Best of Turkey Tour from Oman

Morning: Depart from Riyadh, Jeddah, or  Dammam on a direct flight to Istanbul (4-5 hours). Upon arrival at Istanbul  Airport, meet your Pinkstone Travel representative and transfer to a 4-star  hotel in the historic Beyoglu district.

Afternoon: Enjoy a welcome lunch featuring  Turkish köfte and ayran at a halal restaurant. Relax and settle into your hotel.

Evening: Join a guided walking tour of  Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue, soaking in Istanbul’s cosmopolitan vibe.  Dinner at the hotel includes Turkish pide and baklava.

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Istanbul (e.g., The  Marmara Taksim or similar).

Highpghts: First taste of Istanbul’s vibrant  energy and cultural fusion.

Morning: Visit the Hagia Sophia, a  6th-century masterpiece with its soaring dome and Islamic calpgraphy. Explore the Blue Mosque, renowned for its blue Iznik tiles.

Afternoon: Tour the Topkapi Palace, home to  Ottoman sultans and sacred repcs, including the Prophet’s cloak. Lunch at a local eatery serving lamb shish kebab.

Evening: Experience a private Bosphorus sunset cruise, gazing between Europe and Asia with views of Dolmabahçe Palace.  Dinner on the cruise features Turkish mezze and grilled fish.

Accommodation: Same Istanbul hotel.

Highpghts: Iconic landmarks and a scenic  cruise bridging two continents.

Morning: Fly to Kayseri or Nevsehir (1.5  hours) and transfer to Cappadocia. Check into a 4-star cave hotel, a hallmark of the region’s unique charm.

Afternoon: Explore the Göreme Open-Air Museum,  a UNESCO site with 10th-century rock-cut churches adorned with frescoes. Lunch  includes testi kebab, a clay-pot specialty.

Evening: Visit the Pigeon Valley for  stunning sunset views of Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys. Dinner at the hotel features local stuffed eggplant.

Accommodation: 4-star cave hotel in Cappadocia  (e.g., Mithra Cave Hotel or similar).

Highlights: Surreal landscapes and ancient  Christian heritage.

Pre-Dawn (Optional): Soar over Cappadocia’s lunar landscape on a hot air balloon ride at sunrise (additional cost, SAR 700), a bucket-list experience.

Morning: Discover the Kaymakli Underground  City, a 45-minute drive from Göreme, with its labyrinthine tunnels used by  early Christians.

Afternoon: Join a carpet-weaving workshop in  Göreme, learning about Turkey’s textile traditions. Lunch at a family-run  restaurant serving mantı (Turkish dumplings).

Evening: Free evening to explore  Cappadocia’s boutique shops or relax at the hotel. Dinner includes regional specialties like lamb tandir.

Accommodation: Same Cappadocia hotel.

Highlights: Balloon adventure, underground history, and hands-on cultural immersion.

Morning: Drive to Konya (3.5 hours), the spiritual heart of Turkey. Visit the Mevlana Museum, dedicated to Rumi, the  13th-century Sufi poet.

Afternoon: Lunch features Konya’s famous  etliekmek (meat flatbread). Explore the Aladdin Mosque and its Seljuk architecture.

Evening: Attend a whirling dervish ceremony,  a mesmerizing Sufi ritual symbolizing spiritual ascent. Dinner at a local restaurant serving Turkish pilaf.

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Konya (e.g.,  Dedeman Konya or similar).

Highlights: Spiritual heritage and a profound  cultural performance.

Morning: Drive to Pamukkale (5 hours), with a scenic stop at a traditional Turkish tea house. Arrive and check into a  4-star spa hotel.

Afternoon: Visit Pamukkale’s iconic travertine terraces, a UNESCO site formed by mineral-rich thermal waters. Swim in  Cleopatra’s Pool, an ancient thermal bath (entry included).

Evening: Explore the ruins of Hierapolis,  including its Roman theater and necropolis. Dinner at the hotel, followed by an optional Turkish bath experience.

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Pamukkale (e.g.,  Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar).

Highlights: Natural wonder, ancient ruins, and  therapeutic relaxation.

Morning: Drive to Selçuk (3 hours) to tour  Ephesus, a remarkably preserved Roman city. Walk the Marble Street, admire the  Library of Celsus, and visit the Great Theatre.

Afternoon: Lunch at a village restaurant serving çöp şiş (skewered meat). Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a serene pilgrimage site.

Evening: Transfer to Kusadasi (30 minutes),  a charming Aegean coastal town. Dinner by the sea features fresh calamari and  Turkish salads.

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Kusadasi (e.g.,  Charisma De Luxe Hotel or similar).

Highlights: Ancient history, spiritual  significance, and coastal serenity.

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely morning in  Kusadasi, with options for a short boat trip to Pigeon Island or shopping at local markets (optional, additional cost).

Afternoon: Fly back to Istanbul (1.5 hours).  Visit the Spice Bazaar, a sensory delight with saffron, sumac, and Turkish delight. Lunch at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus.

Evening: Explore the Süleymaniye Mosque, an  Ottoman architectural gem. Farewell dinner features a medley of Turkish dishes,  accompanied by live saz music.

Accommodation: Same Istanbul hotel.

Highlights: Coastal charm, vibrant markets, and  a nostalgic return to Istanbul.

Morning: After a hearty Turkish breakfast,  transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight back to Saudi Arabia. Depart with a heart full of memories.

Highlights: Smooth departure and cherished  experiences.