Turkish Heritage Path

Upon arrival you will be greeted, you will meet the guide (English speaking).. Then enjoy your Istanbul sightseeing tour. Your tour starts with a visit to the Hippodrome, was the centre of the civil activities back in the Hellenistic and Roman times. At the Hippodrome the chariot and horse races and athletic runs took place for the entertainment of the people of Constantinople. Nearby is the Blue Mosque, was built between 1609 and 1616, its more than 20,000 blue Iznik (Nicaea) tiles and unique with its 6 minarets which is a unique feature of this mosque. After lunch break, continue to the St. Sophia, is the former Cathedral of Constantinople, considered as the masterpiece of the early Byzantine architecture. St. Sophia is renowned for its superb mosaic decoration as well as its architectural style. Back in Byzantine Empire, most emperors were crowned in this cathedral after a special ceremony. Finally a visit the famous Grand Covered Bazaar, which is the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets, for a “shopping spree” in this labyrinth of more than 4000 shops. Choose leather, carpets, jewels or copper crafts, but be sure to bargain! Free time for the rest of the day… Then transfer back to the hotel. Lunch and dinner services will be under own arrangement. B

Today after breakfast at the hotel, Next see the Topkapi Palace, was the residence and administrative centre of Ottoman Sultans (housing the souvenirs of 600 years). In the grounds of the Topkapi Palace are many courtyards surrounded by old buildings each housing small museums with exhibits of jewellery, costumes, calligraphy and various objects that belonged to the Imperial treasury of the Ottoman Sultans. the Dolmabahçe Palace, used as the imperial residence fort he last Ottoman sultans. Its beauty is incomparable. 14 tons of püre gold were used in its interior decoration, priceless paintings and furniture, and a rich collection of Bohemian crystal. (The harem is excluded in the tour). After the historical journey boat tour on the Bosphorus Strait that separates Asia from Europe and connects the Marmara Sea to the Black Sea. You will get the best views of the city and most of the historical monuments in Istanbul. Afterwards, visiting Spice Bazaar and free time for shopping and/or Hamam. B

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive from İstanbul to Kusadasi enjoy your full day Ephesus tour. Your tour starts with a visit to the Ephesus Archaeological Site, the great city and metropolitan centre of the Antiquity, whose extensive ruins are among the best preserved in the world. As we walk down the main street of Ephesus, we will visualize its ancient life and buildings. After lunch break, we drive up to the Virgin Mary's House claimed to be the true place where Mother Mary spent her last years before she had died in this area. This is one the most important pilgrimage shrines in the world. Drive up to Sirince, is a traditional village situated on a hill top. The village people still produce embroidery and lace work and also a good place to taste some local Turkish wine and a break for shopping B

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive from Kusadasi to Pamukkale. Once known as Hierapolis, which means holy city, to see the famous necropolis, includes the magnificently preserved Necropolis, the main Street and Gates, the thermal Baths, the devil’s hole, and Masterpiece Theatre. Hierapolis is a famous for healing thermal / mineral Baths and beautifully snow-white "petrified waterfalls". B

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive from Pamukkale to Cappadocia. Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting in Cappadocia and visit the Goreme open air museum is a natural citadel carved in rocks. Then drive to Camel Rock Valley to see the troglodyte dwellings where people lived until mid-20th century. The lunch service will be under own arrangement. After lunch break, continue to visit to the Red Valley, and finally a visit to a Wine House where you can taste local production Cappadocia wines. Cappadocia is famous for its fertile vineyards due to the mineral-laden volcanic soil of the area. Overnight is at the Kale Konak Hotel. B

Optional Hot Air Balloon Tour. After breakfast at the hotel, you will be met with the guide at the hotel’s lobby in the morning and visit the Cavusin, an old Greek village, known for its Christian houses and churches. After having time for lunch visit Ortahisar Castle, similar to Uchisar Castle in style, where storage caves can also be observed. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli Underground City where early Christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back visit to panoramic Pigeon Valley where pigeons contributed to the lives of locals with their manure to fertilize the wine yards. You may also like to taste Cappadocia wine in a local winery. And also visit to Rose Valley, one of the most beautiful trekking valleys in Cappadocia, and explore the famous rock- cut churches by hiking through the valley. Then you will visit Devrent Valley, where various types of fairy chimneys are abundant. We will walk through this amazing valley. Thereafter visit Pasabagi (Monk's Valley) with multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. After visiting Pasabagi, drive to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak River, is the longest river of Turkey.. Drive to the hotel after the Whirling dervishes performance at Dervish Evi. Local lunch at house Cappadocia. Dinner services will be under own arrangement. Overnight is the selected hotel. B

After breakfast depart for Cappadocia for your flight to home via Istanbul. B

Meals: B= Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner