Turkish Secrets

Duration

8 Days

Physical rate

Moderate

Starting city

Antalya

Available

April 2024 / March 2025

Cities to visit: Antalya; Aspendos; Side; Karaman; Nigde; Cappadocia; Safranbolu; Gokgol Magarasi; Eregli; Istanbul

Video Gallery


Detailed day by day description

Introduction

This tour is part of our flexible coach touring range, guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people. Once the tour is booked, it is guaranteed so it will definitely go ahead, and will never cancel.

This tour is guided in English only. Please note if English speaking attendance numbers are low, the tour can become bilingual either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader providing explanations in both languages.

The tour offers flexibility, allowing you to customize it to your preferences. By clicking 'Quote or Book,' you will have the choice to select your desired start and end dates and destinations within the tour's defined parameters. Given this flexibility, it's important to note that the same people, tour guides or drivers may not be on your entire journey.

Day
Welcome to Europamundo! Welcome to Antalya. Arrival and transfer to the hotel . You will receive information about the meeting place and start time on the information boards in the hotel´s reception area.
At 16.00 hrs (aprox) - We will make a brief visit to Anatalya, a coastal city of more than a million inhabitants, the door of Adrian, the Ottoman district and its great waterfall that falls straight into the sea. Dinner included .
IMPORTANT:- Remember that the hotels’ check-in is usually at 14.00 hrs. If you need more hours for using the room, consider hiring an additional night at the beginning of your tour.
-IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS upon arrival at the hotel you will have your reservation made but the guide will not normally be found until the start of the included activities. At the reception you can also find an information sign with telephone indication and hours of assistance of our staff. THIS TIME THEREFORE BEFORE THE START OF THE TOUR IS FREE TIME. At your hotel they can help you with all the information you need. Note: The schedules that you will find in this itinerary are indicative. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the tour, can adjust the schedules.
Distance covered: 530 km
Scenery: Spectacular contrasts; countryside overlooking the sea. High mountains often with snowy peaks; arid lands of Anatolia.
08.00 hrs.-Antalya - Departure -.
09.00 hrs.- ASPENDOS - Arrival - we visit the Roman theatre that many believe to be the best preserved in the world.
09.45 hrs.-Aspendos - Departure -.
10.30 hrs.- SIDE - Arrival -. A small, very tourist city, full of commercial life. You will have free time. Its Greek temple of Apollo by the sea stands out. Time for a stroll around its port and through its streets full of life.
12.30 hrs.- Side - Departure -. Amidst impressive scenery, we cross the Taurus mountains. The peaks, of more than 3500 metres, are covered with snow for a large part of the year. We stop for a meal along the way in a pretty service area in the mountains.
17.00 hrs.- KARAMAN - Arrival -. A city with an oriental atmosphere. Brief stop to view the exterior of the fortress.
17.45 hrs.- Karaman - Departure -. Great arid plains along the route in the south of Anatolia.
20.00 hrs.- NIGDE - Arrival -. We suggest a stroll around its bazaar, its ancient mosque and its fortress. Dinner and accommodation.
Total distance covered: 120 km.

Scenery: We continue amid the beautiful landscapes of Cappadocia. Spectacular scenary. Picturesque towns.
Notes: Today it is again necessary to wear comfortable shoes as we continue to explore Cappadocia.
09.00hrs.- Nigde. Departure. We enjoy a full day in the fantastic region of CAPPADOCIA , with its lunar landscapes, its churches and troglodyte villages.
We start by visiting GUMUSLER, an incredible underground monastery of the 7th century with perhaps the best Byzantine frescoes in Turkey. In KAIMACLI we will visit the underground city that could house 30,000 people. Then, we will visit UCHISAR , a natural fortress where we will know its 60 meter rock filled with houses in excavated caves. Time for lunch.
We will discover after lunch the GOREME Valley with its open-air museum and its churches carved out of the rocks, admission included.
Hotel in Avanos . pleasant town in the center of the region of Capadocia known for its pottery, its attractive old town with cobbled streets and its views over the river. Time to enjoy the hotel facilities or walk through the streets. Dinner is included.
At night, after dinner, we suggest attending the "Turkish night" show (optional).
Total distance: 520 km.
Scenery: We begin with arid and flat landscapes of the interior of Turkey, as we approach the Black Sea mountains and forests are emerging.
08.00 hrs.- Avanos. Departure towards to the Black Sea. Stop en route to have lunch.
16.30 hrs.- SAFRANBOLU; arrival in this wonderful little city which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was an important stopping point on the caravan routes. Our guide will show some of the most picturesque points of the city and we will include a traditional Turkish tea in an ancient caravanserai! Dinner included .
Note: Some times, due to operational reasons, there will be a brief stop in Ankara.
Total distance covered: 460 km.

Scenery: Forests, valleys, mountains, landscapes on the Black Sea; A rainy and green region different from what you probably have in your mind when you think of Turkey.
08.00 hrs.- Safranbolu. Departure. Today, the leg of our trip follows the Black Sea and its verdant landscapes.
10.00 hrs.- In GOKGOL MAGARASI we provide entry tickets to this magnificent cave with its underground river and its multiple colours.
11.00hrs.- Gokgol. Departure. Our road goes towards the sea.
12.00 hrs.- EREGLI, Arrival. Next to the Black Sea, we set aside time to have lunch. We also include a visit to its impressive Cehennemagzi Magarasi caves and tombs that are overflowing with mythology.
15.00 hrs.- Eregli. Departure. We cross once more the mountains towards central Anatolia. We travel on the highway towards Istanbul. Passing the suspension bridge that separates Asia from Europe.
20.00 hrs.- Arrival in ISTANBUL at the end of the day.
08:00 a.m. - We´ll embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. During our tour, we´ll visit the Süleymaniye Mosque, the largest in Istanbul. We´ll explore the ancient walls, take in views of the Golden Horn and the fishing district, and marvel at the exterior of Hagia Sophia. After, we’ll head to Topkapi Palace (tickets included9, the former administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, renowned for its magnificent courtyards and pavilions. In the afternoon, you´ll have free time to explore this city spanning two continents.
07:30 p.m. - As the afternoon draws to a close, we´ll arrange a transfer to Taksim, the city´s most vibrant commercial district. Here, you´ll have time to dine at one of the many restaurants. You can also enjoy a ride on the old tram that traverses the area or visit the nearby Galata Tower. We´ll return to the hotel around 10:00 p.m.
Important: Please note that during your stay in Istanbul, services may vary, potentially including a boat ride on the Bosphorus on the first day and a panoramic visit on the second day.
Today, we´ll take a boat trip on the Bosphorus (included), lasting about two hours. This exclusive journey for Europamundo travelers explores the strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, dividing Istanbul between its European and Asian sides. We´ll enjoy watching the hustle and bustle of the strait with all its boats. We´ll pass under the two bridges that link Europe and Asia and admire the Sultan’s palaces, traditional wooden houses, and Ottoman architecture. Afterward, we´ll return to central Istanbul and have some free time.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You can go shopping in the Grand Bazaar, visit Hagia Sophia, and discover numerous other attractions in this magnificent city.
After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.

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From AUD 1,332