Coach Tour
9 Days ex Istanbul
Departs selected Saturdays. 2023 departure dates:
Apr 09, 16, 30; May 14, 21, 28; Jun 11, 18; Jul 02, 16, 30; Aug 13, 20, 27; Sep 03, 17, 24; Oct 08, 22, 29; Nov 12, 19, 26; Dec 03, 17, 24
2024 Winter Departures
Jan 07, 21, 28; Feb 11, 18, 25; Mar 03 ,17, 31
Welcome to Turkey. On arrival you will be met by a representative of our local operator and then transferred to your tour hotel. Remainder of day at leisure. Tonight meet your tour companions on your Turkish Express coach tour at a welcome briefing. Your accommodation is reserved for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Depart for a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding harem). Visit the Hippodrome which was once the centre of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles.
Tonight optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. (Supplement applies)
This morning optional Tour to St. Sophia and Bosphorus Cruise.
Afternoon departure for Ankara around 3.00 pm and late arrival in Ankara for overnight.
Morning departure to view Hittite artefacts at the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk father of modern Turkey. Visit the underground city of Sarhatli. Drive to Cappadocia touring a 13th century caravan inn en route. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Optional: Whirling Dervishes performance (Supplement applies)
Early Morning Optional: Hot Air Balloon Tour. Experience of floating through volcanic valleys fairy chimneys and caves with the sunrise of Cappadocia.
After breakfast visit Goreme’s rock chapels decorated with 6th century frescoes Avanos Pasabagi Red Valley and have a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. Visit the underground city of Sarhatli. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Drive to Pamukkale. En route visit the famous mausoleum of the sufi philosopher Mevlana. Dinner & overnight.
Today is the day to pay an early morning visit to the unique Cotton Fortress the white calcium cascades and also pay a visit to one of the first modern spa centres of the ancient world Hierapolis. Then we drive to Izmir. Dinner and overnight.
Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus an important cultural center of the ancient world and explore 2000 year-old marble streets a theater the Library of Celsius a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John.
Afternoon optional tour of Sirince.
Dinner and overnight.
Transfer to the pier after breakfast from where you can catch a ferry to continue your journey.
Accommodation based on the below or similar
Movenpick Bosphorus Hotel
Divan Ankara
Crowne Plaza Neveshir Hotel
Colossae Thermal Hotel
Movenpick Hotel
If you are arriving or departing Istanbul on any days other than the arrival and departure days of the tour, the transfers will not be included in the price of the Coach Tour.
**DOUBLE BEDS**
Please note we have requested a double bedded room but cannot guarantee one will be available. In Turkey double rooms are very limited. Please ask on check-in with the hotel to see what is available.
Airport transfers are only included on days of the tour ex Istanbul Ataturk Airport - a surcharge will apply for transfers to/from Sabiha Gocken airport.
If you are arriving or departing Istanbul on any days other than the arrival and departure days of the tour transfers will not be included in the price of the coach tour.
Porterage for one suitcase is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity the single bag should not exceed the dimensions of 30”x18”x10” and not weigh more than 50lbs (23kg). A charge of US $4 per travelling day is collected by the tour director for each additional piece of baggage or if the suitcase exceeds established weight and/or dimension limitations. Alternatively you might leave your luggage at your Istanbul Hotel storage.
The hotel selection may change – please use this as a guideline only.
Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.
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