BEST OF ISTANBUL AND CAPPADOCIA

DAY 1             WELCOME TO TURKEY!
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the old city, Sultanahmet and the remainder of the day is yours free to explore at your own pace.

Most short-stay visitors spend all their time in Sultanahmet, home to Istanbul’s main sightseeing attractions. The monumental architecture, attractive parks and gardens, street-side cafés, and the benefits of a relatively traffic-free main road combine to make this area pleasant for both sightseeing and staying. Overnight Istanbul. (D)

Oriental and Occidential – Turkish Night Show and Dinner cruise on the Bosphorus (Premium Seating)
Last call! All aboard, set sail and dine on fabulous hand-picked local delicacies with a 3-hours Bosphorus dinner cruise on our two-floor yacht. Indulge in a 4-course gourmet dinner with unlimited drinks. Unique way to sight-see stunning Istanbul, enjoy vibrant entertainment and eat well at a private table. From the resurrected buildings of great empires, to eye opening wonders of nature, this adventure encompasses the best of Istanbul.

Including traditional Turkish folklore show, belly-dancing show, performance of a whirling dervish, transfers to and from the venue, fine-dining and unlimited drinks. Finish off a legendary night with DJ Entertainment, Turkish dessert and a cup of Turkish coffee with its intense aroma and strong taste. Turkey is widely known for its colorful, rhythmic, elegant, stylish and traditional folk dances, which vary according to the region. Be enticed by Turkish folklore dances from different regions of Anatolia.

Just to name a few: Halay, the most popular folk dance particularly in the eastern and southeastern Anatolia regions. Origins stretch right back to old Turkish mythology and its shamanistic roots in Central Asia. Performed along with an upbeat rhythm consisting of drums and a shepher’s pipe. Extremely similar to the Greek Sirtaki or the Arabic Dabke.. Zeybek is western and southern Anatolian folk dance represents symbol of courage and heroism of irregular militia and guerrilla fighters living in the Aegean region of the Ottoman Empire.. Horon folk dance in the northern Pontus and Black Sea regions, the melodies are rendered very fast and dancers dressed in black with silver trims.

Today you get to choose! Variety of dishes to choose from include; fresh fish off the sea, whole mediterranean sea bream or bass served with soy sauce, olive oil, oven baked potateos, garnish and lemon.. Chef’s vegeterian meal choice of the day; vegetable pizza, pasta or stewed vegetable casserole.. Protein-rich Turkish meatballs or kofte – minced beef or lamb, seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs, and then grilled to perfection.. Chicken breast or cutlets seasoned with red pepper powder, olive oil, salt, rosemary, thyme and soy sauce.. Both meatballs and chicken breast is served with mashed potateos, rice and and garnish. Your culinary journey also includes hot and cold appetizers, seasonal salad and dessert or fruits. It’s the kind of cruise event that lasting memories are made of!

DAY 2                      SULTANAHMET UNPLUGGED
Perfect introduction tour in the footsteps of Byzantine and Roman Emperors and Ottoman Sultans. The tour begins with a guided walking tour of Mehmet Akif Ersoy Park. A great Turkish poet, he has also written the lyrics of Turkish national anthem. Excavations carried out intermittenly between 1642 and 1964, led to the discovery of two impressive palace complexes situated next to each other; Lausos and Antiochos Palace. Lausos is a spectacular palace that was large enough to house a famous collection of antique sculpture. Aphrodite of Knidos, Athena of Lindos, Eros of Myndos, Hera of Samos and numerous sculpted beasts. Enjoy one of most well-known and popular attractions, Hippodrome of Constantinople, sporting and social centre Byzantine Empire for 1000 years and of Ottoman life for another 400. A masterpiece of ancient architecture. It is the location of the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Masonry Obelisk and German Fountain of Wilhelm II.

A nice lunch will be served in a quaint local restaurant before we visit the Million Stone, originally marks the start of all roads throughout the empire. Visiting labyrinthine and chaotic, Grand Bazaar. At its prime, the market was locked down and guarded by more than a hundred soldiers every night, like a fortified castle.

Sultanahmet‘s two great timeless monuments, side by side. Blue Mosque famed for it’s blue tiles, boasting magnificent curves and six towering minarets sees countless worshipers pass through its main doors every day. Contains a visual tip-of-the-hat from its architect, Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, to the architects of Hagia Sophia, Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus, who worked their miracle a thousand years earlier.

On the 26th of December, A.D. 537, Emperor Justinian the Great stood in the Imperial Door, gazed at the cathedral which he had built, and exclaimed, “Glory to God that I have been judged worthy of such a work. Oh Solomon! I have outdone thee!”

