Turkey is an epic drama, an awesome land with a rich culture that forever charms and delights. Ayala Travel in Turkey offers you an exclusive way to discover the country's treasures. Whether you like sightseeing or archaeological sites, endless beaches or adventure, we share a vision of Turkey that differs from the mainstream. Our holidays celebrate the real culture of Turkey, its people, its extreme landscapes and its natural wonders. We pride ourselves on presenting a more authentic and lasting impression for all our guests with a touch of Turkish hospitality.
 
   
 

 

 
 
  Best of Turkey

Wonders of Turkey

Fascinating Turkey

Turkish Delight

Ancient Aegean


Grand Tour Turkey

Cradle of Civilizations

Kusadasi & Izmir Shore Trips

Favourites of Turkey

The Odyssey / Turkey & Greece

Biblical Asia Minor

7 Churches of Revelation

Jewish Heritage

Footsteps of St. Paul

Tailor Made
  Grand Tour Turkey                                                                 

Day 1:  Istanbul

After clearing customs and immigration a Ayala Travel representative meets you at the airport and helps you transfer to your hotel. You have the balance of the day at leisure to settle in and relax after your flight. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2:  Istanbul Sightseeing Tour
After breakfast at your hotel, join us on a Splendors of Empires tour and marvel at a pair of the most extraordinary museums. First visit Aya Sofia or the Museum of St. Sophia, it is the single most famous Byzantine structure. Afterwards we visit the supremely elegant Sultan Ahmet Mosque, with its heavenly six minarets. The building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent paneling of blue and white Iznik tiles. We will continue the sightseeing with Topkapi Palace, the maze of opulent buildings that was the center of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. The Topkapi was a city-palace with a population of approximately 4,000 people. It housed all the Ottoman sultans from Sultan Mehmet II to Abdulmecit—nearly 400 years and 25 sultans. The day will finish with the visit to the Mosque of Suleymaniye the Magnificent. End of the tour you will be transferred to your hotel and the evening will be at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,L)

Day 3:  Istanbul - Izmir - Kusadasi
Breakfast at your hotel, and in the afternoon, you will be transferred to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for the flight to Izmir. Upon arrival to Izmir you will be met at the airport for your transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi. Rest of the day will be at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,L)

Day 4:  Sirince - Kusadasi ( Ephesus Tour )
Breakfast and depart for a full day tour to visit the remains of Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Then on to visit Ephesus Ancient City, the best preserved Greco-Roman city in the world. Here you will explore the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, public toilets, Celsius Library, Roman baths, Grand Theatre, Marble Street. After a lunch break depart for the House of Virgin Mary and visit the chapel where she is said to have spent her last days. End the day with transfer to your hotel and the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,L)

Day 5:  Kusadasi ( Didyma - Miletos - Priene Tour )
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart from your hotel in the morning for Priene which in its time was one of the most spectacular of all the ancient Ionians cities. Then travel on to Miletus with its magnificent theatre and the Byzantine fortress on the acropolis above. Last, but not least, visit Didyma. Here you will find the largest Ionic Temple in the world, that of Apollo. Also in Didyma lies the huge, cracked head of Medusa which long ago fell from the frieze. Lunch is included in the tour as well as transfer back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,L)

Day 6:  Kusadasi ( Pergamum Tour )
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart from your hotel in the morning and travel to the ancient site of Pergamum. Here you will be delighted to visit the Asclepion and the worlds oldest health centre. As you make your way to the Acropolis, the Red Basilica, originally a temple of Serapes, can be viewed. The most spectacular structure is certainly the theatre, a remarkable piece of engineering built into the steep hillside. Lunch is included in the tour as well as transfer back to you hotel. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,L)

