Magic Carpet Tour Guaranteed Departure - 10 Days

10-day Fixed Turkey tour starts when you arrive at the Istanbul Airport. Transfer to your hotel. You’ll be free for the rest of the day. You can explore the hotel's vicinity and try Turkish coffee at a local cafe—accommodation in Istanbul. 

We will start our tour after breakfast. Our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby.
First, we will visit the Hagia Sophia (Saint Sophia), built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century.You will see beautiful mosaics and frescoes depicting Christian icons and Byzantine Emperors. Next, we will visit the Topkapı Palace, a giant walled complex home to many Ottoman sultans 400 years. (Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays)
After that, we will visit the legendary Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, which features six beautiful minarets.
Stroll in the historical Hippodrome Square, which was used as a meeting place for chariot races during Byzantine times. Here, you will see the Serpent Column from Delphi, the Egyptian Obelisk, and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II.
In the afternoon, you can get an optional half-day Bosphorus Cruise tour.
Accommodation in Istanbul.  (Breakfast) 

Today, we will depart early for Çanakkale. Pick-up will be between 6:15 am and 6:45 am from your hotel. We will drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula for about 4 hours to visit one of the most important World War I sites.
Gallipoli is home to the remains of 500,000 soldiers and is one of Turkey's most important war memorials. We will visit the site of the Battle of Gallipoli, including the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Chunuk Bair Atatürk Monument, Anzac Cove, and Johnston's Jolly Cemetery. We see the original trenches and tunnels where the bloodiest and most dramatic scenes of the Dardanelles wars took place, and the bayonet wars were fought hand in hand.   At the end of the tour, we’ll drive to Çanakkale.
Overnight in Çanakkale. (Breakfast - Dinner)  

After breakfast, we’ll head to ancient Troy, the real-life location of the legendary Trojan War described in Homer's Iliad.  Troy is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. As you walk among the archaeological remains of the ancient city, discover the layers of civilisation built over thousands of years and see an iconic replica of the Trojan Horse. Visit the award-winning Troy Museum to better understand Troy's mythological and historical significance.
Behramkale is a village built on the site of the ancient settlement of Assos. Its stone architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, traditional lifestyle, tranquil atmosphere, and magnificent views are noteworthy. The village's most important landmark is the Temple of Athena, famous for its location overlooking the Aegean Sea. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at the village coffeehouse.
Afterwards, we set off towards Kuşadası.
Overnight stay in Kuşadası. (Breakfast - Dinner) 

Today, we’ll immerse ourselves in the history of ancient Ephesus.
Ephesus has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2015.  The ancient capital of Asia Minor is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek and Roman cities in the world. It is home to the Temple of Hadrian, the marvellous Celsus Library, the Temple of Trajan, the Grand Theatre (25.000 seats), the Agora, the Gymnasium, and the Terrace House (entrance extra).
The Temple of Artemis is regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  It was destroyed by strong earthquakes and remained underground. 
Visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum,  which houses an impressive collection of artefacts from the region.

At the end of the tour, we will take a short break for souvenir shopping. We will also learn about the art of hand-woven carpet weaving, which has a traditional history spanning thousands of years in Turkey.  We will learn about the preparation stage of wool and silk cocoons, how they are woven, and the factors that determine their value.
Overnight stay in Kuşadası. (Breakfast - Dinner) 

After breakfast, we will first enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods. Then, drive to Pamukkale (220 km).
Pamukkale, a World Heritage site, is one of Turkey's best-known tourist destinations, known for its white travertine.
Hierapolis, where we will see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Street, the ancient 2^nd-century Roman Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium, and the Necropolis. We will pass through the Roman Gate, admire the ancient Pamukkale Theatre, and walk around the grave monuments built to honour heroes.
Afterwards, we will have a relaxing walk on the travertine terraces and have a chance to swim in the Ancient Cleopatra Pools (at extra cost).
Overnight stay in a thermal hotel in Pamukkale. (Breakfast - Dinner)

 After breakfast, we will drive to Cappadocia via the ancient Silk Road route. On the way, we’ll take a break in Konya. Have a lunch break and visit the Mevlana Museum, which houses the tomb of the great 13th-century Persian poet and founder of the Order of the Whirling Dervishes, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi, also known as Rumi, and the Alaeddin Mosque, built on Alaeddin Hill during the Seljuk period. Along the ancient Silk Road, we will also visit the Sultanhanı Caravanserai in Aksaray.
Overnight stay in Cappadocia.  (Breakfast - Dinner)  

Today, we will start our tour with a visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum, home to a large monastery complex with dozens of monasteries, each with its own church, offering some of the best examples of Byzantine art. The churches carved into the rock feature paintings and frescoes from the tenth to the thirteenth century, whose colours retain freshness.
Kaymakli Underground City is one of Cappadocia’s most fascinating subterranean cities. Explore its tunnels, living quarters, storage rooms, and ventilation systems, which early Christians used for shelter. These underground cities in Cappadocia were used as defences against attacks from the Romans, Persians, and Arabs, as storehouses and for living.
Overnight stay in Cappadocia.  (Breakfast) 

*Optional Cappadocia Tours
- Turkish Folklore Night: Featuring traditional folklore and belly dancing shows in a cave music hall. 
- Hot Air Balloon Tour:  04:30 - 09:00. It is advised to book with your Agency before arrival. 

After breakfast, we will depart early for Ankara (approx. 330 km,) the capital of Turkey. On arrival, we will see Anıtkabir, also known as the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder of the Republic of Turkey. After this visit, we’ll have time to lunch in a local restaurant and depart for Istanbul by vehicle (approx. 440 km). 
Overnight stay in Istanbul. (Breakfast) 

Free time depending on your flight time. Private transfer to Istanbul Airport.  Our tour concludes with your transfer to Istanbul Airport. Hope to see you on another tour. (Breakfast)