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Western & Central Turkey - CK3027 - Tailor made tour

Sample Itinerary | Places to Visit | Hotels to Stay | Dates

Western & Central Turkey - CK3027 - Tailor made - Private Escorted Tour

Prices from £4,500 per person

Sample Itinerary Hotels to Stay Places to Visit Optional Extras

7 nights Tailor made, privately escorted tour: The Itinerary covers Turkey’s cultural heritage including the Ottoman capitals of Bursa or Edirne, first world war battlefields of Gallipoli, ancient Troy and Ephesus . This is only a sample itinerary, we can alter as per request.

Day 1: UK to Istanbul

Fly to Istanbul where you will be met by our representative for your private transfer to your hotel for overnight stay. Overnight Istanbul

Day 2: Istanbul

Istanbul Classicals: (6hrs 09:00 a.m from Hotel)
Visit the most important popular sites of Istanbul in one full day tour. Aya Sofya Mosque, Byzantine Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Aya Irini church and Grand Bazaar. Overnight Istanbul

Day 3: Istanbul

Two Continents with Bosphorus Cruise: (6hrs 09:00 a.m from Hotel)
One of the most beautiful sights in the world, the Bosphorus, is the strait separating two continents - Europe and Asia. Spice Bazaar, Rustempasa Mosque, Bosphorus Cruise, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus Bridge and Camlica Hill. Overnight Istanbul

Day 4: Istanbul – Bursa

After breakfast drive to Bursa and visit thi authentic City which was capitol of Ottoman Empire, visit Ottoman Sultan’s Toms, Mousques. Overnight Bursa

Day 5: Eskisehir -Yazili kaya - Ankara

After breakfast drive to Eskisehir break a few hours in Eskiheir visit Odunpazari and have lunch. After lunch break, drive to Yazili kaya explore this antique city of Milas, than drive to Ankara for over night. Overnight Ankara

Day 6: Ankara - Cappadocia

After breakfast visit Ankara Historical Casttle and Anatolian Civilizations Museum and drive to Cappadocia via Salt Lake. Overnight Cappadocia

Day 7: Cappadocia

After breakfast do first part of Cappapdocia includes a visit to the Devrent Valley to see the unique ‘fairy chimneys’ and Pashabagi to see the fascinating mushroom shaped Pinnacles. After lunch break, at Avanos visit the ancient rock-cut churches and Christian settlements of the Göreme Open Air Museum before finally heading to see the natural castle of Üçhisar. Overnight Cappadocia

Day 8: Cappadocia - Konya

After breakfast visit 2 ^nd part of Cappadocia includes, Rose Valley and Kaymakli Underground City Tour.

Visit to the Red Valley to explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike 5km through the Gulludere Valley. Visit Cavusin with its famous houses and churches of the Christian clergymen. After lunch (included in price) visit Pigeon Valley and then the underground city of Kaymakli, which was home to the early Christians, and finish the day with a visit to the natural castle of Ortahisar, drive to Konya. Overnight Konya

Day 9: Pamukkale & Hierapolis

Explore magical Pamukkale. Literally translated as ‘Cotton Castle’, this unique natural wonder appears from a distance as a shimmering white fairytale castle, or snow-covered mountain. Its limestone-laden thermal spring waters have created a magical landscape of white rocks and thermal pools. You can explore the nearby World Heritage site of Hierapolis, which is an exceptional example of a Greco-Roman thermal installation established on an extraordinary natural site. The therapeutic virtues of the waters were exploited at the various thermal installations, which included immense hot basins and pools for swimming. Overnight Pamukkale.

Day 10 : Pamukkale & Ephesus & The Basilica of Saint John

After breakfast your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Pamukkale and drive to Ephesus, one of the best preserved and most visited ancient Roman cities. During the 2nd century BC, Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire, famous for its Artemesium, the Library of Celsus and its medical school. It was also here that St Paul preached some of his most famous sermons and where the Virgin Mary spent her final days. After Ephesus you will be driven to House of Mary and The Basilica of Saint John. Overnight Ephesus.

