spaces with the corridors separated from the stables. Kaymakli Underground City, which has astounding sections such as warehouses, kitchens, cemeteries, mughouse, and copper processing workshop, still contains hidden underground tunnels that have not been fully revealed.

7. 7

   Pigeon Valley

   20 min

   Which is located in Uchisar town to have one of the best panaromic viev of the region. That site also covers lots of pigeon houses which are builty bye the ancient inhabitants of the region. If you like, you can able to visit popular onxy stone factory of the region.

8. 8

   Cappadocia

   30 min

   At the end of tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 4 Guided Cappadocia Tour - Flight Back to Istanbul - Overnight at Istanbul

1. 1

   Urgup

   15 min

   We will pick you up from your hotel on 09.30am-10.00am (Approx) and depar for the Red Tour of Cappadocia. Meet the most famous family of fairy chimneys: Three beauties. These are the official symbol of both Urgup and Cappadocia.

2. 2

   Goreme Open-Air Museum

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket included

   Here is the monastery, including the rock cut churches, kitchens, wineries, storages and living rooms left from Anatolian Christians. Goreme Open Air Museum is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

3. 3

   15 min

   The entire town is dominated by the 90-metre-high (300 ft) rock-castle in the centre of the town, which is called Sivrikoya by the inhabitants. It is an extraordinary example of the rock-cut architecture which is typical of the region and served as a refuge from attackers in Byzantine times. You will see all these rock-cut architecture by panoramic visit.

4. 4

   Uchisar Castle

   20 min

   Uchisar rock castle is one of the biggest landmarks of Cappadocia. It is the highest tuff hill in the area with beautiful views of the surrounding valley full of bizarre rock formations. (There are no any visit to rock castle because of the walking difficulties and safety risks on there. You will have a stop for panoramic view to this rock castle and Cappadocia from castle region.)

5. 5

   Avanos Oren Yeri

   1 hour 30 min

   You will take your lunch by a local restaurant in Avanos. Also, Vegetarian meals are available in same restaurant. Avanos is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over the river. The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was Venessa, overlooks the longest river of Turkey, the Kizilirmak (Red River), which also separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia. The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery; it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kizilirmak has always been used.

6. 6

   Devrent Valley

   20 min

   Which is also known as Imagination Valley. Valley contains many animal shaped rocks which are mostly in red colour. Some of the most frequent shapes is like Camel.

7. 7

   Fairy Chimneys

   20 min

   Cappadocia is famous for its unique landforms. The Fairy Chimneys are the most obvious places to visit where these landforms are best seen and the common life of humankind and nature. On this tour, you will have seen many examples of the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia. There will not be visit / stop at Fairy Chimneys during tour.

8. 8

   1 hour

   At the end of tour, you will be transferred to Cappadocia airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

9. 9

   1 hour

   Upon your arrival Istanbul, we will meet you at the airport and then we will drop you to your hotel in Istanbul. *** The departure time of return flight is between 08.00pm and 09.00pm. That's meaning, Your return flight will be landing Istanbul approx. 09.30pm and 10.45pm. *** The best timing is this one for you can catch your return flight to Istanbul after your full-day guided Cappadocia tour on today.

Day 5 Walking Tour at Sultanahmet District (Old City of Istanbul) - End of Services

1. 1

   Sultanahmet District

   15 min

   Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel on 08.30am-09.00am (Approx) and depar for the walking tour to historical places around Sultanahmet District (Old City of Istanbul).

2. 2

   TopkapI Palace

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket included

   Topkapi Palace to explore the splendor of the Ottoman Empire. Discover the complex of buildings, pavilions, and courtyards was a self-contained city, which most inhabitants rarely left. Explore the outer-terraced gardens and admire the view over the Golden Horn. The Topkapi Palace is closed every Tuesday. This visit will be replaced with Basilica Cistern if your tour date is on Tuesday.

3. 3

   Hagia Sophia Mosque

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   You will continue to Hagia Sophia and witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul and learn how it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Explore the stunning monument with elements of a mosque and a church standing next to each other. Admire the basilica’s stunning dome and minarets, and countless mosaics, paintings, and Roman columns. Learn how the impressive İznik tiles were added over time in the Mosque, how the stunning Virgin Mary mosaic was made, and why the Ottomans chose to bury their sultans in the courtyard.

4. 4

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   You will have lunch in Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine Restaurant. This restaurant is a Michelin Guided restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey.

5. 5

   15 min

   The gift of Kaiser Wilhelm II to the Sultan. You will listen the stories of this liaison with the Orient.

6. 6

   Hippodrome

   30 min

   The Hippodrome is the former circus built in 203 AD by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus. Three monuments from the original building remain, including the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, and the Constantine Column. Pause to look at the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, made from 8 marble columns.

7. 7

   Grand Bazaar

   1 hour 15 min

   The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With hundreds of small handcraft shops selling everything from handmade carpets to Turkish coffee, the atmosphere is electric, and it's a great place to try out your bargaining skills. The Grand Bazaar is closed every Sunday and the first day of the religious feasts. This visit will be replaced with Spice Bazaar if your tour date is at on these dates.

8. 8

   Istanbul

   20 min

   The services of this travel package will be ending at the end of this tour. There is no any accommodation service or airport transfer service after the tour. The tour guide will leave from you after the tour and services will be ended.