Turkey:  Land of Light, Splendour and Treasures.

Journey through Byzantium, Constantinople and Istanbul, city of a thousand and one names.

Programme

11 days and 10 nights with full room and board (three meals per day, from dinner on the first day to lunch on the last day) in 4* and 5* hotels.  Discover in complete serenity majestic Istanbul, the famous sites of Ephesus and Pamukkale, as well as the Cappadocia region with its fairy chimneys, its churches and troglodyte dwellings.

Book an unforgettable hot air balloon ride and fly over the stunning Cappadocia landscapes sculpted by geological erosion. Reservations can be made with your guide for an extra charge.

100% customisable programmes.

THREE REASONS FOR CHOOSING SCOPE VOYAGE

1. IRREPROACHABLE QUALITY

• Enjoy full board throughout your stay: tour price includes catering from dinner on the first day to lunch on the last day.
• Reap the benefits of small group travel: 18 participants maximum.
• Be accompanied by an experienced bilingual and knowledgeable tour guide. Individual audio-phones for all guided tours will also be provided.
• Delight in the high standards and comfort of the 4* and 5* hotels we have chosen for you.
• Participate in food and wine tastings of local products.

2. ABSOLUTE COMFORT

• Discover Turkey while having fun and relaxing. Our tours are designed to give you just the right amount of time to explore. Fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia, spend 2 nights in Istanbul, 3 nights in Cappadocia, 1 night in Isparta, 1 night in Antalya, 2 nights in Pamukkale and 1 night in Izmir from where you will return home.
• Airlines: Turkish Airlines, Onur Air, Pegasus Airlines, Sun Express.
• Comfortable, spacious and air-conditioned coaches equipped with Wi-Fi.
• Excellent roadway infrastructure, guaranteeing comfortable travel.

3. UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

In addition to the must-see sites (Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus…), you will be captivated by the ancient city of Sagalassos, by the landscapes of  Cappadocia, and by gems such as the Seljuk Mosque of Esrefoglu or the Hittite fountain of Eflatunpinar.  One of the main highlights is the boat trip on the Bosphorus.

Itinerary

DAY 1 : Flight to Istanbul

Meeting point at your departure airport. Assistance with check-in and boarding of your flight to Istanbul.  Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide, then transfer to your hotel. Welcome cocktail before heading to your room.

Accommodation and dinner for 2 nights at the Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul, by Hilton 5* or similar hotel.

Interiors of Topkapi Palace, a central place of power which was long forbidden to foreigners.  Over four centuries, it was the residence of twenty-six sultans and a political, artistic, scientific and religious centre.  The Istanbul harem and its treasures still continue to fascinate.

DAY 2 : From Emperors to Sultans

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

You will start the day with a visit to Hagia Sophia, one of the most remarkable monuments in the world. Its architecture is an example of the refinement of the Byzantine capital during the sixth century and marked the height of the reign of Emperor Justian I.

Onwards to the Basilica Cistern, an ancient water reservoir and superb Roman hydraulic masterpiece of engineering.

Across from the Hippodrome Square, visit the worldwide famous Blue Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616 for the Sultan Amhet I.  Its six elegant minarets tower over the Sultanahmet Square where sporting, political and cultural activities took place during the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods.

After lunch, you will discover the incredible beauty of the Topkapi Palace; the lavish residence of Ottoman Sultans and ladies of the Harem for four hundred years.  Surrounded by five kilometres of ramparts, it stretches over 70 hectares.  In 1985, Unesco inscribed it on the World Heritage list, describing it as «an unmatched assemblage of buildings constructed over four centuries». You will be captivated by its art collections: ceramics, jewellery, silverware, ceremonial furniture, miniatures, weapons and mosaics.

At the end of the day, you will have free time to stroll and shop in the Grand Bazaar.  With its 60 alleys and 4,000 stalls and shops spanning over 30 hectares, it is still the largest indoor market in the world today.

Dinner out in the city and night at the hotel.

Hagia Sophia (6th century).  Upon its completion, Justinian I cried «Glory to God, who has deemed me worthy of accomplishing such a work!…».

DAY 3  : From the Bosphorus to Cappadocia

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Your morning with start with the bustling Spice Bazaar, a complex with vaulted ceilings and a multitude of shops under its arches. Breathe in the perfumes of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint and thyme and experience the colours and flavours of the Silk Road.

Afterwards, take a boat trip on the Bosphorus and admire the best views of Istanbul.  Along the strait on both banks, you will pass by the marble palaces of Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi, the beautiful wooden Ottoman mansions (the yali ») and the medieval fortresses.

Lunch and transfer to the airport accompanied by your guide.

Flight to Cappadocia (approximately 60 minutes).

Accommodation and dinner for 3 nights at the  Yunak Evleri or similar hotel.

