Arrive in Istanbul airport, welcome and assist by our local representative for your transfer to hotel. Free at own leisure.
Start your day with a visit to Topkapi Palace (close on Tuesdays), which was the residence of Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years and is Istanbul's premier must-see attraction. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, the palace features many fine examples of Ottoman and Islamic architectural sensibilities where a series of pavilions, kitchens, audience chambers and kiosks are built around a series of garden courtyards. Proceed to visit the Blue Mosque, also known as Mosque of Sultan Ahmed, famous for the interior decoration, distinctive blue tiles and unique feature of 6 minarets. Continue to visit Roman Hippodrome, an ancient racetrack where ancient horse races, chariot races and events were held. Thereafter, visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, which was formerly a museum, and was recently converted into a mosque in July 2020. Our last stop will be visiting one of the world’s largest covered markets – Grand Bazaar (close on Sundays) with more than 58 streets and 4000 shops, teahouses and cafes.
Begin your day with a visit to Spice Bazaar – One of the largest bazaars in the city that offers numerous spices, Turkish delights, caviar, dried fruits, dried nuts, jewelry, souvenirs and many more. Take Bosphorus Cruise to enjoy the unique experience of cruising between the 2 continents of Asia and Europe. Numerous summer palaces and palatial homes can be seen on either side. After lunch, visit the Asian side of Istanbul. Proceed to Beylerbeyi Palace, a summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans, was also used to house foreign heads of state visiting the Ottoman Empire. Continue to visit Camlica Hill. You will enjoy the panoramic view of Istanbul.
Get ready for the transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel. Free & Easy.
Enjoy a full–day tour of UNESCO-listed Cappadocia, best known for its unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks. Its bizarrely shaped pillars, cones and “fairy chimneys” make fantastic spots for snapshots. Explore UNESCO World Heritage site – Goreme Open-Air Museum, where you will see fascinating rock-cut churches with impressive frescoes (wall paintings) dating from as early as the 10th century. Next, visit Uchisar Castle – an old village consists of small dwellings carved into a massive rock. Continue to visit Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, where you can see unique rock formations that resemble animals and human shapes, and the famous camel figure Fairy Chimney of Cappadocia is also in this region.
Explore more of Cappadocia’s most natural sites today. Your adventure will begin with Pigeon Valley, also known as Guvercinlik Valley, where you will see pigeons living in the pigeon houses carved into the top of its fairy chimneys. Proceed to Red Valley, named after the red-colored tuff rocks and fairy chimneys spread through the valley. It is renowned as one of the most spectacular valleys of Cappadocia for its stunning scenery. Take a scenic hike through the colorful and breathtaking fairy chimneys of Red Valley. After a 6km walk, you will arrive at Cavusin Village. Visit the Greek ancient cave-houses where people lived until the 20th-century. The village was abandoned due to an earthquake in the 1960s, which caused severe damages and forced the people to relocate. Next, explore the Underground City, one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia, was built to protect the locals from raids and invasions during ancient time. Thereafter, proceed to Avanos Village, where you will learn about the art of pottery making.
Get yourself prepared for the transfer to Cappadocia airport for your domestic flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel in Kusadasi. Free at own leisure.
Absorb yourself in history today to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – Temple of Artemis and the ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus, an UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world and was once the commercial center of the ancient world. You will find awesome structures such as the impressive Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, Odeon and many more. The ruins also include public toilets and even a brothel. Next, visit the local Handicraft Villages before making your way over to Sirince Village, a beautiful hillside town famous for its grape and fruit wines. Visit the Sirince wine shops to taste the different fruit liqueurs and wines.
Discover the UNESCO-listed wonders of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Explore the unique white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, created by calcareous hot spring water flowing down the mountain. Hierapolis, a well-preserved ancient Greco-Roman city, was built on top of the “Cotton Castles”. You can see the impressive Roman Theatre, Necropolis, Temple of Apollo, Thermal Bath, The Martyrium of St Philip at the site. Thereafter, you may wish to take a dip in the therapeutic hot spring.
Today, transfer to Izmir airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel. Free & Easy.
Free at own leisure till departure transfer to Istanbul airport for homebound flight.
