Turkey

Meet  & assist  

Transfer to Hotel

Overnight  Istanbul

Highlights

am – Topkapi  Palace 

Soak up the opulence of Topkapi Palace The Topkapi Palace (Turkish:Ṭopḳapu Sarāyı), in Istanbul, is one of the oldest historical palaces in the world. It served as the main place of residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly four centuries ( between the 15th and 19th ) It was turned into a museum in 1924. The jeweled turban crests, silken caftans , priceless Chinese porcelains of the palace and approximately 300.000 archive documents, bear witness to the grandeur of a bygone era. Topkapi Palace is an interesting attraction point for tourists from all around the world with a huge impact on visitors who want to discover the history of Ottoman Empire 

Lunch at a local restaurant

pm - Visit to the World-Famous 15th century Grand Bazaar End the day at the Grand Bazaar, in the Old City, a favorite place for shopping. You can wander the labyrinth of streets and passages with more than 4,000 shops displaying jewellery, leather goods, carpets and more. Enjoy the art of bargaining and shop to your heart’s content.

Option – Dinner Cruise & Show

Overnight Istanbul

Highlights

The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, was completed in 1617 just prior to the untimely death of its then 27-year old eponymous patron, Sultan Ahmet I. The architect Mehmet dedicated the mosque to Sultan Ahmet 111. The Mosque dominates Istanbul’s majestic skyline with its elegant composition of ascending domes, six slender soaring minarets and 21,043 pieces of blue tiles. 

The Hagia Sophia, whose name means “holy wisdom,” was built by Justinian. It is a domed monument originally built as a Cathedral in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in the sixth century A.D. It contains two floors centered on a giant nave that has a great dome ceiling, along with smaller domes, towering above. The magnificent St. Sophia, with its massive dome was a daring engineering feat in the 6th century – architects still marvel at the buildings many innovations, once considered the greatest church in Christendom. It was proclaimed a Mosque soon after the conquest of the city by the Ottomans in 1453, that later was converted to a Museum You can witness Christian Mosaics with Islamic Scrolls throughout.

Lunch at a local restaurant

 pm –  Bosphorus Cruise , Spice Market

Enjoy Cruising the Bosphorus

In the afternoon, take a relaxing cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. View humble fishing villages, wooden Ottoman villas and contrasting suspension bridges set against the dramatic outline of the Strait. 

Shopping at Spice Market

Afterward, visit the lively Spice Market with its unforgettable aromas and shop till you drop ( for nuts, herbs ,Turkish Delight etc)

Overnight Istanbul

Highlights

Post breakfast, we depart for Cappadocia by bus 

Enroute we stop in Ankara, Capital of the Country to visit the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Father of the Nation 

Drive to Cappadocia for Dinner & Overnight

Highlights

am – Optional  – Balloon Flight

Fairy Chimney Rock Formations

Today, post breakfast we embark on a full day exploration of Cappadocia with its incredible fairy chimney rock formations. . Visit Göreme Valley, a magical little village set amid the surreal Cappadocia landscape with its spectacular view. Drive to the village of Avanos, famous for its beautiful old houses and onyx. Continue sightseeing by visits to the Uchisar Castle and Urgup Town with wonderful views of the City Our journey continues with visit to the Rose and Red valley, Cavusin old cave village and the Basilica of St. John.

We then explore the underground city of Ozkonak , where the early Christians escaped the persecution of the Romans by hiding in the intricate network of caves.Marvel at the ingenuity of the early settlers who hand-carved their homes into a volcanic rock.

Option – Folklore Show & Drinks  

Dinner and Overnight Cappadocia

Highlights

Visit to Mevlana Rumi Mausoleum

Konya, the old biblical city Iconium, where St. Pavlus stepped, was also the capital of Seljouk Kingdom. Upon arrival in Konya, we visit the Monastery of Whirling derwishes and the Mausoleum of Mevlana Celalledin Rumi .He was a 13th-century Persian poet, an Islamic dervish and a Sufi mystic. He is regarded as one of the greatest spiritual masters and poetical intellects. Born in 1207 AD, he belonged to a family of learned theologians. He made use of everyday life & circumstances to describe the spiritual world. The Mevlevi Sufi order was founded to follow his teachings.

Arrive  Pamukkale – Check in to Hotel 

Option – Hammam ( Turkish Bath ) 

Dinner and Overnight Pamukkale

Highlights

am – Visit the legendary site of  Pamukkale , with its fascinating chalky terraces and cotton castles  

Visit the old greco roman city of Hierapolis , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its famous Necropolis, the Theatre Agora , the Martyrium of St. Philip and last but not least the Pools of Cleopatra presented to her by her beloved Marc Anthony as a wedding gift. Sightseeing of the Cotton Castles continue -. Here spectacular natural hot springs with high calcium bicarbonate content cascade over the edge of the cliffs, leaving white terraces (the ‘cotton’). It;s been used as a spa since the 200 BC. Though you wont be able to bathe in these travertines, you can take a walk through them (after removing your shoes).

pm - Drive to Kusadasi 

Enroute - Visit a Carpet factory. 

Arrive – Check in to hotel.

Dinner and Overnight Kusadasi

Highlights

St. Mary, mother of Jesus, supposedly spent the last years of her life in Ephesus. According to this tradition, Mary arrived at Ephesus together with St. John and lived there until her Assumption (according to the Catholic doctrine) or Dormition (according to the Orthodox beliefs). The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi in Turkish) which can still be visited today. It is a place where, according to the beliefs of many people, Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent the last years of her life.

Optional visit to Ephesus, a stunning preserved ancient city followed by visit to the Temple of Artemis, which was then one of the seven wonders of the World Enjoy a display of latest leather fashion show
Dinner and Overnight Kusadasi  

pm - Enjoy a Fashion show at Leather factory

Dinner and Overnight Kusadasi

Highlights

Post breakfast drive to Canakkale 

Visit, Troy or Ilion was an ancient city, known as the setting for the Greek myth of the Trojan War. It was located at Hisarlik in present-day Turkey,

Then visit Pergemum on Cable Car to see the magnificent Acropolis, a former political powerhouse. Time permitting, we will visit the ancient medical centre Asclepion

Dinner and Overnight Canakkale  

Highlights

Post breakfast, Check out

Cross the Strait of Dardanelles to Istanbul

Arrive Istanbul – Check in to your Hotel

Remainder of the day at leisure.

Dinner & Overnight Istanbul

Highlights

Highlights