Turkey

Arrival to Istanbul and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day on Leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

After the breakfast, we begin our tour from the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul at Agia Sophia (Hagia Sophia mosque from Outside). Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses. Next, we visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial Mosque with six minarets. The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100.000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. After lunch break we continue our tour at Topkapi Palace (from Outside) which, from the 15th to 19th century, was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Final visit will be to the Grand Bazaar which was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4.000 shops are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons and leather goods. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

If you feel the need to escape from the bustle of Istanbul for a day, nothing could be easier. You simply join us abroad a ferry boat for the charming Princes’ Islands. Our destination is Büyükada (Pringipo), the largest of the island chain. All are famous for their mild climates, lush vegetation and ornate Ottoman houses and on all of them cars are banned. The preferred means of transportation is now the electric vehicles as horse-drawn carriages are banned due to a law). Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Cappadocia. Arrival and transfer. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Our first real encounter with Cappadocia almost Martian landscape is in the Dervent valley. We visit Pasabag’s “fairy chimneys”, where the voice of the wind harmonizes with songs of the fairies. From here we pause at Avanos center of terracotta art which is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over the river and is its production of earthenware pottery, it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used. A visit to ceramic & tile center to see how the ceramics made by hand. After lunch we visit the famous Zelve Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia. People of Goreme, at the heart of the Cappadocia Region, realized that these soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post-iconoclastic period. These frescoes are a unique artistic achievement from this period. You visit a carpet cooperative, where you'll see how exquisite Turkish carpets are hand-woven. We complete the tour with a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Istanbul to take the international flight.