After breakfast at hotel, your guide will pick you up around 08:30

Hagia Sophia, once described as the greatest church in Christendom, is certainly a masterpiece with a synthesis of the Occident and the Orient. Built by Constantine the Great in 325 on the remains of a pagan temple. Rebuilt by Justinian and Theodora. In 1453, Mehmet the Conqueror added minarets to the huge, soaring dome and turned the former church into a mosque. The building controversially became a museum in 1935, but the interior retains its religious associations with the Christian mosaics and Muslim calligraphic disks adorning its walls and piers.

Blue Mosque has a special place among the various Ottoman buildings constructed in the Sultanahmet Square. Constructed by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga who took classical Ottoman architecture and the Hagia Sophia into consideration in designing and construction of the Blue Mosque and created an interior space which is more spacious, well lighted and airy than the others. It is known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.

Hippodrome, a public park used in the days of the Byzantine Empire for ceremonies and sporting events (chariot races, athletics). Theodosius Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Column of Constantine and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome.
Grand Bazaar is the oldest and biggest closed bazaar of the world. It was founded in 1461. Like an enormous labyrinth, it is a spectacular and unique part of Istanbul with 60 streets and over 3600 stores. The Grand Bazaar offers a wide range of products from copper to glazed tiles, from marriage articles to ready wear, and from various handicrafts to all types of spice. Western writers often mention the Grand Bazaar in their memories and travel journals.

Topkapı Palace, which had been the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire that ruled three continents for centuries, was constructed between the years of 1460 and 1478 during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II(The Conqueror). It was home to the sultans and their families until the reign of Sultan Abdülmecit. Therefore, it has a very rich collection of porcelains, robes, weapons, shields, armors, miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts as well as Ottoman treasures and jewellery.
Tour ends around 17:30

After breakfast at hotel, your guide will pick you up around 8:30

Dolmabahce Palace, which was finished in 1855 during the era of Sultan Abdulmecid. Built by two Ottoman architects, Karabet and Nikogos Balyan. The glorious external and internal views of the palace reflect the trends of the period.

Lunch

Boat trip on the Bosphorus, an amazing cruise between the two continents, Europe and Asia. The Bosphorus that connects Black Sea with Marmara Sea and seperates Asia and Europe, is the apple of the World with its unique natural beauty. The Asian and European shores of the Bosphorus are embellished with beautiful waterside residences. You will have chance to see Rumeli Fortress and beautiful mansions of Bosphorus among the cruise.

Pierre Loti Hill, after French writer Pierre Loti had discovered this place it became mentioned as Pierre Loti Cafe. Since so many years, it is most important stop for lovers, for people who want to meet themselves and escape from the city breathing a spiritual peace.

Cable car, ride from the top of the hill to the Golden Horn by cable car.

Golden Horn, approximately 8 km long, narrow horn shape divides the European shore into two. Since it is a natural port, Byzantine and Ottoman Navies and those interested in commercial shipping gathered there. At sunset the water’s colour turns into gold and today the shores are surrounded by pleasant parks and walking paths.

City Walls, the old Istanbul peninsula is surrounded by the old walls like a triangle. The walls, with a lenght of around 22 km, date back to the 5th century during the Roman era.

Tour ends around 17:00

Early morning pick you up from hotel and transfer to airport for Cappadocia flight.

Upon your arrival to Cappadocia, BellaTurca Travel representative will welcome you with a sign bearing your name and then you will be transferred to tour office. After welcome drink start your excursion.

Our first stop is the fantastic view point of Uchisar Castle where you will receive information about the rich history of Cappadocia and the unique rock formations.

After the panoramic view point, we visit Goreme Open Air Museum. Your guide will explain the meanings of frescoes covering the walls of thousand-year-old cave churches as you explore this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site.

Next, we will see a kick-wheel pottery demonstration and our guests are welcome to show their own talent about pottery.

We will have our lunch in Avanos with traditional Turkish foods. After lunch we will visit Pasabag Fairy Chimneys where is also commonly known as Monks Valley. You will have chance to see the famous mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys as well as St. Simeon’s monk cell carved into the rock.

Devrent Valley is well known as imagination valley where you can take fantastic pictures with animal-shaped rock formations.

Our last visit will be Turkish handmade carpet cooperative where you will be informed about process of handwoven kilims and double-knotted rugs from Turkey.

Tour ends around 17:00

Sunrise Balloon Flight over lunar landscape of Cappadocia. After landing celebrate with champagne and back to hotel around 07:30 which will let you time to take a rest and have a breakfast till excursion’s pick-up time.

Your guide pick you up from hotel around 10:00 and then we will visit Goreme Panorama where you can see wonderful view of Goreme town with its spectacular cave houses.

Then, we will start our hike in the beautiful Red/Rose Valley which will take approximately 4 km and slightly more than one hour. We will see fairy-chimneys, local farms, pigeon houses and cave chapels. Your guide will give information about the history and the unique formations of Cappadocia during the hike. At the end of the hike we will have a quick stop at Cavusin Old Greek Village.

Then we will drive to Love Valley to take amazing pictures of pillar-shaped rock formations of Cappadocia

We will have our lunch with traditional Turkish foods. After lunch we will visit carved underground city which was used by early Christians as a shelter to hide themselves against their enemies.