At this same spot on May 29, 1453, almost a thousand years later, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, fresh from the final battle for Constantinople, stood in this doorway and ordered the great church to be cleansed, repaired, beautified, and converted to a mosque. Another five centuries, and it was proclaimed a museum by Kemal Ataturk and opened to all. Overnight Istanbul. (B, L)

DAY 3                      GOLDEN HORN UNPLUGGED
Go behind the scenes of your favorite soap operas as we explore the Golden Horn shores, a natural harbour and former commercial center of Ottoman Era. It offers a unique blend of the three monotheistic religions; Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. See traces of Ottoman life, including mosques, churches, and synagogues, standing together and demonstrating the multicultural and religious ways of the Ottoman Empire. We will drive past along the Golden Horn, City Walls, initially built to protect the city againist attack from both sea and land, ultimately fell from sheer force of Ottoman forces on 29 May 1453 after a 6-week siege. St. Stephen Church, the only church in the world constructed entirely of iron and steel and Feshane where military uniforms and world famous Fez (flat-topped conical red hat with a black tassel on top) was produced.

Hit the top 3 most photographed sights made famous by instagram influencers. Have the chance to snap great photos of Patriarchate of Constantinople believed to have been used in the binding and flogging of Jesus in Jerusalem. Fener Greek Orthodox College on Sancaktar Yokusu. Just down the road is courtyard of Rainbow Stairs and Umbrellas known locally as Renkli Merdivenler which is part of Dimitrie Cantemir Museum Café. It was home of the former Balkan Prince and a global man of music. Potential Russian victory against Ottomans forced him and his family to exile from Ottoman territory. Ladder Street or Merdivenli Yokus and the Colourful Houses also known as Renkli Evler on Kiremit Avenue. The tradition of painting houses in bright colors dates back to the Ottoman era, when residents of Balat were required to paint their homes in a specific color to indicate their religious affiliation. Greeks painted their houses blue, Jews painted yellow and Armenians painted red. In recent years, many of the houses in Balat have been restored and preserved, thanks in part to a government-led initiative to revitalize the neighborhood.

No time to see all of Turkey’s historic sights? No problem. Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Turkey’s many treasures at Miniaturk, the largest miniature park in the world. The park contains 105 models converted into a 1:25 scale. 45 of the structures are from Istanbul, 45 from Anatolia, and 15 are from the Ottoman territories that today lie outside of Turkey. All just like the real thing – except displayed on a 1:25 scale. Stay fueled with a local lunch, soft drinks, water, and hot drinks.

Before tour’s end, enjoy a visit to the Mosque and Mausoleum of Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, standard-bearer of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). Perhaps the most sacred place of pilgrimage in the Islamic world; indeed after Mecca and Jerusalem. Sahaba is said to have fallen in battle during the attack on the walls of Constantinople by Arab armies in the 700s. After Conqueror Sultan Mehmet’s siege of Constantinople, his grave miraculously rediscovered and buried here. He was not only a friend of the Prophet but the key to the greatest Ottoman victory over the Byzantines, Hence Ottoman Sultans would be girt with the Sword of Osman in here, signifying their ascension as monarch of the Ottoman Empire. Ride the cable car uphill to the Pierre Loti to sip a drink while enjoying the panoramic view.

This evening you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Cappadocia. Cappadocia is an extraordinary national treasure and is perhaps even the jewel in Turkey’s illustrious crown. Turkey’s most visually striking region, where erosion has formed caves, clefts, pinnacles, fairy chimneys and sensuous folds in the soft volcanic rock. Overnight Cappadocia. (B, L)

DAY 4                      NORTHERN VILLAGES
Early morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Cappadocia. Cappadocia is an extraordinary national treasure and is perhaps even the jewel in Turkey’s illustrious crown. Turkey’s most visually striking region, where erosion has formed caves, clefts, pinnacles, fairy chimneys and sensuous folds in the soft volcanic rock.

Meet the Flintstones! The fairytale rock chimneys of Cappadocia rising majestically from an otherworldly landscape, formed by the eruptions of three volcanoes, Mount of Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan, which created one of the most distinctive landscapes in the world. Cappadocia is Turkey’s very own fairy-tale kingdom. Imagine, if George Lucas had succeeded in his original plan to shoot Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in Cappadocia. Not even Walt Disney could have dreamt of such lofty, multi-tiered housing for Tinkerbell—miles and miles of pyramid- and mushroom-shaped rocks that have sheltered or hidden people for thousands of years.

Discover fascinating stories, insights and facts on the roots of Cappadocia’s history. Kick off your exhilarating day out with Devrent Valley – nicknamed Imagination Valley is well known for its unusual rock formations. Find rocks that resemble those seen in the Hobbit and Smurfs as well as a dolphin, camel, kissing birds, Napoleon’s hat, the Virgin Mary holding Jesus Christ. Next, explore one of the region’s most magnificent town of Pasabag where Monks once inhabited and epic fairy chimneys and cave dwelling are widely regarded as the best in the region. If Fred Flintstone lived in Cappadocia, Pasabagi is the place he’d call home. Drive to the pottery town of Avanos, on the banks of the Kizilirmak, where the longest river in Turkey passes through. Have the chance to view the pottery making demonstration and even try your hand at making your own unique pot. The ancestral techniques and know-how of the craftsmen workshop will show you all the secrets.

