Visited Places: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus

 

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ITINERARY

After your arrival to Istanbul airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in Sultanahmet area (old Istanbul). You will have free time until noon. Around 13:30, half day bosporus cruise will start by the city walls in Sultanahmet and then we will take the cable car to cafe Pierre Loti. This cafe, located behind the Eyup Mosque at the top of the hill, is a small wooden building, typically oriental in its architecture. The cafe is named after the famous French writer Pierre Loti (1850-1923), who came here to work and contemplate the lovely panorama. After here, we will enjoy a boat cruise from Eyup all the way to Eminonu which forms the Goldenhorn.

 

During the cruise your guide will give information about Jewish and Orthodox Heritage. The cruise will continue to Bosporus. On our private boat, we will let you see the marvelous monuments and districts of the European and Asian shores like Maiden Tower (Kiz Kulesi), Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy, Fethi Ahmet Pasa Mansion, Ortakoy Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kuleli Military School, Arnavutkoy, Bebek and more. We will also see the Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisari), which was built by Mehmet the Conquerer in 1452, for preparation of his planned siege of Byzantine Constantinople.

 

After the cruise, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

 

After your breakfast at the hotel, we will start a full day Istanbul tour. This guided tour will include Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya, Church of Divine Wisdom), Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Obelisks, Grand Covered Bazaar, lunch, Topkapi Palace, The Treasury and Suleymaniye Mosque. After the tour, we will transfer you to hotel and than airport for the late Kayseri flight. Our representative will be waiting you at Kayseri Airport and you will come to Goreme in 1 hour. You will stay in a cave hotel in Goreme

 

After your breakfast at the hotel, we will join a full day Cappadocia tour. We will start by pausing at Esentepe to take in the panoramic view over the Goreme Valley. Then we will drive to Kaymakli to visit the extraordinary underground city which dates back to Hittite times and penetrates five layers deep in the soil. Next we will visitPasabag to see some of Cappadocia’s most spectacular fairy chimneys. After lunch we will drive to Devrent which is famous for its animal-shaped rocks. Then we will stop in Avanos where you will have your chance to throw a pot at one of the town’s many small potteries. Our tour will finish with the adventureous Rose Valley hike where we will use ropes to slide down through the rocks. Optional whirling dervishes ceremony can be viewed in the evening. Overnight in Goreme.

 

On your fourth day, you may have an optional hot air balloon flight with sunrise. After your breakfast at the hotel, we will start the second full day tour of Cappadocia which visits the highlights of southern Cappadocia. Our first stop will be a delightful 7 km walk through the dramatic Ihlara Gorge which has a pretty stream running along its bottom and many medieval frescoed churches clinging to its steep sides. After lunch in an inviting riverside restaurant we will visit the spectacular Selime monastery with its cathedral-sized church and evidence of later human habitation. Then we will drive to Guzelyurt, a pretty small town with many lovely old stone mansions, its own small underground city and the first Greek church of Cappadocia, St. Gregorious Ologos Nazanius Church from 4th century. Optional Turkish Night Show can be viewed in the eveing. Overnight in Goreme.

 

On your last day in Cappadocia, we will have a half day tour to Goreme Open Air Museum, which is protected by Unesco World Heritage list. Your guide will explain you all the meanings of the frescoes which tell stories from Jesus's life and bible, and cover the walls of cave churches. After the museum you will have free time for optional shopping. You can also go to Hamam (Turkish Bath). In the evening we will transfer you to bus station from your hotel and you will take the overnight bus to Pamukkale.

 

Our driver will pick you up from Bus Station and drive you to your hotel in Pamukkale. You will have free time to visit Pamukkale travertines, thermal pool and Hierapolis ruins. Optional guided tour to Hierapolis and Aphrodisias can be arranged as well. Overnight in Pamukkale.

 

After your breakfast you will take a bus to Selcuk. You will be transfered to your hotel in Selcuk or Sirince and have free afternoon. Overnight in Selcuk or Sirince.

 

On your 7th day in Turkey, you will take a full day tour Ephesus and Virgin Mary's House. The guided tour will start with Ephesusruins, after the open buffet lunch, you will visit Artemis Temple, Seven Sleepers Cave and Virgin Mary's House. Overnight in Selcuk or Sirince.

 

After your breakfast, we will transfer you to Izmir airport and you will take the Istanbul flight. Our driver will be waiting you at the exit gate of the airport. After your transfer to hotel in Istanbul, you will have free time for your last visits and shopping. Overnight in Istanbul.

 

After your breakfast, we will transfer you to Istanbul airport for flight back home.