Classical Turkey Anatolian Tour

Start your day well with breakfast at your hotel or a nearby café in Ankara. To maximize your day, leave by 8:00 a.m. 
Then visit Anıtkabir to see the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who was the founder of the Republic of Turkey. Spend around an hour or two here to learn more about the site's historical and cultural significance. Anıtkabir opens at 9:00 AM, making you among the first visitors of the day.

You will continue your tour to Cappadocia around 12:30 PM. The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours, but you’ll be stopping along the way. Plan to reach Salt Lake around 2:00 PM. This is a great place for photography and a brief walk. The visit can be short, about 30 minutes, as the mesmerizing landscape is quite vast but doesn’t require extensive walking.

At the end of the trip, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Start the day early with breakfast at your hotel, Start your day in Avanos. This town is famous for its pottery and ceramics, thanks to the red clay from the Kızılırmak River. A workshop here not only allows you to observe master potters at work but also offers you a chance to try your hand at the wheel.

Next Stop, Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu, these are two of the most famous underground cities in Cappadocia, used by early Christians as hiding places. These cities are vast and intricate, with multiple levels to explore.

End your Day at Uçhisar Castle, this natural rock castle offers one of the highest vantage points in Cappadocia, with breathtaking views, especially at sunset. The castle is a labyrinth of rooms connected by stairs, tunnels, and passages that you can explore.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, start your day from Cappadocia around 8:00 AM to make the most of the daylight hours. Sultanhanı Caravanserai, located in the Aksaray province, is about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Cappadocia. Arrive around 10:00 AM. This is the largest Seljuk caravanserai in Turkey and represents a significant part of the Silk Road's history.

After lunch, head to the Mevlana Museum, which is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Sufi mystic, poet, and the founder of the Mevlevi order. Spend about 1.5 to 2 hours here.

Aim to leave Konya by 4:00 PM. The drive to Pamukkale is approximately 5 to 6 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Arrive in Pamukkale at 10:00 PM, book your accommodation in advance, and relax for the evening before embarking on the next day's adventures in Pamukkale.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Have breakfast at your hotel. Start your tour early at 8:00 AM to avoid crowds and heat. Explore Hierapolis, an ancient Greco-Roman city above Pamukkale hot springs, with its necropolis, Roman theatre, and ancient baths.

Then, head over to the Cleopatra Pool, also known as the Antique Pool. It's said that these thermal waters have healing properties. Swimming among ancient columns and ruins, which fell during an earthquake, is a unique experience.

After lunch, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Pamukkale travertines, a white calcium terrace filled with mineral-rich thermal waters. Walk barefoot to appreciate their natural beauty and dip into warm pools, a refreshing and photogenic experience.

After an eventful day, head to your hotel to check in and relax.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Start your day with an early breakfast and get in Ephesus at 8:00 a.m. to escape the crowds and heat. Spend 2-3 hours visiting the old city, which is one of the greatest Roman archeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean and home to the Library of Celsus.

After Ephesus, make a quick stop at the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only one column remains standing, the site holds significant historical value. Spend about 30 minutes here.

The journey from Ephesus to Bursa can take 3.5-4 hours, depending on traffic and starting location. Start after lunch, ideally by 2:00 PM, for a leisurely drive with picturesque views. Aim to arrive in Bursa by early evening. Check into your hotel, unwind, and perhaps enjoy the hotel amenities.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After your breakfast, and start your exploration with the Green Mosque (Yeşil Camii) is known for its exquisite tile work and architecture, a prime example of early Ottoman art. Right next to it, the Green Mausoleum (Yeşil Türbe) houses the tomb of Mehmed I.

Then visit the tombs of Orhan Gazi and Osman Gazi, founders of the Ottoman Empire. These sites are significant to Turkish history and culture. 

Enjoy lunch in Bursa around noon. Try some local dishes, perhaps in the Old Town, offering a variety of traditional Turkish foods. And begin your drive to Istanbul around 1:00 PM. The journey typically takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic, especially as you approach Istanbul.

After your tour, proceed to your hotel to check in. 

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast buffet at the hotel, followed by free time to unwind. After that, you will be taken to the International Airport for your last departure. 

Meals: Breakfast