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Ancient Turkey Discovery
Private tour

Ancient Turkey Discovery

trTurkey
6 cities
12 days, 11 nights
Day by day
Places you explore
Recommended hotels
Landmarks & Experiences
Day 1 Istanbul

Arrival
Welcome to Istanbul, the city which unites Europe and Asia since the ancient times. It is a city of mosques, tulips and bazars, a city with amazingly rich history, and now you have a great opportunity to discover your own Istanbul!

Upon arrival, your private driver takes you to your centrally-located hotel for check-in. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the city on your own.

Breakfast included
Yasmak Sultan Hotel
Yasmak Sultan Hotel
TR, Hoca Paşa, Ebussuud Cd. No:12, İstanbul, 34110
Standard Double Room Breakfast Included
1 room
Up to 2 guests
1 double / twin beds
Breakfast included
Day 2 Istanbul

Galata Tower, Bosphorus Cruise & the Flavours of Istanbul
In the morning after breakfast, meet your private guide and driver and embark on a full day tour to explore the enchanting sights Istanbul has to offer. 

You start the day with a short walking tour around Galata Tower (outside) in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul and then continue with a Bosphorus Cruise, an unforgettable experience providing a great opportunity to admire the beautiful city from water, a strait separating Europe from Asia. 

After the cruise, you visit the Spice Market, where you meet the spice experts that tell you all the secrets and specialties of spices. Here you also smell the various spices, learn how to distinguish them and use them with different meals. 

After the tour you return to your hotel and have the evening at leisure.

Half day
Galata Tower, Bosphorus Cruise & Egyptian Market
Galata Tower, Bosphorus Cruise & Egyptian Market
Day 3 Istanbul

Discovering the Old Istanbul
In the morning after breakfast, meet your private guide and driver to embark on a half day tour of Istanbul and discover its most iconic sights. 

You start the day with a visit to the St. Sophia, one of the finest architectural works in the world. It has been nominated as the 8th wonder of the world by many historians. Considered one of the world’s most beautiful buildings, the Hagia Sofia, which means Church of Holy Wisdom of God, is an important surviving example of Byzantine architecture. 

Then you proceed to the Blue Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Istanbul and is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul. It is also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets. 

Next on your itinerary for today is the Hippodrome, the former centre of sportive and political activities of Constantinople. During the visit you’ll be able to see the Obelisk from Egypt Serpentine Column from Delphi and fountain of Wilhelm II. 

As a culmination of the tour you visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace, its Harem and Treasury. In 1465, Sultan Mehmet, The Conqueror of Istanbul, ordered the construction of the first palace; his successors added new pavilions, thus spreading the palace to a total area of 70,000 sqm (7 hectares). The Ottoman Sultans lived in and reined the empire from this palace until the 19th century.   

In the end of the tour you can visit the famous Grand Bazaar (optional), experience its bustle and meet its unique characters. As a special treat, at the Grand Bazaar you learn to play the ancient game of Backgammon with the locals. 

After the tour you return to your hotel and have the afternoon at leisure.

Full day
Istanbul Sightseeing Tour
Istanbul Sightseeing Tour
Day 4 Istanbul

Departure
Following breakfast, you check out, meet your private driver and depart from Istanbul.

Yasmak Sultan Hotel
Address
TR, Hoca Paşa, Ebussuud Cd. No:12, İstanbul, 34110
Flight from Istanbul to Canakkale
Departure
Istanbul, Turkey
1 h
Arrival
Canakkale, Turkey
Day 4 Canakkale

Arrival
Upon arrival in Canakkale, you are taken to your centrally located hotel for overnight. 

Breakfast included
Buyuk Truva Hotel
Buyuk Truva Hotel
Standard Double
1 room
Up to 2 guests
1 double / twin beds
16 m²
Breakfast included
Day 5 Canakkale

Tour of the Troy Archeological Site & Departure from Canakkale
Meet your private guide for a half-day tour of one of the most famous archeological sites, tightly connected with love - Troy Ancient City.

