PEARLS OF WESTERN TURKEY

Your Itinerary

Istanbul – Izmir – Denizli – Antalya

8 Days – 7 Nights

The sun is new each day.

Heraclitus of Ephesus

Day 1: ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL

Arrival to Istanbul. After a comfortable flight, you will be welcomed by your private travel assistant, who is also an English-speaking tour guide. Your private travel assistant will escort you to your hotel and will help you finish the check-in procedures quickly. Dinner at the hotel or a nice local restaurant reserved for you. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2: ISTANBUL – HISTORICAL PENINSULA

Istanbul journey continues with a visit to the historical peninsula, specifically the Sultanahmet District. The historical peninsula is known to be the government, religion and culture center of the city throughout the history. You can also enjoy the beautiful Golden Horn view from the terraces.

Hagia Sophia: Hagia Sophia was built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian to be the greatest sacred building ever built, during the early Christianity period. It includes valuable examples of Byzantine mosaic art. It has been known as the fourth biggest basilica after St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, Milan Cathedral in Milano, and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted and used as a mosque during the Ottoman Empire rule. In 1934, Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Turkish Republic.
Topkapi Palace: Topkapi Imperial Palace of Ottoman Empire, the primary residence for Ottoman Sultans is the ultimate version of profound Turkish architecture on largest scale. The imperial palace was built on 700.000 m2 land near the cape, where the southern end of the Bosphorus meets the Marmara Sea and the Golden Horn. Topkapi Palace is known to be one of the richest museums ever existed, preserving the precious treasuries of the Ottoman Empire.
Blue (Sultanahmet) Mosque: Built during the 17th century, on the east side to the Hippodrome Square right in front of the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque is one of the greatest and the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul. It is the only mosque with 6 minarets in Istanbul. The most important things to notice are the harmony between the domes and the dominant blue color on the ceramic tiles.
Hippodrome: Byzantine Empire being the successor to the Roman civilization, old Constantinople Hippodrome was a vital place of politics and social life where the emperors and their subjects used to gather to watch horse races and enjoy the entertainment. Sculptures and monuments from the hippodrome surviving today can be seen here.
Basilica Cistern: This subterranean structure was commissioned by Emperor Justinian and built in 532. It is the largest surviving Roman cistern in Istanbul. It was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were salvaged from ruined temples and feature fine carved capitals. Its symmetry and sheer grandeur of conception are quite breathtaking, and its cavernous depths make a great retreat on summer days.
Dinner at the hotel or a nice local restaurant reserved for you. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3: ISTANBUL – BOSPORUS

Today, after the breakfast, you are discovering a different Istanbul with a magnificent yacht tour along the Bosphorus Channel.

Bosphorus Yacht Tour: While enjoying the warm welcome of the beautiful channel, your travel assistant will inform you about the Ottoman palaces, Yalı villas, mansions and notable landmarks along the Bosphorus shore. Let your soul relax by watching the lovely harmony of intertwined historical buildings and modern city.
Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar: You’re going to be welcomed by the smell of 1001 kinds of spices, herbs and scents, as if you were living in Tales of 1001 nights. The legendary Egyptian bazaar is a labyrinth, which consists of hundreds of little shops. You’ll find endless delights in this bazaar including “Lokum”, the Turkish Delight. Get ready to be surprised by the abundance and variety.
Dinner at the hotel or a nice local restaurant reserved for you. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4: IZMIR

Domestic flight to Izmir, after the breakfast. Today, you are going to enjoy a city tour in Izmir, the pearl of the Aegean Sea.

