Welcome to Turkey!

We’re thrilled to have you here and can’t wait for you to experience the incredible beauty, history, and culture of this remarkable country.

🛬 Arrival & Transfer
Upon your arrival, a comfortable transfer service will be waiting to greet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation in Istanbul. Relax and enjoy a seamless start to your journey as you settle in and prepare for the adventures ahead.

🏙️ Overnight Stay: Istanbul

✨ Get ready to explore the wonders of Turkey! ✨

Today, step into the heart of Istanbul’s vibrant history and culture as you embark on your first guided city tour! Our team will pick you up from your accommodation and take you on an immersive exploration of some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Tour Highlights:

🕌 The Blue Mosque
✨ Admire the stunning Ottoman architecture of this world-famous mosque.
✨ Marvel at its intricate blue Iznik tiles and impressive domes.
📌 Note: The Blue Mosque is closed to visitors during Friday prayer times.

🏛️ Hagia Sophia
✨ Experience the grandeur of this architectural masterpiece, which has served as a church, mosque, and museum over the centuries.
✨ Discover the rich historical and religious significance of this UNESCO-listed site.

👑 Topkapi Palace
✨ Step into the former residence of Ottoman sultans and explore its lavish chambers, gardens, and courtyards.
✨ View priceless treasures, including the Imperial Treasury and relics of the Prophet Muhammad.
📌 Note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.

🛍️ The Grand Bazaar
✨ Get lost in the world’s largest and oldest covered market, home to over 4,000 shops.
✨ Shop for handmade carpets, ceramics, spices, jewelry, and traditional Turkish lamps.
📌 Note: The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

🌟 Our Recommendation:
After the tour, you’ll have some free time to explore at your own pace. We highly recommend visiting the Spice Bazaar, where you’ll be enchanted by colorful stalls filled with Turkish tea, aromatic spices, and sweet delights.
📌 This visit is not included in the guided tour, but it’s an easy and short trip. You’ll need to make your own way back to your hotel afterward.

📍 Important Notes:
✔ The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
✔ The Blue Mosque is inaccessible during Friday prayer times.
✔ Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.

🚍 Pickup Details:
We offer hotel pickups from central locations, including:
📍 Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Laleli, Aksaray, and Taksim.
(For pickups outside these areas, additional charges may apply. Please contact our team for details.)
🏙️ Overnight Stay: Istanbul

✨ Enjoy your journey through Istanbul’s timeless wonders! ✨

Sights Visited

Today, embark on a spectacular journey along the Bosphorus Strait, cruising between two continents, exploring majestic palaces, historic landmarks, and breathtaking viewpoints.

🌅 Morning: Dolmabahce Palace Tour
Before your cruise, step into the elegance of Dolmabahçe Palace, an architectural masterpiece built between 1842 and 1853.
✨ Once home to the last six Ottoman sultans, this palace is an exquisite blend of Neoclassical, Baroque, and Rococo styles.
✨ Walk through its lavish halls, gilded ceilings, and grand chandeliers, standing as a symbol of Ottoman grandeur along the waterfront.
📌 Important Note: Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on Mondays. On these days, the tour will begin two hours later.

🚢 Bosphorus Cruise Highlights: A Journey Between Continents
Set sail from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, passing Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks along the way.
🔹 Maiden’s Tower
✨ A historic tower shrouded in legend, standing gracefully on a small islet.
🔹 Old Constantinople Walls
✨ Once protecting Topkapi Palace, these mighty fortifications tell the story of Istanbul’s Byzantine past.

🔹 Kucuksu Palace (1-Hour Stop)
✨ A stunning “small water” palace, known for its ornate design and lavish interior.
🔹 Cıragan Palace
✨ A former Ottoman palace, now transformed into a luxurious five-star hotel, best admired from the water.
🔹 Ortakoy Mosque
✨ Famous for its unique pink mosaics and breathtaking Bosphorus backdrop.
🔹 Bosphorus Bridge & Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
✨ Sail under two iconic bridges that link Europe and Asia.
🔹 Rumeli Castle
✨ A fortress built in 1452 by Mehmed the Conqueror, strategically positioned to prepare for the fall of Constantinople.

🌆 Afternoon: Pierre Loti Hill & City Walls
After the cruise, switch to a bus tour back to the Old City, stopping at:
🏞️ Pierre Loti Hill
✨ A romantic hilltop viewpoint offering stunning panoramic views of Istanbul.
✨ Enjoy a scenic cable car ride to the top, where you can sip authentic Turkish coffee at a charming café.
🏰 Old City Walls
✨ Witness the historical fortifications of Constantinople, an architectural marvel that has stood for centuries.
⏰ The tour concludes with a return to your hotel around 17:00–18:00.

📌 Important Notes:
✔ Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on Mondays (on these days, the tour begins two hours later).
✔ Dolmabahce Palace, Kucuksu Palace, and Pierre Loti Hill are the only stops visited on foot.
✔ All other landmarks will be viewed from the boat or bus for a relaxed sightseeing experience.

