Warm welcome with folded hand at Istanbul Ataturk airport meet & greet then transfer to hotel. Istanbul is Turkey’s most populous city as well as cultural and financial center. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally.
It was also the Former capital of 3 world famous Empires,Roman,Byzantine and Ottoman.Istanbul today honors and preserves the legacy of the past while looking forward to a modern future. The rest of today will be free for you to adjust to the time difference or explore the city.
Overnight at Hotel.
After leisure breakfast ,Visit the Blue Mosque (Closed on Friday mornings and the last minute occasions beyond our control and therefore no responsibility is assumed), famous for its mosaics of blue Iznik tiles and its six minarets. Cross through the Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations, and political activities of the old city where one can also see the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpent Column from Delphi, the Fountain of Wilhelm II and the Colossus.
Facing the Blue Mosque is St. Sophia (Closed on Mondays), one of the great architectural marvels of the ancient world. This church – turned mosque – and now a museum, takes the breath away with the sheer size of its interior and its magnificent dome. You will then visit the marvelous Yerebatan Underground Cistern with its atmospherically lit rows of columns – 336 in total. It was built in 532, with a capacity to store 80,000 cubic meters of water. It has excellent acoustics, and, with its fabulous atmosphere, has been used by famous singers, and for film sets (The Underground Cistern is fairly damp and, therefore, appropriate footwear is advisable as the floor can be slippery).
Explore the spectacular Topkapi Palace (Closed on Tuesdays / Harem section exclusive), seat of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex commands superb views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The palace is filled with treasures of the Sultans including the extravagant Treasury with its magnificent jewels and porcelains. At the conclusion of the trip optional visit to a handicraft center where an underground Byzantine Cistern in the studio is situated. After sightseeing returan tohotel and take rest.
Overnight at hotel.
After leisure breakfast , morning tour to visit the aromatic Spice Bazaar from 1663 with its domed and vaulted shops selling spices and herbs along with a wide variety of commodities, also known as Egyptian Bazaar as it was once endowed with the Cairo imposts. Then proceed to the pier so as to embark the public boat. Sailing through the waterway separating the two continents – Asia and Europe – with a possibility to take pictures of the marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials. During this trip Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges will be visible from the sea. After having disembarked the boat get into the coach to drive back to the city for a free afternoon. Rest of day free for leisure. Regular public ferry (on seat-in-coach basis) or a shared boat can be used depending on weather conditions and the number of the participants
Overnight at hotel.
After leisure breakfast , Drive to visit Gallipoli, historically famous as the site of many battles – particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. Visit Anzac Cove where the Allied Forces landed on the 25th of April 1915 along with the other sites like Lone Pine-Australian Memorial and Chunuk Bair-New Zealand Memorial. latter transfer to hotel and take rest.
Overnight at hotel.
After leisure breakfast ,proceed to Troy to see a replica of the legendary wooden horse of Troy and the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3.000 years and where the legendary Trojan War in the book of Homeros of Smyrna took place. Then continue to Pergamum, once one of the richest and most powerful small kingdoms in Asia Minor to visit the hauntingly beautiful Asklepion – a famous health centre. Drive to Kusadasi.
Overnight at hotel.
After leisure breakfast visit to Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded), which was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. Impressive structures you will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Theatre and the Odeon; House of Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her last years. In 1961, Pope John XXII proclaimed the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred; Basilica of St. John, who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel, and Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After visiting a regional handicraft center.After sightseeing return to hotel and take rest.
-Regular public ferry (on seat-in-coach basis) or a shared boat can be used depending on weather conditions and the number of the participants
Overnight at hotel.
After letter breakfast ,drive to Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite which was famous for its sculptors; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop’s Palace. Continue to Pamukkale “Cotton Castle”, the ancient Hierapolis famous for healing thermal/mineral baths and beautiful petrified waterfalls. Visit to the historical site including the magnificently preserved Necropolis, the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Apollo Temple with the Devil’s Hole and the masterpiece Theatre. Overnight Pamukkale at which you can also enjoy the thermal pool of your hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Drive to Antalya. On arrival visit to Antalya Archaeological Museum. Rest of day free for leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
After leisure breakfast day free for leisure.
After leisure breakfast,drive to Cappadocia with visits to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the tomb of the founder of the Mevlevi Order known with the Whirling Dervishes, in Konya and thereafter the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai.
Overnight at hotel.
After leisuer breakfast Visit to Devrent Valley where various types of fairy chimneys are abundant. We will walk through this amazing valley. Thereafter visit Pasabagi (Monk’s Valley) with multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. After visiting Pasabagi, drive to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak river, the longest river of Turkey. Further to the time for lunch proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum (Dark Church is excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee) to visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescos painted on the walls (Please be advised that guides are not allowed to deliver speeches inside the churches and therefore the church visits may be carried out without the accompany of the guides). Thereafter time to take photos in the neighboring valleys and shopping facilities before going back to the hotel. After sightseeing return hotel and take rest.
Overnight at hotel.
After leisure breakfast visit to the Kaymakli or Ozkonak Underground City. Then transfer to the airport in Nevsehir or Kayseri for the noon (or afternoon) flight to Istanbul. Evening free for leisure and shopping.
Overnight at hotel.
Day at leisure. Overnight Istanbul (New City).
Overnight at hotel.
After leisure breakfast check out the hotel and drive to airport and take flight for onward journey.
