Compare Western Turkey Tour by Ada Vegas Travel vs Anatolian Civilizations by Eskapas

Day 1: Welcome To Istanbul

After your arrival in Istanbul, we will provide transportation to your hotel, and you’ll have the rest of the day free.

Day 2: Istanbul

Today you will take a full day sightseeing tour through Istanbul’s Old Town. Among other things you will see the Church of Chora famous for its Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, the Hagia Sophia, a magnificent Church (later a mosque and now museum) of epic proportions built by the emperor Justinian in the sixth century, the Blue Mosque and its wonderful blue-tiled interior, and the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held in Roman times.

The tour continues with a visit to theTopkapi Palace museum where you will see many priceless jeweled objects and other treasures. After the guided tour, you’ll have the opportunity to shop at the world famous Grand Bazaar, a feast for your senses! .

Day 3: Istanbul – Antalya

In the morning, we cruise along the Bosphorus Strait by boat, where you will see a wonderful collection of magnificent palaces and enjoy other unique views of the city.

After your relaxing cruise, you cross the Bosphorus Bridge to Asian Istanbul for a visit to Beylerbeyi Palace, the “Summer” palace. Later we’ll take you to the airport for your flight to Antalya,where you will spend the night.

Day 4: Antalya

Today we will explore Antalya (Attalia), the primary port for St. Paul on his first journeys to Lystra and Derbe. Paul also sailed from Attalia to Antioch, making the port even more important for his ministry.

We then  drive along the Mediterranean coast to Perge, where Paul stopped on his way to Pisidian Antioch with Barnabas and Mark. Next we will continue to Sideand Aspendos, where you will see a majestic amphitheatre. At the end of the day, we will return to Antalya for the night.

Day 5: Antalya – Pamukkale

We will drive to Pamukkale to visit the ruins of Hierapolis and experience the glittering landscape of Pamukkale’s thermal springs which have been utilized therapeutically for thousands of years. On a nearby hilltop you will have the opportunity to visit the recently discovered burial place of St. Philip. Next we will drive to Laodicea to see the remains of one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Laodicea Church was an offshoot of the church of Ephesus, as were the churches of Hierapolis and Colossea. You will have dinner and spend the night in Pamukkale.

Day 6: Pamukkale – Izmir

In the morning we will head to Miletos, home to one of the largest amphitheatres in Asia Minor. It was in Miletos that Paul completed his third missionary journey and predicted his imprisonment.

In the afternoon we will visit the city of Ephesus, one of the most important cities of the ancient world. Ephesus is one of Turkey’s finest ancient cities, and is home to many incredible historic sites, including the burial place of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary, where the mother of Jesus is believed to have spent her final years. The Church of the Virgin Mary, built in the early days of Christianity, was the seat for the Council of Ephesus. At the end of the day we will drive to Izmir (Smyrna) and spend the night there.

Day 7: Izmir

In the morning we will visit Sardes, the capital of Lydia where King Croesus ruled. Here you will see the gymnasium and the Temple of Artemis, among other things. Later we will drive to Philadelphia, where you will see the ancient walls of the “city of brotherly love.” After dinner, you’ll spend the night in Izmir.

Day 8: Izmir – Canakkale

Today you will visit Akhisar, the ancient city of Thyatira, the church referred to as “apostate” in Revelation for having tolerated the works of Jezebel.

We will continue on to Pergamon to visit the highlights of the Hellenistic Acropolis, including the Altar of Zeus and the temples of Trajan & Dionysus. After visiting the Asclepion, the earliest health centre of Asia Minor, we will continue on to Canakkale for the night.

Day 9: Canakkale

First on the agenda for today is a visit to the site of legendary Troy, the Homeric city that today houses a local museum. Next we’ll drive to Troas, from whence St. Paul set sail to Neapolis on his second missionary journey. Later we will visit Assos, where Paul rejoined his companions. We will have dinner in Canakkale and spend the night there.

