16 days/15 nights
Private tour for 2 food lovers starting with the best of Istanbul, then winding down the country on an unforgettable road trip. Along with your private guide discover ancient treasures, charming villages, waterfalls, thermal baths, and natural wonders. 

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ITINERARY:
 

Day 1 
International flight to Turkey (D)
Take your flight to Turkey. Upon arrival to Istanbul, reception by your private guide, and private transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will have time to explore Istanbul on your own and stroll down the Ancient streets of the old city. 
 
Tonight, enjoy dinner at Mikla restaurant (created by famous chef Mehmet Gurs)  next to your hotel, where you will enjoy amazing local delicacies overlooking the spectacular views of the city. 
 
Istanbul Pera Palace Hotel, 5 star (Golden horn view room)  x 3 nights

 
Day 2 
Istanbul (B, L)
After breakfast, meet with your guide to explore the city! Istanbul has more than its fair share of Byzantine monuments, but few are as gorgeous as this mosaic and fresco laden Chora Museum (Church of the Holy Saviour). Originally a church and later converted into a mosque in the 16th century , the beautiful Byzantine mosaics depicting the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary were covered in plaster. This protected them for several centuries until during World War II and the church-turned-mosque became a museum soon after. We continue on to Suleymaniye Mosque, an exquisite blend of Islamic and Byzantine architectural design which overlooks the waters of the Golden Horn estuary. 
 
After a lunch break, we cross the bridge over the Golden Horn to commence a walking tour of old Taksim. Starting on Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) which is a hive of activity any time of day or night, we'll weave through the backstreets, an often neglected sightseeing route dotted with historic buildings,crumbling churches, hip cafes, swanky restaurants and market stalls. The area is one of the most colourful districts in the city. 
 
Continuing downhill we arrive at Karakoy and cross the Unkapani Bridge,before arriving at the Egyptian Spice Market where free time is given for you to buy sticky Turkish delight,baklava, dried fruit, nuts and salted fish if you like. You may prefer to just grab a fresh Simit (bread stick toasted with sesame seeds), take a seat and watch the hubbub of activity that surrounds the area before our tour concludes and we return to our hotel. 
 
Day 3
Istanbul (B, L)
After breakfast in your hotel, join your guide for another day of exploring the city. Today’s visits include St. Sophia, the cathedral built by Emperor Justinian in 537 which was the largest church in Christendom for a thousand years, the Byzantine Hippodrome with its various monuments including a 3500-year-old red granite obelisk brought from Egypt and erected here in 390 AD. The Ottoman Empire produced marvelous architecture and you'll see two of its finest works: Topkapi Palace home of the sultans, and the famed Blue Mosque of Sultan

Ahmet I. 
 
After all these visits, you'll venture into the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar. 
 
In the afternoon you will have a 1 hour yacht cruise on the bosphorus and return back to your hotel.    
 
Day 4 
Istanbul - Troy - Canakkale (B, D)
Today we leave the city behind, and drive to the legendary Troy - a 5000 years old archaeological city, where you will see a reconstruction of the fabled Wooden Horse, which was used in the Trojan War. 
 
After the tour will be transferred to our hotel in Canakkale for dinner and overnight. 
 
Canakkale Kolin Hotel, 5 star (sea view room) x 1 night
 
Day 5 
Canakkale - Pergamum - Sirince (B, D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we continue crossing the legendary mountain Ida, and arrive to Pergamum where we will have lunch at an authentic restaurant . We will visit Acropolis, an ancient city that is  one of Turkey's oldest civilized settlements and it has been inhabited from prehistoric times through the Ionic, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. It has yielded archeological treasures whose importance is recognized world-wide. This area is  a fascinating stop for history-loving tourists. Also visit Altar of Zeus. Continue to Sirince Village for overnight stay. 
 
Sirince Gullu Konaklari Hotel, Boutique (superior room) x 2 nights 

Day 6 
Sirince (B, L)
After breakfast, enjoy a morning drive to the Ancient city of Ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theatres, fountains and buildings in the world. A definite must while in Turkey. You will be able to have lunch at a charming local restaurant nearby the ancient city. 
 
After lunch we will climb up the hill and visit the House of Mother Mary where she is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. We will then return to the Sirince Village hotel.
 
Day 7 
Sirince - Pamukkale (B, D)
After breakfast, we drive to Pamukkale which is the center of natural thermal spring waters with healing properties. Due to the chemical properties in the water, pure white colored travertines and stepped water terraces have been created on the mountain slope. It is for its resemblence to cotton piles that it is called 'Cotton Castle' in Turkish.
 
