TURKISH DELIGHTS & THE ENCHANTING LANDSCAPES OF CAPPADOCIA
Visiting: Istanbul, Bosphorus Cruise, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Duden Waterfalls, Konya, Cappadocia
Turkey is a destination filled with extraordinary contrasts, where magnificent historical landmarks, ancient cities, rich traditions, and breathtaking natural landscapes come together in one unforgettable journey. From the vibrant streets of Istanbul to the remarkable rock formations of Cappadocia, discover a country that offers a fascinating combination of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Begin your adventure in Istanbul, exploring its most celebrated landmarks, including the historic Hippodrome, the magnificent Blue Mosque, and the impressive Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Enjoy a scenic Bosphorus boat cruise before discovering the Grand Covered Bazaar, where colourful shops offer traditional Turkish handicrafts, carpets, ceramics, and unique souvenirs.
Continue to Kusadasi and explore the ancient city of Ephesus, visiting remarkable historical sites including the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, Roman baths, Celsius Library, and the Grand Theatre. Discover the charming village of Sirince, renowned for its traditional houses and fruit wines, before travelling to Pamukkale to admire its spectacular white calcium terraces and the ancient ruins of Hierapolis.
Journey onwards to Antalya, where you will enjoy an evening outing to the Land of Legends and explore the historic streets of Kaleici. Discover landmarks including Hadrian's Gate, the Clock Tower, and the Broken Minaret before visiting the beautiful Duden Waterfalls. Continue through Konya to visit the impressive green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana before heading towards the extraordinary landscapes of Cappadocia.
Experience the remarkable beauty of Cappadocia, exploring Ozkonak Underground City, Uchisar Castle, and the fascinating Goreme Open Air Museum. Discover the ancient cave houses of Cavusin, admire the unusual rock formations of Love Valley and Devrent Valley, and experience traditional pottery and carpet craftsmanship. Enjoy a day at leisure, with optional experiences including a hot air balloon tour, sunrise balloon watching, or a 4x4 Jeep safari, making this journey through Turkey truly memorable.
FOR THOSE WHO PREFER TO GO GUIDED!
DAY 1: MALTA - ISTANBUL
Meet the tour manager at Malta International Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival transfer to your 5*Crowne Plaza Istanbul Florya Hotel or similar for check in.
Meals: Dinner.
DAY 2: ISTANBUL
Breakfast and pick up from your hotel for a day tour of Istanbul city. Our first visit will be Hippodrome. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Then proceed to Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, the 16th century building by the architect Mehmet, is known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Our next visit will be the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom which is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics but today it is a mosque. After you’ll have some time for shopping in a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices. Here you will find exotic spices and herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts, fruits, small souvenirs such as ceramic handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all natural olive oil soaps and many other goods in shops and stores.
Please note: scarves needed for visiting the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 3: ISTANBUL - BOSPHORUS CRUISE - KUSADASI
After breakfast depart for Bosphorus Cruise tour. Enjoy a magical Istanbul Bosphorus boat cruise and enjoy the array of sites you can see from the boat. Proceed to the Grand Covered Bazaar where the labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area, the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. Transfer to Istanbul Airport for a domestic flight to Izmir and upon arrival transfer to the 5* Kusadasi Elite World Hotel or similar for check in.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
DAY 4: KUSADASI - EPHESUS
Breakfast and depart for tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world en-route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curetes street, famous Roman baths, Celsius Library and the Grand theatre. Then, you will visit a place which continues to perform as one of the oldest arts of Türkiye, a carpet weaving centre and a Turkish Village. Sirince’s construction style today belongs to Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slope are all original with their white paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Türkiye - especially fruit wines. You will visit the vineyards and learn how to make fruit wine with Turkish wine makers. In the evening you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way you will visit one of the famous leather production centres of the region, where you will have the opportunity to purchase goods at factory prices. After that you will visit Textile. Enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
DAY 5: KUSADASI - PAMUKKALE
Breakfast and drive to Pamukkale. Visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. After the tour, transfer to hotel for check in at the 5* Doga Thermal Health & Spa Hotel or similar.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
DAY 6: PAMUKKALE - ANTALYA
After breakfast depart for Antalya. Upon arrival transfer to the 5* Hotel Su & Aquapark or similar for check in. After dinner transfer to Land of Legends for evening outing.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
DAY 7: ANTALYA – DUDEN WATERFALLS
Breakfast and drive to Antalya’s old City. Visit the Clock Tower, Hadrian’s Gate, Broken Minaret and Hıdırlık Tower: Kaleici is a small historic part of Antalya’s modern city, also known as the old city of Antalya. In history it was once the sprawling modern Roman town, the Byzantine Empire, Seljuks, and finally the Ottoman Turkish town. The Hadrian’s Gate or The Three Gates is a triumphal arch which was built in the name of the Roman emperor, Hadrian. Antalya’s broken wonder is the Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque, which itself was built originally as a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD, and thus did not have a minaret at all. Hıdırlık Tower is a landmark of tawny stone in Antalya, Türkiye, where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park. It is believed to be built in Hellenistic era on a square plan and later turned into circular tower in 2nd century AD and was either used as a fortification or a lighthouse in the past. Depart for Duden waterfalls where all the streams of the region aim at finding their way into the Mediterranean and they pour down the slopes of the Taurus, sometimes overland, sometimes underground and reaching their destination, result in lovely waterfalls, of which there are more than twenty.
Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner.
DAY 8: ANTALYA - KONYA – CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast proceed to Konya. Then we will visit the imposing green tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). After the Konya Mevlana tour drive to Cappadocia and check in at the 5* Barcelo Cappadocia Hotel or similar.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
DAY 9: CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast and drive to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the best preserved Underground cities in Cappadocia. Visit the Uchisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia. Proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum, the heart of Cappadocia. Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to the 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and the monks. Next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. We will then visit a pottery workshop, to see how to make potteries. Proceed to the Love Valley Cappadocia which is a hidden valley with scenic formations to say the least. Despite the resemblance to man hood, these amazing rock formations are far from man-made. After Love Valley you visit another workshop to see Cappadocian handwoven carpets and kilims. Next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
DAY 10: CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast and day at leisure. Dinner at hotel.
DAY 11: APPADOCIA - ISTANBUL - MALTA
After breakfast transfer to the Airport for your flight to Istanbul where you will be in transit for your flight back to Malta.
All quoted prices are per person unless otherwise specifically indicated. Please note that all prices and packages quoted are subject to the ROCS Travel Terms and Conditions listed at ROCS Travel Terms and Conditions. All prices are in EUR and are subject to change without any prior notice. ROCS Travel reserves the right to discontinue any offer at any time without prior notice. Additional terms and conditions may apply.
VISA REQUIRED
ROCS package include:
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Return flights Malta-Istanbul-Malta
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One way flight Istanbul–Izmir
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One way flight Cappadocia-Istanbul
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8kg hand luggage & 23kg luggage in hold
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Airline taxes and fuel charges
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10 nights in 5* accommodation
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10 breakfasts
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10 dinners
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All transfers
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Air conditioned motor coach
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All excursions as per itinerary
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Comprehensive guided sightseeing
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Active itinerary with unique cultural features
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Services of English speaking professional guide
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Services of an experienced ROCS Travel tour manager