DESTINATION:
Istanbul, Turkey
Cappadocia, Turkey
Antalya, Turkey
Kusadasi, Turkey
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Day 1
Today, you will arrive in one of the most important and inspiringly beautiful cities of the world,
Constantinople. Our representative, welcoming you in the arrivals hall of the international terminal
of Istanbul Ataturk Airport with a sign bearing your last name, will lead you to your luxury minicoach
for the private transfer to your hotel during which you can catch the first glimpses of this fascinating
city, where the continents meet each other! You will carry on to your hotel for check-in and
relaxation while our representative delivers you a brief orientation as an introduction to the charms
of the city. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2
Istanbul boasts its monumental shrines of different faiths. You will begin your walking tour in the Old
City this morning from the breath-taking Blue Mosque standing in great prestige with its six minarets
and perfectly proportioned dome. A short stroll will then take you through the famed Hippodrome
Square which was the sporting and social center of Constantinople that hosted the chariot races
until the Middle Ages. You will continue today’s sightseeing with a visit to the magnificent home of
the Ottoman Sultans: Topkapi Palace! Located on the very cape of the peninsula where
Constantinople was founded, Topkapi Palace was built as the center of administration of the
Ottoman Empire when the city was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453 AD. Today you will
have an intense tour of the palace going through corridors and different sections of the Harem
where Sultan lived with his family members. Leaving the Harem through the “Golden Corridor” you
will reach the inner courtyard to visit the Treasury that displays exclusive examples of jewelry and
accessories which were worn by the Sultans or were given as gifts to ambassadors.
Your next stop is the Basilica of Saint Sophia built by Justinian the Great during 6th century. Later in
the afternoon, you will find yourself drifting through one of the earliest shopping malls ever built in
history, Grand Bazaar which maintains its charm and volume of business to the modern day with its
indoor and outdoor sections. Nuru Osmaniye District (Glamour of the Ottomans) was where the
Genoese and Venetian merchants had their ware houses to store their inventory of brass, copper
and tiles before they were loaded on the ships to sail to Venice and Genoa.
Today, Nuru Osmaniye District is where you can find the most reputable stores with wide collections
of jewelry and antiques. Your guide will escort you back to your hotel at the end of your touring.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3
In the morning, you will be met by your guide and continue your expedition in this fascinating city.
Narrow alleys will then get you to the bustling atmosphere of the Spice Market, dating back to the
17th century, but still the most popular bazaar visited by locals to shop for fresh ingredients to spice
up the dishes prepared in the kitchens of Istanbul.
You will enjoy a very unique aspect of the city by boarding a local ferry for an unforgettable cruise on
the waters of the Bosphorus, the famed strait running between Asia and Europe. During your cruise
between the two continents, your guide will share with you all the legends and myths about the
Bosphorus and its impressive palaces. You will then head to Taksim Square, one of the busiest spots
in Istanbul, to take a closer look at and to comprehend the social diversity of the city. You will walk
through Istiklal Avenue where you will enjoy the view of the 18-19th century buildings of art nuovo
and eclectic architecture that currently serve a variety of purposes such as hosting art galleries,
restaurants or diplomatic centers and that reflect cultural profundity and richness of Istanbul.
During your tour of the district of Beyoglu (Pera), you will perceive the dominating European feel of
Istanbul as the once terminating point of Orient Express. The non-Muslim community in Pera formed
a more occidental style of life that was a reflection of life in London, Paris and Venice at the time.
Passage Des Fleurs and Passage d’Europe stand out among the major venues where one can
distinguish the joy and nostalgia expressed by the authentic ambience of them.
Your stroll will finally bring you to Galata, the neighborhood that hosted non-Muslim European
communities migrating to Istanbul during the 18th and 19th centuries to profit from the
capitulations granted by the Ottoman Sultanate. You will have the opportunity to watch the skyline
of Istanbul from the very peak of 13th century Galata Tower that was built by the Genoese
merchants to look out for their ships arriving with their loads of goods brought for the markets of
this cosmopolitan city. Your guide will drop you back at your hotel at the end of your tour. Overnight
in Istanbul.