While learning about Paris and Elena, you explore the site and its various remnants like the Sacrificial Altars, 3700-year-old city walls, Houses of Troy I (3000 BC-2500 BC), The Bouleuterion (Senate Building), The Odeon (Concert Hall) and other public buildings, as well as the model of Trojan Horse, which stands as a symbol of the Trojan War, used at the time.

After the tour you continue your driving to your next destination.

Buyuk Truva Hotel
Car from Canakkale to Izmir
Departure
Canakkale, Turkey
4 h
Arrival
Izmir, Turkey
Day 5 Izmir

Arrival
Welcome to Izmir, located on Turkey’s Aegean coast! This city was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. 

Upon arrival, you are transferred to your hotel for check-in. After check-in, the rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy the city on your own.

Breakfast included
Renaissance Izmir Hotel
Renaissance Izmir Hotel
TR
Standard Double Room Breakfast Included
1 room
Up to 2 guests
1 double / twin beds
Breakfast included
Day 6 Izmir

Ephesus Full Day Tour
In the morning after breakfast, you meet your private guide and driver for a full day tour of Ephesus, located just 1 hour away. 

Ephesus, a UNESCO site and one of the largest and best-preserved ancient cities in the world, is a must for those who are interested in archaeology and culture. Ephesus, once the most important commercial center of the western Anatolia, is one of the top highlights of Turkey. Temple of Artemis, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World" has once been located here as well. Together with your guide you enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The theater had seating for 25,000 spectators, which was the site where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and is used today for a local spring festival. 

You stop for a traditional Turkish open-air lunch just outside of Ephesus (lunch is not included) before continuing the tour. After a break for lunch, you proceed to the Archeological Museum, where you are escorted through the nine exhibits tracing the religious and chronological history of the ancient city. Filled with attractively displayed mosaics, statuary, and other artefacts, the museum exhibits several marble statues of the Mother Goddess Artemis. The Open Air Museum and the Archeology Museum combined give you a very fulfilling idea of the city of Ephesus and its importance in the ancient times. 

Today you also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Although this sights has never been officially recognised by the Catholic Church as the home of Mary, a lot of gestures made by the popes authenticated its history in the eyes of the faithful and House of the Virgin Mary became a major place of Christian pilgrimage. 

Another sight on your list for today is the ruins of St. John’s Basilica. It is believed that the evangelist St. John spent his last years in this region and was buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvellous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian. 

Please note: The site requires stair climbing at the entrance and walking over uneven ground, stones and gravel walkways. The site has some fallen ruins and some light climbing will be required. 

After the tour you are transferred to your hotel in Izmir and have the evening at leisure.

Full day
Ephesus Full Day Tour
Ephesus Full Day Tour
Day 7 Izmir

Departure
Following breakfast, you check out, meet your private driver and depart from Izmir.

Renaissance Izmir Hotel
Address
TR
Car from Izmir to Pamukkale
Departure
Izmir, Turkey
2 h 52 min
Arrival
Pamukkale, Turkey
Day 7 Pamukkale

Arrival
Today you arrive in Pamukkale and have a transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Breakfast included
Doga Thermal Health & SPA
Doga Thermal Health & SPA
, Karhayt Mah., 147 Seyir Sokak 9/1, Pamukkale/Denizli, 20020
Standard Double Room Breakfast Included
1 room
Up to 2 guests
1 double / twin beds
Breakfast included
Day 8 Pamukkale

Pamukkale Thermal Springs & Hierapolis Ruins Tour 
After breakfast you meet your local guide and start exploring the amazing region of Pamukkale and Hierapolis.

The first stop for today is at the famous white stepped cliffs of Pamukkale, where you have a chance to walk in the warm waters while learning more from your guide. After enjoying the relaxing waters of Pamukkale, you head to visit the ancient ruins and other unique sights located nearby.

The theatre of Hierapolis is one of the best-preserved entertainment destinations that dates back to the second century, the audience section could hold up to 10,000 and be used to show everything from music, religious ceremonies and even performing live shows. While the theatre isn’t used to put on live entertainment anymore, the seating all around can be explored and used by visitors. Don't hesitate to take as many pictures as you like!

Next stop for today's itinerary is a historical landmark of Agora, which used to be an ancient market where traders would have come to do shopping or to exchange their goods with other people who traveled.

