4‑Day Istanbul & Cappadocia Explorer: History, Culture & Fairy Chimneys – P06

Welcome to Turkey. Arrive at Istanbul Airport, get picked up and transfer to your hotel. Check in,

Free day,

First overnight stay at your hotel in Istanbul,

Breakfast,

Half day tour of Iconic Istanbul – pick up by 08:30, drop off by 12:30;

You can take in some of the most iconic sights of Istanbul in this morning tour that commences with a visit to the Blue Mosque.  This magnificent mosque which was designed by Sinan and completed in 1616 is known for its majesty and superb iznik ceramic tiling.

Continue outside to stroll along the Hippodrome.  This vast public space was built by the Romans in the 3^rd and 4^th centuries AD to accommodate events such as chariot races and gladiator fights.  It is also home to the Column of Constantine, an Egyptian obelisk and the Serpentine Column.

Next to the Hippodrome we will visit the Hagia Sophia (only from outside view, no interior visit).  Originally built in 537AD as a Greek Orthodox church, this breath-taking building was converted to a mosque by the Ottomans and is now a museum.  Inside there are two floors built around a central nave.  It is adorned with superb decorations and has an enormous dome that soars overhead.

Finish the morning with a walk through the Grand Bazaar for some shopping or just to absorb the sights, sounds and historic architectural beauty of this bustling market.

Evening transfer to Istanbul Airport and flight to Kayseri/Nevsehir, arrive and transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia following the flight, check-in.

Overnight stay at your hotel in Cappadocia,

Optional: Morning Hot Air Balloon Flight Cappadocia – Early morning at Sunrise;

Have you thought of making a hot air balloon trip one of the highlights of your trip to Turkey? It is hard to imagine anywhere better to experience the thrill of the ride than above the incredible landscape of Cappadocia. In a balloon, you can take in the beauty and expanse of this breath-taking place from a different perspective as you drift in silence to heights of up to 700 meters.

Breakfast,

Full day Regional Tour – pick up by 09:30, drop off by 16:00;

Cappadocia is known for its stunning conical rock formations (fairy chimneys), colourful landscapes and ancient homes that were carved into the rock formations. This tour takes you through the beautiful Devrent (Imagination) Valley where fairy chimneys tower overhead before moving into Pasabag (Monk Valley) nearby, where the fairy chimneys have strange double and triple-headed caps.

After lunch at Avanos, you will visit the Goreme open air museum that has churches and frescoes from the 10^th and 12^th centuries. The day finishes at Uchisar Castle, a fortress that was cut from a large and tall fairy chimney.

Or;

Full day Hiking and Underground City Tour – pick up by 09:30, drop off by 16:00;

The hike starts in Red Valley which is known for its stunning scenery, colourful rock cliffs and beautiful fairy chimneys. After walking for a short time, you will arrive at Cavusin, a Greek village that features rock-cut churches.

After lunch, the tour continues to the underground city of Ozkonak which is the largest underground city in the region, and Pigeon Valley where dove cotes, many of which are decorated, have been carved into the rock. The last stop is the rugged Ortahisar Castle which is the largest fairy chimney in Cappadocia.

Evening transfer to Kayseri/Nevsehir Airport and flight to Istanbul. Arrive and transfer to your hotel following the flight, check-in.

Second overnight stay at your hotel in Istanbul,

Breakfast,

Half day tour of Europe & Asia – pick up by 08:30, drop off by 12:30;

Take a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, the busy waterway that runs between the Marmara and Black Seas with European Istanbul on one shore and Asian Istanbul on the other. Sit back, relax and enjoy the fresh air, the sea and the sights as you pass magnificent palaces, mosques, mansions and places of historical note.

After getting off the boat at Eminonu, continue your tour into the historic Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar nearby that is bursting with traditional sweets, coffee and spices, and oozing with appeal.

Evening transfer to Istanbul Airport 4 hours before your flight. End of our services here. Thank you for choosing us for your travel in Turkey.