Turkey

Arrive in Istanbul. Meet our representative and transfer from Istanbul Airport (Sabiha Gokcen Airport or Istanbul airport), en route catch up with him or her on the latest in Istanbul. . Check-in the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, embark upon a grand full-day exploration of Istanbul. Today the sites you will visit shall be the….

*Hippodrome - The horse cart's race place during Roman Era, its Obelisk, Orme Pillar, entwined snake pillar are still visible today.

*The Blue Mosque 17 C AD Mosque, a masterpiece of Turkish Islam Architecture. listed by Unesco in the world heritage list.

*Hagia Sophia Built-in 6 the C as a church and converted into Mosque by the Turks in 15 C Ad today it serves as a museum to its admirers.. listed by Unesco in the world heritage list.

*Topkapi Palace - Excluding Harem The residential of Ottoman Sultans which is housing a lot of Sultan's Customs, Thrones, treasures, holy relics, porcelains and tiles with a great view of the Bosphorus. ( listed by Unesco in the world heritage list.)

*The Grand Bazaar - The biggest Covered Bazaar in the world has about 4000 shops.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast and proceed for a Half day Istanbul Bosphorus Boat trip and Egyptian Bazaar tour. Drive to Egyptian Bazaar which is also called the Spice Market too. We visit The Bazaar. Later we embark on a Ferry to discover the Bosphorus Strait which is separating Europe from Asia.          

*The Bosphorus Cruise from Eminonu quay till the Bosphorus bridge and back to the same place. Afternoon around 1500 pm transfer to the airport (Istanbul or Sabiha Gokcen Airport ) and fly to Cappadocia.

Pick up transfer from Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport and transfer to Hotel in Cappadocia. Check-in and overnight in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will be exploring the best of Cappadocia.

* Goreme Panorama ( We view the magic landscape of Cappadocia from this panoramic view) Uchisar Cave Houses ( We enter one of the cave houses which is still being used as a cafeteria and offer you an apple tea)

* Pigeon Valley Photo stop ( We view the valley which is full of dove-cote and if we are lucky some of the pigeons are there)

* Goreme Open Air Museum (rock-cut churches and monasteries & designed with well-preserved frescoes) listed by Unesco in the world heritage list.

* Pasabagi ( The fairy-chimneys valley ) The mushroom-shaped natural rock formations of Cappadocia were named fairy chimneys.

* Avanos (Avanos has been a handcraft town since 19 C BC especially it is known pottery town of Cappadocia)

* Rose valley at the end of the day a little wine party under the sunset glow and back to the hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast check-out and be ready for a pick up from Hotel and drive to South of Cappadocia to see the hidden settlement of the Christians, Underground City and Ihlara Valley :

* Derinkuyu underground city (The biggest underground settlement in the world ) and listed by Unesco in the world heritage list.

* Ihlara Valley  ( walking 3 km and visit rock-cut churches and troglodytes)

* Selime ( The biggest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia)- Photo stop  

Departure to Konya. On the way, we stop to see  

• Sultanhan Caravanserai (Silk Road Hotel from 13 C ) - The biggest caravanserai in the world.        

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We visit the Konya  Mevlana museum - The Ruling Monastery of Mevlevi religious Order which is used as a Museum today.    

And departure to Pamukkale. After arrival in Pamukkale we shall visit:  

• Hierapolis and White-Travertine of Pamukkale (listed by UNESCO in the world heritage list) and Hierapolis Ancient city's ruins.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast departure to Ephesus. After arrival, you will visit….

* Ephesus (exclude Terrace Houses) - the biggest Roman City of Anatolia 

* Temple of Artemis one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

* Leather fashion show and shopping opportunity.      

* Saint John Basilica was a great church in Ephesus constructed by Emperor Justinian in the 6th C AD.

After the tour transfer to Izmir Airport around 1600 pm for your flight back home or you can extend the vacation with an additional number of nights in any of your desired location.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch