Private arrival and departure transfers from/to airports in Istanbul, Izmir and Kayseri
Accommodation for 4 nights in Istanbul, 1 night in Kusadasi and 1 night in Cappadocia (cave hotel), in selected hotels sharing double occupancy in standard double room on bed and breakfast basis
Full day, guided Istanbul tour visiting Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar
Full day, guided tour visiting the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), Bosporus boat trip, Underground Cistern
Round trip economy air tickets from Istanbul to Izmir, from Izmir to Cappadocia and from Cappadocia to Istanbul
Guided Ephesus tour visiting the Artemission Temple and the House of Virgin Mary. Lunch included
Guided Cappadocia tour visiting the three sisters fairy chimneys, the Kaymakli Underground City, the Pasabag fairy chimneys, the Goreme open air museum and the Uchisar Rock Castle
Professional, licensed English speaking guide
Transportation with private AC vehicle
All entrance fees for the guided tour included in the itinerary
All service fees and local taxes
24-hour assistance telephone service
Departs: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
Visiting: Istanbul, Hipodromme, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Cappadocia, Underground cities, Goreme, Uchisar and Valleys in Cappadocia, Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary, Artemission Temple (Optional additions: St. John's Basilica, the Museum and Sirince)
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Istanbul Arrival at Istanbul Int'l airport. Welcome and briefing by our representative who will meet you at the airport with your name on a company sign. Private transfer to the hotel for overnight stay in Istanbul
Day 2: Full-day Istanbul tour After breakfast, at approximately 09:00am, pick up from your hotel and your journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - its three names span more than 2,600 years, nearly 1,600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known; the Byzantine and the Ottoman. We visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. Visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping. Overnight in Istanbul (B)
Day 3: Full-day Istanbul tour - Bosporus boat trip After breakfast, at approximately 08:30am, pick up from your hotel and start our tour by first visiting the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar). The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. Continue with a Bosporus boat trip; a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses and small fishing villages. Afternoon visit to the Underground Cistern. Overnight in Istanbul (B)
Day 4: Istanbul - Ephesus tour 07:15am pick up from your hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for a 09:10am morning flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir airport at 10:00am. Met by your tour guide and drive to Ephesus (a 45 minutes drive). First visit the Artemission Temple, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Then on to visit Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionia (an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor) located near Izmir. Known in antiquity for its sacred shrines, notably a famous temple (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) to goddess Artemis, or Diana, the city was also an important center of early Christianity. After Ephesus, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicraft center. Here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets. After lunch visit the House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus. During the 3rd Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967 Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here. Transfer to your hotel for overnight in Kusadasi (B)
Day 5: Kusadasi - Cappadocia 08:00am. Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Izmir airport for your flight to Cappadocia via Istanbul. Arrive in Kayseri airport where you will be welcomed by your guide. Transfer to your hotel. At approximately 15:00pm start your private Cappadocia tour. First visit the Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup most popular as seen on advertisements. Then we head on to Pigeons Valley. Pigeons have been always important for Cappadocian people. That is why people carved some pigeon houses to keep them in certain places. You will see that the houses for the pigeons are like the houses for the people. We then descend into the center of the earth in the Kaymakli Underground City, one of the largest and deepest among 200 others in Cappadocia. Overnight in a cave hotel (B)
Day 6: Cappadocia tour - Istanbul After breakfast we start our second day private Cappadocia tour. Drive to Devrent Valley, take a walk through this lunar landscape where different rock formations can be seen. Seeing the best examples of the fairy chimneys at Pasabag Fairy Chimneys Valley, we drive further to Avanos Town, which is famous for its tile and pottery workshops. After lunch our next stop is Goreme open air museum, where you will enjoy the fantastic rock churches and beautiful frescos from various centuries decorating the walls of the churches. We then drive to the Uchisar Rock Castle, which is the highest and the most dominant point, giving us a breathtaking panorama. We end the day visiting Esentepe Windy Hill for a panaromic view and for taking photos. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel for overnight (B)
Day 7: Istanbul - Departure After breakfast check out from the hotel and private transfer to Istanbul Int'l airport for departure
Notes
Rates upon request for higher class hotel accommodation
Greek phrase of the day
ti' o'ra ei'nai ?: what time is it ?
Did you know that...
amphoras were used to store wine, milk and honey ?
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