Flying Discovery Tour by Fez Travel

19 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

20 peopleMaximum group size

8 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Istanbul, Turkey

Ends

Istanbul, Turkey

Highlights

UNESCO Heritage site

St. Sophia Museum

Blue Mosque

Istanbul

Itinerary

Set out on the ultimate Turkish journey with the Flying Discovery Tour, a 19-day group adventure traversing both Western and Eastern Turkey. Start in Istanbul, exploring its majestic palaces and UNESCO sites, before moving on to Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and the turquoise coast of Fethiye and Antalya. Travel the Silk Road through Konya and Cappadocia, then venture east to Van, Akdamar Island, Mt Ararat, and Kars. With all accommodations, meals, and transport included, this city sightseeing tour is ideal for travelers who want to experience Turkey’s full spectrum of history, culture, and natural beauty. The USP? A sweeping, comprehensive exploration of Turkey’s most captivating regions.

day 1 - Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours free to explore at your own pace.

Accommodation:Burdock Hotel (4 star)

OverNight:Istanbul

day 2 - Istanbul Old City

After breakfast, enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents. The day begins with visits to the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene and the Harem), and the Hippodrome.
In the afternoon, take a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise, sailing between the two continents on the stunning strait that separates Europe and Asia.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Burdock Hotel (4 star)

OverNight:Istanbul

day 3 - Gallipoli Battlefields

Today we visit the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, original trenches and tunnels.

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Others:Hilton Double Tree Canakkale (5 star)

OverNight:Çanakkale

day 4 - Troy, Acropolis of Pergamon, Kusadasi

Step back in time today as we visit Troy where we will explore the ancient city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the new, award winning, Troy Museum. We continue on to Bergama and up to the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre in its time. From here we continue on to Kusadasi.

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Others:Elite World Kusadasi (5 star)

OverNight:Kuşadası

day 5 - Ephesus, Kusadasi

Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus, once a bustling trade hub and religious center. Ephesus today whispers of ancient marvels, from the site of the Temple of Artemis to the grand facade of the Library of Celsus and the impressive amphitheater. We will also visit the Ephesus Archaeology Museum, where artifacts from the ancient city bring its history to life. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey, and at the carpet village, we will learn how carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. Afterward, we head to Sirince for a wine tasting experience.

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Others:Elite World Kusadasi (5 star)

OverNight:Kuşadası

day 6 - Aphrodisias, Pamukkale

After a leather shop visit, we will head to Aphrodisias the ancient city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of Beauty, Love and Fertility, also famous for its school of sculpture, we visit the stadium, which is the best preserved in Anatolia, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Tetrapylon, theatre and the Museum. Then, we continue to Pamukkale.

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Adem Pira Hotel (4 star)

OverNight:Pamukkale

day 7 - Hierapolis, Salda Lake

This morning we will explore the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
Then we will head to Salda Lake, is known as Turkish Maldives. It is a mountain lake and located in the mountains before we travel down to South.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Mara Palace Hotel (4 star)

OverNight:Fethiye

day 8 - Fethiye

Today, you are free to explore the town at your own pace and there is also optional tours and activities.
Optional tours and activities; 12 island boat trip and Saklikent Gorge tour

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Mara Palace Hotel (4 star)

OverNight:Fethiye

day 9 - Kayakoy, Antalya

This morning, we head to Kayakoy, where the light is perfect for capturing striking photos of this hauntingly beautiful deserted Greek village. After exploring Kayakoy, we continue our journey to the vibrant coastal city of Antalya. Upon arrival, we will visit the Antalya Necropol Museum, which offers fascinating insights into ancient burial practices and showcases artifacts from various historical periods.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Ruin Adalia Hotel (Boutique)

OverNight:Antalya

day 10 - Perge, Aspendos

We will visit Perge a famous antique site, early in the morning. After Perge we drive to Aspendos which has the best preserved 2nd Century Amphitheatre in Turkey. We return back to Antalya city in the afternoon and the remainder of your day is free.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Ruin Adalia Hotel (Boutique)

OverNight:Antalya

day 11 - Konya, Silk Road

We will visit the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the great 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet, whose teachings continue to inspire people worldwide. Inside the Mevlana Museum, we will explore his beautifully adorned tomb, ancient manuscripts, and exhibits on the Whirling Dervishes and their spiritual traditions.Continuing our journey along the legendary Silk Road, we will visit the Çatalhöyük Museum, which brings to life the fascinating history of one of the world’s oldest and most advanced Neolithic settlements.