Break for a buffet lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Goreme National Park home to surreal wonderland of rock churches, chapels and decorative frescoes around 1000-1200 AD. This is most certainly a gorgeous sight to behold! Before tour’s end, enjoy a visit to Uchisar, natural castle of volcanic tufa giving it a Swiss-cheese look. It is a giant rock formation at the highest point of Cappadocia used as a fortress by the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman armies. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure once dropped off back at your hotel.

Cappadocia derived from the Hittite word ‘Katpatuka’, it is commonly held to mean ‘Land of beautiful horses’. Still plays a big role in local life, and a popular way for visitors to explore the region. Maybe you would prefer to explore vineyards and abundant orchards of Cappadocia from the saddle of an Anatolian horse, visit a gorgeous 15th-century bath house, take an off-road quad-bike, jeep safari, vintage car tour, photo or drone shoot either at sunrise or sunset – the list is almost endless. The choice is yours. Optional activities are a different way of seeing more of the region in a shorter time. Overnight Cappadocia. (L)

DAY 5           DAY AT LEISURE
This morning you have the option of taking a hot-air balloon ride in a region famed for being one of the best places in the world for ballooning.

Sunrise hot-air balloon ride – TBA
Our crew will pick you up at your hotel before dawn and transfer you and fellow travelers to the takeoff site. Feels like stepping out of a bus or getting off a spacehip? Watch our team’s preparation for flight, inflating balloons against the backdrop of the dawn sky. Listen to your pilot who will share safety measures and the do’s and don’ts during your flight. With the sound of a fire-breathing dragon, you skim the grass and slowly lift off, graceful stability with majestic views. Hundreds of hot air balloons float across the sky. It lives up to the hype, times 100. Floating silently above the oddest-looking landscape dotted with villages, vineyards, and fruit orchards for about an hour, coming down in a farmer’s field. Break out the bubbly for a traditional champagne toast to a successful aeronautical adventure! ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE! Your Cappadocia hot-air balloon flight includes a complimentary pre-flight breakfast and transfers between your hotel, take-off and landing spots. Prices can vary greatly depending on the time of year you fly and how far in advance you book.

Enjoy time at leisure in Cappadocia to explore the area independently, where life still follows a village rhythm. Cappadocia derived from the Hittite word ‘Katpatuka’, it is commonly held to mean ‘Land of beautiful horses’. Still plays a big role in local life, and a popular way for visitors to explore the region. Maybe you would prefer to explore vineyards and abundant orchards of Cappadocia from the saddle of an Anatolian horse, visit a gorgeous 15th-century bath house, take an off-road quad-bike, jeep safari, vintage car tour, photo or drone shoot either at sunrise or sunset – the list is almost endless. The choice is yours. Optional activities are a different way of seeing more of the region in a shorter time. Overnight Cappadocia. (B, L)

DAY 6           SOUTHERN VILLAGES
If your flight is canceled a day before, you don’t lose your booking or money, we’ll reschedule your balloon ride for this morning based on the availability on the particular day.

Today you will begin with a visit to the remarkable Underground city of Kaymakli, we will take a 40-minute drive to see a primitive engineering achievement features a maze of tunnels and rooms carved eight levels deep into the earth. Feels like wandering through a gigantic sponge. An estimated 60,000 people lived for periods of up to three months and there are over 200 underground cities in Cappadocia, most of them are connected through underground pathways. Each rock settlement had access to the safe sanctuary of these underground dwellings by way of a secret underground passageway that would provide swift and unseen escape in times of emergency. In fact, an access tunnel can still be found on just about every villager’s property. Every crucial entry point into the city was either camouflaged or blocked by a keystone, a large stone wheel that, once fixed in place, was immovable. Stout rolling-stone doors prevented invaders from entering, deep wells provided water and tall chimney ventilations to allow steam to rise.

The tour will then visit natural landmark of Ortahisar Castle and Cavusin Old Village Ruins, an old Christian village, where you will see a triple apse church and the Monastery of St. John the Baptist. The day’s touring includes lunch and an easy grade, three kilometer hike through the Red Valley, inaccessible by automobile and providing absolutely breathtaking scenery. Sandstone landscape can be everything from a light pinkish grey to peachy orange depending on how the light hits it. It’s undoubtedly one of the best hikes in Turkey – if not the best. If you only have time to do one hike, then this should be it.

Evening transfer to the airport and return flight back to Istanbul. Tour ends where we began with an airport to hotel transfer. Opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping at your own pace. Our tour draws to a close and we say goodbye to our new friends.

Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally noon, but luggage storage facilities are available. We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation and day tours/activities if you wish to extend your stay. Happy travels! (B, L)