« Anyone staying in Constantinople must go on a tour of the Bosphorus. There is nothing more beautiful to the eye than the variety of paintings before one» (Heinrich Barth). The Rumeli Hisari Fortress was built by Mehmet II in 1453 on the European side of the Bosphorus at its narrowest point.  Its very long and spectacular walls line the coast.

DAY 4  :  The Cave Churches of Cappadocia

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Two whole days will be devoted to discovering Cappadocia.  On one of the mornings, you will have the opportunity to take an unforgettable hot air balloon ride (optional, at your own expense).

Cappadocia, this fantastic land with its lunar landscapes where nature created a strange and colourful world of columns, needles and cones shaped by the erosion of volcanic tuff.  Some of these singular shapes are over 30 meters high.

Not only is the natural scenery remarkable here, but in this phantasmagorical environment, our ancestors carved the soft stone to construct houses, stalls, churches, hospitals…

The early Christians painted the walls of their chapels with their own interpretations of the Bible.  These incredibly beautiful frescoes demonstrate the creativity and fervour of their religious beliefs.  In the Goreme Valley open-air museum, you will discover several cave churches: the church of Saint Barbara, the Snake church, the church of the Sandal, the church of the Buckle, and the church of the Apple.

After lunch, you will explore one of the region’s underground towns, an incredible labyrinth on several levels used during times of invasion for the local people to hide in.

In the afternoon, discover the Avcilar and Kiliçlar valleys, with their ancient troglodyte dwellings and fairy chimneys. Onwards, for a stroll through the delightful village of Uçhisar.  Its citadel crowns a rocky peak offering a superb panoramic view over the entire region and the Pigeon valley.

Then on to Avanos, a charming little town well known for its artisanal pottery and knotted carpet making.  The beauty and quality of a Turkish carpet can’t be matched. This ancestral art will be explained during a visit to a renowned carpet factory.

End the day on a majestic note and watch the sun set from the terrace in the midst of the vineyards with a majestic view overlooking the valley.

Dinner and night at the hotel.

« Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene » John (19, 25). « When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, «Woman, here is your son», and to the disciple, «Here is your mother».  From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. » Jean (19, 26-27).

DAY 5  : The Coloured Valleys

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

In the morning, off the beaten track, take a walk in the Soganli Valley along paths lined with apricot and almond trees.  This valley is surrounded by beautifully decorated rock churches as well as many unusual dovecotes dug out of the rock.

Stop-off and enjoy a barbecue lunch specially prepared for you by a Cappadocian family.

In the afternoon, at the foot of Mount Melendiz, visit the troglodyte village of Güzelyurt, and discover several Greek churches in the shade of jujube and pistachio trees.  Amidst the scenic old stone houses, participate in a wine tasting of some of the delicious local wines.

Return to the hotel.

With this unusual erosion, the rocks became shaped like yellow, green and red meringues.  The Red Valley, with its different types of rock formations, is one of the most spectacular ones in Cappadocia.  The rock is sometimes white (limestone), pink-red (iron oxide) or sometimes yellow (sulphur).

DAY 6  : Cappadocia – Konya – Isparta (460 km – 5 h 30)

Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After breakfast, en route for Konya, former Iconium and religious city located in the heart of the Anatolian steppe, at an altitude of 1,015 m.

On the way, you will visit the Sultanhan caravanserai on the Silk Road,  built between 1226 and 1229 and one of the best preserved in the world.  This complex allowed merchants to store their goods and to stay there in safety.

Upon arrival at Konya, visit of the museum dedicated to Celaleddin Rumi (Mevlana), who in the 13th century founded the Sufi order of the whirling dervishes.

After lunch, discover Beysehir, a town situated on the banks of Lake Akşehir, Turkey’s largest freshwater reserve. Visit the Esrefogul Mosque (13th century) a remarkable example of Seljuk art, with a forest of interior cedar wood columns, earthenware and mosaics.

Photo stop-off at Eflatunpinar to admire its monumental Hittite fountain decorated with bas-reliefs.

Arrival at Isparta, world famous for its precious natural rose oil.

Accommodation and dinner at the Ramada by Wyndham Isparta  or similar hotel.

The tomb of Rumi, said Mevlana. Founder of the Sufi brotherhood of the Whirling Dervishes, who professed a mystique centred on love and tolerance, regardless of religion, gender and culture.

DAY 7 : Isparta – Aspendos – Antalya (250 km – 4 hours)

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

In the morning, after having crossed the Taurus Mountains, you will reach the Pamphylian coast, and then on to Aspendos, whose 2nd century theatre is the best preserved of all the Roman theatres in Asia minor.

You will also visit one of the largest jewellery stores in Turkey with unique pieces set with precious gemstones.   The country is ranked second in the world in this art form.

After lunch, stroll through the old town of Antalya with its typical wooden houses overlooking the port and close by you will discover Hadrian’s gate, the fluted minaret, the truncated minaret and the Hidirilik tower.

Accommodation and dinner at the  Alp Pasa Butik or similar hotel.

The British archaeologist David George Hogarth wrote in 1909: “This is not like anything that I ever saw before.  You may have seen the amphitheaters in Italy, France, Dalmatia and Africa; temples in Egypt and Greece; the palaces in Crete; you may be sated with antiquity or scornful of it. But you have not seen the theatre of Aspendos.”

DAY 8 : Antalya – Sagalassos – Pamukkale (300 km – 4 h 30)

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

In the morning, visit the ancient town of Sagalassos.  Located on a rocky outcrop, this ancient Pisidian city was inhabited during the Hellenistic and then Roman period.

After lunch, en-route for Pamukkale, a natural site, unique in the world.

On the way, you will stop on the shore of Lake Salada, whose sandy white beaches and lagoon like blue waters are reminiscent of Mauritius.

Upon arrival at your hotel, enjoy a taste of what awaits you the next day and take time to relax at the swimming pools, thermal water baths and spa.

And, why not treat yourself to a relaxing massage? (optional, at your own expense).

Accommodation and dinner for 2 nights at the Doga Thermal 5* or similar hotel.

Sagalassos, a hidden gem waiting to be explored.  The ancient city hypnotises its visitors with its Antonin fountain, agora, baths, sanctuaries, theatres, library and herôon.

DAY 9 :  Pamukkale – Aphrodisias – Laodicea – Pamukkale (200 km – 3 h 20)

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

In the morning, departure for Aphrodisias, renowned for its school of sculpture.  You will discover the best-preserved stadium in Asia Minor, the temple of Aphrodite, the Tetrapylon, the theatre and the museum.

After lunch, en-route via Denizli to visit the ancient city of Laodicea of Lycos, formerly the capital of Phrygia, the region of Asia Minor.  Laodicea is also one of the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned by John in his Revelation.  An important council took place there around AD 364.  Excavations and restorations carried out in recent years have brought to light spectacular ruins.

Once back at Pamukkale, discover this « cotton castle »: from the top of a 200 m high cliff overlooking the plain, the hot springs bearing deposits of calcite created an unreal landscape of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and stepped basins..

Finally, visit Hiérapolis, a spa town whose well-preserved necropolis is among the most important of the ancient world.

Dinner and night at the hotel.

The Necropolis at Hierapolis: Roman burial chamber («domotomorphe»), trapped in the limestone.

DAY 10   : Pamukkale – Ephesus – Izmir (225 km – 4 hours)

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

A lovely drive through rural western Turkey to Selçuk, crossing the rich alluvial plain of Menderes irrigated by the Meandros river (the Meandros river god) with its long winding course disappearing into the distance.  The road bordering the river is lined with trees and plantations including plane trees, reeds, fig, olive, pomegranate, orange and lemon and strawberry fields.

After lunch, visit of one of the most beautiful ancient cities, Ephesus, remarkable for its architecture.  Among its gems are the Library of Celsus, the theatre and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

At the peak of the 3rd century BC, Ephesus was an important port and a major administrative centre with a population of 200,000 inhabitants. Ephesus played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in large partly due to Paul’s lengthy stays in the area as of the year 52.

Lunch with be served in a traditional nomadic tent, with a menu of local specialities.

Then on to a fashion show of leather designer clothes specially presented for you.

Departure for Izmir (former Smyrna), Turkey’s third largest city.

Accommodation and dinner at the Swissôtel Grand Efes 5* or similar hotel.

One of the most sumptuous monuments can be found in Curetes Street.  It was erected in honour of Emperor Hadrian, who visited Ephesus on several occasions.  The four columns with Corinthian capitals support an arcade on which Tyche, the city’s goddess, is carved.  On the semi-circular tympanum, surrounded by acanthus leaves and flowers, Medusa the gorgon is represented.

DAY 11:   Return flight home

Breakfast and transfer to Izmir airport according to your flight schedule.

Assistance with check-in and departure to your destination.

On the Bosphorus, the wooden houses, «yali», were built in the 19th century for state dignitaries.

 

The price includes

✈ International round trip flights.

✈ Domestic flight on day 3 Istanbul/Cappadocia

o Meeting upon your arrival.

o Transfers airport/hotel/airport.

o Assistance from your experienced bilingual guide during the tour.

o Double room accommodation in the assigned hotels or ones of similar standing, hotel luggage porters.

o Full board from dinner on the first day to lunch on the last day.

o Transportation in comfortable vehicles adapted to the size of the group, a window per person.

o Visits and entrance fees to sites and museums mentioned in the programme.

24/7 assistance from our agency.

The price does not include

X Single room supplements.

X Drinks and personal expenses, tips for the guide and the driver.

X No insurance is included (Scope Voyage recommends you purchase travel insurance).