Turkish Express with Istanbul and Cappadocia

Following our arrival in Istanbul we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for overnight stay. • Welcome Gift, Nazar Boncuk (Turkish Blue Eyed Bead) Nazar Boncugu is a glass bead that protects the holder from evil eye. It is pretty common in Turkey. Have a look around and you might discover countless Nazar Boncuks dangling from cars, from rear-view windows, backpacks, on necklaces and bracelets, pinned to the sweaters of babies and small children, and hanging above doors in restaurants, hotels, stores, and apartments

After breakfast we set off on a full day of sightseeing in Istanbul. We will start with visit to the renewed Sultanahmet Mosque, known popularly as The Blue Mosque an incredibly beautiful mosque known for its blue Iznik (Nicaea) tiles are unique for the fact that it has six minarets. We continue on to the Hippodrome once the vast arena that functioned as the heart of sporting (chariots races and athletics) events and political activities of the old city. From here we go to the nearby Hagia Sophia the Church of Divine Wisdom. Ranking as one of the greatest marvels of world architecture, this awe-inspiring building was constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. After lunch our next visit will be Topkapi Palace which for more than 400 years was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans; now home to the priceless collections porcelain, jewelry, calligraphy and many masterpieces of art. The tour will end with the visit to the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry and carpets. The tour will end with the visit to the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry and carpets.

Today we will have Bosphorus cruise on regular boat. We’ll cruise up Istanbul’s winding straits and relax and admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces, and decadent yalıs. You’ll see Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Ottoman summer mansions, the Ortaköy Mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress, and the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, all while passing fishing boats, yachts, huge cargo ships, and tankers. We will end the tour with a visit to the Spice Market. Built in 1664, this large, old stone building includes a large number of shops (and a restaurant on the second floor that has long held a venerable place in the life of the city). This collection of shops was actually part of the complex of the adjacent Yeni Camii (the “New Mosque,” whose construction started in 1597 and finished decades later). Since its construction, the Egyptian Spice Market has specialized in the sale of exotic spices. Today, these lovely small shops continue to sell spices and now also sell dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and other edibles. Some of the shops are gradually being transformed into shops featuring jewelry and other high margin items. Afternoon free day at leisure.

After breakfast transfer to Istanbul Airport for a short flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport. Upon arrival Meet & Greet and private transfer to our hotel in Cappadocia. Balance of the day at leisure . Overnight at our hotel

After breakfast, we will explore the famous valleys of Cappadocia. It is a unique location in the world with one of a kind natural rock formation. A very long time ago, volcanic eruptions caused the lava flow that dried above the Earth’s crust and formed tufa rocks. Erosion shaped them into famous formations called “fairy chimneys,” but it is not only the landscape that makes this place unique. Hittites chiseled the soft tufa stones to carve out this fairy tale world into homes, stables, shops, churches, hospitals, etc., etc. Early Christians carved caves and made frescoes of Biblical scenes on the walls of these rock-carved chapels. Some of these frescoes are still incredibly vivid, attesting to the skills and religious fervor of the faithful. Within the Cappadocia region we will visit Goreme Open Air Museum, Devrent, Pasabag, Uchisar, Avanos and Urgup ( Three beauties ) the latter providing us with the opportunity to purchase some pottery made by kick-wheel method.

After breakfast drive to the Underground City Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu. After then you will visit Selimiye Monastry in Selimiye Village. Ihlara Canyon - hike 4 km along the Melendiz River. Along this way you will reach the local restaurant in Belisirma and will enjoy your lunch under the trees and in green. On the back way you will stop at panoramic Pigeon Valley for take pictures from the unique Cappadocia and then to Esentepe Panorama (view over Göreme Village ).

After breakfast transfer to airport for your flight . Breakfast included