Program

- Day 1 - Arrival 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 in ISTANBUL.

- Day 2 - Istanbul - (B/L)
This will be a full day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
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.
*Suleymaniye Mosque and the Grand Bazaar will also be visited during the tour.
>Breakfast/Lunch/ provided<overnight in ISTANBUL.

- Day 3 - Istanbul - (B)
This will be a half day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), Mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish etc.
Bosporus Cruise, thorough the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residential of luxurious apartments.
After the tour we will leave you at the grand Bazaar and give you free time to explore and some souvenir shopping. Overnight stay in Istanbul

- Day 4 - Istanbul to Cappadocia - (B/L)
Early in the morning we will pick you from your hotel and transfer you to the domestic airport and put you on a 1 hour flight to Kayseri, after arrival we will transfer you to Cappadocia and continue on the program.
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.
*We will also get the chance to visit local craftspeople and learn how they make dolls and create traditional pottery. >Breakfast/Lunch <Overnight in URGUP.

- Day 5 - Cappadocia - (B/L)
This day will be spent exploring the amazing sites of Cappadocia. (For those who have bought optional hot air ballooning tour of Cappadocia ) Very, very early in the morning we will wake up to take a hot air balloon ride over the area. After this we will come back to the hotel for breakfast and a rest before setting out in late morning to see the rest of the sites.
Sites you’ll see today
*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. As you wind down you will begin to feel as if you are in a huge block of Swiss cheese. Everywhere you look there will be nooks and crannies carved into the rocks: holes, windows , paths, alleys, little rooms. . . it is really a maze of mass proportions. You will see ancient kitchens and stables; storage jars for oil, wine and water; rock carved tables, chairs, and beds; and deep wells for water supplies. 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.
*Ihlara Gorge will seem like an oasis in the middle of the Anatolian plain. Delve into the gorge and see the beautiful greenery as you follow the river. Around you will see ancient monasteries complete with pigeon holes cut into the cliffs by the monks. They used these pigeons as messengers to communicate with their monk friends!
*Traditional Anatolian villages--The head-scarved 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.
Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

- Day 6 - Cappadocia to Istanbul then to Athens - (B)
In the morning we will provide a transfer to Kayseri Airport and put you on a flight to Istanbul, after arrival you will change your flight and depart from Istanbul on a 1 hour flight to Athens, After arrival you will be met and transfered to your hotel in Athens. After check in you will have a full free day to relax and rest, Overnight stay in Athens.

- Day 7 - Athens - (B/L)
After breakfast rime you will be picked up from your hotel and will continue on the full day guided tour of Delphi ; On the way we will be passing by OLYMPIC STADIUM to see the Athens 2004 Olympics main venue. We continue through Thebes, LEVADIA (short stop) and Arachova for Delphi , known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Pass by CASTALIA SPRING, visit at the archaeological site the TEMPLE of APOLLO famous for its oracle and the Museum, with it’s spectacular finds, including the bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx and the Statue of Antinoos. After lunch return to Athens via the picturesque mountain village of ARACHOVA, built on the south slopes of Parnassus, well known for its attractive hand-woven carpets, rugs and quilts, as well as for its wine and cheese (short stop). After the tour you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Athens.

- Day 8 - Athens to Santorini - (B)
After breakfast around 08:30 am we will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and take you on a guided tour of Athens. You will explore Temple of Olympian Zeus, Panathinaiko Stadium ( where the first Olympic Games took in 1896, After that will drive by the Prime’s Ministers residence, Ex Royal Palace, (guarded by colorful Evzones) Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall), National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schlieman’s House (Nomismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, ACROPOLIS, (the you will visit Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion and Museum of the Acropolis).
Early afternoon we will provide a transfer to Athens airport and put you on a 45 minute flight to Santorini, After arrival, you will be met at Santorini Airport and transfered to your hotel in Santorini. Overnight stay in Santorini.

- Day 9 - Santorini - (B)
Today you will be going on a half day boat trip to Volcano, you will get on and explore the Volcano and see some breath taking views, and see the active parts, then you will return to main island, and int he afternoon we will take you on a private land tour to Phyrgos village then we will drive to Oia, where you will enjoy watching the Sunset. in the evening we will provide a transfer back to your hotel, Overnight stay in Santorini.

- Day 10 - Santorini to Athens then to Home - (B)
Early in the morning we will provide a transfer to Santorini Airport and put you on a 45 minute flight back to Athens, after arrival you will walk to the international departures and board your flight to go home,

Program ends

Total cost will be 1385 Euros per person in a double room & 1880 Euros for single supplement

Price includes
* All of the hotels ( Each of them individually chosen )
* All of the land transfers with comfortable vehicles
* All of the meal mentioned in the itinerary ( B-breakfast, L-lunch & D-dinner )
* Professional English speaking tour guides
* Flight tickets from istanbul to Cappadocia
* Domestic flight tickets from Cappadocia to Istanbul
* Flight tickets from Istanbul to Athens
* Flight tickets from Athens to Santorini
* Flight tickets from Santorini to Athens
* Admissions to the ancient sites
* All of the TAX and service charges

Excludes
* International flight tickets to Istanbul
* Drinks with meals
* Hot Air Balloon ride on Cappadocia (15 percent discount if booked with this tour )