Istanbul Cappadocia vacation package covering the most important sites of Istanbul, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk in Ankara and the famous Cappadocia area.
DAY 1: ISTANBUL: Arrival in Istanbul, welcome & assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel. Free day.
DAY 2: ISTANBUL: After breakfast full day visit to Istanbul. We begin our tour from the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul at Agia Sophia. 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 (closed on Mondays).
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.
The Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4.000 shops are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewellery, ceramics, icons and leather goods (Closed on Sundays).
Lunch in a local restaurant and continuation of our tour. Our afternoon will begin at Topkapi Palace which, from the 15th to 19th century, was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans (closed on Tuesdays).
Little Agia Sophia Mosque is known as one of the oldest standing churches in Istanbul dating back to 6th century. It is early domed-basilica architectural plan of famous Agia Sophia which was applied here first time in the history.
DAY 3: ISTANBUL – ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA: In the morning, transfer to airport for flight to Ankara. Arrival in Ankara & then to the city to visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk. Lunch and continue to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: CAPPADOCIA:Visit the spectacular Cappadocia region, unique for its fascinating and unique landscape formed by the lava thrown out by volcanoes Erciyes and Hasan, 3 million years ago. Visit the many monasteries and chapels in Goreme, World Heritage Site by UNESCO, dug into the rocks and decorated with frescoes of the tenth century (some of them very well preserved). Pass by and admire a panoramic view of the castle of Uchisar on top of a mound of volcanic rock crossed by tunnels and windows and Avcilar Valley. Lunch and in the afternoon, visit the village of Avanos, famous for its handicrafts and valleys and G?vercinlik Valley (Pigeon Valley). Visit the underground city of Kaymakli or Serhatli, one of 36 underground cities of Cappadocia served as a refuge for Christians. Return to hotel and dinner.