10 DAYS FAMILY HOLIDAY ISTANBUL AND ANTALYA ITINERARY:

Day 1 – Istanbul – Arrival
(Dinner included)
Welcome to Turkey! Arrive into Istanbul. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore the vibrant city. Tonight we have a Welcome Dinner, you will meet our friendly crew and while enjoying traditional Turkish Food, you will enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 – Istanbul City Tour 
(Breakfast included)
We depart at 09:00 for the Istanbul City Tour. TOPKAPI PALACE : The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. 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. Lunch break and then we head to the SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar). The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. After the tour you have the option to experience the Bosphorus Cruise. You will have the chance to enjoy magnificent views of Bosphorus which is connecting Asia to Europe. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 – Istanbul to Antalya
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Free Day until the afternoon for your domestic flight to Antalya. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel in Antalya. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Day 4 – Antalya Perge Aspendos Tour
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After breakfast depart to Antalya (30 minute drive). PERGE : According to the geographer Strabon. Perge has been founded by Akhas who came down here after the Trojan wars. Perge was first mentioned in 334 BC when Alexander the Great passed through here. In the following years, Perge went under the control of Pergamon when the Kingdom of Pergamon became a part of the Roman city. Especially in the first and the second centuries BC, Perge became one of the richest towns in Pamphylia. Therefore it is not a surprising that St. Paul started his campaign in Anatolia from Perge in 46 AD. After the tour, departure for Aspendos. Lunch break on the way. ASPENDOS: The eastern land of Antalya was called Pamphylia in ancient times. Aspendos (Belkis) lies 47 km east of Antalya in the Pamphylian plain. In 486 BC, Greeks and Persians had a great battle here (Greeks won, they didn’t stay for long). During the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-80 AD) Aspendos got its theatre, which is the best preserved of all. It was built by Romans and maintained by Byzantines and Seljuks. The ruins of the ancient city are extensive and include a stadium, an agora, and a basilica. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Day 5 – Antalya (Free Day)
(Breakfast and dinner included)
The day is yours. You don’t have to wake up early, enjoy the sunshine and take in the views and natural magnificent beach & crystal clear sea and explore the city, shop in the local markets, relax on the beach or enjoy one of the many day trips you can choose from. These include horse riding, river rafting or snorkelling, fishing tours and many more. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Day 6 – Daily Picnic Boat Cruise
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Today you’ll feel the uniqueness of having the chance to travel by a romantic wood-yacht by the turquoise-coloured south-coast. Our trip will start by arrival at Kemer marina. At Kemer marina, you’ll be awaited by a wood-yacht, which will guide you to Phaselis, passing through the forest of pine trees and the Taurus Mountains. This coast is probably the most charming coast of the Turkish Riviera. You’ll have the chance to swim in clear-blue water and dive with snorkels during the trip to Olympos. You’ll have your lunch at the boat at Olympos bay. The trip will continue through the three-island location. After a swimming break close to these islands, the trip will continue through Kemer yacht port where the buses are awaiting. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Day 7 – Antalya (Free Day)
(Breakfast and dinner included)
The day is yours. You don’t have to wake up early, enjoy the sunshine and take in the views and natural magnificent beach & crystal clear sea and explore the city, shop in the local markets, relax on the beach or enjoy one of the many day trips you can choose. These include horse riding, river rafting or snorkelling, fishing tours and many more. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Day 8 – Antalya to Istanbul
(Breakfast included)
Free Day until the afternoon for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 9 – Istanbul Bosphorus & Two Continents
(Breakfast included)
Enjoy a magical Istanbul Bosphorus Boat Cruise and Spice Market Tour starting at 08:30. Enjoy the array of sites you can see from the boat including: SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar) The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. BOSPHORUS BY BOAT a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.
BEYLERBEYI PALAS (PALACE) The summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul. BOSPHORUS BRIDGE enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe). CAMLICA HILL the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosporus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style. SHOPPING AT BEDESTEN (after cruise)
Experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by The Ministry of National Education. You will get the opportunity to see jewellery, handcrafts centre and a modern leatherwear show. After the tour, enjoy your last night in this bustling city. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 10 – End of tour
(Breakfast included)
We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again. After breakfast check out from the hotel. We make your return transfer services for your departure from Istanbul. Have a nice trip back home and thanks for choosing Eco Turkey Travel.