Another destination of this tour is the Karahayit Red Springs. Unusual spring waters are found only five kilometers from the Pamukkale and are believed to have a healing effect. The water comes from hot spring that flows out at 56 degrees and is rich in calcium, magnesium and sulphur.

After your day of exploring ruins and relaxing in legendary healing waters, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 9 Pamukkale

Departure
Following breakfast, you check out from the hotel and depart from Pamukkale.

Doga Thermal Health & SPA
Address
, Karhayt Mah., 147 Seyir Sokak 9/1, Pamukkale/Denizli, 20020
Pamukkale to Konya
Departure
Pamukkale
Arrival
Konya
Day 9 Konya

Arrival
Welcome to the great cultural center of Turkey - Konya! Upon arrival, you are met by your private driver, who transfers you to the hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is free so you can start exploring the magnificent city on your own, dine in one of the local restaurants or take a good rest in your comfortable room.

Breakfast included
Hich Hotel
Hich Hotel
, Aziziye Mh. Celal Sk. No:6 Karatay, Konya
King Room with Panoramic View Breakfast Included
1 room
Up to 2 guests
1 double / twin beds
Breakfast included
Day 10 Konya

Half Day City Tour & Whirling Dervishes Show
After breakfast, you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and start exploring Konya city. You begin with a visit to Mevlana Museum, which holds a great collection of Mevlevi musical instruments, calligraphy specimens, and various fabrics and carpets and located in mausoleum dating from 1247. 

Then you proceed to Karatay Tile museum and Alaaddin Mosque and Palace, the oldest historical building in Anatolia from Seljuk period. 
This touring day finishes at a local bustling Bazaar, where you stroll through the spices and carpets, teas and fruits, local delicacies and authentic city spirit. 

As the final touch to delve into the cultural heritage of the region, you visit Whirling Dervishes Show at Mevlana Cultural Center of Konya. This show is the perfect way to understand the story of Sufism, Sufis and the ritual of the Mevlevi.

After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Day 11 Konya

Departure
Following breakfast in your hotel, you check out and depart from Konya.

Hich Hotel
Address
, Aziziye Mh. Celal Sk. No:6 Karatay, Konya
Train from Konya to Istanbul
Departure
Konya, Turkey
5 h 18 min
Arrival
Istanbul, Turkey
Day 11 Istanbul

Arrival
Welcome to Istanbul, the city which unites Europe and Asia since the ancient times. It is a city of mosques, tulips and bazars, a city with amazingly rich history, and now you have a great opportunity to discover your own Istanbul!

Upon arrival, your private driver takes you to your centrally-located hotel for check-in. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the city on your own.

Breakfast included
Yasmak Sultan Hotel
Yasmak Sultan Hotel
TR, Hoca Paşa, Ebussuud Cd. No:12, İstanbul, 34110
Standard Double Room Breakfast Included
1 room
Up to 2 guests
1 double / twin beds
Breakfast included
Day 12 Istanbul

Departure

Today is your last day in Turkey! Following breakfast your private driver transfers you to the airport. We wish you a safe flight and hope to see you again! 

Yasmak Sultan Hotel
Address
TR, Hoca Paşa, Ebussuud Cd. No:12, İstanbul, 34110

What's included

Exceptional downtown hotel accommodations
Guided sightseeing tours with expert English-speaking guides
Delicious breakfasts at your hotels
In-depth exploration of best landmarks
In-depth exploration of best landmarks
Tickets and intercity transportation as per itinerary
Professional meeting services at the airport
Dedicated support team before and during your trip

Reviews

As you prepare for your travels, we proudly highlight our 99.8% customer satisfaction rate. Below are reviews from travelers who have enjoyed our award-winning service. Thank you for choosing us—your extraordinary journey awaits!
4.9 / 5
Excellent
962 Reviews
This was a dream trip for me, and they helped make it a dream come true.
The guides Firebird works with are top-notch.
We had a “trip of a lifetime,” thanks to Firebird.
I was extremely pleased with Firebird's personalized service.
trIstanbul
3 nights
trCanakkale
1 night
trIzmir
2 nights
trPamukkale
2 nights
trKonya
2 nights
trIstanbul
1 night