(NOTE: This program is available on ANY day of the week. Just ask!)

Let us know if you need any assistance with transfers from your own Istanbul hotel (arrival or departure).

Program:

Day 1: Istanbul - Ephesus - Pamukkale - (D)
Very early in the morning, we will transfer you to the domestic airport and put you on a 1-hour flight to Izmir; after arrival, we will transfer to you to Ephesus and continue on with our full-day tour.
Sites you’ll see today:
*Ephesus is the best-preserved classical cities from ancient times, and was inhabited by Greeks, Macedonians, Romans and Turks. St. Paul lived here circa 60 AD, when it was at its most populated at 250,000.  During your visit, you’ll walk its stony boulevards, stand in the grand theatre, marvel at the beauty of the Celsus Library, the agora, as well as the baths, giving you the unique chance to get up-close-and-personal with history by literally being able to walk into it.
*The House of The Virgin Mary, (Turkish: Meryemana Evi), high on a hill overlooking the town of Selcuk, is where it is believed that St. Mary came to live with St. John the Baptist in the later years of her life.  Masses are held here on Sundays.

Day 2 - Pamukkale to Antalya - (B/L)
After breakfast, we will depart Kusadasi for our scenic 3-hour drive to Pamukkale, where you will have a guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis.
* Pamukkale ("cotton castle" in Turkish) is the result of limestone formations created over thousands of years. Warm, calcium-rich mineral water from nearby thermal hot springs flowed over these cliffs and, as these waters cooled, they deposited the calcium that we see today.
* Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded as an ancient healing care center in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral waters. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centers of the Roman Empire. Over time, the city hosted large numbers of both Jewish and Christian residents.
Right after the tour of Pamukkale, we will put you on a comfortable overnight bus east to Cappadocia (20:30/8:30 pm departure).

Day 3: Cappadocia - (B/L)
5:00 AM arrival in Cappadocia, where you'll check-in at your hotel. After some resting time, we will continue on a full-day tour of Cappadocia.
Sites you’ll see today:
* Goreme Open-Air Museum - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Goreme is an ancient town carved right out of the rock (tufa); you'll explore Byzantine-era churches, chapels and monasteries which house wonderfully-preserved 11th- and 12th-century cave frescoes.
* Fairy Chimneys--This strange geological phenomenon was created over millions of years, and were formed during regional volcanic eruptions. Reaching at times 40 meters in height, they are conical in shape and have a whimsical "hat" top to them.
* Devrent Valley--This valley is known as "the pink valley" because of the color of its soil. This is a lovely place to wander about and really take in the magical rock formations indicative to Cappadocia, including the Fairy Chimneys.
* Uchisar Castle, also known as Uchisar Fortress, is actually a formation of two gigantic rocks surrounded by smaller ones that together, form a natural fortress with towers. These formations were inhabited during both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.
If there is time, we'll also visit local crafts people and learn the special art of making dolls and traditional pottery.
Overnight in Cappadocia

Day 4: Cappadocia to Istanbul - (B/L)
After breakfast, we will continue on a full-day tour to the southern part of Cappadocia.
* Underground City of Derinkuyu--You'll gradually make your way down into the depths of the earth of this ancient settlement that has 18-20 floors which boast depths as long as 40 meters. (Don't worry, we'll only go down to the 8th floor!) Youll marvel at the fact that Derinkuyu is just one of 36 Cappadocian underground cities, which archaeologists date back to the time of the Hittites around 4,000 years ago.
* Traditional Anatolian village -- You'll see head-scarved women in the fields (where they work from sun up until sundown) and the mustachioed, vest-wearing men hard-at-work playing cards or tavla (backgammon) in the kahvehane (coffee shop). You'll get time to stroll in a village such as this and see the average Turkish villager at work...or play.
After the tour's conclusion, we will transfer you to the Kayseri Airport for your 1-hour, 15 minute flight to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 5: Istanbul to Home
Gule, Gule! Farewell! It's time to go home. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey in your hearts and hope our paths cross again!

If you have extended your time with an additional add-on trip, we will be confirming this with you today.

*** Program ends ***

Prices are starting from 585 Euros per person in a double, contact us to get a price quote for your dates

Price includes:
* All transportation in comfortable vehicles
* All hotels with breakfast & 3 lunches
* Domestic flight tickets (Istanbul - Kayseri & Izmir - Istanbul)
* Professional, English-speaking guides
* Entrance fees to the historical sites
* All service charges and local taxes

Excludes:
* Drinks with meals
* Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia (15% discount if booked with this program)

(NOTE: This is a fully-customizable program and is available all year round. If you are interested in obtaining more information about early booking, cash-paying discounts, hotel names (and web sites), or daily departure times, simply send back to us your e-mail inquiry, letting us know the dates you wish to travel, and we'll get back with you very soon.

You also may choose to extend your stay by adding-on such destinations Fethiye, Ephesus, Pamukkale, etc., in order to fit your time and travel interests.)