Turkey

Meet & Greet at Airport . Transfer to Hotel

Remainder of the day at leisure. 

Overnight Istanbul

Highlights

am – Topkapi Palace / Blue Mosque/ Hagia Sofia

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 

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.

Enjoy a break for Lunch

pm – Bosphorus Cruise / Spice Market

Bosphorus Cruise

Today we enjoy a Bosphorus Cruise along the majestic waterway that

separates Asia and Europe. This unforgettable cruise is considered a

jewel of Istanbul where you will witness palaces, mansions , fortresses

and Ottoman Villas

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 )

Highlights

am - Post breakfast, check out and board flight to Cappadocia

pm –Half Day Sightseeing Tour of Cappadocia

This afternoon, after arrival at airport, transfer to Hotel, to

check in. We then depart for a guided tour of Northern

Cappadocia. Following are the places we will visit

Goreme Open Air Museum, the biggest monastery complex of

the region .

Dervent Valley, called the imagination valley.

Avanos, where we will walk along the red river

Pasabag fairy chimneys & Urgups fairy chimneys offering great

panorama

Cavusin Village, an ancient Greek settlement

Dinner and Overnight Cappadocia

Highlights

Optional – Early morning Balloon flight , prior to breakfast

am –Morning tour of Cappadocia

Post breakfast we will pick you up from the Hotel for the start of the guided tour of Southern Cappadocia. Places we will visit will be as follow

Piegon Valley , point well known for its photographic views

Kaymakli, an underground complex made in primitive style

Rose Valley, a favourite spot for hikers

Uchisar Castle, the largest natural fairy chimneys in the region

Estenpe  Panorama, a touristic viewpoint 

pm – Drive to Antalya

Check in to Hotel . Remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy the beaches

 Dinner and Overnight Antalya

Highlights

 Optional   -    Half Day City Tour of Antalya

Today on your Optional sightseeing tour of Antalya, you visit the landmarks such as the Republic Sq, which is the testament to Türkiye’s journey to Independence and formation of its Republic .The old City Kaleci, which has structures dating back from Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman eras. Followed by visit to the Hadrian Gate, a memorial built by Roman Emperor Hadrian upon his visit in 130 CE as well as the Broken Minaret, which belongs to the ruined Korkut Mosque. And finally to one of the most famous waterfalls , the Karpuzkaldiran Waterfalls

We head back to the hotel to enjoy the beaches 

Dinner and Overnight Antalya

Highlights

 Post breakfast, we check out of the Hotel and drive to Pamukkale                        

am  -    Visit to Rumi Mausoleum enroute

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

 Dinner and Overnight Pamukale

Highlights

am - Visit fascinating chalky terraces & cotton castles of Pamukkale

Post breakfast, 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 200BC. Though you won’t be able to bathe in these travertines, you can take a walk through them (after removing your shoes).

pm -  Drive to Kusadasi. 

Enroute , you will  and leather factory where you will be entertained with a fashion show and have time to do some shopping. You will also pay visits to carpet , ceramic and textile shops

Dinner and Overnight Kusadasi

Highlights

am    -     Visit House of Mother Mary

Post breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the Hotel and drive you to House of Virgin Mary, where she passed away. This site if considered the most sacred site for Christian Pilgrimage. It is visited by millions of people every year

pm – Optional Tour of Ephesus

Today you may take an Optional Tour of Ephesus Ancient City, dating back 2000BC

Most popular highlights are the Hadrian Temple, Celcius Library and the Great Theatre Odeon, constructed in the second century

Late evening, prepare to drive to the airport to board your flight 

 Or  Take an Optional 4 Night Greek Cruise 

Highlights