Let's Go to Turkey
A Luxury 9- Day Private Tour of Istanbul and Anatolia
Visit Turkey's top sights Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Konya, and Cappadocia all in 9 days on a private locally escorted tour. Tour starts daily in Istanbul year round, choose your own date.
DAY 1 - ISTANBUL: Daily - Year Round - Private Touring in Istanbul and Anatolia
Arrive any day when you choose. We meet your flight and escort you to your hotel, transfers are always on a private basis, private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur.
Sample Hotels
First Class (4-star) hotel: Senator ,Yenisehir or Aygun Plaza Hotel or similar.
For Boutique style hotels: Armada or similar.
Sample 5 star deluxe in Istanbul: Hilton Istanbul, Hyatt, Inter.Continental, or similar (subject to availability). For boutique style hotels: Arena, Blue House or similar.
DAY 2 - ISTANBUL: A very full day (BL)
Let us show you the city: the Blue Mosque, Byzantine Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and then on to the Underground Cistern. walk thru the columns of this grand water reservoir. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon we drive to Balat along the Golden Horn where the Star of David appears on the facades of some buildings, we walk by Ahrida Synagogue, built in the 15th century. Continue to the centuries-old Jewish neighborhood, Galata, with its tower built by the Genoese. From the panorama balcony. See the stunning views of old Constantinople, Bosphorus, Golden Horn and the Jewish quarters. Enjoy refreshments in this historical atmosphere. Afterwards drive back to your hotel.
DAY 3 - CANAKKALE (BD)
After breakfast we start our scenic drive south to the famous Gallipoli,
we cross the strategic Dardanelles, to land in Asia! Tour Troy, before
we reach Çanakkale, dinner is included at your hotel.
DAY 4 - PERGAMON - IZMIR - Kusadasi (BL)
We drive to Pergamon to see the Acropolis, Temple of Trojan, Altar of
Zeus and Temple of Dionysus, the Red Basilica, and the ancient medical
center of the Asclepion, then continue to Izmir and on to Kusadasi or
Selcuk if you prefer. Lunch is included enroute.
DAY 5 - EPHESUS - PAMUKKALE (BL)
We drive from Selçuk to visit the extensive ruins of Roman Ephesus and
the House of the Virgin Mary. Then, you will continue on to visit ancient
Ephesus, one of the most magnificent and best-preserved ancient sites
in the world. See the Terrace Houses, the Odeon, the Market Basilica,
Curetes Street, Bath, Celsus Library, Marble Street and the Great Theatre
with a seating capacity of 25,000 people. See the Terrace Houses, the
newly excavated site in Ephesus, excavation site for the ancient homes
of richest Ephesians, afterward we head for Sirince Village :
Sirince Village
This old Orthodox Village, 30 kilometers from Kusadasi, was once "Cirkince" (ugly). Indeed its inhabitants gave this name on the purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the beauty of their village. Still after years, visitors understood that the village was not ugly and called it "Sirince" (pretty). Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture as of the 1920's; after the Turkish Independence War, people exchange between Greek and Turks has occurred and all the typical Greek houses, though they kept their original outside characteristics, have received the local layout inside. At Sirince Village you will have chance of seeing the local life at a village and purchasing some small local souvenirs and handicrafts. The village is also famous for its local grape and other fruit wines. During the lunch, mingle with the local people of the village as you will be a guest in their village for a simple cup of traditional Turkish coffee at the main coffee house of the village.
After lunch visit the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk and see the Temple of Artemis, one of the wonders of the ancient world. View Basilica of St John and Isa bey Mosque, we continue to Pamukkale for a tour of the ancient Roman spa of Hierapolis and its warm calcium-rich mineral baths. Lycus River Hotel 4 stars (best available) or similar, lunch is included enroute.
DAY 6 - KONYA (BL)
Passing through Turkey's fertile Lake District, we drive to Konya, capital
of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and home of the Whirling Dervishes. We
visit the Mevlana Museum, where the founder of the dervish order is
buried, dinner is included at your hotel.
DAY 7 - CAPPADOCIA (BL)
Enjoy your breakfast before continuing on to Cappadocia, stopping at
the Sultanhan Caravanserai on the way. We descend into a labyrinthine
Underground City at Kaymakli, then tour the rockhewn cave churches and
monasteries of the Göreme Valley and the rockhewn natural citadel of
Uçhisar: Cave Suites hotel or similar.
Extend your stay in Cappadocia. Lunch is included today.
