Day 1: Arrival Istanbul (45km – 50 Min)
Upon arrival at the airport meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring Istanbul.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: Istanbul: City Tour
After breakfast, start the Istanbul City Tour with the visit of the Hippodrome. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Then, visit Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was 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. Next, visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. After lunch, the guide will take you to the Asil Efendi with a unique atmosphere and reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find; exotic spices and herbs, traditional Turkish sweets and coffee, souvenirs and many other goods in souvenir shops and stores. After the tour transfer back to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3: Istanbul: Bosphorus Cruise – Cappadocia (70 Min By Flight, Not Included)
After breakfast enjoy Bosphorus by boat, a traditional excursion 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 see from your boat the magnificent sights of 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. 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 Bosporus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. Beylerbeyi 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. Stop for a lunch break at the Turkish restaurant. After lunch the route leads to the Grand Spice Bazaar, where you can find everything from local food and spices to souvenirs such as evil eyes totems. After the tour transfer to Istanbul Airport for a domestic flight to Cappadocia (not included). Upon arrival, transfer from the airport and check in to your hotel in Cappadocia.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 4: Cappadocia: Underground City & Goreme Open Air Museum
After breakfast pick-up from the hotel. We will drive you to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the best preserved underground cities in Cappadocia. Then visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia. Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to the 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks. The next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. After Cavusin you go to the restaurant in Avanos to have lunch. After lunch, you visit a pottery workshop, to see how to make potteries. Then you go to Love Valley. Love Valley Cappadocia is a hidden valley with scenic formations, to say the least. Despite the resemblance to manhood, these amazing rock formations are far from man-made. The next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. The last stop is Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia. Return back to your hotel where you will enjoy your dinner.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5: Cappadocia – Istanbul Departure (80 Min By Flight, Not Included)
After breakfast, you will have free time in Cappadocia. Today we depart for Kayseri Airport for a domestic flight to Istanbul (not included) and then back home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again.