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Others:Novotel Konya (4 star)

OverNight:Konya

day 12 - Cappadocia, Sultanhani Caravansary, Underground City

Today we head to Cappadocia, visiting Sultanhani Caravansary, an ancient Silk Road stop off for merchants and traders. Later we explore the many levels of an underground city.
After checking into our hotel we visit a traditional Turkish home for dinner. Here you can do a course and help cook if you wish.

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Gamirasu Hotel (Boutique Cave)

OverNight:Cappadocia

day 13 - Goreme open-air museum

Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys. We then visit Pigeon and Red Valley, followed by Cavusin village and lastly Avanos town where we will learn about hand-made pottery.

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Gamirasu Hotel (Boutique Cave)

OverNight:Cappadocia

day 14 - Cappadocia, Van

Departure in the morning from Cappadocia, we head to Ankara for our direct flight to Van. On arrival to Van Airport, you will meet with your tour guide. Before we go to our hotel, we will explore the Citadel with its three thousand Urartian fortress of Van and witness the extraordinary sunset.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Van Life Hotel (Boutique)

OverNight:Van

day 15 - Van, Akdamar Island

After breakfast, we will travel by ferry stopping at Akdamar Island to see a spectacular 10th century church built by an Armenian king, if there is time swim in Lake Van.
Then, we will drive back to city centre to visit the largest Urartu Museum in the World. Artifacts from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Urartian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Seljuk, Turkish-Islamic, and Ottoman Periods are exhibited in chronological order taking our visitors on a unique historical journey.
After the museum visit Van Cat House. Van cats are relatively large, have a chalky white coat, sometimes with ruddy coloration on the head and hindquarters, and have blue, amber eyes or one eye of each colour. This variety has been referred to as "the swimming cat", and has been observed to swim in Lake Van.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Van Life Hotel (Boutique)

OverNight:Van

day 16 - Van, Dogubayazit, Ararat, Kars

Today we leave for Dogubayazit via Muradiye and the Bendimaahi Falls. In Dogubayazit, we visit the spectacular Ishak Pasha Palace, 1685 - 1784, which has a unique fusion of architecture from Seljuk, Ottoman, Georgian, and Armenian - Persian styles.
We continue our journey north, skirting around the western edge of Mt Ararat. Mt. Ararat is one of the great natural spectacles of the world,. The name Ararat derives from the Bible (Jeremiah 51:27) and is a transliteration of 'Urartu' the name foreigners gave to this region and its inhabitants in Biblical times.

Meals:Breakfast

Others:Kars Beylerbeyi Palace (Boutique)

OverNight:Kars

day 17 - Kars, Ani

This morning we journey to the site of Ani, the former capital of the Armenian kingdom. In the mid 10th century, nothing in Europe could rival this capital of the Armenian kingdom in terms of either size or magnificence. The remains of the ruined city include several churches as well as the shell of the Cathedral of Ani, the citadel and a mosque. There are also some exciting remains of frescoes in the Church of St Gregory (Tigran Honentz) despite having been exposed to the elements for centuries.
Afternoon, we will visit 12 Aposotles Church and Kars Castle.

Meals:Breakfast

Others:Kars Beylerbeyi Palace (Boutique)

OverNight:Kars

day 18 - Kars, Istanbul

Transfer to Kars Airport for your onward flight back to Istanbul. On arrival to Istanbul Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Burdock Hotel (4 star)

OverNight:Istanbul

day 19 - Istanbul

After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends and are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

18 nights - accommodation3 Burdock Hotel (4 star)1 Adem Pira Hotel (4 star)2 Mara Palace Hotel (4 star)2 Ruin Adalia Hotel (Boutique)2 Gamirasu Hotel (Boutique Cave)2 Van Life Hotel (Boutique)

Meal

18 breakfast and 7 dinner

Transport

Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicleDomestic flight between Ankara and Van and transfersDomestic flight between Kars and Istanbul and transfersTips except Driver and Guide

Guide

Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour

Others

Wine TastingCooking CourseEntrance fees1 Hilton Double Tree Canakkale (5 star)2 Elite World Kusadasi (5 star)1 Novotel Konya (4 star)2 Kars Beylerbeyi Palace (Boutique)

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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