Next, we will have a stop at the terrific view of Pigeon Valley where you will be informed about carved pigeon houses.

Our final stop will be Onyx factory where you will be informed about semi-precious volcanic stones of Turkey.

Tour ends around 17:00

After breakfast at hotel, check out and drive to Antalya which will take roughly 7 hours

After 1,5 hour drive, we will visit the biggest caravanserai of Turkey; Sultanhanı

On the way to Antalya lunch break in Konya where we will visit Mevlana Museum who is a sufi philosopher and mystic poet of Islam.

After lunch keep driving to Antalya.

Upon arrival to Antalya, we will visit Manavgat Waterfall

Then we will visit Side Ancient City which is one of the best classical ancient cities in Turkey, it was a port city that served the largest slave market in this region. During Roman times much construction took place in Side including a large theatre, Roman Baths and the Temple of Apollo.

After breakfast at hotel we will visit Perge, one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region.

Perge was the capital of Pamphylia. The Roman Baths, the Agora, Colonaded Street, Nympharium and the stadium are all on the visit. The we depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre.

This incredibly well-preserved ancient theatre was built in the 2nd centrury A.D., it has a capacity of 15,000 people and it’s still being used for festivals and music concerts.

After lunch we will drive back to hotel for leisure time

After breakfast at hotel, check out and drive to Saklıkent Canyon (Hidden City) which is 300 m (980 ft) deep and 18 km (11 mi) long, being one of the deepest in the world. It was formed through abrasion of the rocks by flowing waters over thousands of years. We will have lunch in the canyon.

After lunch, keep driving to Fethiye.

After breakfast at hotel, pick up for paragliding which is performed from the peak of Babadağ which a steep peak is rising right next to the blue Mediterranean Sea. The gentle sea breeze provides ideal conditions to paraglide throughout the whole year. The combination of the perfect view and the spirit of free flying will result in a life time experience.

After the landing on the Ölüdeniz Beach you will meet with your guide and starts private boat trip. You will have chance to swim among amazing bays and coasts while the captain is preparing a barbecue with fresh fishes. Boat trip ends with sunset.

After breakfast at hotel, check out and transfer to Pamukkale which will take roughly 3 hours
Upon arrival, lunch and check in to hotel where you can relax with hot spring thermal water pools.

After breakfast at hotel, check out.

We will visit Pamukkale meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, is a natural site contains hot springs and travertine’s, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water with its temperate climate for most of the year. We will also visit the ancient city Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large Necropolis is filled with sarcophagi, including the Sarcophagus of Marcus Aurelius. You will have also the chance to swim in Cleopatra Swimming Pool.
After lunch we will drive to Kuşadası.

After breakfast at hotel, check out

We first drive to the Virgin Mary’s House where she spent her last 5 years, which is recognized by Vatican as pilgrimage destination for Christians, visited by Pope Leo XII and Benedict XVI. Afterwards, we visit Ephesus which was founded in the eleventh century BC by the Ionians. Strolling through the streets of Ephesus, we see the Fountain of Trajan, the temple of Hadrian and the Library of Celsus to name a few. We also visit the Terrace Houses: A number of living units where the rich and the dignitary of Ephesus with the most beautiful ground mosaics, frescoes, terra cotta pipe lines and private baths.

After lunch we will visit St John’s Basilica, believed to be the tomb of the Apostle John, Christ’s beloved disciple. From the basilica, we will be able to look down on the remains of the temple of Artemis.

We end the day with our visit to the Isa Bey Mosque

Breakfast at hotel and check out.

The main function of city was social and cultural as much as it was sacred. Built on a conical hill rising 1,000 feet above the surrounding valley, Pergamon is home to two of the country’s most celebrated archaeological sites: Pergamon’s acropolis and Asclepion are both listed among the top 100 historical sites on the Mediterranean.

We will see the famed library, the terrace of the spectacularly sited hillside theater, the main palace, the Altar of Zeus, and the propylaeum of the Temple of Athena. In the early Christian era, Pergamon’s church was a major center of Christianity and was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.

Then we will drive to Asclepion (Galen born & educated in Pergamon, was the authority of European medicine from the 2nd century until renaissance. He was the founder of the health principles of diet, relaxation, exercise)

Visit the ancient hospital & health center.

After lunch we will drive to Troy which will take approximately 3 hours.

After breakfast at hotel we will visit Troy Ancient City where you will be surprised with genially made Trojan Horse and you will discover over 10 ancient cities built one on another, dating back to 3500 BC, passing through Apollo Temple, fortified city walls, battle field where Hector and Achilles fought for power, Roman Theater, Greco-Roman Senate building roundly shaped that hosted deputies of democracy.

After lunch we will take a ferry to Gallipoli where we will walk the historical battlefields, trenches and tunnels, see the war memorials and the museum in tribute to the many lives lost here in World War I’s Battle of the Dardanelles.

After breakfast at hotel, check out and drive back to Istanbul.

Upon arrival we will drop you off to hotel or airport.

End of Bucket List of Turkey.

P.S. This tour is customizable like our other Turkey package tours. You can make your own decision about what to eat for dinners that is why we do not include dinners to the package. But if you want to take your dinners inside of the package we can revise it as well.