DELUXE TURKEY

Day 1: Arrival Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey. On arrival at Istanbul Airport, a guide will meet you at the airport holding a sign and then you'll have a private transfer to your hotel in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 2: Istanbul - Cappadocia (B)

After breakfast, at 09:00 am. meet your guide in the hotel lobby to start the tour

Visiting: SULEYMANIYE IMPERIAL MOSQUE – SPICE MARMET - DOLMABAHCE PALACE - CRUISE on the BOSPHORUS

We start the day with a visit to the SUleymaniye Imperial Mosque, built by Sinan and considered the most beautiful of the imperial mosques in Istanbul. It was in the gardens of this complex that Suleyman and his wife Roxelana had their mausoleums built, and Sinan himself built his tomb nearby.

We continue with the visit to the Dolmabahce Palace, one of the last palaces built in the Ottoman Empire. An abundance of chandeliers, marble and dazzling ornaments make this palace the most luxurious in Turkey. Lunch in a typical restaurant on the shores of the Bosphorus. We will then explore the aromatic labyrinth of stalls that make up the colorful Egyptian Bazaar, as your guide tells you the story of this 17th century souk also known as the Spice Market or by its Turkish name Misir Carsisi. Specialized in typical products such as spices, sweets and nuts. In the port of Eminonu, on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, we will take the boat to cruise through the famous strait and discover the most beautiful of Istanbul by sea, sailing between two continents. We will see, among others, on the European side, the Ciragan and Dolmabahce Palaces, the Rumeli Hizari Fortress from the 15th century and on the Asian side, the military school, the Beylerbeyi Palace and on both banks, the luxurious “yali”, the Ottoman villas that are a symbol of wealth and power in Turkey.

After having admired the views of the Bosphorus Strait from the water, transferred to the airport, we depart for Istanbul airport for our domestic flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred from Kayseri airport to your hotel. Night in Cappadocia.

 Day 3: Cappadocia (B)

OPTIONAL BALLOON FLIGHT, early morning (approximately 05:00am.-05:30am.), pick up at the hotel for transfer to the take off area where you can enjoy hot drinks and Turkish pastries while you watch how the team of professionals prepares the balloon for the flight. The balloons take off just before and coinciding with sunrise and then enjoy the spectacular view for about an hour. Cappadocia is known around the world as one of the best places to fly in a balloon. Spectacular surreal landscapes combined with excellent flight conditions allow balloons to soar past fairy chimneys, rock-cut dovecotes, orchards and vineyards. Each valley with its characteristic rock formations, different in shapes and colors. A unique experience that will take your breath away. Includes: a light snack, Flight Certificate and Champagne toast after landing. Transfer to the hotel around 7:30 a.m.

Breakfast at the hotel. At 10:00 a.m. meet your guide in the hotel lobby to start the tour.

Visiting: GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM - ROSE VALLEY - LOVE VALLEY - CAVUSIN - AVANOS - DEVRENT VALLEY – PASABAG VALLEY

Start your day in Cappadocia by visiting the Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia from the 10th century, some in excellent condition. Continuation to Rose Valley, which owes its name to the different shades and intensities of pink color of its rocks that vary according to weather conditions: day, temperature, season. We continue to the Valley of Love, which receives its name from the phallic shape of its rocks. Arrival in Cavusin to discover the civil architecture of Cappadocia in this abandoned troglodyte village. From the Church of San Juan Bautista, built in the 5th century and where his earthly remains remained, we can see the entire city. From here pause at Avanos, a center for clay art that has been his livelihood for centuries. After lunch, stops to photograph the Devrent Valley and its different figures formed in the rock and the Pasabag Valley and its fairy chimneys. End the day with a visit to a carpet factory where you will learn about the manufacture of this centuries-old Turkish tradition. Overnight in Cappadocia.

 Day 4: Cappadocia  - Kusadasi ( B)

Breakfast at the hotel. At 10:00 am. meet your guide in the hotel lobby to start the tour.

