Day 1: Highlights of Istanbul
Your guide will greet you at your hotel at 09:00 to begin your walking tour in the capital of three great empires. Your tour begins at the Topkapi Palace, the former imperial residence from which the Great Ottoman Empire was ruled for nearly 400 years. Today a spectacular museum, it is famous for its collections of treasury of the Ottoman Royal Family. You will chase the memories of the sultans and the Ottoman Empire through 400 years of the most glorious victories, happiest moments, and mournful days.
From Topkapi Palace you walk to Hagia Sophia via a cobblestone road filled with old Ottoman houses. This 6th century church, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, welcomes you with its legends and mosaics. You will have a chance to touch the history of this church, a main attraction of the city since its construction. (The Harem is not include the itinerary since it is under restoration)
After lunch in a local restaurant you will visit the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultanahment Mosque. One of the biggest mosques and principal adornments of the Istanbul skyline, the Blue Mosque was built in the 17th century. Once inside the mosque, blue Iznik tiles and stained glass will surround you.The Basilica Cistern (Turkish: Yerebatan Sarayı - "Sunken Palace"), is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul The cistern, located 500 feet (150 m) southwest of the Hagia Sophia on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
The final stop will be the Grand Bazaar. Your guide will provide the history of the Bazaar as well as some helpful tips on navigating its more than 4000 shops. Your tour will end between 16:00-1700.
Day 2: Two Continents Tour
This is the day we are exploring to different sides of Istanbul, Europe and Asia, in one day. Our tour guide will meet you at the hotel at 9:00am. Our first stop will be Spice Market with vendors selling spices, dried fruits, cheeses, sausages, jams, nuts, seeds, lokum (Turkish Delight) and other edibles. After the Market we will take a boat for the Bosphorus Cruise to see beautiful Asian and European coastlines of Istanbul. Bosphorus is a unique natural water strait both sides of which filled in Palaces, Yalis ( old Ottoman Houses), historical mosques and many other buildings and many neighbourhoods with their own unique cultures. After the cruise we visit Camlıca hill, the highest spot of Istanbul, offering one of the best panoramic views of Istanbul and Bosphorus. After having luch in a local restaurant we will cross the Bosphorus Bridge , unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe) you will see a sign which says '' Welcome to Europe''. Then we will visit one of the most beautiful districts of the city,Ortakoy, where you can take beautiful pictures and taste turkish coffe with the view of amazing Bosphorus. Now it's time to walk around Istiklal Street where locals hang out. While you are walking (1.2 km) your guide will explain the buildings around. The tour will end between 16:00-17:00 at your hotel.
Day 3: Istanbul- Cappadocia
Take the morning flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia. Arrival and meeting at the airport just outside the arrival gate with a sign bearing your name and transfer to Cappadocia to meet one of our local guides and start the tour. Amongst the places we are visiting today there is Catalkaya also known as three beauties with the symbolic fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, Rose Valley and Red valley with hiking with your local tour guide to enjoy wonderful rock formations, pigeon houses, natural tunnels and churches. Next stop will be Cavusin village to see caves and stone houses which were abandoned in 1952. Lunch in a local restaurant .In the afternoon we are visiting Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the most interesting underground cities in Cappadocia. This underground city consists of eight floors out of which only four of them open to visitors. We will continue with Pigeon valley with pigeon houses and colorful rock formations. During the tour you will have a chance to see demonstrations of some handicrafts. After the tour drive to your hotel. Overnight in a boutique cave hotel.
Day 4: Cappadocia – Istanbul
Optional! Hot Air balloon with sunrise (extra)
Your local guide meets you at 09:00am in the hotel. Another day with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia while visiting rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; walking in Pasabag near Zelve; "fairy chimneys" where the voice of wind mixes with the "songs of fairies". Lunch in Avanos in a local restaurant. Zelve is also the centre of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC where you will see a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. In the afternoon we are visiting the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in the region in rock-cut churches with frescoes (10th to 13th century). We continue with Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. After the tour you will be transferred to Cappadocia airport for your flight to Istanbul. In Istanbul you will be greeted with a sign bearing your name on it at the airport and then transfer to your hotel.
Price: Please contact us for the price and the availability.
What is Included:
- Experienced Licenced Local Tour Guide
- Domestic Flights
- Deluxe Van with a Driver
- Parking Fees
- Accommodation with Breakfast in Mentioned Hotel
- Entrance Fees to Mentioned Sites
- Local Taxes
- 100 % Satisfaction
What is Extra:
- Entrance Fees to Mentioned Sites
- Meals
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Personal Expenses
- Tips
Please Contact us for availability and booking!
