Ankara Cappadocia Pamukkale Ephesus Vacation 8 days

Arrival in Istanbul, welcome & assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel. Free day.

After breakfast full day visit to Istanbul. We begin our tour from the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul and pass by 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. Then we will visit the Topkapi Palace which, from the 15th to 19th century, was the principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans (closed on Tuesdays). 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. Lunch in a local restaurant and continuation of our tour with visit to the Roman Hippodrome and time at the Grand Bazaar. 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).

In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Ankara. Arrive in Ankara, the Turkish capital and then to town to visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which has a rich collection of finds from Asia Minor, mainly Hittites. Then we will visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk (founder of modern Turkey). Lunch and Continuation of the trip to Cappadocia passing by the Salt Lake. Dinner and overnight.

We will visit the spectacular region of Cappadocia, unique for its fascinating and unique landscape formed by the lava thrown by the volcanoes Erciyes and Hasan, 3 million years ago. Visit the numerous monasteries and chapels of Goreme, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, excavated in the rock and decorated with frescoes of the tenth century (some of them very well preserved). Pass and enjoy a panoramic view of Uchisar Castle on top of a mound of volcanic rock traversed by tunnels and windows and Avcilar Valley. Lunch and in the afternoon, visit the town of Avanos, famous for its crafts and valleys and Góvercinlik Valley (Valley of the Doves). Visit the underground city of Kaymakli or Serhatli, one of the 36 underground cities of Cappadocia that served as a refuge for Christians. Return to the hotel and dinner.

Early departure to Pamukkale. On the way visit the Caravansarai of Sultanhan, where they used to stop camel caravans on the silk route. Lunch, then continue to Pamukkale, visiting Hierapolis which is located neither on the ground nor in the rock, but in solid limestone layers formed by limestone water that flowed for centuries on this high-level plateau. The name means “sacred city”, and according to Stephanus of Byzantium, the city received this name due to the large number of temples it contained, then the Necropolis ruins, the Roman Baths, the Basilica, and the limestone cliffs. Dinner and overnight stay

Pamukkale is a beautiful and spectacular natural site, unique in the world with its dazzling waterfalls of white and petrified lime. There you will see the thermal water loaded with calcareous salt, descending the slope that has created this natural formation of stalactites, waterfalls and basins. Thermal water has been used since Roman times for its therapeutic powers. Drive to Meryemana and visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where you spent the last days of your life. Authenticated by Pope Paul VI in 1967, the cabin is a place of pilgrimage for many believers. After lunch, continue to Ephesus, the Roman capital in Asia Minor. The ancient city of Ephesus was an important centre for early Christianity. In the book of Revelation, Ephesus was one of the seven churches to which Christ addressed himself in a vision. This is where you’ll find the Temple of Artemis, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Your guide will also show you the Grand Theater, the Library of Celsius, the ruins of Odeon, the Arch of Hercules, the Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent library, the Agora and the Greco-Roman Theater. Drive to Izmir airport for the flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. DA

A free day to the mythical city of Istanbul. A full day in the ancient city with countless elegant minarets and mosques. The mix of East and West has resulted in some of the most impressive architectural monuments worldwide as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Another important thing to experience in Istanbul is to be lost in the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest markets in the world of its kind, where the colours and smells of the mountains of spices, colourful clothes and silver jewellery and intoxicate our hours. Haggling is, of course, the standard through the purchase.

At the appointed time will be transferred to Istanbul airport to board the return flight.

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