Amazing Turkey

Welcome to Turkey! Arrive at the international airport in Istanbul and transfer to the hotel in the city center. 

Our tour starts in the morning at the Hippodrome - the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life. Of the monuments that once adorned it, only three remain: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Today it is the center of historical, cultural and touristic Istanbul. In the same vicinity lies the German Fountain. Next we visit Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, a supremely elegant, imperial six minaret mosque called the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Afterwards we visit the Suleymaniye Imperial Mosque. It was built by the famous architect Sinan whose wish was surpass the builders of St. Sophia. After lunch our tour includes the Imperial Topkapi Palace which, for more than four centuries, was the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans. Last, but certainly not least, you will visit the world famous Grand Bazaar. In its labyrinth of streets and passages there are more than 4.000 shops with each trade having its own area - cloth, spices, jewelry, etc. Overnight in Istanbul (B).

After an early breakfast at the hotel we transfer to the Istanbul domestic airport for our flight to Nevsehir. Pick up time from hotel is 05:15. Flight departure time is 07:15 am. Nevsehir arrival time is 08:45 / Economy class. On arrival we will begin a full day sightseeing tour of Cappadocia. We spend the day exploring this wonderful area with its scenic marvels that are like nowhere else on the planet. Our journey takes us along the valleys of Goreme, an open-air museum with lots of rock cut churches, and Zelve, the monastic center of Cappadocia, with their ever-changing scenery of fairy chimneys - tall needles of stone, often with large rocks balanced on top. We will also visit yet another outlandish feature of this area, the underground city of Kaymakli, one of two hundred underground cities which could accommodate several thousand inhabitants, supplied with fresh water from underground springs and cool air through an elaborate ventilation systems. Head to our hotel for overnight in Cappadocia. (B)

Early in the morning you could take an optional balloon tour over Cappadocia. Afterwards there will be some time to rest then start a full day Cappadocia tour. We will also pay visit to the city of Avanos where they make the best carpets and pottery. There will be plenty of photographic opportunities during day, some of the best may be taken when we visit the  rock Castle of Uchisar, from where the entire Goreme Valley can be seen. We will also visit the underground cities of Derinkuyu, and Cavusin. Stop at the village of Uchisar to enjoy the typical lifestyle of this area and ride donkeys. Overnight in Cappadocia. In the evening you may wish to join an Optional Turkish Night - a traditional Cappadocia folklore show held in one of the special venues which have been cut into the rock. (B)

Full day Cappadocia tour. We leave for the Valley of Ihlara. This gorge was once a favorite retreat of Byzantine monks. The canyon was created by the fractures and collapses of the cooling lava basalt and andesite origin from the volcano Hasandag. The Melendiz River rusn through the gorge. Dozens of painted churches, carved from the rock or built from the local stone have survived in this beautiful valley. The scenery on this trip, especially on the descent into the gorge is as wonderful as the ancient churches themselves. Pasabag and Derbent Valleys are also included in our sightseeing tour of Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B)

Departure for Konya. This morning we travel to Konya, the center of the Selcuk culture. Enroute, we visit one of the best preserved caravanserais called Sultanhani. This caravanserai was built in the 13th century as a highway inn and used as a camel stop by the traders. Upon arrival to Konya we will make a visit to the stunning green tiled Mevlana Mausoleum, known as the Green Dome and is Konya's most conspicuous landmark. There will be a stop at the Karatay Medrese, once famous for its colored tiles, this former theological school has now fittingly become a museum of Selcuk and Ottoman ceramics. Overnight in Konya. (B)

After breakfast continue to Antalya the southern point of the Turkish Riviera, a very attractive city with shady palm lined boulevards, marina and a picturesque and dreamlike old city quarter called Kaleici. Free time in the afternoon to explore on your own. Overnight in Antalya (B).

Full day sightseeing tour of Aspendos, Perge and Side. First we visit the Theater of Aspendos with its 15,000 seating capacity which is the best preserved in the Pamphilya region. Also we will visit the ancient Pamphylion, Hellenistic and Roman city of Perge with its Agora, stadium and baths. Museum of Antalya is also on our tour program. Overnight in Antalya. (B).

After breakfast we depart for Denizli / Pamukkale (approx. 230km). We visit the thermal center of Hierapolis at Pamukkale with its famous white terraces, known as one of the most impressive sites in Turkey. The terraces and basins are formed over the years by the warm thermal waters rich in calcium and carbonate that flow through the area. We will visit adjoining Roman Hierapolis with its large Necropolis, Thermal Baths, Basilica and Theater. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B/D)

After breakfast we depart for Izmir with a stop at the famous ruins of Ephesus, which is known to be the commercial, the religious and the social center of antiquity, and one of the highlights of any visit in Turkey. Ephesus is probably the best combination of Greek, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. With its mythological stories and spectacular ruins you will get a feel for the life in ancient Ephesus. We will visit the Fountains of Trajan and Polio, the Temple of Hadrian and Domition, a private house, the Library of Celcius, Varius and Scholostica Baths, Bouleterion and the Great Theater with a capacity for 25,000 spectators. After enjoying our optional Turkish cuisine at lunch, we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent last days of her life on top of the Nightingale mountain.  Continue to Izmir for overnight.  (B)

After breakfast will will have a short city tour then continue to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to catch our Istanbul flight. We will be met at the Istanbul airport and transfer to the hotel. (B)

After breakfast we depart for a full day Istanbul tour, starting with a visit to the city’s famous museum of St. Sophia. The basilica was built by Constantine the Great in the 16th century and is one of the architectural marvels of all time. Close to St. Sophia is the 16th century Byzantine cistern known as the Yerebatan Sarnici (Underground Cistern). Fine brick vaulting is supported by 336 Corinthian columns. After this visit we drive to the Fatih district where we will visit the Kariye Museum. We will finish of our sightseeing tour by driving along the Byzantine city walls and the gates built in the 5th century. Once an impenetrable fortification, the walls stretch seven kilometers from the sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn. Then finally we visit the Mosaic Museum. This museum was built to preserve in situ the exceptionally fine mosaics pavements from the 5th and 6th century. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. 

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