Welcome to Istanbul, the city of dreams! Upon your arrival at the airport, TSG will be ready and waiting to transport you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you please, whether that means meeting up with your tour companions, taking it easy and unwinding, or embarking on one of our optional tours to discover the city. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast included)

Following breakfast, the Istanbul City Tour will start, featuring a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace. This grand palace served as the residence for the Ottoman Sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. It is home to a stunning collection of crystal, silver, Chinese porcelain, Sultan garments, imperial treasury jewels, miniatures, and holy relics.

Next, the tour will proceed to Sultanahmet Square, where the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is located. This mosque, built in the 16th century by architect Mehmet, boasts an interior adorned with stunning blue Iznik tiles and faces the historic Hagia Sophia. The tour will then explore the Hippodrome, which was once the site of ancient chariot races and now houses three ancient monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpent Column, and the Column of Constantine. At the end of the square, the Hagia Sophia Mosque will welcome visitors with its grandeur.

After a delightful lunch break, the tour will proceed to the bazaar, where visitors can discover a variety of exotic spices and herbs, Turkish Baklava, delicious Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, handcrafted souvenirs, and more. The day will conclude with dinner and an overnight stay in Istanbul.

Please note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, the Bascilica Cistern can be an alternative. Please contact your consultant for details. Remember to bring a headscarf when visiting religious sites such as the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Mosque.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

The TSG team will pick you up from the hotel after breakfast around 8:00 a.m. for "Bosphorus by Boat,". a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shoreline is home to dozens of old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. You will have the opportunity to see the 19th-century Ottoman masterpiece Dolmabahce Palace, Yildiz Palace, one of the unique samples of the last period of Ottoman architecture, and Ciragan Palace with its amazing marble facades from the boat. Additionally, the Rumeli Fortress, one of the most exquisite examples of Ottoman military architecture, the harmony of eastern and western architectural styles at the Beylerbeyi Palace, the iconic view of Ortakoy, and more can be seen during the boat tour.

After lunch, the TSG team will take you to the bazaar, where you can find authentic goods. The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme, and various herbs, Turkish baklava, Turkish delight, and fresh Turkish coffee, as well as handicraft souvenirs.  

After lunch, depart for Istanbul Airport for a domestic flight to Izmir. Transfer from the airport and check in to your hotel in Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

The departure to visit Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world, will be early in the morning. In Ephesus, you will visit the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, the famous Roman Baths, the Celsus Library, the Grand Theatre, and have a lunch break at a small Turkish restaurant. We will travel to Sirince Village after lunch, which has a great reputation for producing regional wine in Turkey, particularly fruit wines. The 19th-century neighborhood of Sirince still has its original architectural details and is well-known outside of the nation. It is famous for its homemade wines that are specially made from different kinds of fruits, such as blackberries, blueberries, melons, and strawberries. In the evening, you will be tested on your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way back to the hotel, we will stop at a carpet weaving center or a leather production center for shopping. Overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

Early in the morning, the tour will ride to Pamukkale. Pamukkale is known for its marvel of calcite travertines and travertine pools. It is one of the most visited sites in Turkey. Tangem paragliding and hot air balloon tours, which have been held in the region for few decades, are very popular attractions among travelers.

Hierapolis is the second-most visited place in the district. It was founded as a thermal spa in the 2nd century BC in a region rich in natural resources. The city was later rebuilt during the Roman era, and many of the structures that visitors can see today were constructed during this period. The Necropolis, which is home to more than 1200 tombs, the Roman Theater, the Temple of Apollo, which dates back to the 3rd century BC, and the Byzantine Church, which features early Christian architecture, can be seen in the ruins. Overnight in Pamukkale.

TSG advises for those who want to explore the region's attractions, a Tangem Paragliding, or Hot Air Ballooning can be appealing alternatives. 

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

The day is at your leisure; enjoy the thermal bath and swimming pool of your hotel. You may also enjoy the massage facilities of your hotel at an extra cost. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Or you may check out the optional Daily Aphrodisias Tour.  Aphrodisias is an ancient city in southwestern Turkey, known for its well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins. The city was dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, and its most impressive features include a large theater, a monumental gateway, and a stadium. The site also houses a museum with an impressive collection of sculptures and artifacts from the ancient city.

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, start your day with a road trip to Afyon. Upon arrival, we will do a panoramic tour of Afyon. After a half-day city tour, we will visit one of the best thermal baths in Afyon, known for curing many rheumatic diseases. Walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. After the tour, check in to our hotel and enjoy the thermal bath and swimming pool. Overnight in Afyon.

(Breakfast included)

The day is at your leisure; enjoy the thermal bath and swimming pool of your hotel. You may also enjoy the massage facilities of your hotel at an extra cost. Overnight in Afyon.

Please keep in mind that Afyon was once home to the Phrygians, Anatolia's ancient and mysterious civilization. Their traces can still be seen in the Ihsaniye district. While spending all day in a thermal pool is a wonderful and relaxing option, taking a half day Phrygians Valley Tour can be considered too. 

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, drive to Ankara. First, we will visit one of the best and most well-known thermal resorts in Turkey, Haymana, where you can enjoy SPA and thermal activities as well as physical therapy. After this thermal visit, we will continue our drive to Ankara. Upon arrival, we will visit the Ataturk Museum at the Ataturk Mausoleum, which is the final resting place of the founder of modern Turkey. Overnight in Ankara.

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, you will have free time in Ankara. Today we depart for Ankara Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast included)

One of TSG's adventures comes to an end after breakfast. However, you can sign up to take advantage of TSG credits, and this is the best way to snag credits and use them for your next trips as a discount, as well as to hear about the hot deals according to your interests.