✈ Evening: Flight to Izmir & Transfer to Ephesus
After an unforgettable day in Istanbul, head to the airport for your evening flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, transfer to the Ephesus region (Selcuk or Kusadasi) to prepare for the incredible Ancient Ephesus tour the following day.

🏙️ Overnight Stay: Ephesus

Sights Visited

Today, embark on a breathtaking journey to Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning white travertine terraces and ancient ruins.

🌿 Pamukkale: The Cotton Castle
Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, is a natural wonder like no other, famous for its dazzling white mineral terraces and warm thermal waters.
✨ Walk barefoot up the travertines, feeling the soft deposits of calcium carbonate beneath your feet.
✨ Marvel at the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
✨ Soak in the warm, mineral-rich pools, an experience believed to have healing properties for centuries.
✨ Capture unforgettable photos of this one-of-a-kind geological wonder.

🏛️ Hierapolis: The Ancient Spa City
At the top of the travertines lies the ancient city of Hierapolis, a Roman-era spa city built over the thermal springs.
Explore some of its most remarkable landmarks:
🔹 Frontinius Gate & Frontinius Street – The impressive main entrance and grand boulevard of the city.
🔹 Temple of Apollo – A sacred site dedicated to Apollo, the god of prophecy and music.
🔹 Latrina – A public Roman bathhouse, showcasing the city’s advanced infrastructure.
🔹 Fountain of Tritons – An ornate water feature dedicated to mythical sea creatures.
🔹 Northern Byzantine Gate – A historic entrance, marking the city’s long-standing significance.

🪂 Optional Tour: Pamukkale Paragliding
For adventurers, take your experience to new heights with an optional paragliding flight over Pamukkale.
✨ Soar above the white terraces and the ruins of Hierapolis, offering an unparalleled aerial view of this magical landscape.
✨ Experience the thrill of flying, while witnessing the striking contrast of nature and history from above.
📌 Advance booking is recommended for this activity.

🏙️ Overnight Stay: Ephesus Region (Selcuk or Kusadasi)
After an unforgettable day, return to your accommodation in the Ephesus region for a relaxing evening before your next adventure.
✨ Get ready for more discoveries in Turkey’s ancient wonders! ✨

Sights Visited

Today, embark on a fascinating journey to Ephesus, once the most important commercial center in Western Anatolia. This ancient Roman city, established as a port on the Cayster River, was not only a hub for trade but also a cradle of innovation, pioneering advancements such as:
🔥 The first gas street lamps, illuminating its grand avenues.
⏰ An early alarm clock, created by dropping pebbles onto a gong.
🏠 Central heating, ingeniously installed beneath floors.

🏛️ Explore the Ruins of Ephesus
Step back in time as you wander through the extensive ruins of this legendary city, once home to over 200,000 people.
🎭 The Great Theatre
✨ One of the largest ancient theaters in the world, capable of seating 25,000 spectators.
✨ Hosted gladiatorial games, performances, and political speeches.
📚 The Library of Celsus
✨ A stunning architectural masterpiece, once holding thousands of scrolls.
✨ An enduring symbol of knowledge and learning in the ancient world.
🏋️‍♂️ The Gymnasium
✨ An ancient training and education center, where athletes and scholars honed their skills.

⛪ The Temple of Artemis
✨ Once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
✨ Dedicated to Artemis (Diana in Roman mythology), the Greek goddess of the hunt and fertility.
✨ Though only remnants remain today, its significance in history and mythology endures.

✈ Evening: Flight from Izmir to Cappadocia
After your full-day exploration of Ephesus, transfer to Izmir Airport for your evening flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the Cappadocia region, where an otherworldly adventure awaits you the next day.

🏙️ Overnight Stay: Cappadocia

✨ Get ready to explore the magical landscapes of Cappadocia tomorrow! ✨

Sights Visited

Early Morning: Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight 🎈
Start your day with an unforgettable adventure! We highly recommend the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Flight, one of Turkey’s most iconic experiences.
✨ Soar above Cappadocia’s surreal landscapes, witnessing the sunrise paint the valleys in golden hues.
✨ Admire the otherworldly rock formations, fairy chimneys, and ancient cave dwellings from a breathtaking aerial perspective.
✨ Float alongside dozens of colorful balloons, creating a spectacular scene in the morning sky.
📌 Please Note: This activity is optional and requires an additional charge. Advance booking is highly recommended due to high demand.

South Cappadocia Tour: A Day of Scenic Beauty & History
Your guided tour continues through South Cappadocia’s remarkable landscapes and historic treasures.

❤️ Love Valley
✨ Famous for its uniquely shaped rock formations, this valley is one of Cappadocia’s most photographed sites.
✨ Learn about the geological history that shaped these intriguing natural structures.

