Turkey: See & Experience it ALL in 11 Days, 1st Class Custom Tour

Our tour starts in Goreme, best reached via the airport in Kayseri or Nevşehir. This village is used as a base from which to explore Cappadocia’s cave dwellings. In the evening, we are taken to a wine house. There we do wine tasting for about 45 minutes. Note that you are most likely to go through Istanbul before reaching Goreme.

We go on an excursion today. The day starts with an early-morning, hot-air balloon ride over the cave dwellings of Cappadocia. The tour takes about an hour. Following this is a tour of the area: the surreal-looking rock formations of Pasabagi (a.k.a. Monks’ Valley), Devrent (a.k.a. Camel Rock), a pottery workshop in the small town of Avanos, the Goreme Open Air Museum, Love Valley and Uchisar Castle. The day ends with a traditional Turkish bathhouse (a.k.a. hammam). There we are bathed and massaged and sip on tea. Note that children under 7 years old are not allowed onto the hot air balloon.

We go on another excursion today. The destinations for today are a viewpoint called Esentepe, the underground city of Derinkuyu, Selime Monastery, a viewpoint overlooking Ihlara Valley, a hike inside Ihlara Valley, Pigeon Valley and a gemstone (a.k.a. onyx) workshop. In the evening, we go to a night show. There we listen to traditional music while watching locals wearing folkloric attire do a great deal of choreography.

We relocate from Goreme to Kusadasi via a flight through Izmir. We are provided with a guided tour in Kusadasi, covering sites like the city walls and castle. We also have time to go swimming. In the evening, we are taken to a native Turk’s home. There we watch how traditional food is prepared as well as have dinner. The combination of tasty cuisine, rich culture and good company creates an unforgettable experience.

Still based in Kusadası, it’s almost time to visit the world-renowned archaeological site that is Ephesus. First, however, we head to a Catholic shrine named the House of Virgin Mary. It is believed that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there for the remainder of her earthly life. Moving onto Ephesus, it is one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean. The visible ruins still give some idea of the city’s original splendor and the names associated with the ruins are evocative of its former life.

Next is a Greek temple dedicated to an ancient and local form of the goddess Artemis. This temple was completely rebuilt twice, once after a devastating flood and three hundred years later after an act of arson. In Artemis Temple’s final form, it was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Next is a visit to the ruined Basilica of Saint John. It stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle. Lastly is Isa Bey Mosque. It is one of the oldest and most impressive works of architectural art in the region.

There we first have a guided tour of the ancient Greek city of Hierapolis. Next is a visit to nearby Pamukkale, a natural site which shares the same name as the village. Pamukkale consists of hot springs and travertine limestone. It is one of the country’s most photographed locations. Lastly, we go swimming in nearby natural pools called Cleopatra Pools. People have bathed in these pools for thousands of years.

Before relocating by land from Pamukkale to the town of Bodrum, we go on a hot-air balloon ride over Pamukkale. Once in Bodrum, we purchase lunch next to the beach. There we see a whole line of restaurants and people swimming. After our meal, we are provided with a guided tour around town. Specifically, we are shown the castle, the Theatre of Halicarnassus and the bazaar. In the early evening, we are taken to a small port called Gumusluk. There we can purchase dinner and are otherwise provided with a guided tour of the port. See just how decorative the restaurants are. Gumusluk is a very unique and even romantic place.

After Gumusluk, we are taken to a harbor called Turkbuku. There we stroll the waterfront, with its restaurants and bars playing traditional Turkish music. We are then taken to an ultra-modern port called Yalikavak. There we are provided with a guided tour. Yalikavak is a popular place where the jet-set crowd goes. The bars there are quite fashionable. The night ends on a party street called “Gumbet Barlar Sokagi.” Note that November through March, Bodrum and the south of Turkey are replaced with privately guided tours in Istanbul. Bodrum and Fethiye are seasonal destinations. In the wintertime, before flying from Dalaman to Istanbul, we drive to the village of Dalyan. There we take a river cruise, passing by the mountain-carved Lycian tombs followed by heading to a therapeutic mud pool.