Day 7:  Kusadasi ( Pamukkale Tour ) - Antalya
After breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up for a full day tour to visit the ancient site of Hierapolis (Pamukkale). Here you will see a perfect Roman theatre, colonnaded streets, Hadrian's Gate and the Necropolis. Pamukkale or "Cotton Castle", is famous for its white lime cascades rise over 300 feet above the ground, with hot, mineral-enriched waters flowing down through the pools and rock formations. Nearby is the ancient Roman health spa of Hierapolis, famous for its hot baths, theater, agora, and remarkable necropolis. Opportunity to swim in the natural hot springs therapeutic pools. After the tour, you will be transferred to Denizli Central Bus Station for your day drive to Antalya which will take 4 hours with intercity midi bus. Upon arrival to Antalya, you will be met for your transfer to your hotel in Antalya. Afternoon and evening will be at leisure. Dinner and Overnight in Antalya (B,L,D)

Day 8: Antalya
After the breakfast at the hotel the day will be at leisure. Dinner and Overnight in Antalya (B,D)

Day 9:  Antalya - Perge - Aspendos - Kursunlu
After the breakfast at the hotel, depart from your hotel to visit Perge. An important city of ancient Pamphylian, Perge was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. St. Paul preached some of his first sermons here. The theater stage has finely carved marble relief's; other carvings from around the city are displayed in the stadium. Amateur archaeologists will want to see the handsome city gate flanked by two lofty towers, a long colonnaded road once paved with mosaics and lined with shops, a large agora, the public baths and a gymnasium. After lunch, proceed to Aspendos one of the best preserved theatres in the world with seating for 15,000. Still used today, the theater galleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify to the architect’s success. Nearby stand the remains of a basilica, agora and one of the largest aqueducts in Anatolia. It is commonly believed that Aspendos was founded by colonist from Argos. We with then proceed to Kursunlu Waterfalls for a refreshing break. Return to hotel. Evening at leisure. Dinner and Overnight in Antalya (B,L,D)

Day 10:  Antalya - Cappadocia
After the breakfast at the hotel, the day will be at leisure by your own to spend some time on the beautiful beaches of Antalya. At the end of the day at 19:00 you will be met at your hotel for your transfer to Central Bus Station for your overnight intercity bus to Cappadocia. Overnight onboard bus. (B)

Day 11:  Cappadocia
Arrival early morning and transfer to hotel for short rest before starting the tour to visit Devrent Valley, Monk's valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world known fairy chimneys. Break for lunch in Avanos and then continue on to the Goreme Open - Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock carved churches and monasteries. Depart for a panoramic view of Esentepe and then on to Uchisar, a natural rock castle. Dinner and Overnight in Cappadocia. (L,D)

Day 12:  Cappadocia
Another full day tour this time to visit the famous Derinkuyu Underground City. Afterwards a short hike through the green Ihlara Valley along the stream visiting some of the churches along the way. Stop in Belisirma for lunch and then on to Selime for a panoramic view. Stop at the Agzikarahan Caravanserai is included. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)

Day 13:  Cappadocia - Istanbul
Early in the morning, balloon flight (group option not private basis unless you would prefer it to be so, please advise) over the Cappadocia region. The balloon flight lasts for around 45-minutes starting at 5AM in the morning. After the balloon tour, you will be transferred to Kayseri Airport for the flight to Istanbul. On arrival to Istanbul, you will be met for the transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul (B)

Day 14:  Istanbul ( Bosphorus Tour )
First thing in the morning we will visit Spice Bazaar with mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers, etc. We will continue to visit the extraordinary Dolmabahce Palace, built in the mid-19th century by order of Sultan Abdul Mecit I. The Sultan’s architect was given the order that this building should "surpass the palace of any potentate anywhere in the world". The architect certainly fulfilled the order! The facade of the palace stretches for more than 1,200 feet on the European shores of the Bosporus. Its vast reception salon, with 56 columns and a huge crystal chandelier (weighing four and a half tons and lit by 750 lights) never fails to astonish visitors. Next you’ll board a boat for a cruise on the Bosphorus. Through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments. After the lunch we will drive via Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes. We will finish the day with a stop at Camlica Hill, exposing a panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the best point of view. End of the tour you will be transferred to your hotel and the evening will be at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul (B,L)

Day 15:  Istanbul
After the breakfast at your hotel, according to your flight details, you will be met for your transfer to Istanbul International Airport or you may extend your stay. (B)
 
 
     

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