Legendary Turkey Tour
Per person sharing
The Legendary Turkey Tour seems like a majestic journey through the heart of history and natural beauty. Starting in Istanbul, a city steeped in the legacies of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, offers a profound glimpse into the meeting point of cultures and time periods. The two full-day tours promise a comprehensive exploration of its iconic landmarks and vibrant culture.
Moving onward to Cappadocia, the landscape transforms into a wonderland of fairy chimneys and ancient dwellings carved into the valleys. The sheer beauty of this region, with its surreal geological formations, is bound to captivate and inspire.
Antalya, nestled along the Mediterranean coast, provides a stunning juxtaposition of history and scenic vistas. The meeting of East and West echoes through the historical sites and resonates with the beauty of the coastline.
The tour's emphasis on first-class service and guided transportation ensures a seamless and enriching experience. Exploring Turkey's historical sites, shaped by its rich Christian and Islamic heritage, offers a profound understanding of its past. Yet, venturing into the interior promises a glimpse into the slower, more traditional pace of life and the enduring warmth of Turkish hospitality.
This tour seems to encapsulate the essence of Turkey, presenting a blend of historical grandeur, natural beauty, and the vibrant spirit that defines this captivating country.
At a glance
| Day 1 | Welcome to Istanbul. Transfer to hotel |
| Day 2 | Full-Day tour to Bursa with a cable car ride and lunch |
| Day 3 | Spend a day on Princess Island with lunch included |
| Day 4 | Transfer to the Airport for onward flight to Cappadocia |
| Day 5 | Full-day North Cappadocia including lunch |
| Day 6 | Transfer to the airport for onward flight to Antalya |
| Day 7 | Full-day Old Antalya and waterfall tour including lunch |
| Day 8 | Travel to Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Return to Antalya for overnight |
| Day 9 | Return flight to Istanbul. End of tour |
Highlights
> Explore Bursa and Princess Island
> Visit famous sites in Cappadocia such as rock-cut churches and Underground cities
> Visit the gorgeous hot springs in Pamukkale
> See the splendid Duden Waterfalls in Antalya and spend a few hours in the Old City
Quick Contact
Itinerary
Antalya (B/L)
- After a leisurely breakfast leave your hotel around 09:30 and travel to the Antalya Waterfalls.
- See the falls drop off a rocky cliff into the Mediterranean Sea
- After lunch, leave for the Old city center where you will have a few hours to explore the area
- Check out the smalls streets of Kaleici (Old City) filled with little shops or take a tea/coffee break
Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour (B/L)
- Discover the incredible natural setting of Pamukkale and the ancient settlement of Hierapolis on a day trip from the Antalya or Kemer region. Your guide will help you to understand the fascinating history and provide extra insight into this special area.
- Begin with pickup from your hotel or from the meeting point in the early morning before driving for a few hours until you reach Pamukkale. The dreamlike landscape is filled with fantastic stalactites and white terraces with flowing water.
- The healing properties of this area have been recognized for centuries and have long attracted visitors to the area. Experience the rejuvenating and calming effect of the mineral water. In the past, even Cleopatra made the trip to experience this unique setting. The ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis in Anatolia also provide spectacular views. In addition to learning about the history of this place, find out more about religion and culture in contemporary Turkey.
Depart Antalya– End of Tour (B)
- Today we depart for Antalya airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul and then back home.
Thank you for choosing Azure Travel for your Turkey experience. We value your patronage & look forward to serving you again in the near future.
Inclusions
- Meet and assist on arrival and departure by our local representative
- Transfer and intercity transportation as per itinerary in AC vehicle
- Accommodation in selected hotels in double/twin sharing
- Meals: as mentioned
- Local English-speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
Exclusions
- International/Domestic flights – Departure & Fuel taxes (Contact us for best airfares)
- Personal expenses, meals and drinks unless otherwise specified
- Travel Insurance
- Turkey Visa fee
- Tips
- Services not stated in the itinerary
Validity
- Rate valid for travel between 01 JUL and 31 OCT 25
Contact us for alternative travel dates
Country information
Best time to go
The best times to visit Turkey’s archaeological sites and cities are in spring (Apr-May) and autumn (Sep-Oct) as the temperature is warm, but not too hot.
High summer (Jun-Aug) can be hot: best time for beach holidays. Winters can be cold and many hotels though city breaks are still an option. Turkey does offer ski options during the winter months
Turkey food & drink
Turkish food is varied and delicious. It’s often meze style – lots of small dishes to sample, including aubergine dips, calamari, borek (stuffed pastries), mashed broad beans and stuffed vine leaves – plenty of options for vegetarians, too. Local food involves a lot of meat, often in kebab form – the smell of charcoal-grilled beef, lamb and chicken permeates Turkey.
A Turkish menu includes wonderful loaves of bread, super-sweet baklava (pistachio and syrup pastry) and salty white cheeses. Despite being a Muslim country, alcohol is easy to find in Turkey, especially in the touristy coastal regions. Efes is the Turkish beer of choice. Raki, grape spirit, is potent.
Turkish coffee is pitch black, very strong and often sweet. Tea is widely drunk and served black
Culture and Language
Turkish is the official language, however, English, French, and German are widely spoken in all major cities and tourist areas. Shaking hands is the common form of greetings. Hospitability is a top priority. Pointing fingers at a person a considered rude. Declining an offer is done by putting your hand over your heart. Observe dress code when visiting Islamic sites
Getting around
Train travel is a very popular mode of transport between the major cities. It may be slow but can sometimes offer you some inspiring scenic moments. Coach travel is the most used way of getting around Turkey. Bus routes are relatively cheap and are most comfortable. Just about any city is connected by coach. On certain upmarket coaches, extra legroom and Wi-Fi is offered. If your journey is more than 5 hrs, a 30-minute stop is made about every three hours. Taking a taxi is by far the most convenient way of travel in major cities, but not always the quickest way. Taxis can easily be hailed on the street. Important: only take the official bright yellow taxis. If they do not have a meter, then it is a no go
Tipping
The basic rule is: tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafes and bars. Hotel staff does, however, expect a tip between 5 and 20 Turkish Lira. Do not tip taxi drivers but round up the fare. Tour Guides do not depend on tips, however, if a tour has really gone beyond what your expected, a tip of between 20 and 30 Tl will be greatly appreciated
Classical ruins, Bazaars, Cuisine and more...
Turkey's teeming cityscapes, magnificent classical ruins, chaotic bazaars, and rich, complex cuisine testify to the country's unique position at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. Istanbul, astride the strategic Bosphorus Strait, has been the capital of three empires—Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman—and has the tile mosaics and dome-and-minaret skyline to prove it.
Ruins of legendary towns dotting Turkey's long Mediterranean coast—Aphrodisias, Ephesus, Bodrum, and Troy—preserve in stone the secrets of ancient civilizations. In sprawling bazaars, carpets, spices, silks and other exotic goods for sale reflect millennia-old trade routes still traversing the country.
Inland, even geologic wonders have cultural depth. The cascading mineral pools of Pamukkale once fed royal baths. And Turkey's food is revered as one of the world's great cuisines: chicken with apricots and almonds, slow-roasted eggplant with garlic and lemon, lamb shish kebab, honey pastries and lots of yogurts.