Tour Overview
We have created a unique Christmas Holiday Program Route that starts from Istanbul which has outstanding streets, historical places with a magnificent atmosphere on Christmas, Kusadası is the next stop that will be waiting for you with an admirable sea view, rich open buffet, and drinks (unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic)… For Christmas Celebrations, 7 of the best destinations in Turkey including Istanbul, Canakkale, Pergamon, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Konya, and Cappadocia are come together. Please have a look at this Christmas tour package to have a glamorous time during Christmas Holiday in Turkey that you can arrange and book as a group or privately. To have fun, travel around and meet with new people, do not miss out on our special program for Christmas.
Attractions
Highlights
- Istanbul Old City
- Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque
- Hagia Sophia Mosque
- Ancient City of Ephesus
- Pamukkale
- Antalya Old City,Antalya Old City
- Tomb of Mevlana, Underground City
- Goreme Open Air Museum
- Salt Lake
- Mausoleum of Ataturk
Itinerary
Upon our arrival at Istanbul International Airport, your guide will meet, assist and transfer you to the hotel. Istanbul was the capital city of the East Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire. Also, it is one of the most fascinating cities around the world which crosses two continents; Europe and Asia. It is a city of a mixture of museums, bazaars, minarets, mosques, churches, palaces, and restaurants catering to everyone’s taste and the destination of more than 7 million tourists annually from all cultures. Overnight in Istanbul.
Please remember that you can spend the night with one of TSG's optional tours: the Whirling Dervish Show, or the Rythm Dance Show.
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
After breakfast, the tour will depart for a gorgeous Istanbul City Tour. The first stop is the Topkapi Palace; the great palace of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. At the same time, it houses an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the imperial treasury, miniatures, and the holy mantle, enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.
The second stop of the tour is Sultanahmet Square, where the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque salutes the Hagia Sophia. The Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, which was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Next, the tour will explore the Hippodrome; the site of ancient chariot races, and the home of three ancient monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. When you reach the other end of the Hippodrome, the Hagia Sophia Mosque will meet you with all its grandeur.
After a delectable lunch break, TSG will take you to the bazaar, where you can find exotic spices and herbs, Turkish Baklava, delicious Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, hand made souvenirs, and more. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Please note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, the Bascilica Cistern can be an alternative. Please contact your consultant for details. Plus, like most of the travelers, you can book an optional Dinner Cruise tour for the night. Remember to bring a headscarf when visiting religious sites such as the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Mosque.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Early in the morning, the tour will move to Gallipoli. With breaks, the tour will arrive there at about noon. Kabatepe Museum is the first place that will be visited, which has a rich weapon, photograph, and garment collection that was used by soldiers during the Gallipoli Campaign. Ari Burnu Cemetery will be next, which was built for the soldiers from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, India, and Malta that lost their lives during WWI in the Gallipoli Campaign. Anzac Cove, Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine, and Chunuck Bair are on the list where the most intense struggles have occurred. While listening to their sad stories, you may feel the cruelty of the war again. Overnight in Canakkale.
(Breakfast in Canakkale and all meals, alcohol, and soft drinks included in Kusadasi)
At about 9:00, after a delicious breakfast, Troy will be seen on the horizon. The well-known archeological and mythological site is the scene of the Trojan War and the endless love of Helen and Paris. The lunch break will be around 13:00 in Bergama. On the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon, temples and libraries that were the riches of their time will be visited. Did you know that Marcus Antonius gave all the parchments in this library to Cleopatra as a gift? You will learn more on the tour. There will be a 30-minute shopping break in Bergama because it is famous for its jewelry, stones, and silver goods. Overnight in Kusadasi.
(All meals, alcohol, soft drinks, and
Christmas Eve Party included)
The
Artemision, also called the Temple
of Artemis, is the largest temple devoted to Artemis and one of the
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is located in Ephesus, a 9,000-year-old city.
The famous Roman Baths, the Celsus
Library, the Grand Theatre, the House of the Virgin Mary, Curetes Street, and all the other
details in this outstanding example of a Roman port city will be highlighted during
this guided tour.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. Here, the
tour includes wine tasting and learning how to make fruit wine in the wine
houses. Plus, handicrafts made by local women can be bought, and a very famous
leather production center will be the next stop. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Tonight,
you will have a Christmas night that is going to be remarkable. A stupendous
open buffet, drinks (unlimited
alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and an amazing view of the sea and city
lights will accompany you. Enjoy this great Turkish cuisine feast that is
specially prepared for the Christmas party and dance with your new friends to
Turkish live music played by our DJ. Santa will not forget your gift box to
remind you of Turkey. Overnight in Kusadasi.
