Best of Turkey via Bursa

Welcome to magical Istanbul, the city where East meets West, at the border of Asia and Europe, we’re met at the airport with our guide and drive to city tour. Pass by Istanbul City Walls, massive walls of Ancient Constantinople Then visit the Blue Mosque which boasts a unique feature of 6 minarets. Then, proceed to the only remains of Hippodrome of Constantinople, which consists of 3 monumental columns and a fountain. Visit Topkapi Palace, it is a museum palace with a wide collection of porcelain, antiques, holy relics and other treasures. Next proceed to Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture.

Optional: Dinner Cruise with Belly Dance Show

After breakfast, we drive to Bursa (154km, 2,5 hrs). Visit Green Mosque and Tomb, lunch at a local restaurant, we visit Grand Mosque; Ulu Cami is the largest mosque in Bursa and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture, which carried many elements from the Seljuk architecture. Our last visit will be Silk Market; Koza Han (Silk Bazaar) The Koza (Cocoon) Han was commissioned by Bayezid II and built-in 1490 in the market neighbourhood between Ulu Cami and Orhaniye. 

Dinner and overnight in Bursa.

After breakfast inside of the hotel, check out and continue to tour. We will see Turkish delight shop then; we will drive to Kusadasi (430 km, 5,5 hrs). Lunch will be served on the way, photo stop at Ottoman Clock Tower. The clock tower was built in the Ottoman period of the honour of Ottoman Sultan, Abdulhamit II whom he was the sultan for 33 years in 1901 by grand vizier Mehmet Sait Pascha. The clock on the tower was gifted to the tower by German emperor Willhem II to the Sultan.

Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, start your day with upbeat Fashion Showcasing high leather quality products from Turkey. Next explore Ephesus, one of the world’s most outstanding archaeological sites… Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – Artemis Temple. After lunch, we will visit Turkish delight shop with organic fruit teas and handmade delights Continue to Pamukkale (190km, 3 hrs) and visit the ruins the Ancient City of Hierapolis and explore Cotton Castle, a World Heritage site, made of fascinating white terraces and pools created by calcareous hot spring waters flowing down the mountain. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Dinner and overnight at Pamukkale.

After breakfast travel to Konya (401km, 6 hrs). Visit the museum of 13th-century Philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, which used to be the cloister for Mevlevi Dervishes. Mevlâna was a philosopher and mystic of Islam, but not a Muslim of the orthodox type. Next, visit 700-year old Ancient Caravanserai (a ‘hotel’ for ancient traders and travellers on silk road). Continue to Cappadocia overnight (235km, 4hrs).

Optional Tour: Turkish Night Show

Dinner and overnight at Cappadocia.

Optional Experiences: Hot Air Balloon / Jeep Safari / Horse Riding / Light Show / Sema Show

Next, be enchanted by the Underground City, once a place of refuge for 15000 Christians. Next, get the rare chance to experience the beauty and work of Turkey’s handmade crafts through a Turkish carpet weaving course. Following this visit to the Pigeon Valley and the fascinating rock churches and chapels at Goreme Open-Air Museum. Photo stops will be made At Uchisar “Castle” village, a fantasyland of strange and wonderful works of man and nature. Then stop to Avanos Pottery Village, set on the banks of the Kizilirmak (Red River). Finally, get a chance to view Turkish semi-precious Turkish Turquoise (the name given by Marco Polo which means the colour of Turks).

Optional Tour: Turkish Night Show

Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast check out and, drives pass picturesque Salt Lake to Ankara – Capital of Turkey (290km, 4hrs.). Our Ankara sightseeing highlights the magnificent Ataturk Mausoleum and Museum, the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who was regarded as the father of modern Turkey. Continue for Bolu Overnight (200 km, 3hrs).

Dinner and overnight at our Bolu hotel.

After breakfast, we will departure to Istanbul (270km, 4hrs). We will join the tour with Bosphorus Cruise in a private boat. A traditional boat tour through the waterway separating Asia and Europe. Seeing along the way the old Ottoman wooden mansions, marble palaces, foreign embassies estates and small fishery villages, located at the Asian and European sides. Do not miss important sightseeing spots at the Bosphorus such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Fortress and Beylerbeyi. After lunch, we will visit to Spice Market, Egyptian Bazaar built in the 17th century, this is the second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul. On to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, where the pungent and savoury aroma of exotic oils, herbs and spices have perfumed the arched stone corridors for nearly 350 years. Now also proferring nuts, honey, dried fruits, traditional sweets and herbal remedies, the Spice Bazaar’s redolent wares will transform you into a veritable spice trader. Next free time shopping at Istiklal Street (Taksim Square), in the late 19th century, this major street was known as the Grande Rue de Pera, and it carried the life of the modern city up and down its lively promenade. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home, bringing back wonderful memories and superb souvenirs from your Turkish vacation.