Although we are relocating from Bodrum to the beach town of Oludeniz, many important stops are made en route. Firstly, we are taken to the vibrant marina in the resort town of Marmaris. Next, we are taken to the village of Dalyan. There we take a river cruise, passing by the mountain-carved Lycian tombs followed by heading to a therapeutic mud pool. After bathing in the mud clay, we visit the Tomb of Amyntas. Like the Lycian tombs in Dalyan, Amyntas is carved into the mountainside. Next is the resort town of Fethiye. There we are provided with a guided tour of the old town before heading to nearby Oludeniz.

Below are the names of the attractions we typically show you today. 1. Suleymaniye Mosque 2. Spice Bazaar 3. Full Bosphorus Straight Boat Tour 4. Ortaköy Mosque 5. Rumeli Fortress 6. Pierre Loti Hill: Reached by cable car, this viewpoint offers a spectacular panoramic view of Istanbul's seven hills. 7. Taksim Square

Before checking out of our hotel, we can swim in the turquoise waters of Oludeniz. We are then taken to a viewpoint overlooking the postcard-perfect Oludeniz Lagoon. Oludeniz has a sandy bay, on a blue lagoon. Next, we are taken to Kaputas Beach, which just may be Turkey’s prettiest. After swimming at Kaputas, we are taken to the resort town of Kemer. There we are provided with a guided tour around the port area. Kemer is popular for its lounges and especially its huge nightclubs. After Kemer, we are taken to the upper portion of Duden Waterfall followed by the lower portion. Both offer great views. Before heading to our hotel in the city of Antalya, we pass by a shoreline area called “Eski Lara Yolu Moon Lara.” There we see high-end restaurants and bars.

Not included in the tour but highly popular nonetheless is paragliding over Oludeniz Lagoon. It is done from Mount Babadag, which is a 1-hour drive away from the lagoon. If you are interested in paragliding, please let us know. It would be done in the morning before taking the boat tour. You would be picked up from your hotel a bit earlier today, at 8:00am instead. Note that November through March, Bodrum and the south of Turkey are replaced with privately guided tours in Istanbul. Below are the names of the attractions we typically show you today. 1. Sultanahmet Square 2. Blue Mosque (a.k.a. Sultan Ahmed Mosque) 3. Hagia Sophia Museum 4. Basilica Cistern 5. Topkapi Palace Museum 6. Grand Bazar

Today we make a daytrip from Antalya. Firstly, we are taken to an archaeological theater called Aspendos. Next, we are taken to the coastal village of Side. There we are provided with a guided tour of the village itself followed by a guided tour of its archaeological theater. Next, we are taken to an archaeological site and ancient city called Perge. Once back in Antalya, we are provided with a guided tour of the old town. It is best seen in the evening.

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Antalya. On a different note, November through March Istanbul is already included in our itinerary. April through October, it is not. We strongly recommend you spend as much time as possible exploring Istanbul, regardless whether through CharlieTheTraveler or independently. To see this ancient yet vibrant city well, you will need 8 full days. Nonetheless, because of people’s time constraints, most visitors stay in Istanbul for about 2-4 days.

Serving as the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, boasting impressive architecture, home of one of the most enchanting harbors on Earth, world-renowned for being the urban center of where East meets West - both geographically and culturally - and otherwise, well known for preparing some of the tastiest and most exotic foods in all of the Mediterranean (not least the sweets), Istanbul (a.k.a. Constantinople) is a sightseeing destination that is on par with the likes of Paris and Rome. This city definitely has a European buzz to it, although pockets of Asian character are easily noticed throughout the city. Even though the majority of Istanbul’s key sites are found on the European side, you should visit the Asian side to see its handful of definitely worthwhile attractions.