Day 1 - Arriving in Istanbul
As we say in Turkey, HOS GELDINIZ! Welcome to Turkey. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Istanbul on your own. Overnight stay in a centrally located unique hotel.
Day 2 - Istanbul
After breakfast we will continue on a full day tour of Istanbul’s main historical sites.
Sites you’ll see today
*Blue Mosque--World renown for it’s architecture and focal point for worshipping Muslims
*Haghia Sophia--1,400 year old supreme church from Byzantium times which houses famous Byzantine Mosaics *Byzantine Hippodrome--The focal point of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Constantine. Within it’s center you will see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column.
*Topkapi Palace--the residence and leadership center of the Sultans during the Ottoman Empire. It was built in 1459-1465 shortly after the conquest of Constantinople. You will see the Treasury that includes the Topkapi Dagger, the 86 carat Spoon Maker’s Diamond, and the jewel encased bones of St. John the Baptist’s skull and arm bone.
Grand Bazaar and the Suleymaniye Mosque will also be visited during the tour. Breakfast and lunch provided. Overnight stay in ISTANBUL
Day 3 Sites you’ll see today (Istanbul to Cappadocia)
After breakfast time we will depart our day visiting the Spice Market then we will scroll down to harbour and on board the boat for Half day cruise on the Bosphorus. The Bosphorus - the waterway between two continents - is beautiful at any time, day or night in any season. On the way to the Black Sea, you can see the finest and richest examples of the Ottoman houses and palaces on the shores. Afternoon flight to Cappadocia - Arrive Cappadocia and check-in hotel - Overnight stay in Cappadocia
Day 4 Sites you’ll see today - Cappadocia
After breakfast we will continue on a full day tour to south part of Cappadocia.
* Underground City of Derinkuyu--You will gradually stroll your way down into the depths of the earth in this ancient underground city that has 18-20 floors as deep as 40 meters below the ground. Don’t worry, you will only go down to the 8th floor. Cappadocia has around 36 underground cities. Archeologists date these back to the time of the Hittites which lived 4000 years ago. Others believe they were inhabited around the 7th century BC.....Regardless of how old or young they are, undoubtedly they will leave you with a sense of awe of how the dwellers of these cities lived. You will be amazed at the elaborate ancient ventilation system in place. These cities were fortified and prepared for it’s inhabitants to hide out for months from attackers, especially during the Arab invasions. During Christian times the hiding worshippers even built little chapels that you can still see.
*Traditional Anatolian villages --The head-scarfed women out at work in the fields from sun up until sun-down, and the mustached, vest-wearing men hard at work playing cards in the coffee shops. You will get time to stroll in such a village and see the average Turkish villager at work...or play. >Breakfast/Lunch/ provided<overnight in URGUP or GOREME
Day 5 - Cappadocia to Antalya
This day will be spent exploring the amazing sites of Cappadocia.
Sites you’ll see today
*The World Heritage Site of Goreme Open-Air Museum --This is a cluster of rock cut Byzantine churches, chapels and monasteries which include some wonderful 11th and 12th century frescoes on the cave walls. This place was used by the Christians as a place of refuge from those opposed to Christianity and also was a major monastery. Rooms, churches, houses, and gathering halls have all been cut into the rock or formed from natural caves. Within the caves you can explore and see the preserved mosaics and frescoes.
*Fairy Chimneys -- these geological phenomenon have been shaped over millions of years. They were formed during volcanic eruptions in the region. Reaching at times 40 meters in height, they are conical in shape and have a "hat" top to them.
*Devrent Valley--This valley is know as "the pink valley" because of the color of it‘s soil. This is a lovely place to wander around and look at the magical rock formations indicative to Cappadocia, including the Fairy Chimneys.
*Uchisar Castle--Also called a fortress, this is actually a formation of two gigantic rocks surrounded by smaller rocks that together form a natural fortress with towers. These formations were inhabited during both the Byzantine and Ottoman times. You can climb and explore the different caves and rooms throughout the fortress, experiencing first-hand what it must have been like to hide in these fortified rocks, waiting for the ancient enemy to pass by or give up.
*If time allows we will also get the chance to visit local craftspeople and learn how they make dolls and create traditional pottery. --- After the tour we will put you on a first class comfortable Overnight bus to Antalya
Day 6 - Antalya
05:00 Arrive in Antalya, check in the hotel & free day to Relax or Explore Antalya on your own. Lunch and dinner provided, Overnight stay in Antalya ( If you are feeling ok then y0ou can also take this optional tour ( Click here for details of this tour )
Day 7 - Antalya
Sites you’ll see today
*Perge is a grand exhibit of what an ancient Greek and Roman city looked like. Records date it back as far as the 4th BC. It was visited by Greek colonists after the Trojan War, by St. Paul and companions when it was one of the leading cities of Pamphyilia, and fell under the leadership of Alexander the Great and also the Byzantines. During the reign of Constantine, Perge became an important centre of Christianity. Perhaps in part due to St. Paul’s sermons here centuries before. During the 5th and 6th centuries it continued it’s Christian status.
*Side was the site of Pamphyilia’s largest port and was probably first colonized in the 7th BC. Coming from Cyprus St. Paul would have entered the ancient port enroute to Perge.
*Manavgat Waterfall is where we will take a nice cool rest , sitting right next to the falls. Local restaurants provide iced drinks or ice cream.
*Aspendos is most famous for its theatre that dates to 160-180 AD. Depending on performance dates, we may be able to visit this ancient theatre to see the world renown summer evening opera and ballet performances. >Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided<overnight in ANTALYA
Day 8 - Antalya to Istanbul
After breakfast we will transfer you to Antalya airport and put you on a 1 hour flight back to
Istanbul, arrival in Istanbul & transfer to your hotel. You willl have a free day to Explor Istanbul on your own, Overnight stay in Istanbul,
Day 9 - Istanbul to Home
Gule, Gule! It is time to go home. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey in your hearts and prayers, and hoping that our paths cross again in this life! If you have extended your time with an additional add-on trip, we will be confirming this day with you your additional schedule. Contact us for additional tour options.
Cost will be € 690 per person in double room and € 790for single supp.
Price includes
* All Transportations by comfortable vehicles
* 4 star accommodation with breakfast & 3 Lunches
* Domestic flight tickets ( Istanbul - Kayseri & Antalya - Istanbul )
* Proffessional English speaking guides
* Entrance fees to the Ancient sites
* All of the service charges and local taxes
( This is a customize program and it is available all year around, if you are interested in getting more information about the cost, and hotel name and their websites, then simply send us an e-mail inquiry and let us know the dates you like to travel, then we will get back to you with full on information.
We can also extend your stay by adding more sights like Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye or more days in either in Antalya and Istanbul and make the program suitable for your time and interest. |