🌿 Meskendir Valley
✨ Wander through this lush valley, home to hidden churches and red-patterned frescoes.
✨ Experience a peaceful hiking trail with dramatic rock formations and ancient caves.

🌹 Rose Valley & Red Valley
✨ Explore the vibrant trails of Rose Valley, leading into the stunning Red Valley.
✨ Known for its dramatic hues and picturesque landscapes, this area is a hiker’s paradise.

🏰 Uchisar Castle Panorama
✨ Stop at one of Cappadocia’s most breathtaking viewpoints.
✨ Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and fairy chimneys.

🕊️ Pigeon Valley
✨ Discover the historic dovecotes, carved into rock formations, used by farmers for centuries.
✨ Learn how pigeon manure has been an essential natural fertilizer for vineyards in Cappadocia.

🏡 Cavusin Village
✨ Step into one of Cappadocia’s oldest settlements, known for its rock-cut dwellings.
✨ Visit the Church of John the Baptist, a 5th-century structure with remarkable architecture and frescoes.

🏙️ Overnight Stay: Cappadocia
After a full day of exploration, return to your accommodation in Cappadocia for a restful night, preparing for another day of discoveries.

✨ Get ready for more adventures in Cappadocia tomorrow! ✨

Sights Visited

Early Morning: Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight 🎈
Start your second day in Cappadocia with another unforgettable adventure!
✨ Soar above the breathtaking valleys and fairy chimneys as the sun rises, illuminating the surreal landscapes below.
✨ Marvel at the colorful balloons floating in the sky, creating a dreamlike panorama.
✨ Enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Cappadocia’s rugged terrain, cave dwellings, and rock formations.
📌 Note: This is an optional activity and requires an additional charge. Advance booking is highly recommended due to high demand.

🏛️ Full-Day North Cappadocia Tour
Today’s guided tour takes you through some of North Cappadocia’s most iconic landscapes and cultural landmarks.

🧑‍🎓 Monks Valley (Pasabag)
✨ Famous for its unique rock formations, resembling monks’ caps.
✨ Learn about the historical and religious significance of these fairy chimneys.

🐪 Devrent Valley
✨ Known as “Imagination Valley,” this area is filled with whimsical rock formations.
✨ Spot natural shapes resembling animals, including a camel, snake, and penguin!

👩‍👩‍👧 The Three Beauties (Three Sisters)
✨ One of Cappadocia’s most famous landmarks, featuring a trio of freestanding rock formations.
✨ These iconic fairy chimneys are steeped in local legends and folklore.

🏺 Avanos: The Artisanal Village
✨ Visit this charming riverside village, known for its handmade ceramics and pottery.
✨ Watch local artisans craft beautiful pottery using clay sourced from the Red River (Kızılırmak).
✨ Browse traditional workshops and boutique stores for unique souvenirs.

⛪ Goreme Open-Air Museum (UNESCO Site)
✨ Step into one of Cappadocia’s most remarkable historical sites.
✨ Walk among ancient rock-cut churches and chapels, adorned with vivid frescoes from the Middle Ages.
✨ Learn about the monastic life and early Christian history in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

🌙 Optional Evening Activities

🏎️ ATV (Quad Bike) Safari
For adrenaline seekers, embark on an exciting ATV Safari through Cappadocia’s ancient valleys.
✨ Ride through the rugged terrain, exploring hidden trails and fairy chimneys.
✨ Enjoy breathtaking sunset views, as the landscape glows in hues of orange and pink.
📌 Tour begins at approximately 17:00, making it the perfect way to end the day.

💃 Turkish Night Show & Dinner
End your night with an immersive cultural experience in a Cappadocian cave restaurant.
✨ Enjoy a lively Turkish Night Show, featuring:
✅ Traditional folk music & dance performances
✅ The mesmerizing Whirling Dervishes
✅ A belly dancing show and a reenactment of a Turkish wedding
✨ Savor a delicious traditional dinner, complete with local specialties and drinks.
📌 Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

🏙️ Overnight Stay: Cappadocia
After a day filled with exploration, adventure, and culture, return to your accommodation in Cappadocia for a restful night’s sleep.

✨ Prepare for your final adventures in Turkey before heading back to Istanbul! ✨

Sights Visited

After an incredible journey through Cappadocia’s surreal landscapes, it’s time to return to Istanbul. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your short domestic flight, bringing you back to Turkey’s vibrant cultural capital.

Need Assistance? We’re Here to Help!
If you require:
✔ Onward travel arrangements within Turkey
✔ Additional accommodation bookings
✔ Tour extensions or customized experiences
✔ Any other travel-related assistance
The Alaturca Turkey Tours team is happy to assist you in making your journey smooth, seamless, and stress-free.

💙 Thank you for choosing Alaturca Turkey Tours! We hope you’ve had an unforgettable experience exploring the wonders of Turkey. Safe travels, and we look forward to welcoming you again!