Highlights to visit
PEARLS OF TURKEY TOUR 5 NIGHTS
- Duration: 5 Nights - 6 Days
- Start from: Istanbul
- Finish at: Izmir or Kusadasi
- Departure days: Saturdays(except between Dec 19 - March 12)
DAY 1: Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul, transfer to your hotel. Leisure day.
DAY 2: Ankara
In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Ankara. On arrival in Ankara, you will be met by our guide. Firstly, visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake pass by the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. After visiting Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel in Cappadocia for overnight. (B,D)
DAY 3: Cappadocia
Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at 09.30-10.00 depending on the arrival time of the participants and visit the valleys where animal-like natural formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. In the afternoon visit to Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Shopping time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia. (D)
DAY 4: Konya-PamukkaleEarly departure for Pamukkale. On the way, we will stop by Konya. After visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana -the world-wide famous mystic figure. Proceed to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 5: Aphrodisias-Kusadasi
Tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Dinner and overnight at our Kusadasi hotel (B,D)
DAY 6: Ephesus-St. Mary’s House-KusadasiMorning tour to Ephesus area with Artemis Temple, Ephesus Antique City, one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. Selcuk Ephesus Museum. Time for shopping. Transfer to Kusadasi or Izmir airport. (B)
