7 Days of Mystical Turkey

Day 1 - Istanbul
Istanbul the capital city of Turkey is the entry point to the country from where the tour begins & explore this marvelous country. Meet at the airport Transfer to your hotel. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 - Istanbul
Kick-start your day with a scrumptious breakfast, followed by an exciting Istanbul City Tour. Our first stop is the Hippodrome, an ancient venue for chariot races that boasts three monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Next, we'll explore the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque due to its stunning blue Iznik tile interior decoration. It was built in the 16th century by the talented architect Mehmet, and it's situated across from the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Our final stop is the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, formerly known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, which is the finest surviving example of Byzantine architecture. For 1000 years, it was the largest church globally and adorned with breathtaking golden mosaics from the 6th century. Today, it's a mosque and a true masterpiece! At 13:00 pm, we'll take a break for lunch before heading to Asil Efendi, where you can shop to your heart's content. This unique shopping destination offers a wide array of goods, from exotic spices and herbs to Turkish baklava, Turkish delights, Turkish coffee, nuts, fruits, and small souvenirs like ceramic handicrafts and evil eye totems. You can also find all-natural olive oil, soaps, and other mementos in the souvenir shops and stores. After the tour, we'll transfer you back to your hotel, where you'll have an overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 3: Istanbul - Antalya
Enjoy a full day of exploration with our BOSPORUS BY BOAT tour, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This traditional excursion by boat takes you along the waterway that separates Europe and Asia, showcasing the picturesque shorelines of old wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses, and charming fishing villages. Your boat ride will feature magnificent sights of Istanbul's top attractions, including the Dolmabahce Palace, Yildiz Palace, Ciragan Palace, and the stunning Ortakoy, where artists gather every Sunday to display their work. Witness the awe-inspiring RUMELI FORTRESS from the boat, built in just four months by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 to control and protect the infamous Bosporus passage. It is considered one of the most beautiful works of military architecture in the world. You'll also see BEYLERBEYI PALACE, the summer residence of Ottoman sultans, in all its original renovated glory, featuring antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul. After a delicious Turkish lunch, we'll take you to the GRAND SPICE BAZAAR for a unique shopping experience, where you'll find exotic spices and herbs, Turkish sweets, coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all-natural olive oil, soaps, and many other goods. Following the tour, we'll transfer you to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Antalya. Upon arrival, we'll transfer you to your hotel in Antalya, where you'll enjoy dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.

Day 4: Antalya Old City Tour and Waterfalls
After breakfast, we will drive to the historic Antalya Old City, also known as Kaleiçi, to explore its charming landmarks. The tour includes a visit to the picturesque Antalya Marina, the iconic Clock Tower, and the stunning Hadrian's Gate, a magnificent triumphal arch built in honor of the Roman emperor Hadrian. We will also see the Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque, which was originally a Roman temple and an important site for the region's history. Next, we will visit the Hıdırlık Tower, a distinctive tawny stone tower located where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park. The tower was built in the Hellenistic era on a square plan and later converted into a circular tower in the 2nd century AD, serving as either a fortification or a lighthouse in the past. After lunch at the hotel, we will depart for the breathtaking Duden Waterfalls. The region is home to numerous streams that flow down the Taurus Mountains and cascade into the Mediterranean, resulting in more than twenty stunning waterfalls. We will explore the falls and their surroundings before returning to the hotel for the rest of the day at your leisure. Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by an overnight stay in Antalya.

Day 5: Antalya - Konya – Cappadocia
After a satisfying breakfast, we'll begin our journey to Konya at 08:00 am. We'll take a 2.5-hour drive to reach our first destination, where we'll have a coffee break to refresh ourselves. We'll then continue our journey to Konya, where we'll have lunch at 13:00 pm. After a hearty meal, we'll visit the impressive green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). Once we complete the Konya Mevlana tour, we'll drive to Cappadocia, arriving around 18:30 pm. You'll then check into your hotel and have the evening at your leisure. Dinner will be served at the hotel. Please note that if we cannot reach a minimum of 6 guests per departure, the tour will be conducted by a domestic flight from Antalya to Cappadocia, and lunch will not be included. Additionally, if you're interested in joining our optional activity of Cappadocia Hot Air Ballooning, please contact your guide and register as soon as possible. The activity will take place early the next morning.

Day 6: Cappadocia Underground City & Goreme Open Air Museum
After enjoying a delicious breakfast at 9:30 AM, get ready for an exciting Cappadocia Tour. Our first stop is Ozkonak Underground City, one of the most well-preserved underground cities in Cappadocia. You'll be amazed at the intricate network of tunnels and chambers carved into the rock below. Next, we'll head to the Goreme Open Air Museum, the heart of Cappadocia. Here, you can admire stunning frescoes dating back to the 10th century that depict the life of Jesus Christ and the monks who lived in the region. We'll then make our way to the abandoned village of Cavusin, which boasts old Greek cave houses that have been beautifully preserved. After exploring Cavusin, we'll stop for lunch at a restaurant in Avanos, where you can savor some delicious local cuisine. In the afternoon, we'll visit a pottery workshop to see how local artisans create their beautiful ceramics. We'll then head to the Love Valley, a hidden gem with breathtaking rock formations that resemble towering phalluses. Although the formations are natural, they are nonetheless awe-inspiring. After that, we'll explore the Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, where you'll marvel at the natural rock formations that resemble various animals. Our final stop will be at the Three Beauties, three iconic fairy chimneys that are the symbol of Cappadocia. The tour will conclude around 6:00 PM, and we'll take you back to your hotel, where you can relax and enjoy dinner before retiring for the night.

Day 7: Cappadocia to Istanbul - End of Tour
After breakfast, you will have some free time to explore Cappadocia on your own before we transfer you to the airport for your domestic flight back to Istanbul and onwards to your final destination. We hope that your tour with us was an unforgettable experience, and we would love to welcome you back for another adventure in the future. Have a safe and pleasant journey home, and thank you for choosing Passport Lifestyles!