Day 1 – Istanbul Arrivals
After arrival in Istanbul, you will be transferred from the airport & on to check in at your hotel. Tonight you will enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel and have the chance to enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night.
Day 2 – Historical Treasures of Istanbul
You will be picked up from your hotel and you will go to visit first the amazing St. Hagia Sophia, This ancient basilica was built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and then was reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, it is one of the architectural marvels of all time. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Of great artistic value was its decorated interior with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings. The temple itself was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed,” Solomon, I have outdone thee “ Justinian himself had overseen the completion of the greatest cathedral ever built up to that time, and it was to remain the largest cathedral for 1,000 years up until the completion of the cathedral in Seville in Spain. Blue Mosque (Replaces with another Mosque if it is not available) was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, the mosque is recognizable from its six minarets and decorated inside with 21,043 tiles from Iznik in dominant blue color, because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Then on to see the Ancient Hippodrome, which was the scene of chariot races with the three monuments – the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. We continue onwards to Topkapi Palace (closed on Tuesdays), This great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries houses 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. Suleymaniye Mosque, Süleyman the Magnificent was built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan whose wish was to surpass the builders of St. Sophia which is conspicuous by its great size, emphasized by the four minarets rising one from each corner of the courtyard. Conclude your day of touring with a short drive to the exotic Grand Cover Bazaar (Closed on Sundays and Fest days), which is one of the most colorful institutions in Istanbul. In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area. After the tour has come to an end you will be transferred back to your hotel. (between the tour you will have some free time to relax, you can take some refreshments or lunch). Breakfast, Lunch Included
Day 3 – Bosphorus Cruise in the middle of the continent of Europe and Asia
You will be picked up from your hotel to visit 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, you will have some free time here to go shopping around which is a great chance to purchase some fresh herbs and spices. After the spice bazaar, we will take a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway which separates Europe and Asia Bosphorus Tour on Boat. 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 pavillions of Yildiz Palace, Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. Rumeli Fortress was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 before the conquest of Istanbul and was completed in only four months to control and protect the Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. Beylerbeyi Palace is known to be the summer residence of Ottoman sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian. Bosphorus Bridge is a unique chance to step from one continent to another, Camlica Hill is the highest point in Istanbul at the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style. Free afternoon. Breakfast Included
Day 4 – Flight to Cappadocia
Pick up from your hotel around 4:00 am and transfer to the airport for a flight to Cappadocia. Reception at the airport and transfer to the tour bus. Visit Devrent Valley for our first spot, Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, has none of the cave churches, Byzantine frescoes, or Roman citadel ruins that are famous throughout the rest of Cappadocia; but what it does have is an extraordinary landscape-shaped by nature to make you laugh and wonder and explore. Our next visit will be Pasabag (Monk’s Valley), We will stop at Passabaglari (Monks Valley) to see some mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. These interesting structures are formed due to the harder rock material deposited above, such that they form mushroom shapes. These pillars had a significant shape for early Byzantine Christians. It is nicknamed Monks Valley because of the ascetic monks who came here as early as the 5th century and lived hermit lifestyles. It was a so-called ‘stylite’ way of living, from the Greek work stylos, meaning pillar. The Christian monks built dwellings inside the pillars, lived there, fasted, and prayed. You will also get to see Avanos – The town of Avanos is set on the banks of the Kizilirmak, the Red River. Starting old village of Avanos winds up the hills leading away from the town and is a beautiful maze of old stone houses, some restored, some converted. In some of the abandoned houses, the features of traditional Ottoman architecture can be seen along with ancient decorations, motifs, and murals. You will also participate hands-on in a pottery workshop. After lunch you will proceed to the Goreme Open Air Museum, Museum has incredible rock formations. You will enjoy all the churches and paintings of Christ and the apostles featuring the most impressive of all rock-carved churches in Cappadocia. Our last stop will be at Uchisar Village, perched on a steep rock formation, this town provides some of the most dramatic panoramas of the astonishing Cappadocia. Wandering in town, very nice watching the harmony between nature and humans. Between the tour, you have taken one hour of free time to relax, you can take some refreshments or lunch in the cafeteria. Our tour finishes around 17:00. We will back to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia, standard room in the special class hotel. Breakfast and Lunch Included.
Day 5 – Cappadocia to Istanbul
Please check out from the hotel after breakfast and take your suitcases with you. We will visit first Red Valley and Rose Valley, One of the nicest and most beautiful places to go walking in Cappadocia in Red and Rose Valley. The two valleys are next to each other and are easily combined. Once in Rose Valley don’t miss the Hacli Church and the Ayvali Church. Both with beautiful painted decorations. Afterward, we will visit the old Christian Village of Cavusin. Then we will go to Pigeon Valley, The path through the valley offers spectacular views of the natural cliffs and the man-made caves and passes through a few tunnels carved into the rock. Finally, we will visit Kaymakli Underground City and Ortahisar Castle. In Kaymakli or OZKONAK underground city, dating from the 6th to 9th centuries. Tunnels, cellars, store rooms, stables, etc. All were excavated from the soft volcanic rock. Astonishing. 86 m high Ortahisar Castle was used for both strategy and settlement. At the end of the tour transfer to the airport for flight to Istanbul. Reception at IST or SAW airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. Breakfast and Lunch Included
Day 6 – Good Bye!
You will be picked up 5 hours before your scheduled international flight and transferred to either IST or SAW airport. We bid you farewell with fond memories.
No extra hidden cost..!
What’s Included
Pick-up and drop-off services.
Flights Tickets, Transportation, guidance, all entrance fees for museum and sites.
5 nights 3,4 (for lower budgets) or 5-star hotel accommodation.
Local tours with professional tour guides as indicated in the itinerary.
Local taxes.
Lunch except for drinks.
What’s Not Included
Tips (optional).
Personal expenses.
Extra services.
No extra hidden cost!