Ancient Smyrna, todays Izmir is Turkey’s 3rd biggest city and located in western Turkey. During the city tour, you are going to discover the most beautiful squares and boulevards of a live, modern city of Turkey. The streets are full of palm trees and the houses on the hill look like a long terrace.
You will visit ancient Agora, the cultural center Konak Square, the Clock Tower, Atatürk Mausoleum and Kadifekale.
Dinner at the hotel or a nice local restaurant reserved for you. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 5: IZMIR – EPHESUS – DENIZLI

A day full of history, culture, religion and sightseeing… After travelling with a magnificent view, you are going to discover the wonders of Ephesus. The journey continues with a thermal hotel in Pamukkale, Denizli.

Queen of all the ancient cities, Ephesus was the city where Saint Paul had preached the ways of Jesus Christ. Ephesus is also known to be the hosting city to the Third Ecumenical Council.

Inside Ephesus, as you walk through the ancient marble roads including Curetes Street and Harbor Street, you will discover the scenic Celsius Library, Temple of Hadrian, Marketplace, Odeon and Theater. Furthermore, you will also get the chance to see one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis.

Finally, you will visit the 14th century Isa Bey Mosque, St. John’s Basilica and the House of the Virgin Mary. It is believed that Virgin Mary lived there during her stay in Ephesus. The House is a small Roman church, and today it is recognized by the Pope as a holy place of pilgrimage for Christian religion.

Dinner at the hotel or a nice local restaurant reserved for you. Overnight at a Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale, Denizli. Relaxing in the hamam and a nice massage after a beautiful day.

Day 6: DENIZLI – ANTALYA

Today, we will visit Laodicea and witness the traditional art of carpet weaving.

Laodicea: City of Laodicea was the center of economy during Roman ages. It was also known as the city hosting to one of the seven apocalyptical churches of Christianity. It was rediscovered during the archeological excavations by University of Pamukkale. The city is wonderful with its temples, theaters, nymphaeums and ancient streets surviving to this day.

Carpet Weaving: A tradition of hundreds of years… You can learn about the carpet weaving tradition in Turkey, as you pass through the skirts of Taurus Mountains. You can witness to works of art on silk, cotton and wool carpets and be amazed by the craftsmanship.

After travelling alongside a beautiful scenery, we will reach to Antalya from the Turkish Riviera in the evening. Dinner at the hotel or a nice local restaurant reserved for you. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 7: ANTALYA

Antalya, the city that makes the mythological figures jealous, the center of tourism in Turkey and a heaven on earth…

Antalya Old City Tour: The city of Antalya is one of the most beautiful cities in the Turkish Riviera. It is famous with its magnificent Port, Old City, Hadrian Gate, Palm Boulevard, Clock Tower and the Cumhuriyet (Republic) Square, not to mention the scenic streets, the blue sea and Turkish-Mediterranean cuisine.

Local Manufacturers: Antalya hosts one of the most experienced jewelry manufacturers in Turkey. You will be amazed by the designs and the variety.

Archeological Museum: Built on 7000m2 area and having 13 halls, the Archeological Museum is one of the most important museums on the Mediterranean. The museum depicts Mediterranean civilizations in a historical order.

Dinner at the hotel or a nice local restaurant reserved for you. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 8. TRANSFER

Today, farewell with unforgetable memories. Your private travel guide will assist you to the airport with your private VIP minivan. We wish seeing you again in another trip. Have a nice flight.

Included Services:

• Round trip flight tickets (come & return) including fees and taxes.
• Domestic flights including fees and taxes.
• Welcoming at the arrival airport by your private travel assistant
• Competent, English speaking tour guiding throughout the trip
• Luxurious hotels
• 3 Nights Istanbul
• 1 Night in Izmir
• 1 Night in Pamukkale, Denizli
• 2 Nights in Antalya
• Total of 7 nights in double rooms
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Local drinks with meals
• Daily excursions
• Admission fees to Museums
• Transfers, daily trips and tour with VIP Minivan & Private Driver

(Program changes due to flight availability are reserved.)

* The prices offered on this website are based on economy class flights from EU countries. An additional payment might be required when flying from countries outside Europe. Furthermore, please consult to our customer representative for business (first) class flight premium.