Highlights of Turkey With Bodrum

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Istanbul

  Welcome to Istanbul! Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred privately to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city. In the evening, you can stroll around Istanbul's historic old town, or feel the vibrant nightlife at Taksim Square.

  • Istanbul

• Day 2: Istanbul, Explore Palaces and Mosques

  Accompanied by a private guide and driver, today you will have a full day to explore the highlights of Istanbul. Start by visiting the Topkapi Palace, the Imperial residence of Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years. Marvel at its incredible architecture and opulent decor as your guide introduces you to the history of the Ottoman Empire. Continue to the Hagia Sophia, where the numerous, huge and exquisite mosaics always amaze you. After that, visit the underground Basilica Cistern, the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul. Next, head inside the Suleymaniye Mosque. Though smaller than the renowned Hagia Sophia, it is a delicate structure like no other. Continue to the nearby Hippodrome or Sultanahmet Square for a glimpse at what it used to be as a sporting and social center centuries ago.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 3: Istanbul, Bosphorus Cruise & Spice Bazaar

  In the morning, head to the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Market. Wander through this captivating market with your guide and take in the myriad sights, flavors, and aromas.

  Then, take a Bosporus cruise. While sailing, you will pass by old wooden mansions, marble palaces, and majestic mosques along the shoreline. After disembarking, relax at Ortakoy, a historic area clustered with exquisite churches and synagogues. Your guide will share with you the history of the Turks, Armenians, Greeks, and Jews here. Also, don't miss the street food here, such as Kumpir, a giant potato with different fillings.

  In the afternoon, visit Dolmabahce Palace, which dazzles with its opulent interiors, grand chandeliers, and waterfront setting along the Bosphorus.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 4: Istanbul - Cappadocia

  Fly from Istanbul to Kayseri Erkilet Airport in the early morning. Upon arrival, meet your private guide and driver for an adventure-filled day in magnificent Cappadocia.

  Feel free to explore the city for the rest of the day. It is advisable to hike along the Red Valley in the afternoon, which gets its name from the breathtaking afterglow cloaking the rocks, visit a vineyard and taste local wine, or visit the village of Avanos, which is best known for its beautifully intricate pottery.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 5: Cappadocia, Walking on an Extraterrestrial World

  Some compare Cappadocia's stark, gray-white rock formation to the lunar surface. Start your surreal expedition at the picturesque Devrent Valley and Pasabag Valley. Take a guided walk to explore this geological wonder dotted with the ubiquitous fairy chimneys. Continue to Cavusin Valley to see the peculiar troglodyte settlements that stayed inhabited until the mid-20th century. Afterward, drive to the Göreme Open Air Museum, the top attraction of Cappadocia, which houses a massive collection of historical monasteries and cave churches displaying fine specimens of ancient Byzantine frescoes. Continue to the Uchisar Castle for a fabulous panoramic view over this region, and then end your tour with a visit to the Pigeon Valley.

  In the late afternoon, check into a cave hotel for a special but wonderful night.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 6: Cappadocia - Izmir - Kusadasi

  This morning, you will be escorted to the airport in Kayseri for your flight to Izmir, with a stopover in Istanbul (The interline flights will take about 4 hours in total). Upon arriving at Izmir, visit the Agora Open Air Museum, which offers a glimpse into ancient Roman life with its well-preserved ruins of a bustling marketplace, and the historical Elevator, built in 1907, connects two parts of the city and provides panoramic views of Izmir's coastline from its upper terrace. After that, take a private transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in.

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  • Kusadasi

• Day 7: Ephesus Day Tour

  Today will be a full-day private tour from Kusadasi to the ancient city of Ephesus. As one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean, you can get some idea of the city's original splendor from the ruins, including the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celsus Library. Before returning to Kusadasi, pay a visit to the nearby Shrine of Virgin Mary and Basilica of St. John.

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  • Kusadasi

• Day 8: Kusadasi - Bodrum

  Drive to Bodrum in the morning (about 2.5 hours). After settling into the hotel, enjoy a private city tour of Bodrum and visit St. Peter's Castle, a medieval fortress now housing the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. After that, you will go to the remains of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, then proceed to see windmills, iconic remnants of the 18th century that offer scenic views of the Aegean coast. En route, you will visit the ancient amphitheater, dating back to the 4th century BC.

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  • Bodrum

• Day 9: Bodrum, Free Day

  Enjoy a leisurely free day in Bodrum, where you can soak up the relaxed Aegean atmosphere at your own pace. Whether you choose to stroll through the charming old town, unwind on the beach, or sip Turkish coffee by the marina, Bodrum offers the perfect blend of culture, history, and coastal beauty.

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  • Bodrum

• Day 10: Bodrum - Istanbul, Departure

  Relax at leisure, until your guide escorts you to the airport in Bodrum for your flight to Istanbul to connect with your homebound flight.

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