Day 10: Canakkale – Istanbul

In the morning we will cross the Dardenelles by ferry, drive through the first World War battle fields of Gallipoli,  After Gallipoli drive to Istanbul. At aiport our services end.

Day 1 

Arrive in Istanbul

Arrival to Istanbul . Meet with English speaking assistant at the airport . Transfer to the hotel for check in .

Overnight: Istanbul Meals: N/A

Day 2

Istanbul

Breakfast at the hotel . Drive from your hotel to Spice Market for shopping . Free time. Then meet and proceed to take 1,5 hrs  Bosphorus Cruise excursion along the Bosphorus , that is dividing the 2 continents Asia & Europe . During the excursion you will enjoy the beauty of Istanbul , with its forest , Palaces and wooden old houses built on both continents . Lunch at local restaurant . After lunch visit  Sultanahmet Mosque  (Blue Mosque) , and the famous Hagia Sophia Free time at  Grand Bazaar. 

Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3

Istabul - Ankara

Breakfast at the hotel . Departure from the hotel to visit Topkapi Palace ( harem section entrance free is not included ) the house of the ottoman sultans . Departure from the hotel to Ankara – the capital of Turkey . Arrival to Ankara in early evening

Overnight: Ankara Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4

Ankara - Cappadocia via Salt Lake

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the capital of Turkey with the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with an exhibition of Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, Phrygian Urartu etc & remains and the Ataturk Mausoleum, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic. Departure for Cappadocia (290 km). Along the way, visit the  underground city built by Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab attacks. The underground city preserves the stables, common rooms, meeting room and small rooms for families. Arrival in the Cappadocia region. 

Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 

Cappadocia 

Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to visiting this fantastic region with its spectacular fairy chimneys, unique in the world Goreme Valley , with its cave churches, with paintings from the 10th and 11th centuries; stop at the trogloyta village of Uçhisar , visit  Avcilar  which has a spectacular landscape, the  Derbent valley  with its curious natural rock formations and time for artisan workshops such as carpets and onyx-stones mounted on silver jewelry. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. 

Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 

Cappadocia- Sultanhani - Pamukkale

Breakfast and departure for Pamukkale (610 km). On the way, stop to visit the Sultanhan Caravanserail, Seljuk inn from the medieval era. Continuation to. Free time in Pamukkale "Cotton Castle", unique in the world with its natural pools of limestone hot springs and the petrified travertine waterfalls. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Overight: Pamukkale Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7

Pamukkale – Ephesus – İzmir

Breakfast at the hotel. Exit for Selçuk-Efeso (200 km). Arrival and visit to the archaeological area of Ephesus, a city dedicated to Artemis. The Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora, the Marble Street and the largest Theater of antiquity. Visit to the House of the Virgin, supposed last dwelling place of the Mother of Jesus. Stop at a leather production center and continue to Izmir (~ 85 km.), The third largest city in Turkey. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Overight: Izmir Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 

Izmir - Pergamon – Troy – Çanakkale

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for  Pergamon , the current Bergama (110 km). Arrival and visit to the ruins of  Asclepion , which was the most important hospital in Asia Minor, with its therapeutic center. Continuation to Troy (~ 190 km.). Visit to the famous archaeological city of history that evokes the poetic name of the Iliad saga of Homer. Continuation to Çanakkale (~ 25 km.). Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Overnight: Çanakkale Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 

Çanakkale – Gallipoli – Anzac Cove – Istanbul

Breakfast. We will cross Dardanelles Strait by car ferry and continue to Gallipoli Peninsula. We will visit one of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli, including Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, 57. Regiment Turkish Memorial,The Nek,Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Arrival late (between 08:00 pm and 09:00 pm) to Istanbul transfer to your hotel. End of our services. 

Overnight: N/A Drop-off to your hotel Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 

Istanbul Departure

Breakfast . Transfer to airport and fly home .End of our services 

Overnight: N/A Meals: Breakfast ( If the pick up time for departure fligth permits )