Highlights: Istanbul - Cappadocia - Pamukkale - Kusadasi - Izmir



Itinerary:

Day 1: Friday, Istanbul
Dinner Following our arrival in Istanbul we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel where we will have our dinner and overnight stay

Day 2: Saturday, Istanbul
Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast we set off on a full day of sightseeing in Istanbul. We will start with a visit to the renewed Sultanahmet Mosque, known popularly as The Blue Mosque an incredibly beautiful mosque known for its blue Iznik (Nicaea) tiles are unique for the fact that it has six minarets. We continue on to the Hippodrome once the vast arena that functioned as the heart of sporting (chariots races and athletics) events and political activities of the old city. From here we go to the nearby Hagia Sophia the Church of Divine Wisdom. Ranking as one of the greatest marvels of world architecture, this awe-inspiring building was constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. After lunch our next visit will be Topkapi Palace which for more than 400 years was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans; now home to the priceless collections porcelain, jewelry, calligraphy and many masterpieces of art. The tour will end with the visit to the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry and carpets. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Sunday, Istanbul/ Cappadocia
Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
After breakfast we will check out from the hotel and start the day with the visit of The Spice Market. Built in 1664, this large, old stone building includes a large number of shops (and a restaurant on the second floor that has long held a venerable place in the life of the city). This collection of shops was actually part of the complex of the adjacent Yeni Camii (the New Mosque, whose construction started in 1597 and finished decades later). Since its construction, the Egyptian Spice Market has specialized in the sale of exotic spices. Today, these lovely small shops continue to sell spices and now also sell dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and other edibles. Some of the shops are gradually being transformed into shops featuring jewelry and other high margin items. Will continue the day with a Bosphorus cruise on a public boat. We cruise up Istanbul's winding straits and relax and admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces, and decadent yalls. You'll see Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Ottoman summer mansions, the Ortakoy Mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress, and the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the world's largest suspension bridges, all while passing fishing boats, yachts, huge cargo ships, and tankers. After lunch drive to the airport for our Cappadocia flight. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 4: Monday, Cappadocia
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The tour will start with a visit to the Underground City of Kaymakli, the place early Christians hid from persecutors. The ancient name was Enegup. The houses in the village are constructed around the nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city. The tunnels are still used today as storage areas, stables, and cellars. After lunch continue the day with the visit of Open Air Museum in Goreme and admire the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar and finally time for shopping for the wellknown merits of the area. Overnight will be in Cappadocia

Day 5: Tuesday, Cappadocia / Konya / Pamukkale
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After an early breakfast we set off for Pamukkale. On the way, we will visit the 13th century Sultanhan Caravanserai, a building that ranks as one of the Seljuk masterpiece. From here we will continue on to Konya where we will visit the Mevlana Museum, a museum and monastery complex that is dedicated to the life and teachings of the Rumi, the 13th century founder of the Whirling Dervish mystical order. After lunch we will continue to Pamukkale. We will dine and spend the night at our hotel in Pamukkale.

Day 6: Wednesday, Pamukkale / Kusadasi
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast we will visit the well-kept ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis. We will enjoy the opportunity to explore the site's Apollo Temple, Theatre and Necropolis. From here we continue on to Aprodisias, the city of the Goddess of Love see the well preserved Theatre, Stadium, the Odeon and the Agora. After lunch drive to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Thursday, Kusadasi / Izmir
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast we will continue on to Ephesus. Our first stop will be at the Basilica of St. John who came here with Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel. Once in the ancient city itself we will explore this ancient Roman city and visit the Library of Celcius, Temple of Hadrian, the Theatre and Odeon. We will leave the ruins to drive the short distance to the House of the Virgin Mary, a site that includes a house and garden where she is believed to have spent her last years. We will dine and spend the night at our hotel in Izmir.

Day 8: Friday, Izmir / Istanbul
Breakfast
After breakfast transfer to Izmir Airport for a short flight to Istanbul at 09:00 and return flight to home.