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1. Draft itinerary 9 Days Istanbul >Ephesus >Bodrum >Antalya > Istanbul
Day 1. Pick up at the airport and see highlights of Istanbul.
Blue Mosque,
Roman Hippodrome, Egyptian Obelisk, etc,
Saint Sophia,
Roman Basilica Cistern,
A short break for refreshments if you need one,
Topkapi Palace,
Topkapi Harem,
Royal Tombs,
Grand Bazaar.
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 2. Highlights of Istanbul.
Spice Market Bosphorus cruise,
Dolmabahce Palace, European Fortress,
Beyoglu, Galata Tower
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 3. Drive to Gallipoli.
See battlefields, trenches and memorials (Anzac Cove,
Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, ceremonial Ground, etc)
Cross Dardanelles for Canakkale, and drive to Troy.
After Troy check in your hotel.
Overnight in Guzelyali (nearby Troy)
Day 4. After breakfast drive to Selcuk (modern town by the Ephesus)
On the way see Pergamon, then continue on driving for Selcuk(Seljuk)
Overnight in Selcuk or Kusadasi
Day 5. After breakfast visit Ephesus antique city, and Or ® Fly to Istanbul
St John Cathedral and Selcuk Museum
About midday drive to Bodrum
Overnight in Bodrum
Day 6. After breakfast visit Bodrum Crusader Castle
About midday drive to Fethiye, a sea resort town,
Overnight in Fethiye
Day 7. After breakfast drive to Kalkan
On the way see antique Lycian sites Letoon, Xanthos and Patara
Overnight in Kalkan or Kas.
Day 8. After breakfast drive to Antalya
On the way see, Demre, Phaselis and Antalya museum.
Overnight in Antalya
Day 9. After breakfast visit highlights in Antalya
Perge and Aspendos, then rest of the day at leisure.
Fly to Istanbul by an evening flight
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2. Draft itinerary 15 Days Istanbul >Edirne> Gallipoli > Ephesus > . . . > Istanbul
Day 1. Drive to Edirne
Overnight in Edirne
Edirne, capital city of Ottomans, historical city, on the border of Bulgaria and Greece.
Edirne is known for its monuments: mosques, caravansaries, baths & hamams and historical bridges, the most important of all Selimiye mosque, the master piece of architect Sinan who was the chief architect of Sultan Suleyman.
Overnight in Bozcada
En route see battlefields, trenches and memorials (Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, ceremonial Grounds, etc); Cross Dardanelle Straits to Canakkale, and drive to Assos (Troy).
Day 3. Bozcaada / Tenedos
Overnight in Bozcaada
The wine paradise, fascinating display of sunset.
Herodot ‘ s quote ' God created Bozcaada for those who visited there, to have a long life'.
Day 4. Drive to Cunda island
Overnight in Cunda
Excellent getaway place, a paradise on earth.
Day 5. After breakfast drive to Selcuk
Overnight in Selcuk or Kusadasi (nearby Ephesus)
On the way see Pergamon
Day 6. Selcuk
Overnight in Selcuk or Sirince.
Visit Ephesus antique city, St John Cathedral, Virgin Mary's Place
Drive up to beautiful Greek Village Sirince
Day 7. After breakfast drive to Bodrum (ancient Halicarnasus) Or ® Fly to Istanbul
Overnight in Bodrum.
On the way see Miletus and Didyma
On arrival visit Crusaders Castle (St John's Crusaders) before check in hotel.
Day 8. After breakfast drive to Dalyan
Overnight in Dalyan.
Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Caunos, Lycian cliff tombs, Dalyan mud baths
Ilica mud baths and sultaniye hot springs
Dalyan River
Lake Koycegiz.
Day 9. Drive to Kas
Overnight in Kas or Kalkan
Visit Lycian antique cities Xanthos and Letoon
Day 10. Drive to Olympos
Overnight in Olympos tree houses.
See olympos antique city and drive up to Chimera (ever active eternal natural flames)
Day 11. Drive to Antalya
Overnight in Antalya.
On the way see Demre and Phaselis, before check in hotel If tere is time visit Perge and Aspendos.
Day 11. Antalya Overnight in Antalya.
Visit what was left unseen the previous day, and then city tour,
Hadrian Gate, etc.