Day 4
Early in the morning, you will meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel and transfer to Istanbul
Ataturk Airport for your domestic flight to Kayseri (Cappadocia). Cappadocia will thrill you with its
unique landscapes formed by erosions of winds and water. Your expedition will start with the
Monastic Center of Goreme. Goreme was founded by St. Basil as the first Monastic Center of
Christianity during the 4th century. Then, you will enjoy walking through the valleys of Zelve that
was a town composed of hundreds of rock-carved houses occupied until 1942.
You will then appreciate the breath-taking scenery of the Pigeon Valley. Today, you will have the
chance to visit one of the local weaving courses where you can blend with the local Cappadocian
people and see how they compose their “woven poetry”!
The last stop of today’s tour before returning to the hotel is Avanos, the famous town of Cappadocia
that was established by the Hittites on the riverbanks of Halys River. You will visit one of the studios
of a pottery artist of Cappadocia and watch the interactive presentation of creating masterpieces of
pottery and ceramics. At the end of your tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight
in Cappadocia.
Day 5
Your expedition will start with Kaymakli Underground City, a subterranean settlement composed of
troglodytic cave dwellings, where early Christians lived protecting themselves from invaders. You will
move on to Soganli Village to see one of the early centers of monastic life and the most authentic
dwellings that reflect the exclusivity of the region’s natural character.
Driving through the inspiring valleys and towns of Cappadocia that will captivate you with their
beauty, you will reach Sinassos to visit its well preserved houses and rock-carved Byzantine
churches. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6
Early in the morning you will drive to Antalya. Antalya was founded by the King of Pergamon, Attalos
II, as an important port controlling the southern borders of its kingdom. Maintaining its value
through history, today’s Antalya is a very popular resort town on the Mediterranean very well
known by European travelers. Upon arrival in Antalya, you will visit Aspendos, the ancient city well
known for its Roman Theatre that is still used for classical music events during the festival of Antalya.
At the end of your tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 7
Today, you will explore the ancient Roman city of Perge, known for its well preserved stadium,
massive Roman Baths and stunning gate of the city dating back to Hellenistic period. Continue with a
visit to the Archaeological Museum of Antalya, where works of art unearthed from Perge are on
display. Having gone through an extensive renovation, the Antalya Archaeological Museum will
impress you with its wide collection of examples of Roman sculptures among which there is a Roman
relief returned by Getty Museum after getting smuggled from out of Turkey. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8
Early in the morning, you will be met by your private guide at the lobby of your hotel and transferred
to Antalya Airport for your domestic flight to Izmir. Upon arrival in Izmir, the hometown of Homer
and the third biggest city of Turkey possessing a rich historical background dating back to 3000 BC,
you will head to Selcuk, the small town that was the very first settlement of Ephesus that was
founded by the Greek colonists as early as 11th century BC and remained inland due to the silting of
the port of Ephesus.
This morning you will have your first stop at the remains of Temple of Artemis that was one of the
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Boarding your minivan, you will have a short drive to reach
the city of Ephesus where history and archaeology will offer you their majesty with incredible
richness. You will walk on the Marble Road that runs through the city, having various structures
resting on it:
Temple of Hadrian is a unique beauty with its articulate facade while Library of Celsus has all the
expression of the grandeur of “good old days” of the Roman Period. Concluding your tour of
Ephesus, You will return back to Kusadasi where you may have opportunities for hunting for
bargains in fine jewelry, and silverware. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 9
Today, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul where you
will connect with your international flight back to home.
Includes:
International airfare
Taxes
RBC youth travel insurance
Escorted private airport transfers
3 night accommodation in Istanbul on BB basis
2 night accommodation in Cappadocia on BB basis
2 night accommodation in Antalya on HB basis
1 night accommodation in Kusadasi on HB basis
Domestic flights
Services of an English speaking professional private tour guide for touring
Private mini-coach transportation throughout the program
All entrance and parking fees for the sightseeing mentioned
Complimentary refreshments throughout the journeys in the private mini-coach
Edventure Tours back pack
Excludes:
Lunches throughout the program
Dinner except where mentioned above
Beverages at the hotel and elsewhere
Gratuities
Personal expenses