Turkey is a nation straddling eastern Europe and western Asia with cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
Cosmopolitan Istanbul, on the Bosphorus Strait, is home to the iconic Hagia Sophia, with its soaring dome and Christian mosaics, the massive 17th-century Blue Mosque and the circa-1460 Topkapı Palace, former home of sultans. Ankara is Turkey’s modern capital.
NOTE : UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice.
Whilst many people think of Turkey as a Summer / beach destination the country has a very rich history to share and even provides skiing opportunities during the Winter, as is shown in our 1 week Winter Tour of Turkey below:
Day 1 – Istanbul
After breakfast we depart for Istanbul City Tour:
- TOPKAPI PALACE, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries
- SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles
- HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine
- Punto Leather Factory’s leather fashion show
- SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar) where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
The rest of the evening is yours to explore Istanbul where you will overnight.
Day 2 – Istanbul – Bursa – Uludag Skiing
After breakfast we depart for Bursa Uludag, located couple 4 hours from Istanbul is the most popular and elegant ski resort in Turkey and yet it offers many and more attractions during all seasons. Mountain has different levels of pistes which are suitable for absolute beginners as well as experienced adults. If you wish to experience skiing in Uludag, you can easily rent skiing equipment when you are there. Before check in to the hotel, we will do a small Bursa city tour. Overnight in Bursa. Please note that if there is not enough snow for skiing you can still see the amazing view of Uludag from the top of Mountain.
Day 3 – Kusadasi – Ephesus Tour
After breakfast a 5 Hour drive to Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world, en – route visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curetes street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library and Grand theatre.
After the tour, we will visit one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet weaving centre where we will have a chance to see the Turkish women working in the factory. After the art tour we drive to Kusadasi to overnight.
Day 4 – Kusadasi – Pamukkale Tour
After breakfast we depart for Pamukkale, on the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good bargain. We will check at the hotel around 12.00, have a lunch break until 13.30, and then visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, walking around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 5 – Pamukkale – Konya – Cappadocia
After breakfast we drive to Konya, taking a break half way for coffee, before continuing to Konya for lunch at 13:00. After lunch we visit the imposing green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). After the Konya Mevlana tour we drive to Cappadocia, arriving about 18:30 to check into your hotel to overnight.
Day 6 – Cappadocia Tour with Underground City and Goreme Open Air Museum
After breakfast we drive to Derinkuyu underground city, one of the best preserved and deepest Underground cities in Cappadocia. Derinkuyu Underground city is 55 meters deep and 8 levels open to visitors, then visit to Uchisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia. After Uchisar, you visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia, famous for frescoes dating to 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks.
Next stop is Cavusin, an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses, before continuing to the restaurant in Avanos for lunch. We then visit a pottery workshop before going to Pasabagi where you can see three-headed fairy chimneys. After Pasabagi you visit another workshop to see Cappadocian handwoven carpets and kilims.
Next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. Then you head to a wineshop in Urgup for wine tasting. Last stop is Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia. This tour will end at approximately 18:00 when you will be returned to your hotel to overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7 – Cappadocia to Ankara City Tour – Istanbul
After breakfast we depart for the 4 hour drive to Ankara, stopping at Salt Lake, which it is a natural salt lake and the second biggest lake in Turkey. Arriving in Ankara around 12:30 we have a lunch break before visiting the Ataturk Museum at the Ataturk Mausoleum. We then depart on the 5 hour drive to Istanbul, having a coffee break on the way, arriving in Istanbul around 19:00 where you will overnight in Istanbul.