Day 12. Drive to Pamukkale Or ® Fly to Istanbul
Overnight in Pamukkale
En route see Lycian antique city Termessos
Visit Roman antique city Hierapolis, antique hot springs, and cotton fortresses.
Day 13. Drive to Manisa
Overnight in Manisa
See Ottoman monuments in Manisa,
A town of Ottoman crown princes
Day 14. Drive to Bursa
Overnight in Bursa
First capital city of Ottoman Empire
See monuments, many in number, Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), Green Mosque
And several historic sites. Enjoy the atmosphere of a rich cultural town in the country.
Day 15. Drive to Istanbul via Iznik
Overnight in Istanbul
See several historical sites from Romans to Ottomans,
Visit tile manufacturing and design shops and furnaces.
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3. Draft itinerary 14 Days Istanbul > Gallipoli > Ephesus > . . > Antalya > Cappadocia > Hattusas> Ankara> Istanbul
Day 1. Pick up at the airport and drive to your hotel.
Day 2. After breakfast drive to Gallipoli.
See battlefields, trenches and memorials (Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, ceremonial Ground, etc); Cross Dardanelle Straits to Canakkale, and drive to Troy. After the visit check in one of the hotels (Tusan or Iris) in the area.
Overnight in Guzelyali (nearby Troy)
Istanbul-Canakkale: 320 km
Istanbul Izmir: 561km
Day 3. Drive to Selcuk (nearby Ephesus)
On the way see Pergamon; arriving Selcuk(Seljuk)
Overnight in Selcuk or Kusadasi (nearby Ephesus)
Day 4. After breakfast drive to Bodrum (skipping Ephesus)
On the way see Priene, Miletus and Didyma; if there is time visit
Crusaders Castle (St John's Crusaders) before check in hotel.
Overnight in Bodrum (ancient Halicarnasus).
Day 5. After breakfast drive to Pamukkale, stop for the castle if not seen on the previous day.
On the way see Aphrodisias. At the arrival, if there is time, see
Cotton Fortresses (but not likely!, if not the following day.
Overnight in Pamukkale (Hierapolis)
Day 6. See Hierapolis and Cotton Fortresses(?)
About midday drive to Antalya, but better staying the night at Kalkan, a cute resort on the sea,
that is some 26 km due west of Kas (very picturesque sea resort west of Demre).
Overnight in Kas (or Kalkan)
Day 7. After breakfast drive to Antalya
On the way see Demre and Phaselis, before check in hotel, visit Perge and Aspendos, then back to Antayla.
Overnight in Antalya.
Antalya Konya : 323 km
Day 8. Drive to Konya Or ® Fly to Istanbul
On the way, see Sagalassus, arriving Konya late (?), but likely in the day light, but hopefully can see at least Mevlana Shrine,
the others: Karatay Medrese and the Ince Minare sites on the next day.
Overnight in Konya
Konya-Nevsehir: 223km
Day 9. Drive to Cappadocia
On the way see Caravanserai of Sultanhani and Agzikarahan
Overnight in Urgup
Day 10. Tour in Cappadocia
Goreme, Pasabag, Avanos, Zelve Valley, Uchisar Fortress, and photo stops here and there
Overnight in Urgup
Day 11. Tour in Cappadocia
Derinkuyu or Kaymakli underground city, and whatever left over from previous day.
(you need at least two full days for Cappadocia attractions)
Overnight in Urgup
Nevsehir Ankara:276km
Nevsehir Yozgat:190km Yozgat-Ankara: 217km
Day 12. Drive to Hattusas, Hittite Highland. Or ® Fly to Istanbul
Visit the site, then drive to Ankara, most likely arriving late for the Anatolian Civilizations Museum if so check in hotel, and
see the museum the following day.
Tour in Ankara; see Anatolian Civilizations Museum, Fortress, Ataturk's Mausoleum, etc.
Overnight in Ankara
Day 13. Drive to Gordion, and then to Bursa
A short tour of Ankara (the museum if undone the previous day)
On the way see Gordion, then continue driving to Bursa. Overnight in Bursa.
Ankara Bursa: 382km
Day 14. Drive to Istanbul
In the morning a short tour of Bursa, and then drive to Istanbul via Iznik.
Istanbul Airport overnight.