Day 11: Return to the UK.

You may extend a few more free days to relax either in Ephesus or in seaside resort of authentic Turkish resort of Alacati or busy resort of Kusadasi. If you choose to return to UK, you will be picked up from your hotel for your private transfer to Izmir airport for your flight back to the UK.

Empire Palace Hotel 4 - B&B - Istanbul*

An authentic and comfortable hotel in a convenient location. This historical Ottoman house, built in the 17th century and situated in the old town of Istanbul, has been faithfully restored. The hotel also boasts a Turkish Bath, which is perfect for a bit of relaxation after a full days sightseeing.

MDC Cave Hotel Special Category - 4 B&B - Cappadocia*

The MDC Cave Hotel is nestled in the picturesque background of Urgup, Cappadocia and features an impeccable blend of luxury, beauty, style and heritage. The MDC Cave Hotel is located in a quiet and charming area within walking distance to the Urgup town centre and is surrounded by the extraordinary beauty and relaxing nature of the valleys and the unique fairy chimneys -

Sultania Hotel - 4 Superior Boutique Hotel B&B - Istanbul*

The sultans of the Ottoman Empire used to live in places designed and decorated in this aesthetic style as a display of power and magnificence. As for the design and decoration of the Sualtania hotel, wanted their guests to feel like a member of the Ottoman royal family

Gamirasu Cave Hotel 4- B&B - Cappadocia*

The Gamirasu Hotel in Ayvali close to Urgup Cappadocia promises an outstanding and relaxing stay. It is a 35 room troglodyte cave house which has been beautifully restored since its opening in 1998. The thousand year old Byzantine monastic retreat whilst offering modern touches has also managed to maintain the spiritual feeling of the surrounding area. Read more...

Cella Boutique Hotel & Spa 4- B&B - Ephesus*

Everything has been thought of to make you feel very special in our boutique hotel, which will completely change your holiday habits until today

Neo Efessos Boutique Hotel

Ephesus - 4* - Bed & Breakfast

This exceptional boutique hotel offers true personal service and amazing architecture representing old glory days of Ephesus.

Istanbul
Standing on the shores of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait where the waters of the Black Sea mingle with those of the Sea of Marmara, Istanbul is also divided by the Golden Horn. Surrounded by water, the city guards the precious remains of the empires of which she has been capital from the Byzantine to the Ottoman. Istanbul is a unique link between East and West, past and present. Read more...

Cappadocia
Cappadocia’s landscape was formed around 30 million years ago when volcanic activity left the region blanketed with ash. The ash solidified into what is known as ‘volcanic tuff’, this is an easily eroded material and as it wore away over many years, it left the distinctive rock formations seen in Cappadocia today. Looking for a holiday to Cappadocia? Book with the experts and ensure you enjoy the most amazing experence in this incredible region. Read more...
Ephesus
One of the best preserved and most visited ancient Roman cities. It was also here that St Paul preached some of his most famous sermons and where the Virgin Mary spent her final days. This ancient UNESCO World Heritage site of Ephesus, know as Efes in Turkish, which dates back perhaps as early as 7th Century BC is Turkey’s historical jewel. Read more...

The Heritage of Turkey - per person - from price	Apr, May, Oct	Jun, Sep July, Aug
2 People sharing 4 People sharing 6 People sharing 8 People sharing 10 People sharing	£4,500 £2,998 £2,530 £2,278 £2,128	£4,660 £4,728 £3,096 £3,164 £2,616 £2,785 £2,362 £2,498 £2,210 £2,348

Price Includes:

Return flights - including outbound flight to Istanbul and direct return flight from Izmir.
Arrival Airport Transfer from Istanbul Airport
Return Airport Transfer to Izmir Airport
Professional English-speaking local tour guide throughout the trip
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
Entrance fees
7 nights 4* Hotels as BB

Tour does not include :

Suggested optional activities
Tips - Driver and Guide
Compulsory Travel Insurance

Flights info:
Flights are included to Istanbul and back from Izmir - from Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Dublin and any others. However, prices are subject to change depending on flight departure airports and flight timings etc. We can book any flight from any airport on request. Once you book flights with us, we will issue ATOL certificate for all packages including flights and you will be protected financially for any airline failures.

