8 NIGHTS / 9 DAYS
Plan
DAY 01: ISTANBUL
Arrival and reception at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. OPTIONAL: CRUISE ON THE BOSPHORUS AT NIGHT.
DAY 02: ISTANBUL - ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast departure to Ankara, capital of modern Turkey, passing through the Bolu Mountains. Arrival and visit to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic. Completed in 1953 it is a stunning fusion of ancient and modern architectural styles. Visit to the Independence Museum which houses a wax statue of Ataturk, his writings, letters and personal objects as well as an exhibition of photographs, recordings of important moments in his life and the constitution of the new Turkish Republic. Continuation to Cappadocia. Visit of Saratli underground city. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 03: CAPPADOCIA
At dawn you will have the opportunity to participate in an optional hot air balloon excursion. After breakfast, visit this fantastic region for its fascinating and original landscape formed by the lava spewed by the Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes 3 million years ago. We start the day with a visit to the Goreme Valley. Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum with its numerous monasteries and chapels carved into the rocks and decorated with 10th century frescoes (some of them very well preserved). Then we will visit one of the typical onyx and turquoise workshops. Visit the valleys of love, Devren, Avcilar and Guvercinlik, which have a spectacular landscape of the “Fairy Chimneys”. Visit to one of the typical carpet workshops. Dinner at the hotel. OPTIONAL:
DAY 04: CAPPADOCIA – KONYA – PAMUKKALE
Early departure to Pamukkale via Konya, capital of the Seljuk sultans in the 11th century and birthplace of Mevlana, poet and philosopher founder of the mystical and religious sect of the Dancing Dervishes. Lunch and continuation to Pamukkale, a spectacular and unique place in the world for its dazzling white waterfalls and natural pools. Its translation from Turkish is “cotton castle.” OPTIONAL opportunity to take a balloon flight over Pamukkale. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 05: PAMUKKALE – EPHESUS – KUSADASI OR IZMIR
After breakfast, continue to Ephesus, Greco-Roman city, ancient capital of Asia Minor and one of the best preserved ancient cities today, where the Temple of Hadrian, Temple of Trajan, the Theatre, the Library of Celsus, etc. are located. Continuation to the House of Virgin Mary, place where he spent the last years of his life. Opportunity to visit one of the typical leather factories. Arrival in Kusadasi or Izmir. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 06: KUSADASI – IZMIR – TROY – CANAKKALE
After breakfast, visit to Izmir, the third largest city in Türkiye. Visit to the clock tower and panoramic walk through the famous “kordon”. In the afternoon visit to Troy. The legendary town in the Iliad of Homer and the Wooden Horse. Accommodation and Dinner in Canakkale.
DAY 07: CANAKKALE - ISTANBUL
After breakfast departure to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. You can take our optional tour with lunch included, between Asia and Europe: Visit to the colorful and aromatic Spice Bazaar specialized in nuts, spices and typical products. In the port of Eminonu we will take the boat to take the cruise through the Bosphorus (strait that separates the two continents Asia and Europe), where you can see the beautiful Ottoman villas, the palaces of Dolmabahce, Ciragan, Beylerbeyi, the fortress of Rumeli Hisari, etc. Transfer to the hotel.
DAY 08: ISTANBUL
Day off. You can take our optional tour with lunch included: Ottoman and Byzantine Tour: Visit to the old part where the most outstanding Ottoman and Byzantine monuments are concentrated. We will begin with a visit to the ancient Roman Hippodrome where the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column and the German Fountain stand out. After visiting the famous Blue Mosque, the only one in the world with 6 minarets, you will visit the famous Hagia Sophia, the symbol of Istanbul. One of the masterpieces of Byzantine art. Declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1985. Visit to Topkapi Palace, the famous and gigantic enclosure from which the Ottoman Empire was led for almost 400 years. Free time in the Grand Bazaar.
DAY 09: ISTANBUL
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to return to your country.
INCLUDES
- Spanish speaking guide
- all transportation
- all the visits that are mentioned in the program.
- all the meals that are mentioned in the program.
NOT INCLUDED
- All personal expenses
- Tip 7 dollars per day throughout the program
- Drinks
PLANNED OR SIMILAR HOTELS
- Ninova Thermal Hotel Pamukkale 4* or Similar
- Ramada Encore Istanbul 4* or Similar
- Moustafa de Cappadocia 4* or Similar
- Windsor Istanbul 5* or Similar