8 DAY TURKISH EXPRESS TURKEY TOUR
Istanbul – Izmir
DEPARTS ISTANBUL, SUNDAYS, 21 JANUARY – 24 DECEMBER 2024
Tour is guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 and a maximum 35passengers.
(2024 Printer Friendly Version PDF)
Day 1 (Sunday) ISTANBUL
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel. A welcome briefing will be held this evening.
Day 2 (Monday) ISTANBUL
Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding Harem). Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the centre of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Your last stop St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, still inhibited as a mosque in the present day and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. (B)
Day 3 (Tuesday) ISTANBUL / ANKARA
This morning depart on an optional Bosphorus cruise and enjoy the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighbourhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants and cafés. The tour will be ended in Asian side and drive to the capital city Ankara for overnight. (B,D)
Day 4 (Wednesday) ANKARA / CAPPADOCIA
of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai holding artifacts from up to 7500 years old including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artifacts in the world. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravanserai en route. Pay a visit to the underground city of Saratli, one of the many underground settlements built for protection and religious reasons. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)
Day 5 (Thursday) CAPPADOCIA
Early Morning Optional: Balloon Tour, experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which was first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi, Red Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. (B,D)
Day 6 (Friday) CAPPADOCIA / PAMUKKALE
Drive to Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)
Day 7 (Saturday) PAMUKKALE / IZMIR
Visit the unique cotton fortress of Pamukkale, with its white lime cascades formed by mineral springs, and the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Proceed to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Day 8 (Sunday) IZMIR / EPHESUS & VIRGIN MARY’S HOUSE / IZMIR
Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural centre of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, a theatre, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a regional rug production centre to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. Join an optional afternoon tour of Sirince. (B,D)
Day 9 (Monday) DEPART IZMIR OR KUSADASI
Transfer to the Kusadasi pier or Izmir Airport (B) END OF TOUR.
| 2024 Departure Dates Sundays |
Per Person in Double |
Per Person in Single |
Per Person in Triple |
| January: 21 February: 11, 25 |
AUD 1990 | AUD 3155 | AUD 1910 |
| March: 10, 24, 31 | AUD 2300 | AUD 3570 | AUD 2220 |
| April: 14, 21, 28 May: 12, 19, 26 June: 2, 9, 23 July: 7, 21 August: 4, 18 |
AUD 2485 | AUD 3820 | AUD 2410 |
| September: 1, 15, 22, 29 | AUD 2640 | AUD 3975 | AUD 2565 |
| October: 6, 13, 27 | AUD 2955 | AUD 4545 | AUD 2875 |
| November: 10, 24 December: 8, 22 |
AUD 2410 | AUD 3680 | AUD 2330 |
Tour Includes:
First Class Hotels in listed hotels (or similar);
Daily breakfast, 6 dinners (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner);
Arrival (Day 1) transfer from Istanbul airport & departure (Day 9) transfer to Izmir airport or Kusadasi pier;
Licensed English speaking guides and entrance fees;
Air-conditioned vehicles;
Luggage handling;
Local taxes and service charges
Superior first class hotels with private facilities used (or similar):
Istanbul – Movenpick Bosphorus,
Ankara – Divan Ankara,
Cappadocia – Mustafa,
Pamukkale – Adempira,
Izmir – Kara Thermal,
THE OPERATOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALTER HOTELS AND ITINERARY IF NECESSARY.
