Fly n Drive Best of Turkey Routes in Turkey

What is more joyfull than your car and hotel’s reservation are handled by an agency? Take the advantage of the flexibility in the Cradle of Civilization. Steer your car as you wish, stop over as you like or just taste the freedom by your own car. Pick your car and let us reserve your car and hotels. Meet with our regional guides in each city. Get your camera and camcorder ready!

DAY 1 ISTANBUL Welcome to the paradise of two continents. Istanbul is described as irresistanbul, the capital of all empires. Deren Koray (D&K) staff will meet you at the airport, for the delivery of your car. Welcome to Istanbul, get acquaintance with this big city, check-in and just relax. [B]

DAY 2 ISTANBUL Today’s full day excursion will start with one of the landmarks of Istanbul The Blue Mosque which is famous for blue and white Iznik tiles was built between 1609-1616. We’ll proceed for the ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life, stands in the open space. The Basilica of St Sophia, one of the finest buildings of all time built by Emperor Justinian now Fatih Sultan Mehmet’s Mosque. Exploring the majestic serenity and the fine Byzantine mosaics of the building. Lunch at Konyali one of the well known restaurants in Topkapi. Time to visit Topkapi Palace having the galleries exhibiting the imperial collections of gorgeous crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain of Ottoman era. Visit Harem, the secluded quarters of the wives, concubines and children of the sultan, charms visitors, an exhibition of imperial costumes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the treasury and a priceless collection of miniatures from medieval manuscripts. Finally we’ll depart for gorgeous Grand Bazaar having over 4000 shops inside. Ready to get lost? Go on then. At night we’ll join informative light & sound show in front of Blue Mosque. Tonight we’ll give some safety instructions about driving car in Turkey, Turkish customs and Turkish culture [B]

DAY 3 ANKARA Ready to start the engine? Today you’ll depart for capital Ankara thru the Bosphorus Bridge linking two continents. En route lunch at Bolu famous for its cook and own cuisine in Turkey. Tea break, Arrive at Ankara. Check-in at hotel. Just relax for 2 hours. Late in the afternoon we’ll visit Anitkabir the impressive modern form of Ataturk’s Mausoleum where ancient and modern architectural concepts testifies to the power and grace of Turkish architecture took place. In the afternoon we’ll serve you buttered gozleme (Turkish Creppe) with semaver tea a typical Turkish tea maker device working with charcoal. It’s a must to try this delicious tea that you’ve never taste before. At night enjoy your city tour by your own car. [B]

DAY 4 ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA Today we invite you to explore Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with its priceless collection of Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian and Roman artifacts, For lunch we’ll pass to Byzantine Ankara Castle for traditional Zenger Pasha Restaurant. Then we’ll proceed for Roman Baths with its Roman structure remain. Temple of Augustus and Rome await your exploration. Ethnographical Museum which houses magnificent Seljuk doors of carved wood, is our next stop. Time to proceed to moonscape Cappadocia where the works of man blend unobtrusively into the natural moonscape surroundings. In the afternoon visit Agzikarahan and the skirt of the natural citadel of Uchisar, an informative quick local tour for this region and a small lecture about forming the natural fairy chimneys will be given here, then arrive at hotel and check-in. Dinner will be served at hotel. [B]

DAY 5 CAPPADOCIA Today we’ll start to explore Goreme with Derinkuyu Underground City. Ready to get lost in 8 layer of this hidden city? You’ll see miles of tunnels and grape-treading areas in this lighted city. See the deceitful pathways and hidden corners to fail the enemy of this city that were used by the early Christians in order to defend themselves from the persecution. Next stop will be Göreme Valley where you’ll walk thru the pathways and tunnels among the fairy chimneys and visit the churches having gorgeous frescoes dated back 11th to 12th century and many more. Zelve Open Air Museum offers the visitors just a culture & nature parade, then we’ll proceed Avanos where the most popular handicraft is made, have the chance to try your hand at making a pot in one of the many studios as well as weaving and knotting. Lunch at one of the restaurants at (don’t be surprised by the new name of the area) Bill Clinton’s Valley and after the president’s place we’ll proceed for Uchisar Castle and we’ll visit a local Doyurgan winery. Dinner at in the middle of cones and fairy chimneys at Karakus Restaurant in a very traditional with its unlimited entertainment and splendid regional cultural show including Whirling Dervishes Ceremony and Turkish folk dance with banquet with the traditional way Ürgüp. Join one of the folk-animation in here! [B]

DAY 6 KONYA – ANTALYA After having breakfast we’ll depart for Ihlara Valley the impressive canyon. Byzantine rock chapels covered with frescoes pierce the canyon walls. Some of the best known are the Agacalti (Daniel) Church, the Yilanli (Apocalypse) Church and the Sümbüllü (Hyacinth) Church. You can see the beautiful silhouette of Mt. Hasan rising like a crown above the town. After a lunch break we will tool along Konya one of Turkey’s oldest continuously inhabited cities was known as Iconium in Roman times. The capital of the Seljuk Turks from the 12th to the 13th century, visiting green tiled mausoleum of Mevlana the founder of Whirling Dervishes. The Karatay Medrese, now is a museum, displays bold and striking Seljuk ceramics. Proceed for Catalhoyuk is a fascinating Neolithic site dating from the eight millennium B.C which makes it one of the world’s oldest towns. At night we’ll arrive in Antalya known as Turkey’s tourism capital, check-in at hotel. [B]

DAY 7 ANTALYA It is impossible to see all historical sites within 2 days around Antalya however we’ll choose the majority. We’ll start to explore Antalya from the city center. We’ll park the cars and we’ll walk in Kaleici District to see the Hadrian Gate (constructed in 117-138 AD) which was considered as the entrance of Antalya, Hidirlik Tower, a typical Seljuk architecture Truncated Minaret which is the symbol of Antalya, Kesik Minaret and typical narrow Mediterranean style streets with its historical houses. Antique harbor is another main site to see for our strolling. Now we’d like to invite you a “grand falls cruise” from here in order to see the marvellious scenery of the falls from the sea. Time to have our lunch. Now we’ll pass Antalya Museum that was awarded by the European Council in 1988 as the best museum of the year. Here you’ll see an exhibit starting with the natural history section proceeding chronologically through the Stone and Bronze Ages and following classical and Hellenistic periods till the Ottoman Era. After museum we’ll set free for your own exploration. Those who’d like to enjoy the crystal clear water why not going to Konyaalti Beach for the tepidity of Mediterranean? You can also get the advantage of shopping in Antalya for your souvenir. At night we’ll have a dinner at Konyaalti District with unlimited entertainment. Dancing with belly dancer is compulsory tonight (We’re joking).. [B]

DAY 8 ANTALYA – ALANYA (& ENVIRONS) Well, today is the final day of our tour. Early in the morning we’ll depart for Alanya the port of Ottoman Empires with its beautiful environment. Time to wind up Alanya Fortress by car. Watch the spectacular view of Alanya from here. Now we’ll steer Damlatas Cave with its damp air underground. After Damlatas we’ll turn back Manavgat Falls. Here listen to the music of water which makes you relaxed under the sycamore shadow. We’ll have buttered trout as a lunch in here. You certainly will love this. After lunch we’ll drive for an ancient city Side dated back 7th century B.C. We’ll enter here passing by the city walls. Columned street, the basilica, the museum and the 15000 spectator capacity stunning theater and the temple of Dionysus await us. When we’ll reach the harbor we’ll see temples of Athena & Apollo. After Side we’ll stop over Aspendos that is the best preserved amphi-theater in Turkey. Now it is still being used for the festivals and concerts with its 30000 spectator capacity. The basilica on the Acropolis and the best preserved Roman aqueduct are still glamour. Time to move towards to Perge which is another important ancient city dated back 12-13th century B.C. This Pamphilian city is considered as the greatest and the most glorius. The 15000 spectator capacity theater is still under construction then we’ll visit well preserved and the impressive stadium. The Roman baths, the church, agora, the street having shops and the acropol are places for our visit. Well, we know it was a great and tiring day for you. Those who would like to still have some juice (!) Düden Falls and Düden Cave are the last places for today’s visit. Get ready for the farewell dinner at Kaleici District. Rest of the night is at your leisure. [B]

