Itinerary
Day 1 - Athens to Istanbul
Morning flight from Athens to Istanbul - after arrival in Istanbul. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Istanbul on your own.
Day 2 - Istanbul - (B/L)
Sites you’ll see today
*Blue Mosque--World renown for it’s architecture and focal point for worshipping Muslims
*Haghia Sophia--1,400 year old supreme church from Byzantium times which houses famous Byzantine Mosaics *Byzantine Hippodrome--The focal point of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Constantine. Within it’s center you will see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column.
*Topkapi Palace--the residence and leadership center of the Sultans during the Ottoman Empire. It was built in 1459-1465 shortly after the conquest of Constantinople. You will see the Treasury that includes the Topkapi Dagger, the 86 carat Spoon Maker’s Diamond, and the jewel encased bones of St. John the Baptist’s skull and arm bone. You also will see the Harem where all the women of the Palace were "kept", and the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle that is home to some of the holiest Muslim relics...including the mantle worn by the Prophet Mohammed and hairs from his beard. After the tour we will provide a transfer to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Istanbul to Cappadocia - (B)
After breakfast we will take you on a half day tour of Istanbul.
Sites you’ll see today
Half day cruise on the Bosphorus. The Bosphorus - the waterway between two continents - is beautiful at any time, day or night in any season. On the way to the Black Sea, you can see the finest and richest examples of the Ottoman houses and palaces on the shores. Afternoon flight to Cappadocia - Arrive Cappadocia and check-in hotel - Overnight stay in Cappadocia
Day 4 - Cappadocia - (B/L)
Sites you’ll see today
*Underground City of Derinkuyu--You will gradually stroll your way down into the depths of the earth in this ancient underground city that has 18-20 floors as deep as 40 meters below the ground. Don’t worry, you will only go down to the 8th floor. Cappadocia has around 36 underground cities. Archeologists date these back to the time of the Hittites which lived 4000 years ago. Others believe they were inhabited around the 7th century BC.....Regardless of how old or young they are, undoubtedly they will leave you with a sense of awe of how the dwellers of these cities lived. As you wind down you will begin to feel as if you are in a huge block of Swiss cheese. Everywhere you look there will be nooks and crannies carved into the rocks: holes, windows , paths, alleys, little rooms. . . it is really a maze of mass proportions. You will see ancient kitchens and stables; storage jars for oil, wine and water; rock carved tables, chairs, and beds; and deep wells for water supplies.
*Traditional Anatolian village--The head-scarfed women out at work in the fields from sun up until sun-down, and the mustached, vest-wearing men hard at work playing cards in the coffee shops. You will get time to stroll in such a village and see the average Turkish villager at work...or play. >Breakfast/Lunch/ provided<overnight in URGUP or GOREME.
Day 5 - Cappadocia to Istanbul - (B/L)
This day will be spent exploring the amazing sites of Cappadocia.
Sites you’ll see today
*The World Heritage Site of Goreme Open-Air Museum --This is a cluster of rock cut Byzantine churches, chapels and monasteries which include some wonderful 11th and 12th century frescoes on the cave walls. This place was used by the Christians as a place of refuge from those opposed to Christianity and also was a major monastery. Rooms, churches, houses, and gathering halls have all been cut into the rock or formed from natural caves. Within the caves you can explore and see the preserved mosaics and frescoes.
*Fairy Chimneys--these geological phenomenon have been shaped over millions of years. They were formed during volcanic eruptions in the region. Reaching at times 40 meters in height, they are conical in shape and have a "hat" top to them.
*Devrent Valley--This valley is know as "the pink valley" because of the color of it‘s soil. This is a lovely place to wander around and look at the magical rock formations indicative to Cappadocia, including the Fairy Chimneys.
*Uchisar Castle--Also called a fortress, this is actually a formation of two gigantic rocks surrounded by smaller rocks that together form a natural fortress with towers. These formations were inhabited during both the Byzantine and Ottoman times. You can climb and explore the different caves and rooms throughout the fortress, experiencing first-hand what it must have been like to hide in these fortified rocks, waiting for the ancient enemy to pass by or give up.
*If time allows we will also get the chance to visit local craftspeople and learn how they make dolls and create traditional pottery. --- After the tour we will transfer you to Kayseri domestic airport , and put you on the evening flight back to Istanbul -- Overnight in Istanbul ( Breakfast/lunch provided )
Day 6 - Istanbul - (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in Istanbul, you may want to spent time at the grand bazaar or other places you wish to see. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 7 - Istanbul to Athens - (B)
After breakfast we will put you on a morning flight to Athens - Arrival in Athens and tour ends
Cost will be € 980 per person in double room and € 1180 for single supp.
Price includes
* All Transportation's by comfortable vehicles
* Centrally located charming hotels with breakfast & 3 Lunches
* Domestic flight tickets ( Athens to Istanbul - Istanbul to Athens)
* Professional English speaking guides
* Entrance fees to the Ancient sites
* All of the service charges and local taxes
Excludes
* Drinks with meals
* Hot Air Balloon ride on Cappadocia (15 Percent discount if booked with this program)
( This is a customize program and it is available all year around, if you are interested in getting more information about the cost, and hotel name and their web sites, then simply send us an e-mail inquiry and let us know the dates you like to travel, then we will get back to you with full on information.
We can also extend your stay by adding more sights like Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Fethiye or more days in either in Istanbul and make the program suitable for your time and interest.
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