Then visit the travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Nekropol with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. The sacred pool also is one of the highlights of the site. Their shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins that lie beneath. Check into the hotel and enjoy dinner. 

Pamukkale Doga Thermal Hotel, 5 star (superior room) x 1 night 
 
Day 8
Pamukkale - Marmaris (B, D)
Today we will visit amazing Aphrodisias city which hosts one of the oldest stadiums of the ancient world, and drive to Marmaris which is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Turkey.  Rest of the day at leisure. 
 
Our hotel has an amazing location by the sea offering breathtaking views . Dinner will be at your hotel.
 
Marmaris  Elegance International Hotel, 5 star (sea view room) x 2 nights
 
Day 9
Marmaris  (B, D)
Morning day tour from Fethiye to Kayakoy which is an abandoned Greek village and named as Ghost Village because of its history. There are 3500 old, damaged buildings in the village settled on a hill. It's the most beautiful and the biggest open air museum in the world. Walk through the mysterious streets of the town and continue to rock–cut tombs of the ancient kings. You have a chance to discover a different world. And not just this; you'll have a journey for an hour and half among the forest with a nice scenery. You'll also see the real village life. Return back to your hotel in Marmaris for dinner. 
 
Day 10
Marmaris - Antalya (B, D)
After breakfast we will depart our hotel for Antalya.  En route we will visit stunningly beautiful Saklikent Gorge, Turkey’s longest and deepest canyon. After tracking around  the beautiful  canyon we will  continue to Antalya crossing the Tauros Mountains.  Upon arrival to Antalya you will be visiting the Old Town and wander around the charming streets before we check in to our hotel.  Dinner at our hotel. Overnight Antalya.
 
Antalya Barut Akra Hotel, 5 star (superior sea view room) x 2 nights
 
Day 11 
Antalya (B, L)
Today we visit Perge, originally settled by Hitties around 1500 B.C., the place with the impressive colonnaded street and  where most of the statues that are on display in the Antalya Museum were unearthed. Thereafter we will drive to Aspendos that bears  one of the best preserved amphitheaters in the world. Finally visit the magical  Duden Waterfalls within the gorgeous nature of Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.
 
Day 12
Antalya - Konya (B, D)
Today we will leave Antalya and drive to Konya, home of the whirling Dervishes . We will visit Mausoleum of Mevlana also know as the Green Mausoleum, is the original lodge of the Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes, a mystical Sufi Muslim group that inspired generations.  It contains the tomb and shrine of the Mevlana  or Rumi, which remains an important place of pilgrimage. Overnight at our boutique hotel near the mausoleum
Dinner will be at our hotel.   

Konya    Hich Hotel, special class hotel (mevlana view room) x 1 night

Day 13 
Konya - Cappadocia (B, L)
Today we continue to Cappadocia and visit Ihlara Valley . Walking in Ihlara Canyon, a "mirage" in the Steps of Anatolia up to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema: "Valley of the Sky" along the Melendiz River. Rock-cut churches, spread across a wild plantation, surprise you with their successfully painted representations from the Bible. 
 
Today we will  have a home cooked lunch in a Cappadocia family’s house where we will also learn to make a typical course . We will also visit  Selime, a village with cave houses at the end of the canyon and a "star wars" like landscape. 
 
Continue to your hotel after the  tour where you will have a wonderful  wine tasting  experience in a cave cellar. 

Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa, special class hotel (superior room) x 2 nights 
 
Day 14 
Cappadocia (B, D)
Sunrise hot air balloon tour!

Return to your hotel for breakfast, and then we will be touring within the valleys to see the remnants of some older churches, rock formations and Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors. Stop by Avcilar and pigeons valley to experience the moon-like topography of Cappadocia continue to Open Air Museum in Goreme to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). and Pasabagi Valley. 
 
Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. Return back to your hotel. 
 
Tonight you will attend a marvelous Whirling Dervish ceremony. Dinner will be at Cappadocia Cave resort.
 
Day 15 
Cappadocia - Istanbul (B)
Today you will be transferred to the Kayseri airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.  You will have the remainder of the day at leisure.
 
Istanbul Pera Palace Hotel, 5 star (Golden horn view room)  x 1 night
 
Day 16
Istanbul - Home (B)
Transfer to the airport for your international flight home. Safe travels! 
 

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THIS IS A PRIVATE ITINERARY AND WE CAN MAKE ANY CHANGES YOU WISH