Turkey Highlight Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Turkey

We welcome you at Istanbul Airport (IST). You will be welcomed by one of our representative holding a signboard of your name and/or Sunnova Travel Agency at the exit gate of International Arrival Terminal. Transfer to Hotel.

Overnight at Yilsam Hotel Sultanahmet or similar in Istanbul

Day 2: Discover Old City Istanbul

Let’s discover Istanbul, the heart of the history, culture, and entertainment! The city has a variety of must see places to see but we will just highlight focusing. Starting at Hagia Sophia , then move to Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome. Let's deepen our explore with Basilica Cistern and Istanbul Archeological Museum. Then, stop at ancient Grand Bazaar for shopping and see its beautiful arts!

Overnight at Yilsam Hotel Sultanahmet or similar in Istanbul

Day 3: Enjoy Istanbul!

In the morning, visit Suleymaniye Mosque. Then, move to Rustempasa Mosque to see amazing tile arts and then visit Spice Market. Then, take a Bosphorus boat tour from Eminönü. See the magnificent architecture of Istanbul from different views. See Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Anatolia Fortress and Maiden’s Tower during our boat tour. When you come back to Eminönü, you may have “balık ekmek” (fish-bread) around Galata Bridge which is close to Spice Bazaar. You may also consider to cross Galata Bridge and stop by Historical Karaköy Güllüoğlu Baklavacısı to taste popular baklava in Karaköy. Take, traditional underground finike from Karakoy to Galata. Then, let’s drive Eyüp and take cable cabin to Pierre Loti. Enjoy beautiful view old Istanbul at Pierre Loti. Have nice Turkish tea there. Then drive to Bursa.

Overnight in Grand Turkuaz Hotel or similar in Bursa

Day 4: Discover Bursa

Welcome to the “Green City Bursa”. Let’s start our journey with history. Visit Muradiye Kulliyesi. Then, move to Tombs of Osman and Orhan. See Bursa Clock Tower and enjoy terrace view of Bursa. Then, visit the Great Mosque (Ulu Camii) and Green Mosque (Yeşil Camii). Visit and shop at Bursa Local Market (Kapalı Çarşı) and Koza Han. Have popular iskender at its original historical wooden restaurant. Then, let’s visit Cumalıkızık Village which is a typical Ottoman Village established in 1326. Meet with local people and shop from local villages who are “kızık”. Then, drive to Kusadasi.

Overnight at Efe Boutique Hotel or similar in Kusadasi

Day 5: Explore Kusadasi & Ephesus

Today, we will first visit Kusadasi Marina, Pigeon Island and Kusadasi castle. Then, visit ancient city of Ephesus which was the Roman Capital. See various UNESCO listed ruins such as Temple Of Hadrian, Celsus Library, and the Great Theatre, Public Latrines and Roman Baths. Have a walk through grand Arcadian Avenue and hang around Agora, exploring the Temple of Artemis. Then, visit Selcuk Archeological Museum and Ishakpasa mosque. Visit Cave of Seven Sleepers in Ephesus. Then, visit to Sirince Village in Selcuk. Visit traditional historical Sirince Houses. Stop by local market in Sirince. Then, drive to Pamukkale.

Overnight at Melrose Vewpoint Hotel or similar in Pamukkale Optional: House of Virgin Mary in Selcuk.

Day 6: Relax in Pamukkale

Now, it's time to enjoy in Pamukkale. It's like a branch of paradise! Pamukkale has both historical and natural beauties! Let's have a relax in thermal pools and cool down with calciumrich mineral springs around Pamukkale Travertines. Then, explore the ancient city of Hierapolis and take some time in Cleopatra Polls. Let's also visit Amphitheatre which is full of history. After Pamukkale, let us proceed to Laodicea, another of the Seven Churches in Asia Minor. We will visit the ancient theater, the remains of the basilica and ancient stone water pipes. We will also cover the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the 2nd century AD Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium and the Necropolis. Then, drive to downtown Antalya.

Overnight at Mostar Hotel in Antalya or similar Optional: Paragliding in Pamukkale. Swimming in Celopatra Pool.

