Vagus Travel Advisors

Highlights of Turkey

8 Days

A trip to Turkey offers a captivating blend of history, culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from a Turkey trip:

  • Istanbul:
    Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and straddles two continents, Europe and Asia, separated by the Bosphorus Strait. It is a city with a rich history, serving as the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Some of the must-visit attractions in Istanbul include the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, and Spice Bazaar. The city is known for its vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and the harmonious blend of old and new.
  • Cappadocia:
    Cappadocia is a unique and surreal region in central Turkey known for its otherworldly landscapes, including fairy chimneys, cone-shaped rock formations, and cave dwellings. It’s a popular destination for hot air ballooning, offering breathtaking views of the surreal landscape during sunrise. Visitors can explore the ancient cave churches, underground cities, and hike through the valleys to discover the region’s fascinating geological wonders.
  • Kusadasi:
    Kusadasi is a resort town located on the western coast of Turkey, known for its beautiful beaches and proximity to important historical sites. One of the main attractions near Kusadasi is the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is also located nearby. Kusadasi itself offers a vibrant nightlife, various water sports activities, and shopping opportunities.
  • Pamukkale:
    Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, is a natural wonder in southwestern Turkey. It is famous for its terraces of white mineral-rich hot springs, which have been formed over thousands of years. The hot springs create stunning white travertine terraces that resemble a surreal landscape. Visitors are allowed to walk on certain sections of the terraces to enjoy the warm mineral waters. The nearby ancient city of Hierapolis is another significant attraction, with well-preserved Roman ruins and an ancient theater.

All of these destinations offer a unique experience, blending history, natural beauty, and cultural richness, making Turkey a fantastic country to explore and enjoy. However, before planning a trip, it’s essential to check the latest travel advisories and any entry requirements for international travelers. Enjoy your travels!

Overview

Country code – +90
Time zone – GMT +3
Region – Eurasia ( Partly in western Asia and partly in Europe ).
Major currency – Turkish Lira ( TRY ).
Languages spoken – Turkish.
Capital City – Ankara
Tourist cities – Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, Konya.
Best time to visit – April to May, September and October.
Top Tourist attractions – Hagia Sophia Mosque, Blue Mosque, Bosphorus Strait, Topkapi Palace, The ancient city of Ephesus.

Turkey Tourist Visa Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR TOURIST VISA:

  • Have a genuine reason to visit the country
  • Have the finances to support your stay
  • Meet health and character requirements
  • Have proof of motive to return to your home country

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE VISA APPLICATION:

  • A valid passport whose validity will exceed the duration of the visa you apply for by six months
  • Passport size photos
  • A copy of your completed and signed application form
  • Details about your itinerary
  • Proof of hotel bookings, flight bookings
  • Proof of having enough finances to support your travel and stay in the country
  • A cover letter with all the required details about your itinerary
  • Letter from the organization where the applicant is working
  • Recent statement from your bank
  • Income tax statements
  • Travel insurance policy that will cover major injuries or accidents

Before you apply for a tourist visa, ensure that you meet the visa requirements and have the required travel documents.

Ensure that you pay the required fees for the visa.

Itinerary

Day 1 :
ISTANBUL

Arrival to Istanbul and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day on Leasure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 :
ISTANBUL

After the breakfast, we begin our tour from the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul at Agia Sophia. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses. Next we visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial Mosque with six minarets. The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100.000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. After lunch break, we continue our tour at Topkapi Palace which, from the 15th to 19th century, was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Final visit will be to the Grand Bazaar which was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4.000 shops are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewellery, ceramics, icons and leather goods. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Cappadocia. Arrival and transfer. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 4 :
CAPPADOCIA

After the breakfast, our first real encounter with Cappadocia almost Martian landscape is in the Dervent valley. We visit Pasabag’s “fairy chimneys”, where the voice of the wind harmonizes with songs of the fairies. From here we pause at Avanos center of terracotta art which is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over the river and is its production of earthenware pottery, it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used. A visit to ceramic & tile center to see how the ceramics made by hand. After lunch we visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia. People of Goreme, at the heart of the Cappadocia Region, realized that these soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post-iconoclastic period. These frescoes are a unique artistic achievement from this period. You visit a carpet cooperative, where you'll see how exquisite Turkish carpets are hand-woven. We complete the tour with a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Kusadasi. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6 :
KUSADASI

After the breakfast, first we will visit Virgin Mary House. This place is discovered by Lazarist priests after a German nun described the house and the mountain as the last residence of Virgin Mary after she had some visions about the place. Today this place is a Muslim and Catholic, being cared by Lazarist Fathers. Lazarist Fathers still celebrating the mass every day. Then we will drive to Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights. In Ephesus we will see, Celcus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan and the Theater. We will have lunch in a local Turkish restaurant. After lunch we will visit Isa Bey Mosque which is built in 1375 by Anatolian Seljuks. The last stop of the tour will be the Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to Ephesus antique city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, drive to Pamukkale. Full day tour of Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) and Hierapolis. Drop-off to the hotel in Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

After breakfast, transfer to Pamukkale airport for the flight to Istanbul to take the international flight.

Includes

Includes

  • 2 o/ns in Istanbul at Riva Hotel or similar on Breakfast basis
  • 2 o/ns in Cappadocia at Perissia Hotel or similar on Half Board basis
  • 2 o/ns in Kusadasi at Marina Hotel or similar on Half Board basis
  • 1 o/n in Pamukkale at Richmond Thermal Hotel or similar on Half Board basis
  • R/T Transfer in Istanbul (IST AIRPORT) on PVT basis.
  • R/T Transfer in Cappadocia (IST AIRPORT) on SIC basis.
  • Arrival transfer from Kusadasi Airport to Kusadasi Hotel on PVT basis.
  • Departure transfer from Pamukkale Hotel to Pamukkale Airport on PVT basis.
  • One-way Drop off to the Pamukkale Hotel after Pamukkale Tour
  • Full day Istanbul Old City Tour with Local lunch on SIC basis.
  • Full day Cappadocia North tour with Local Lunch on SIC basis.
  • Full day Ephesus ancient city and House of Virgin Mary with Local Lunch on SIC basis.
  • Drive to Pamukkale from Kusadasi Hotel & Pamukkale tour including Hierapolis and calcium thermal pools.
  • Entrances included as per the itinerary.
  • All the airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary on private basis (except Cappadocia)
  • All the tours mentioned in the itinerary on SIC basis.

Turkey

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Highlights of Turkey
From ₹105400
/ Adult

Trip Info

  • Half Board
  • Yes