Istanbul & Cappadocia Basic

DAY 01 ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL
Welcome to Turkey! Arrival in Istanbul and meeting at the airport just outside the arrival’s gate with a sign bearing your name then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 02 ISTANBUL
Visits: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar. Breakfast at the hotel. After you meet with your guide at the lobby, you will begin your tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Hagia Sophia. Built by the Emperor Justinian in the early 6th century AD and designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodore of Miletus, the church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Converted into a mosque in 1453, it is now a museum. Its massive dome still dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. Next we visit the Blue Mosque which takes its name from the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. The Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops are full of treasures including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons, and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some shopping, Ottoman style. In the afternoon we continue our tour at Topkapi Palace, which, from the 15th to the 19th century, was the principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the fabulous Imperial Treasury and the Baghdad Kiosk. Topkapi Palace is now a museum and has unrivalled collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, the 3rd largest in the world. It also possesses numerous Ottoman court costumes and ceramics, notably including one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese celadon ceramics, many of which were gifts from other rulers. Interestingly, some of the ceramics have a special glaze that was said to change color in the presence of poison. We also visit the Imperial Armory, displaying centuries of Ottoman weaponry. But perhaps the loveliest feature of Topkapi Palace are its courtyards with their ancient trees; it is easy to imagine the sultan strolling here far from the cares of state and empire. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 03 HALF DAY BOSPHORUS CRUISE TOUR - FLIGHT TO CAPPADOCIA
Spice Bazaar, Bopshorus Cruise We begin with a brief visit to the 17th century Spice Bazaar, one of Istanbul’s most colorful, bustling attractions. Next, we travel the Golden Horn on our way to an unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the majestic strait that runs through Istanbul, linking Europe and Asia. From our cruise boat, we view the dramatic sights lining the Bosphorus’ wooded shores: mosques, a bridge that for a time was the world’s longest and Rumeli Hisari, a massive fortress built by Mehmet the Conqueror in just three months as he prepared to take Istanbul. Also noteworthy on this tour are the 19th century mansions of the Ottoman elite and the Sultans’ fanciful gingerbread palaces and hunting lodges. After the tour we will transfer you to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Fly Cappadocia. Upon arrival Cappadocia we will meet and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 04 CAPPADOCIA NORTH TOUR
Goreme Open Air Museum, Zelve Valley, Devrent Valley, Cavusin Village, Avanos Goreme Open Air Museum: Resembles a vast monastic complex composed of scores of refectory monasteries placed side-by-side, each with its own fantastic church. It is obviously the first sight to be visited by any traveler in Cappadocia, standing as it does in the very center of the region with easy access from all directions. It contains the finest of the rock-cut churches, with beautiful frescoes (wall paintings) whose colors still retain all their original freshness. Zelve Valley: Fairy chimneys with multiple stems and caps can be found here. A chapel dedicated to St. Simeon and a hermit’s shelter built into such fairy chimney with three heads. Devrent Valley: Devrent is 1 km from Zelve Valley. The ruins at Devrent are spread over three valleys which also house several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems. Cavusin Village: One of the oldest settlements in the area. The churct of st. John Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintings date back to the 5th century, making the oldest church in the region. Avanos: A center terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. The clay which comes from the Red River passing through the town, gives life both land and local economy. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 05 CAPPADOCIA SOUTH TOUR
Kaymakli Underground City, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar Rock Castle, Esentepe Panorama, Rose Valley Kaymakli Underground City: Built under the hill known as the Citadel of Kaymakli and was opened to visitors in 1964. The people of Kaymakli (Enegup in Greek) village have constructed their houses around nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city. The inhabitants of the region still use the most convenient places in the tunnels as cellars, storage areas and stables, which they access through their courtyards. The Kaymakli Underground City has low, narrow and sloping passages. While the underground city consists of 8 floors below ground, only 4 of them are open to the public today, in which the spaces are organized around ventilation shafts. Pigeon Valley: A moderate walk in a green valley with many different rock formations and hundreds of pigeon houses carved into fairy-chimneys. Uchisar Rock Castle: Uchisar is the name of the town and the fortress in the town. This 60mt. (200ft) high fortress was not built but carved out of a natural hill dominating the area with a breathtaking view of all the surrounding Cappadocian formations. Esentepe Panorama: this is the best panoramic viewpoint of Goreme. Rose Valley: It has beautiful rock formations with some great hidden rock-carved churches. The most interesting part of this area is the countless tracks connecting the small villages and towns through vineyards and gardens like a spider net. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 06 CAPPADOCIA - FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL
We will meet at your hotel lobby and transfer you to Cappadocia Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival Istanbul Airport continue to international terminal for your homebound flight. Our team says so long and looks forward to be your host again until next time on your travel pleasure for other destinations. Gule Gule.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Transfer-In in Istanbul
Air ticket Istanbul - Cappadocia
Air ticket Cappadocia - Istanbul
Transfer-Out in Cappadocia
2 nights accommodation in Istanbul
3 nights accommodation in Cappadocia
Meal according to the itinerary: 5 Breakfasts
Transfers airport - hotel - airport.
Luxury transportation during the trip.
Services of experienced local guides.
Tickets and visits according to the itinerary.
24 hour telephone assistance service.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
No unspecified service.
Tips for guide and driver.
Personal expenses.
Optional excursions.

• Option #1