DAY 8 - EXPLORING CAPPADOCIA (BL)
We drive across the rolling steppe of Central Anatolia to the town of Derinkuyu and descend into an underground labyrinth carved thousands of years ago. Hundreds of cave-rooms and passageways descend eight levels into the earth. Storerooms, kitchens, larders, and churches show that this "underground city" was capable of housing thousands of people when danger threatened. On our way back to our hotel we stop at the striking Agzikarahan Caravansaray, built by the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century as a way-station for the rich camel caravans plying the Silk Route between Europe and Asia. Late afternoon drive to Avnos, a traditional pottery-making town to visit the local artisans, and admire the fine detailing of the famous Iznic ceramic designs.
DAY 9 - DEPARTURE from Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport (B)
We escort you to the airport of your choice for your flight. Bon Voyage!
Please click here if you would like to add 2
extra days in Istanbul.
Rates per person in USD $ - Minimum
2 Guests |
||
| Four Stars Hotels |
Deluxe Five Stars Hotels |
|
| Triple | $4430. | $4901. |
| Double | $4550. | $5010. |
| Single | $6260. | $6540. |
Rates per person in USD $ - Minimum
4-6 Guests |
||
| Four Stars Hotels |
Deluxe Five Stars Hotels |
|
| Triple | $3881. | $4469. |
| Double | $3944. | $4500. |
| Single | $5343. | $5789. |
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:
- All transfers with a private car, private driver.
- All porters/luggage handling tips
- Fully escorted, private guided sightseeing (including admissions fees) as described in the itinerary.
- All touring is always with a private local guides.
- Meals in Turkey as shown: (cB = continental breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner)
- Hotel accommodation as listed, including hotel tax and service charges.
Rate doesn't include:
- International air fare.
- Visa Fee: in cash upon arrival, for US citizens, or from any of the Turkish Consulates.
- Trip/travel insurance
- Tips
Sample Hotel Listing (or similar)
5 Stars and best available:
- Istanbul: Boutique style Ottoman Mansion Hotel: Blue House. Arena. Yesil Ev, Sultanahmet Sarayi, Sultanhan or similar
- Kusadasi: Korumar Hotel or similar, when in Selcuk: Kismet Hotel
- Pamukkale: Colassae Hotel or similar
- Antalya: Talya Hotel or similar
- Konya: Riixos Hotel or similar
- Cappadocia: Cave Suites Hotel or similar (local 4 star)
- Çanakkale: Tusan Hotel or similar (local 4 star)
- Izmir: Hilton Hotel or similar
Sample 4 Stars Hotels used or similar:
- Istanbul: Crystal or similar (local 4 star)
- Çanakkale: Tusan Hotel or similar (local 4 star)
- Izmir: Kaya Prestige Hotel or similar (local 4 star)
- Kusadasi: Grand Onder Hotel or similar (local 4 star)
- Pamukkale: Richmond Hotel or similar (local 4 star)
- Antalya: Khan Hotel or similar (local 4 star)
- Konya: Ozkaymak Hotel or similar (local 4 star)
- Cappadocia: Dinler Hotel or similar (local 4 star)
- Ankara: Ickale Hotel or similar (local 4 star)
- Add Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia
- Combine with a short stay in London
- Combine with ANZAC DAY Visit
- Click here for this tour with Egypt extension
- Compare with the 7 Day Heart Of Anatolia version
- Compare with the 10 day edition, or Extend your stay in Cappadocia
- Bodrum Edition
- The Jewish Heritage Tour of Turkey
- Add Greece and the Peloponnese
- Click here for the 12 days edition
- Let's Go to Turkey and Egypt: With a Foray into London all in 20 Days
My friend and I took a fabulous trip to Egypt and Jordan from Jan. 6, 2011 to Jan. 20, 2011 and then I went to Israel by myself from Jan. 20 to Feb. 1, 2011.
The private tour to Egypt and Jordan was arranged by Travel in Style (info@travelinstyle.com) and we dealt with Omar Zaher. Omar worked very hard to give us the trip we wanted. He worked with the Sakkara tour agency in Egypt and their guides were knowledgeable, kind, punctual and did everything they could to make our trip perfect.
We spent 5 days in Cairo (Alexandria, Memphis, Giza, Egyptian Museum, et al) , 2 days in Aswan (including Abu Simbel), a 3 night Nile cruise, and Luxor. Then we had 2 days in Sharm el Sheik. All hotels, meals, tours, and internal flights were included. We then flew to Jordan with 2 days in Petra and one around Amman.
The trip cost about $5800 and was worth every penny. We saw lots of other large tours who spent a lot of time waiting for bathrooms, going to souvenir factories, and generally moving slowly through crowded venues. We had the time we needed to see what we wanted to see and the flexibility to see things not on standard tours. For example, we wanted to see the Alexandria Synagogue and our tour guide Martok arranged it. If something looked interesting, we stopped.