Istanbul, Antalya & Cappadocia, Private Tour

If you are looking for something special and extraordinary this is the best Turkey package for a short visit in Turkey, including Istanbul, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia and back to Istanbul. By booking this tour, you will be able to see Istanbul, Mediterranean Region and Central Anatolia. An Ideal tour for these who loves history, culture, sea and sand. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Istanbul: a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.

Antalya: Before Antalya became one of Turkey’s top summer resort towns, it was the ancient city of Attalia, founded during the Hellenistic period, later becoming part of the Roman Empire. As such, Antalya’s old town is one of its most important sights harking back to its rich past. 

Konya: a city south of Ankara in Turkey’s Central Anatolia region. It’s a pilgrimage destination for Sufis, focused on the tomb of the founder of the Mevlana order, Jelaleddin Rumi, in the Mevlana Museum. Sema, whirling dervish ceremonies take place at the Mevlana Cultural Center, east of the museum. The 12th-century Alaeddin Mosque is surrounded by the green parks of Alaeddin Hill.

Cappadocia: a semi-arid region in central Turkey, is known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, Göreme and elsewhere. Other notables sites include Bronze Age homes carved into valley walls by troglodytes (cave dwellers) and later used as refuges by early Christians. The 100m-deep Ihlara Canyon houses numerous rock-face churches. 

Day 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL (45km – 50 min)

Upon arrival at the airport meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring Istanbul. 

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2: ISTANBUL: CITY TOUR

After breakfast, start the Istanbul City Tour with the visit of the Hippodrome. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Then, visit Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue ‘’Iznik’’ tiles. Next, visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. After lunch, the guide will take you to the Asil Efendi with a unique atmosphere and reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find; exotic spices and herbs, traditional Turkish sweets and coffee, souvenirs and many other goods in souvenir shops and stores. After the tour transfer back to your hotel. 

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3: ISTANBUL: BOSPHORUS CRUISE – ANTALYA (60 min by flight, not included)

After breakfast enjoy Bosphorus by boat, a traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will see from your boat the magnificent sights of Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries. Rumeli Fortress, built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosporus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul. Stop for a lunch break at the Turkish restaurant. After lunch the route leads to the Grand Spice Bazaar, where you can find everything from local food and spices to souvenirs such as evil eyes totems. After the tour transfer to Istanbul Airport for a domestic flight to Antalya (not included). Upon arrival, transfer from the airport and check in to your hotel in Antalya where you will enjoy your dinner.  

Overnight in Antalya.

Day 4: ANTALYA OLD TOWN TOUR & WATERFALLS

Today after breakfast we will visit Antalya old City (Kaleiçi) Marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian's Gate, Broken Minaret and Hidirlik Tower. Kaleici is a small historic part of Antalyas modern city. In history it was once the sprawling modern Roman town, then the Byzantine Empire, then Seljuks, and finally the Ottoman Turkish town. The Hadrian's Gate also known as The Three Gates is a triumphal arch which was built in the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian. Antalya's broken wonder is the Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque, which itself was built originally as a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD, and thus did not have a minaret at all. Hidirlik Tower is a landmark tower of tawny stone in Antalya, Turkey, where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park. It is believed to be built in Hellenistic era on a square plan and later turned into circular tower in 2nd century AD and was either used as a fortification or a lighthouse in the past. We have lunch then depart for Duden waterfalls. All the streams of the region aim at finding their way into the Mediterranean and they pour down the slopes of the Taurus, sometimes overland sometimes underground and reaching their destination, result in lovely waterfalls, of which there are more than twenty. After the tour come back to hotel and rest of day free at leisure. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Overnight in Antalya.

Day 5: ANTALYA – KONYA – CAPPADOCIA (570 km – 7 hrs)

After breakfast early in the morning drive to Konya. On the way we will have a break for coffee and after some rest we will continue to Konya. After lunch break we will visit the imposing green tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). After the Konya Mevlana tour drive to Cappadocia. Arrival to Cappadocia and check in to your hotel where your dinner will be served.

Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 6: CAPPADOCIA: UNDERGROUND CITY & GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM

After breakfast pick-up from the hotel. We will drive you to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the best preserved underground cities in Cappadocia. Then visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia. Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to the 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks. The next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. After Cavusin you go to the restaurant in Avanos to have lunch. After lunch, you visit a pottery workshop, to see how to make potteries. Then you go to Love Valley. Love Valley Cappadocia is a hidden valley with scenic formations, to say the least. Despite the resemblance to manhood, these amazing rock formations are far from man-made. The next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. The last stop is Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia. Return back to your hotel where you will enjoy your dinner.

Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 7: CAPPADOCIA – ISTANBUL DEPARTURE (80 min by flight, not included)

After breakfast you will have free time in Cappadocia. Today we depart for Kayseri Airport for domestic flight to Istanbul (not included) and then back to home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again.

Comfortable and warm clothing for the mountains and comfortable summer clothes & shoes. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.