TOUR PROGRAM

1st Day: Istanbul (day of arrival)

Upon your arrival, our staff will come to pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the historical part of the city (Sultanahmet). During the travel, your program will be presented and some suggestions will be given. The rest of the day is free, but if you want we can organize you some activities such as Turkish bath (a must-do) or Ottoman night shows…

2nd Day:  Istanbul Old City Tour

Hagia Sophia : It was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 532-537 in the old city center of istanbul’s historical peninsula. From the Golden age of Byzantine, this once christian church is one of the most extraordinary buldings in the historty of architecture. It played a very important role in the Byzantine Empire and later as a mosque in the Ottoman Empire .The Word ‘Hagia’ in Greek means Divine and ‘Sophia’ means ‘Wisdom’.Divine Wisdom is one of the attributes Jesus Christ and his church is devoted to his divine wisdom.

Blue Mosque: The Blue Mosque is one the most prominent landmarks of Istanbul. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque was built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I in 1609-1617 on the historical peninsula in Istanbul, by the architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa. It is very impressive with its beautiful domes and semidomes ,nice courtyards and unique six slender minarets in the world.

Hipodrome and Obelisks : This old square is located in front of the Blue Mosque covers the site of the ancient Hipodrome .It was one of the most famous areas in Byzantine . Grand Bazaar : The oldest and the largest covered market place in the world is situated in center of Istanbul. It was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1460 . It is located in 30 700 square meters. It has got over 4000 shops , 24 gates, 5 mosques, 7 foundations, 1 school, 7 draws well . Break time for Lunch . (1 hour free time )

Topkapı Palaces: Topkapı Palace was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmed in 1478. Topkapi Palace was more than just the private residence of the Sultan and his court. It was the seat of the supreme executive and judiciary council. The Divan and the training schools, even mosques were at service of the court. It has been the official headquarters of the state and the official residence of the Ottoman sultans for about 380 years until Abdülmecit ordered the construction of Dolmabahçe Palace. The area of the palace is 80.000 sqm.. .

3th Day: Pamukkale  Tour

Early morning  pick up from hotel to  airport about :4.00-4.30 am.. you will start a full day guided Tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis (UNESCO World Heritage List). Pamukkale, which means “cotton castle”, has been formed over time by natural hot springs (35 °C), rich in calcium-carbonate, that flow down the slope and form a preternatural landscape: mineral forests, petrified cascades and terraced pools.

We will also visit the ancient Greco-Roman Health Spa of Hierapolis, famous for hot thermal springs and architectural sites like the Theatre, The Temple of Apollo, Agora and the Necropolis.End of tour transfer to  Kusadasi.( it takes just   2-3 hours by minivan) Overnight at Kusadasi.

4th Day: Ephesus Tour

Ephesus was one of the most ancient and important Greek cities of Anatolia. It is located in the province of Izmir, at 30 km away from Kuşadası. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After  breakfast   you will  have   Ephesus tour. In Ephesus, you will see what remains of Artemis Temple, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Furthermore, you will discover the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus such as the Hadrian Temple, the Celcus Library and the theaters.  You will also visit one of the most impressive works of architectural art : Isabey Mosque. You will have the opportunity to visit the House of Virgin Mary, where she spent her last years. Last  visiting places  Şirince Village.  It s old ottoman  small village. End  tour  transfer to  hotel.

5th Day: North Cappadocia

In the first mourning, domestic flight Izmir-Cappadocia; in case you have chosen the bus, your arrival is set for he early mourning. Upon the arrival to your cave hotel in Goreme or Urgup, you will make the check-in and leave the luggage: a tour in the fantastic valleys of North Cappadocia awaits you…

The first attraction that you will encounter is the so-called “Three Beauties”, three natural towers of rock famous for their strange form, located on the central valleys of Cappadocia. The tour goes on by Urgup, a millenium urban center built inside caves of natural rocks. In the Red Valley, a little bit northern, you will get in touch with a martian landscape full of vulcanic red rocks, modeled through centuries by the natural agents…

One of the characteristics that makes Cappadocia so special is its variety of landscapes and attraction: in the late mourning, before a well-diserved lunch, you will have a mini-trekking tour of the Sword Valley (Kiliclar Vadisi) until the open museum of Goreme, famous for its spectacular fresco-coloured churches inside the caves. The tour of the North Cappadocia goes on on the afternoon with the visit of the Devrent Valley and the Pasabag Valley, two incredible sites…

6th Day:  South Cappadocia

The second day of the tour is dedicated to a complete tour of the southern part of Cappadocia. If you are interested, at dawn a spectacular adventure awaits you: the tour with the air balloon.

The tour starts from the village of Mustafapasa (Mustafa Paşa), inhabitated historically by Greek-ottomans, where you will have the opportunity to discover wonderful hand-made decorations related to the Ottoman Empire age. The tour of South Cappadocia goes on with the visit to the underground city of Kaymakli… For a taste, take a look at the video:

In the afternoon you will then visit the citadel of Ortahisar and the Pigeon Valley, places of historical and natural interest… On the way back to Goreme, take a stop at the Esentepe Passage, a hill by which you will have a breathtaking view of the Cappadocian Valleys and its curious city of rocks…

At the end of the tour transfer to hotel, overnight in cappadocia

7th Day:  Cappadocia

Half day horse riding or Atv car. In the evening fly to Istanbul and upon arrival transfer to your Istanbul hotel.

8th Day: Istanbul Tour

Dolmabahce Palace Interior

Dolmabahce was built by Abdulmecit I in 1843- 1855 . Dolmabahce is the richest palace from Ottaman period and it is busy in the afternoon because of group visits . That is why our tour is a gem as we go to visit it in the peaceful morning time. After visiting Dolmabace Palace, we across to asia side – Bosphorus Brige

Asian Hill

We climb to Bosphorus side hill by bus for to command a magnificent view that embraces the Bosphorus and the old city.

City Walls

Constantinople’s great city walls were breached only twice during1600 years. The first breach occured in 1204 during the fourth Crusade, the second was by Sultan Mehmet.
Open Buffet Lunch on the Boat
After you are embarked on the boat ,you will appreciate the rich open buffet seasonal lunch.

Rumeli Fortress (from the sea)

Legandary fortress best seen by the sea.

The Black Sea

Get the best shot where Bosphorus meets Black Sea.

Beykoz (Stop over)

The earliest settlement in Beykoz dates back to 2700 years ago, in the Roman period and it is speculated that sailors who intended to sail towards the Black Sea for offerings and sacrifices to Zeus and Poseidon
Note: Dolmabahce is closed on Monday- Thursday( it will be replaced by a visit Chora Museum on these days)

9th Day: Free Day

Day 10: Departure to airport

Transfer to airport.

Includes

• Engilish-speaking tourist guide
• Minivan  for all the sites visited.
• All museum tickets.
• Domestic flight tickets Medical insurance
• All transfers and transportation
• Accomodation in hotels with breakfast
• Lunchs (during the tour)

Excluded

• Personal Expenses
• Medical Insurance
• Tip to guide and driver

Turkey Tours