ISTANBUL AND CAPPADOCIA IN 5 DAYS – ECO

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,

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 3rd and 4th 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.  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.

Optional: Afternoon Magnificent Istanbul tour – pick up by 13:00, drop off by 17:00 (Lunch will be included if combined with morning tour);

Come on a tour to the famous Topkapi Palace and skip the queues that flock to see this magnificent and historically significant site. Built in the middle of the 15th century, the walled complex comprised of the palace and its buildings dominate a small raised peninsula. The buildings are nestled within beautiful grounds that sweep down to the sea. For centuries, the palace was the political centre of the highly influential Ottoman Empire and although it is now purely a museum, as you visit its parts including courtyards, the Treasury, various pavilions, the holy relics, weapons and the Harem you will see how great it was.

Originally meaning “sacred peace”, the Hagia Irene is located in the outer courtyard of Topkapi Palace and it is the oldest church of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine). The building reputedly stands on the site of a pre-Christian temple. It ranks as the first church completed in Constantinople, before Hagia Sophia, during its transfiguration from a Greek trading colony to the Eastern capital of the Roman Empire. It was also the second largest church in Istanbul after Hagia Sophia.

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.

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 10th and 12th centuries. The day finishes at Uchisar Castle, a fortress that was cut from a large and tall fairy chimney.

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,

Half day tour of Spice Bazaar & Bosphorus – 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 Eminounu, continue your tour into the historic Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar nearby that is bursting with traditional sweets, coffee and spices, and oozing with appeal.

Optional: Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus – pick up by 19:00, drop off by 23:45;

Join us for an unforgettable evening on the enchanting Bosporus River in Istanbul! Experience the perfect blend of dining, entertainment, and stunning views aboard our exquisite party dinner cruise. Enjoy a Sea breeze and the lights of Istanbul from the water during this evening cruise on the Bosphorus Strait.

Your evening includes a delicious dinner, unlimited drinks, belly dancing, regional dancing, folk shows.

Be ready to sail through the heart of this mesmerizing city. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, as live music fills the air and a lively DJ sets the stage for non-stop dancing and celebration. Capture breathtaking panoramic vistas of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks, beautifully illuminated against the night sky. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking an extraordinary night out, our party dinner cruise on the Bosporus River guarantees an extraordinary experience you won’t want to miss. Book your place now and embark on an unforgettable journey of entertainment, and pure enchantment!

Third overnight stay at your hotel in Istanbul,

Free day,

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