Visiting: KAYMAKLI – IBRAHIMPASA – ORTAHISAR – URGUP - VALLEY OF THE PIGEONS - UCHISAR

The day tour in Cappadocia begins with a descent towards the center of the earth, with a trip to the underground city of Kaymakli, the widest of the 36 found so far in Cappadocia. Continue to Ortahisar a small town to witness the daily life of its friendly inhabitants, stroll through the narrow streets of the city and explore the rock formation that looks like a castle that offers us a magnificent panorama on the fairy chimneys. Then a stop at the famous "Three Beauties of Ürgüp", where you can see the mushroom-shaped rock formations and a panorama of the city of Urgup. Continuation to the Valley of the Pigeons, (Guvercinlik), where the pigeons make their nests inside fairy chimneys View of Uchisar, the highest point in Cappadocia famous for its castle carved into the rock that watches over the city from above Visit a jewelry store specializing in onyx, turquoise and sultanite.

After the tour, transfer to the airport.Flight to Izmir. Arrive and transfer to the hotel.Overnight in Kusadasi

Day 5:Ephesus – House Of The Virgin – Temple Of Artemis (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to start the tour.

Visiting: EPHESUS – HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN – TEMPLE OF ARTEMISA

Ephesus is the best preserved classical city in the Mediterranean and the second largest city in the Roman Empire. Entrance through the Magnesia gate to continue down among the ruins of this ancient Roman capital. Through this route you will pass by the Odeon, the fabulous library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The 24,000-seat theater is the place where Saint Paul is believed to have spoken to the Ephesians. Today it is used for festivals. After lunch we continue to the House of the Virgin Mary. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary arrived in Ephesus, accompanied by Saint John, at the end of her life. Pilgrimage site for Christians. Also Muslims and Jews. After lunch we will visit The Temple of Artemis which is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Today only the ruins of the foundations of this wonderful Hellenistic construction can be seen. The most beautiful remains of this temple are exhibited today in the British Museum in London. Visit to a leather goods factory. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi

 Day 6: Kusadasi – Pamukkale & Hierapolis – Istanbul (B)

After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby to start the tour.

This tour balances history and culture with geology and nature.

The view of Pamukkale is like that of a glacier stretching across the grassland. The translation from Turkish is “Cotton Castle”. In truth, they are the gleaming white travertine terraces formed over millennia by mineral deposits where the flowing water is from natural springs and is credited with healing powers. Cleopatra is alleged to have swam in one of the pools, which is open to the public (optional entry to Cleopatra's Pool). Nearby are the ruins of Hierapolis, where the Roman baths converted into a church during the Byzantine era, the Baths and the Theater are located. The truly important thing about this site is its immense Necropolis and it is here that the remains of many of the sick who came to be cured in its hot springs and were unsuccessful are buried. Each tomb tells a story and they are small works of art.

They will also have time to walk around Pamukkale and bathe in its waters, reflect and even rejuvenate in its waters. We offer flexibility to swim in Cleopatra's pool (entrance to pool not included).

After the tour, transfer to the airport. Flight to Istanbul. Arrive and transfer to the hotel.Night in Istanbul

 Day 7: Istanbul (B)

After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby to start the tour

Visiting: HIPPODROME – HAGIA SOPHIA – BLUE MOSQUE – TOPKAPI PALACE – GRAND BAZAAR

Let’s start to explore Istanbul. First visit is Hippodrome. It was the center of sport activities of Constantinople.

Hagia Sophia, is the most famous museum in Turkey and one of the greatest marvels of architecture. Haghia Sophia was built as a church in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.

Blue Mosque, as known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, this breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman Mosques in all of Turkey.

Topkapi Palace, which has been home to the Ottoman dynasty for many years, was used for educational administrative and as the art center of the state. (Closed on Tuesday).

Grand Bazaar is the biggest market and the most attractive shopping center of Istanbul which has lots of shopping opportunities. (Closed on Sunday). Overnight in Istanbul

 Day 8 : Istanbul - Departure (B)

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to be transferred to Istanbul airport for your return international flight. We hope that your private visit to Turkey was memorable. Have a safe trip home. Thank you for choosing to travel with us!