Bursa Istanbul: 243km
Bursa Iznik: 77km
Iznik Istanbul: 196 km
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4. Draft itinerary 4 Days GOBEKLI TEPE & MOUNT NEMRUT
DAY 1 Fly to Diyarbakir or Malatya, morning flight
See Diyarbakir, and then drive to Mt Nemrut.
Watch evening sunset
Overnight in Mt Nemrut.
DAY 2 Watch sunrise, and then drive to Sanliurfa.
See Sanliurfa, walking tour
Overnight in Sanliurfa.
DAY 3 Visit Gobeklitepe and Harran.
Rest of the day leisure time
Enjoy mystic atmosphere of the city.
DAY 4 Daily tour to Mardin.
Return to Sanliurfa.
Late in the day around 20:00 hours transfer to Sanliurfa airport (GNY) for your flight to Istanbul .
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5. Draft itinerary 4 Days EASTERN TURKEY
DAY 1 Fly to Erzurum
After arrival and check in your hotel then begin city walking. Visits to Grand Mosque,
Cifte Minerali Medrese, Uckardesler TurbesiI.
City of Erzurum has been a frontier town and a stronghold for many powers as it was strategically located on the ancient trade routes. Shopping in the authentic bazaar. Then continue with the Citadel to enjoy sun set.
Overnight in Erzurum
DAY 2 Drive to Van
Erzurum to Van is approx 415 km
Over night in Dogubayazit
DAY 3 Continue to Van
Van city tour: museum, Tushpa (Urartu Fortress), Ritual Site, Van Old City, Rock burial Chambers, etc, etc.
Overnight in Van.
DAY 4 Visit Akhtamar Church, Cavustepe and Ahlat Ruins
At the south cornerof the Lake Van we take a boat to Akdamar Island to visit the Church of Holy Cross, or the Akdamar Church. This is accepted as the one of the masterpieces of Armenian architecture. Those who wish may use the opportunity to swim in the lake.
Cavustepe was one of the principal settlements of the mighty Urartian kingdom. It was founded by the king Sardur. Later in the day we will visit the Hosap Castle dating 17th century.
Next, If desired visit Nemrut Mountain crater lake.
DAY 5 Fly to Istanbul
If the visit extended then continune the route to Tatvan. Visit Nemrut Mountain crater lake (do not confuse with Antiochus Mount). En route visit Bitlis then continue to Diyarbakir.
Over some stretches the tour requires walking so you may need to have hard sole walking shoes. Furthermore hat, sun glasses, jumpers, several t-shirts, etc.
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AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE EASTERN TURKEY 10 Days
DAY 1 Fly to Malatya
Drive to Kahta
Overnight in Kahta
DAY 2 Drive to Mt Nemrut
Enjoy the unforgettable sunrise at the summit.
After lunch Drive to Sanliurfa.
City walking and visits to sacred pool and profet Ibrahim's Cave
Overnight in Sanliurfa
DAY 3 Drive to Harran
After Harran drive back to Sanliurfa
Overnight in Sanliurfa
DAY 4 Depart from Sanliurfa to Van approx 560 km
En-route short break in Diyarbakir See the impressive city walls of black basalt rock.
Overnight in Van.
DAY 5 Visit highlights in Van
Boat trip to Akhtamar Monastery. Visit Citadel citadel and enjoy the sunset from the city fortress.
DAY 6 Drive to Dogubayazit
En-route visit Cavustepe ruins and Muradiye waterfall
Overnight in Dogubayazit
DAY 7 Visit Ishakpasa Palace ENJOY viewing Mt Ararat
Then drive to KARS (optional)
Overnight in Kars.
DAY 8 Visit Highlights in Kars and ruins of antique city, Ani
Then drive to Erzurum.
Overnight in Erzurum
DAY 9 Visit highlights in Erzurum
Grand Mosque, Cifte Minareli Medrese, Uckardesler Turbesi
DAY 10 Fly to Istanbul
Optional: Black Sea Coast attractions
Tours expenses can be split into:
-guiding,
-driver's pay,
-rent for the van,
-fuel,
-parking expenses (at the sites),
-ferry crossings,
-motorway tolls,
-state taxes,
-hotel expenses for guide and driver,
-Site entries.