(All meals, alcohol, and soft drinks included)
Merry Christmas! Today is free for you to relax. Overnight in Kusadasi
TSG advises: For those who want to explore the region's attractions, a Turkish bath, Turkish Night Show, or Kusadasi City Tour can be appealing alternatives.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Around 8:00, the tour will move to the world-famous marvel of calcite travertines in Pamukkale. Before walking or swimming in Pamukkale’s travertine pools, we will have a lunch break around 13:30. Walking around the white calcium terraces and Hierapolis ruins, as well as lying in the natural, hot springs waters, will revitalize your body. The region at the same time has well-known textile products, and there will be an outlet shopping opportunity. At approximately 18.30, we will be on the way back. Overnight in Pamukkale.
TSG advice: For those looking to explore the region's attractions, Tangem Paragliding or Hot Air Ballooning are options.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
After breakfast early in the morning, we took the 08:00 ride to Konya. The tour will end in Konya, with a coffee break along the way, and lunch will be served around noon. Next, we will visit the imposing green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). The tour will later drive to Cappadocia. Arrive in Cappadocia around 18:30 p.m. and check into your hotel.
If you wish to join our optional hot air ballooning trip tomorrow, please contact your guide and register because it will take place early the next morning. Overnight in Cappadocia.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
A new day,
new destinations… The day starts with an Ozkonak Underground City visit that was built in Idis Mountain, where
volcanic granite-made tuff layers are quite dense and the galleries are
connected by tunnels. The Goreme
Open Air Museum will be the following destination that can be
said that it is the heart of Cappadocia.
The region was Listed as a Unesco World Heritage site in 1985 and it is home to
the churches of Durmus Kadir,
Yusuf Koc, El Nazar, Sakli, Meryem Ana (Virgin Mary) Kiliclar, Tokali,
and Dark churches.
Plus Convent of Monks and Nuns, the Chapel of St Basil, and St. Barbara can be
seen with lots of captivating church interior paintings that have reached
today. With a few minutes’ walk, Cavusin will
be waiting for you, and you can explore the Christians who created living
spaces for themselves in the fairy chimneys of those fleeing the oppression of
the Romans.
Lunch
will be in Avanos, which
is the home of pottery dating way back to the Hittites. There will be a
workshop visit and shopping chances here that can’t be missed. Love Valley and Devrent Valley where you can
see the symbols of Cappadocia Three
Beauties. This tour will end approximately at 18:00 and overnight in
Cappadocia.
Please Note: Our guests who are
wishing to experience the Hot Air Balloon Tour will be picked up from the hotel
at about 05:30 by sunrise. On the Hot Air Balloon, the sunrise over splendid
fairy
chimneys and valleys can be watched. The flight will last about an hour and end
with a champagne celebration on the ground.
(Breakfast included)
After breakfast you will have free time in Cappadocia. Today we depart for Cappadocia Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul and then back to home. 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.
Trip includes
Included
2 Night hotel in Istanbul - 5 Star La Quinta by Wyndham Istanbul
1 Night hotel in Canakkale - 4 Star Troia Tusan Hotel
3 Nights hotel in Kusadasi - 5 Star Odelia Resort
Hotel
1 Night hotel in Pamukkale - 5 Star Pam Thermal Hotel
2 Nights hotel in Cappadocia - EL-Puente Cave Hotel
NOTE : If this hotel list is not available at the time of your booking then we will arrange a similar (another) hotel for your group. If you prefer a Different category hotel, there might be an additional cost.
Professional English - speaking tour guides
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Christmas Party with a meal and unlimited local alcoholic drinks
6 Dinners
7 Lunches
Meal Plan as mentioned in the itinerary
All airport transfer services mentioned inside the itinerary
Arrival airport transfer to Istanbul airport
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
Return Airport transfer
Guided Istanbul City Tour
Guided Gallipoli Tour
Guided Troy Tour - Pergamon
Guided Kusadasi - Ephesus Tour - Turkish Village Sirince
Guided Kusadasi - Pamukkale Tour
Guided Konya Tour
Guided Cappadocia Tour with Underground City and Goreme Open Air Museum
Christmas Party with unlimited local alcoholic drinks
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Local taxes
City tax
Please Note: The all-inclusive meals, soft drinks, and alcohol are strictly limited to your hotel in Kusadasi and are not applicable on your day tours.
ABOUT DOMESTIC FLIGHT:
To ensure you receive
full refunds, TSG has excluded domestic flights as they are governed by
specific regulations. As a result, tours do not factor in domestic flights to
prevent no-show penalties. Please contact your representative to arrange
domestic flights and remember the 15-kg luggage limitation with 8-kg in-cabin
weight rules, depending on the airline.
PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDES:
The tour is meticulously crafted to feature the services
of a proficient, skilled, and knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide. Nevertheless,
over 20 language guides are available for a variety of fees. Please consult
with your representative.
COACH TRANSFER :
Our vehicles differ in
line with group sizes:
Ø
For 8
pax, we provide Mercedes Vito,
Ø
over
14 pax, we provide Sprinter,
Ø
for
over 29 pax, we have midibuses and
Ø
for up
to 45 pax, we have Coaches available.
Our vehicles are outfitted with top-of-the-line
amenities, including air conditioning, refrigeration, and are maintained to the
highest standards. They are either brand new or the latest models to ensure
optimal comfort. During extended bus journeys, we will make scheduled stops at
rest points along the highways to provide guests with the opportunity to take
quick coffee or food breaks, restroom breaks, and other necessary amenities.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
To ensure your
convenience and comfort, we primarily utilize 4-star, 5-star, or boutique
hotels. In Istanbul and other regions, we offer 4-5 star hotels, whereas for
Cappadocia and similar areas, we provide upscale cave resorts. Although we
declare the accommodation venues for guaranteed tours, private tours in the
same category may have different accommodations with excellent reviews.
MEALS:
For half-board guests,
dinners are typically served in the hotels, while lunches are provided in
restaurants along the route. The meals are usually offered as a Set Menu or
Open Buffet Style. If you have specific meal preferences or dietary requirements,
please inform us in advance when confirming your tour to make the necessary
arrangements.
MUSEUM:
Our tour routes feature
all the essential museums and sightseeing venues in our itinerary, ensuring you
don't miss out on any must-see locations. This service is included in the tour
price. However, some museums may operate on different days and times, but we
have alternative sites to compensate for any closures.
SHOPPING:
Turkey offers excellent shopping opportunities for
handcrafted items, such as Turkish rugs/carpets, jewelry, leather, textiles,
and ceramics. We recommend reliable and reasonably priced shopping venues
during our tours, with guaranteed vendors. Our guide will direct you to such
stores and provide information regarding shopping matters. Some of these venues
offer group discounts.
TIPPING:
Tipping is not mandatory but is highly recommended and customary
in the tourism industry in line with customer expectations. So you can tip the
guide 2€ and the driver 1€ per day.
OPTIONAL TOURS:
Most major sight-seeing
and museums are included in our tour prices, but certain activities and
excursions such as hot-air ballooning, paragliding, dinner cruises, Turkish
night shows, whirling dervishes ceremonies, and Turkish bath visits are not
included. These may be added upon request for an additional fee, and prices are
available on our website. We recommend booking in advance to ensure
availability as last-minute bookings may not be possible.
AIRPORT TRANSFER:
We offer airport transfers for our guests upon arrival and departure. To ensure
proper arrangements, guests should provide their flight details including
flight code, destination, date, and arrival time when booking the tour. An
airport officer with a name board will greet guests on the 13th gate
in Istanbul Airport and on the 9th gate in Sabiha Gokcen
Airport.
SEASONS OF TURKEY
The approximate
temperatures in Turkey due to the months are as follows:
December to February:10
°C March to May: 22 °C
June to August: 30 °C
September to November: 20 °C
THINGS TO BE CARED FOR
AND BROUGHT ON YOU
Turkey is a modern
Islamic country where you can have fun like any European country. Just avoid to
do things that can be considered disrespectful and behave appropriately in
religious/holy places places. Otherwise, it's like any western city with open
bars, cafes, and restaurants until late at night. Here are some important items
to have with you on your trip to Turkey:
a.
Travel
insurance that covers health and globally recognized credit cards.
b.
Cash
for small purchases where cards are not accepted. Use official exchange offices
for currency transactions.
c.
Clothing
appropriate for the season.
d.
Camera
e.
Universal
adaptor and charger for electronic devices.
f.
Comfortable
trekking shoes for walking during tours.
g.
Check
international telephone communication options.
h.
Bring
a copy of your flight ticket.
i.
Always
have personal identification with you.
THINGS TO BE CHECKED
PRIOR THE TOUR;
Before your departure,
please make sure to check the following information:
a.
International
flight tickets
b.
Tour
itinerary
c.
Confirmation
from us, including hotel reservations
d.
Domestic
flight tickets (with correct name spelling)
e.
Passport
validity
f.
Visa
requirements and dates
g.
Contact
us for an invitation letter to ease visa application process (if needed)
h.
Flight
details for airport transfer services
i. Luggage limitations for domestic flights (if any) Also, obtain emergency contact details from our office
Excluded
Domestic flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul
Insurance: All types
International flights
Turkey entry visa
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
Any other expenses which are not mentioned in the included section
Availability
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Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
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Personal
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
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