Day 7: Explore Antalya

Visit Kaleici, Hadrian's Gate, Yivli Minaret Mosque. Walk around popular sites in Antalya. Then, move to Duden Waterfall. Enjoy beautiful nature of the waterfall. Then, move to Perge that holds the vast remains of most prosperous city of the ancient world with the arch of the Roman Gate, the Hellenistic Gate and richly designed remains of the city wall. See Aspendos Ruins and Antic Theater with vestige of Roman architecture which is like Rome's own Colosseum. Then, drive to Side. Discover ancient city and enjoy amazing sunset from the ancient harbor of Side.

Overnight at The sansa hotel & spa in Side, Antalya or similar

Day 8: Visit the Spirit City Konya

Welcome to the spirit city Konya! Mausoleum of Mevlana is one of the- must see- place in Turkey. It has amazing sculptures, holy shrine, silence and divine atmosphere. You can see all signs of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufism, all around the city! Let's discover Konya by visiting; Ince Minare Museum, Karatay Medersseh, Konya Ethnographic Museum, Konya Archaeological Museum, and Alaaddin Hill. Visit Mausoleum of Mevlana and see the culture of whirling dervishes.

Overnight in Paşapark Hotel in Konya or similar

Day 9: Explore Underground Cities

In the morning, drive to Cappadocia. On our way, stop by Sulhanhani Kervansaray. Then, visit Selime ancient city. Afterwards, let’s explore Ihlara Valley. Explore natural beauty and ancient sites in Ihlara Valley which is about 14 km. Walk along the Valley near Melendiz River and stop by ancient cave churches and historical destinations. Visit Belisırma Village in the valley. Then, explore Kaymakli / Derinkuyu Underground Cities which were built because of mandatory situations with magnificent building arts.

Overnight at Grand Öztürk Hotel or similar in Cappadocia

Day 10: Explore Cappadocia

Take hot air balloon tour very early morning (Optional). Enjoy magnificent balloon tour over Cappadocia! See the beautiful views of hot air balloons over fairy chimneys and discover amazing rock formations of valleys all around Cappadocia. Then, come back hotel. Have breakfast and relax for a while. Then, visit Openair Göreme Museum where monastery, church, chapel, etc. exist. Then, it's time to visit Paşabağ and Zelve Open Air Museums to see the Fairy Chimneys closely. Stop by Dervent Valley to see animal shaped rock formations. Then, drive to Avanos. Walk along Kizilirmak river. Involve in historical pottery making workshop in Avanos. Then, visit Urgup Three Beautifuls. Afterwards, stop by Güvercinlik Valley and visit Uçhisar Castle. Enjoy panoramic view of Cappadocia from the top of castle. Enjoy beautiful sunset of Cappadocia.

Overnight at Grand Öztürk Hotel (Deluxe Cave Room) or similar

Optionals: Hot Air Balloon Tour, Traditional Turkish Night Shows, Quadbike Tour, Horseback Riding, Jeep Safari, Mustafapaşa, Ortahisar, Ibrahimpasa.

Day 11: Discover the Capital

In the morning, drive to Ankara. On our way to Ankara, stop by Salt (Red) Lake. Then, discover the capital city Ankara. First, let's start our journey from Ataturk Mausoleum (Anıtkabir) and visit one of the biggest museum in Turkey to discover the revolution process of the Turkey in 1900s. Then, visit Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. You will see a variety of historical masterpieces in the museum belonging to Anatolia’s past rulers. The museum exhibits significant historical heritage of ancient Anatolia. Afterwads, move to Ankara Castle. Discover historical castle and enjoy panaromic view of Ankara from the castle. Then, move to Hamamonu to see traditional Ottoman houses around. Then visit Hacı Bayram Mosque and Augustus temple.

Overnight at Alba Ankara Hotel or similar

Day 12: Goodbye!

We will transfer to Istanbul Airport/Ankara Airport based on your international flight. You can connect your international flight or you can fly out from Ankara. Or, we can drive to Istanbul Airport.