DAY 9 PAMUKKALE In the morning we’ll depart from Antalya to Pamukkale the magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world, that declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, just before Pamukkale stopping over for Aphrodisias, dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, explore the theater & stadium still remain. Lunch in here in a very traditional way, then we’ll arrive at Pamukkale (Hierapolis) which is a fairyland of dazzling white, petrified castles. Thermal spring waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau’s edge have created this fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Dinner at the hotel in Pamukkale. Here is a small tip: Take the advantage of this magic water for your body. [B]

DAY 10 EPHESUS – IZMIR Today we’ll explore the ancient city Hierapolis with its theater and with other ruins. St Apostle Philip was killed and the St. Philip Church was built inhere. Just join us for the others. After having lunch at Kelleci Kardesler or Mantar House, we’ll proceed Ephesus, once the commercial center of the ancient world and one of the highlights of Turkey. The city was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times. Did you know? St. Paul Preached here!. Heracletes Gate, Curates Street, Scholastic Baths, Celcus Library, Marble Road, Great Theater, Arcadian way, (Harbor Street), The Basilica of St. John, Virgin Mary’s House which was visited by Paul, Pope the 6th and Pope Jean Paul are other major points for our visit. After Ephesus, we’ll depart for the typical Turkish Village Sirince taste the vine & gozleme cooked by wooden flame. Just after we’ll give a small break. The car shower will take your attention as well as the local pottery shops. 78km later we’ll arrive Izmir. At night we’ll have our dinner in Cordon Bleu Restaurant in the city center. [B]

DAY 11 IZMIR – CITY TOUR Today we’ll explore the pearl of Aegean Region. Starting to visit Velvet Castle & Agora, watch the spectacular view from here for Izmir Bay. Time to visit Bayrakli where the original city was established in the 3rd millennium B.C. and one of the Seven Churches mentioned as Smyrna in the book of Revelation. Proceed for ancient Konak Mosque, Izmir clock tower which is the symbol of Izmir, walking towards to Ethnography Museum in Varyant, visiting the museum and Kemeralti Grand Bazaar, Kizlararagasi Hani where the traditional “Tiredness Coffee” will be served, and Hisarönü. Get ready your life’s night out! At night we’ll invite you to a dinner in a very traditional way at Authentic Middle Asia Restaurant in Kemalpasa & Turkish night, explore the real culture of the Turks. [B]

DAY 12 IZMIR – PERGAMON – ASSOS Today we’ll depart for Pergamon once a great center of culture, survives as one of Turkey’s finest archaeological sites. On the Acropolis, a hill above the modern town, are the remains of the celebrated library, a steep and impressive theatre, the temples of Trajan and Dionysus, the monumental altar of Zeus, the sanctuary of Demeter, a gymnasium laid out on three terraces and the Agora. The Asclepion, located to the southwest of the lower city, was a sanctuary dedicated to the god of health, Asclepios. Did you know that the symbol of modern medical came from here? The rest of the information will be given here by the professional guides. In town Archaeological and Ethnographical Museum is in our list for visiting, arrive at Assos at night. [B]

DAY 13 TROY – CANAKKALE – ISTANBUL We’ll start the day in picturesque fishing town Assos then we’ll visit the ruins of Troy dated back to 3rd century B.C., The Trojan War took place between Greek & Trojan people for the honor of Helen, Just pay attention to the story of Wooden Horse in here. You’ll love this. After Troy we’ll reach honored Dardanelles (Canakkale) that connects the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean. Since Canakkale has a strategically importance, the castles in here barely visible at both Asian and European sides. Cross the Gallipolli by car-ferry, here you can take the picture of World War I Memorial of Dardanelles, along the Thrace & Marmara Sea and passing thru Saroz Bay, en route Tekirdag famous for it’s Raki (traditional anise spirit alcohol drink) and meatball. In the afternoon we’ll arrive in Istanbul and at the hotel close to the airport. [B]

DAY 14 END OF OUR SERVICE After breakfast, depart for your hometown to say home sweet home. Transfer to Ataturk Airport via your car just leave the car’s key at the rental desk. Time to have your present in order to make this trip memorial. It’ll be pleasure to host you in Turkey again as there are so many things to see. Thanks for choosing the right agency and have a safe journey home. [B] By D&K, what you see is what you get, Enjoy your stay !

Tour Code: DKC024