Day 1   – Country of Origin – Istanbul

Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2   – Istanbul Classical (Old City)

Full day tour of the ancient city. In the morning we will visit Hagia Sophia, one of the most identifying places in Istanbul, a beautiful architectural marvel that we offer to visitors; also considered one of the largest and most important in the world and today it is a mosque. Then we will visit the Topkapi Palace, the place where the sultans lived between 1478 and 1865. Topkapi is not a single structure, but an organic monumental complex consisting of several kiosks, gardens and scattered areas that are located in the district or historic center in the entrance to the Golden Horn We continue towards the Blue Mosque, admired for its six long minarets, terraces and domes that rise in the center of the building; you will see that the architect has undoubtedly achieved his purpose; perfection with this stunning work of art. Lunch time. In the afternoon, the Roman Hippodrome, (Seventh Severus period) … space where horse races and circuses were held, which for more than a thousand years served as entertainment for the inhabitants of Constantinople. We continue towards the Basilica Cistern (in Turkish, Yerebatan Sarayı, lit. ‘Submerged Palace’, or Yerebatan Sarnıcı, ‘Submerged Cistern’) is the largest of the 60 ancient cisterns built under the city of Istanbul (former Byzantium and Constantinople) in La Turkey in the Byzantine era. We will end the day at the covered market; Grand Bazaar, where you can enjoy your free time. Transfer and overnight at the hotel.

** The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and religious days.

Meal: Breakfast 

Day 3  – Istanbul Classical (Bosphorus)

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour of the Bosphorus and Asia. In the morning we will make a preliminary visit to the Egyptian Bazaar or Spice Bazaar, built in the 17th century and located in the ancient Eminönü district of Istanbul. We continue to take the boat for the Bosphorus cruise (regular boat), skirting the Sea of Marmara on both sides of the city: Asian and European. During this tour you will be able to see some monuments such as: Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Rumeli Hisarı Fortress, among others … After disembarking we continue with the visit to Beylerbeyi Palace, built in white marble by Sultan Abdulaziz in the 19th century. century; it also served as a summer residence for former sultans and a guesthouse for deserving foreigners. Lunch time. Climbing Çamlıca Hill, known as the Hill of Lovers, offers a majestic and panoramic view of the Bosphorus and Istanbul. Transfer and overnight at the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 4  – ISTANBUL FREE DAY (WITH OPTIONAL EXCURSION: BALAT)

OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Balat Orthodox Heritage Tour

Breakfast and start of the day with a visit to the Suleiman Mosque. The Suleimaniye Mosque built on top of the third hill of historic Istanbul by the legendary architect Mimar Sinan and is one of the largest mosques in the city. Then we will see along the way the Valente Aqueduct, which was a system of Roman aqueducts built at the end of the 4th century AD, to supply Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The next stop is the Zeyrek Mosque, which was a Byzantine monastery with the name of Pantocrator Monastery dedicated to Christ. Like most of the city’s Byzantine churches, it was transformed into a mosque after the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453. Pantocrator, meaning “almighty”, was the largest church in Constantinople after Hagia Sophia. Then see the Gül Mosque, which was another unique former Byzantine monastery that has been converted into a mosque. The so-called “Church of Saint Theodosia”, now known as Gül Camii (“Mosque of the Rose” in Turkish), was a Byzantine church in the Dexiokratous district of Constantinople, near the Walls of the Golden Horn. The Hagios Nikolaos Greek Orthodox Church is the next stop. Then head to a local restaurant for lunch. Continuing with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Fener and its library. The Greek Patriarchate of Fener and the Patriarchal Church of St. George are located in the Fener district, on the banks of the Golden Horn and share the same courtyard. The Patriarchate remains the mother church of Greek Orthodox Christianity throughout the world. Finally Balat, where you can witness Istanbul’s rich history as you stroll through the splashes of color and hustle and bustle of street life, the crossover of clothesline on the ruined buildings, synagogues, churches and the maze of cobbled streets. Transfer and overnight at the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 5  – Istanbul – Cappadocia

Breakfast and free time in Istanbul. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cappadocia. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast and dinner

Day 6  – Cappadocia

OPTIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON EXCURSION. Possibility to participate in an optional hot air balloon ride at dawn, a unique experience, among rock formations, fairy chimneys, natural formations, lunar landscapes. Discovering Cappadocia, a region unique in the world for its geological formation where you will discover impressive reliefs and formations that will undoubtedly surprise you. A full day trekking in the northern part of Cappadocia, the most amazing part of the volcanic territory. We will first visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, recognized by UNESCO as a medieval monastic complex of rock churches and dwellings dug into the tuff by Orthodox monks, in the 4th century. Now we continue to Ortahisar Panorama which offers a wonderful view with its natural castle in the center, stone houses and beautiful mosques. From here, a short drive will take us to Paşabağı (valley of the monks), where we will see the conical columns as fairy chimneys that also served for the houses and churches of the Orthodox hermits. Time for lunch lunch at a local restaurant in the city of Avanos, on the banks of the Kızılırmak (Red River). Then we will see some of the most famous Turkish handicrafts. Before returning to the hotel, we will stop at the Devrent Valley, famous for its strange formations. Valley of the Three Beauties, has a beautiful view over the city of Ürgüp, famous for its wine and vineyards with apricot gardens where you can always take memorable photos. Upon completion, visitors will be transferred to their hotel after visiting Göreme Panaroma, a scenic stop on Göreme. Transfer to the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast and dinner

Day 7  – Cappadocia

Breakfast. A complete excursion traveling in the south of Cappadocia, the most interesting part of the volcanic territory. At the beginning we will walk for 4 km through the Valley Rossa and Rosa. During this beautiful journey we will observe the fauna and flora of Cappadocia, rich in minerals and rich in vineyards. After lunch in a local restaurant, near the Pigeon Valley, the journey will continue to discover the extraordinary underground city of Özkonak or Sehatlı. It comes from one of the best preserved and deepest underground cities in the region, sculpted as early as the second millennium BC. The city spans eight levels above ground and is sculpted from soft volcanic stone. By 4pm we will enter the Valley of Love, originally called Valle Blanco, which offers a beautiful view with its pretty fireplaces. Finally, the tour will end in an ancient Christian village of Cavusin which offers spectacular views as it has been largely eroded and partially collapsed. After this visit, we will go to the town of Uçhisar, where a natural stone castle, one of the symbols of the region, offers a great opportunity for photography from all angles. Finally, a visit to a carpet workshop to appreciate how famous Turkish carpets are woven, along with an onyx and jewelry workshop. Back to the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast and dinner

Day 8    – Cappadocia – Istanbul – Country of Origin

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the connecting flight back to Istanbul.

Meal: Breakfast

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