UNMISSABLE TURKEY

DAY 1 : ISTANBUL

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Accommodation in Istanbul.

DAY 2 : ISTANBUL / SOLIMAN THE MAGNIFICENT (B)

Breakfast. Departure to visit the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque located on the third hill of Istanbul with one of the best-known panoramic views of the city. Built by order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, it was built by the famous imperial architect Sinan.

After the visit Free time to discover the city on your own or optionally hire a full-day visit to the Historical part of Istanbul where you can visit Hagia Sophia, the culmination of Byzantine art, and the pearl of Istanbul, the famous Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries.

Enjoy a typical lunch in a local restaurant in the Sultanahmet area, See the Blue Mosque, a prodigy of harmony, proportion and elegance; and to the Hippodrome that preserves the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, the Fountain of Emperor William and the Egyptian Obelisk.

At the end of the afternoon visit the famous Grand Bazaar where we will enjoy free time to get lost among its 4 thousand shops.

Accommodation in Istanbul.

DAY 3 : ISTANBUL / WALK THROUGH THE BOSPHORUS / SPICE BAZAAR (B)

Breakfast. Departure to do one of the most famous activities in Istanbul, a boat ride on the Bosphorus, a canal that separates Europe and Asia. During this journey you can see the Sultans' palaces, old and typical wooden houses and enjoy history in a different way.

Next, we will make one of the star visits, the spice bazaar, established by the Ottomans 5 centuries ago and used since then. Our Included visit ends in the bazaar where you can enjoy its atmosphere and variety of shops.

In the afternoon you can optionally take a visit with lunch to the Asian part of the city, visiting the “Beylerbey” palace, located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Former summer residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, we can also see the famous Bosphorus suspension bridge that connects the European part with the Asian part of the city.

After lunch we will visit Camlica Hill Located in the underrated district of Üsküdar, in the Asian part, one of the seven hills of Istanbul and the highest point in the entire city. At 268 meters above sea level, Camlica Hill offers panoramic views of both sides of the city.

At the end of the day return to the Hotel.

Accommodation in Istanbul. 

DAY 4 : ISTANBUL / ANKARA / CAPADOCIA (B - D)                                                                                                                                                                     

Breakfast. Departure en route to Ankara passing through the Bolu Mountains. The capital of the Turkish Republic and the second most populated city in Turkey (Ankara), a modern and cosmopolitan city steeped in history and ancient culture. We continue the trip to Cappadocia. En route we will see the second largest lake in Turkey, The Salt Lake and a 13th century caravanserai (medieval inn).

Arrival in Cappadocia.

Dinner and accommodation in Cappadocia.

(On some departures the Istanbul-Ankara section could be carried out by high-speed train or with a domestic flight for operational reasons)

DAY 5 : CAPADOCIA (B - D)                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit of this fascinating region and original landscape, formed by the lava spewed by the Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes 3 million years ago. We will visit the Göreme Valley, an incredible Byzantine monastic complex made up of churches excavated in the rock with beautiful frescoes.

Next, we will visit the Avcilar Valley and the Pasabagi and Gόvercinlik Valleys where you can admire the best view of the volcanic forms called “fairy chimneys”. We will visit the typical workshops of carpets and Onyx and Turquoise stones.

Dinner at the hotel and accomodation in Cappadocia.

DAY 6 : CAPADOCIA / PAMUKKALE (B – D) 

Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure to Pamukkale. Arrival and visit to Hierapolis, an ancient Hellenistic city that today is in ruins. Visit to the famous Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of gigantic white waterfalls, stalactites and Natural Pools formed over the centuries by the passage of waters loaded with calcareous salts from thermal springs.

Arrival at the hotel Dinner and accommodation in Pamukkale.

DAY 7 : PAMUKKALE / Ephesus / KUSADASI / OR IZMIR (B - D)                                                                                                                                                                                  
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure in the morning towards Ephesus Greco-Roman city, ancient capital of Asia Minor and one of the best preserved from antiquity where the Temple of Hadrian, Temple of Trajan, the theater and the Library of Celsus are located. Visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where he spent the last years of his life.

Continuation to Kusadasi/or Izmir Dinner at the hotel and accommodation.

During the summer months of May-October the accommodation could be Izmir and its surroundings in Kusadasi Place.

DAY 8 : KUSADASI /OR IZMIR / BURSA / ISTANBUL (B) 

Breakfast. Departure to Bursa, first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit of the Ulucamii Mosque, the Kozahan Silk Bazaar and the Green Mausoleum.

Continuation of the trip to Istanbul, arrival and accommodation in Istanbul.

(On some departures for operational reasons, the Izmir-Istanbul section could be made with a domestic flight without passing through Bursa)

DAY 9 : ISTANBUL / AEROPORT (B)                                                        

Breakfast and at the indicated time transfer to the airport.

End of our services.