Early booking discounts & loyalty discounts

Call 0330 390 0999 Request Quotation

I wanted to send you and e-mail now that we are back from our wonderful holiday. My wife and I wanted to express our sincere gratitude to you and the team at Diamond Star for arranging a truly unique style of holiday that we are still talking about to friends and family two weeks after we came home. The places we have visited, the things we have seen were truly amazing, it will take a month or more to sort through our photos. I really must commend Diamond Star on the choice of hotels too for our trip. Andrew and June Welch - 24 Oct 2022

Diamond Star give a 5 star experience. From booking to customer care. Bespoke holidays. Contactable and were brilliant when one of our internal flights was cancelled. Was speaking to us out of hours and arranged another days stay in Cappadocia. Would defo recommend them. Ms Louise Robinson - 4 Oct 2022

Back from our holiday to Istanbul/Cappadocia what an awesome holiday. The hot air balloon was out of this world. Thank you Diamond Star for making it all possible special thanks to Nazan. I recommend this company to make your dreams come true. ??
Mrs Angela Bailey - 6 Oct 2022

We had a super holiday; it was very interesting to have a first-hand experience of another culture. Everything went smoothly and in general we were met by really friendly Turkish people. We have many happy memories of the historic and natural wonders of Turkey.
Thank you – Mr Hessel 09 Jun 2022

"Our holiday in Turkey exceeded our expectations. Cappadocia was interesting and beautiful. It was exciting staying in cave. Istanbul was amazing. We had very little previous experience of Turkey and Turkish people, so we enjoyed the beauty of the country and friendly hospitality of the people. We felt safe and not at all threatened in the city. The quality of food and service in restaurants was good. Efes beer is very tasty. We were a little confused on our first day in Istanbul as the tour details implied a bus tour, but all become clear when we realised how close all the sights were to our hotel. We had a memorable holiday. Thank you Akin." Mr David Hyam, 19.5.2019

"Dear Mr. Koc,I've been meaning to write to you for some time, to say thank you for arranging such a wonderful holiday for us. We had 4 nights B&B at the Empire Palace Hotel in Istanbul, which was wonderfully central - with friendly, helpful staff - and then flew to Cappadocia, staying at the MDC Cave Hotel in Urgup, which was delightful. The location was outstanding and the hotel quite unique. We have travelled all over the world and I can safely say that this holiday was one of the best - full of new experiences including a trip in a hot-air balloon, visiting underground cities, ancient cave dwellings with amazing frescoes and fabulous landscapes. It was fun and exciting. For the first two days of tours in Cappadocia we went with the local representatives, who were excellent and our guide, Mustafa Sahin was outstanding. Thank you again for a brilliant trip and we will recommend your company. We may be interested in Croatia next year. Yours sincerely," Barbara Lewis , 30.7.2018

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"I wanted to send you an e-mail now that we are back from our wonderful holiday. My wife and I wanted to express our sincere gratitude to you and the team at Diamond Star for arranging a truly unique style of holiday that we are still talking about to friends and family two weeks after we came home. The places we have visited, and the things we have seen were truly amazing, it will take a month or more to sort through our photos" Andrew and June Welch - 24 Oct 2022

"Back from our holiday to Istanbul/Cappadocia what an awesome holiday. The hot air balloon was out of this world. Thank you Diamond Star for making it all possible special thanks to Nazan. I recommend this company to make your dreams come true." Mrs Angela Bailey - 6 Oct 2022

"We arrived home from Fethiye on Monday, and would just like to thank you and Akin for planning an amazing trip. The gulet was fantastic and as usual, the Ece Saray Hotel was lovely. The staff there are some of the best we have come across, and the breakfasts were great. We are looking ahead to 2023 and were wondering if you could arrange a quote for a similar trip." Sue and Mike Fedeczko - 28 September 2022