Istanbul and Cappadocia Tour

Day 1 – Istanbul Old City Today we will pick you up from your hotel and begin our discovery of Istanbul Old City. Our first visit will be the legendary Hagia Sophia, built about 1,500 years ago and one of the most important monuments of the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Next, we will visit the famous Blue Mosque, completed in 1616. After leaving the mosque, we will explore the Hippodrome, the ancient stadium of Constantinople, where chariot races and important public events were held. Then we will visit the fascinating Underground Cistern, an impressive Byzantine water reservoir beneath the city. Finally, we will visit Topkapi Palace, built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror after the conquest of Constantinople. For centuries, it served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and the residence of the Ottoman sultans. At the end of the tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

Day 2 – Bosphorus Cruise & Istanbul Highlights Today we will continue our Istanbul sightseeing tour. Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, was the capital of three great empires and is the only major city located on two continents, Europe and Asia. We will begin with a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise, where you will enjoy beautiful views of the city from the water. Along the way, we will pass close to Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Yildiz Palace, and Ortakoy. Next, we will visit the historic Chora Church, famous for its beautiful Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. In the afternoon, we will visit the magnificent Suleymaniye Mosque, commissioned by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and designed by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. Then we will explore the colorful Spice Bazaar, one of the traditional centers of Istanbul's spice trade. Finally, you will have free time at the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and most famous covered markets in the world, where you can enjoy shopping and discover traditional Turkish products. At the end of the tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel in Istanbul.

Day 3 – Cappadocia Highlights Today we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Nevsehir, Cappadocia. Our driver will welcome you at Nevsehir Airport and transfer you to our office in Urgup, where your Cappadocia adventure will begin. We will first visit Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, famous for its unique rock formations shaped by wind and weather. Next, we will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, where you will see ancient houses, churches, and other structures carved into the rocks. Then we will drive to Avanos, a traditional village famous for its pottery, where you can watch a demonstration using traditional techniques. After Avanos, we will see the world-famous Fairy Chimneys, one of the most iconic landscapes of Cappadocia. We will enjoy lunch at a traditional cave restaurant before continuing to Uchisar Rock Castle, the highest point in the area. From Esentepe, you will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Goreme Valley. Our final visit will be the Goreme Open Air Museum, where you can see ancient churches, monasteries, and beautiful frescoes carved into the rock. At the end of the tour, we will drive to your cave hotel in Urgup.

Day 4 – Underground City & Ihlara Valley Today we will pick you up from your hotel and continue our discovery of Cappadocia. Our first visit will be Derinkuyu Underground City, the largest and one of the most famous underground cities in the region. We will explore its fascinating tunnels, rooms, and passages and learn how ancient communities lived underground. After returning to the surface, we will visit Narligol, a beautiful lake formed inside a volcanic crater. Then we will walk through the spectacular Ihlara Valley, a peaceful canyon surrounded by impressive natural scenery and rock-carved churches. We will have lunch in Belisirma Village, located beside the river. After lunch, we will visit Selime, where you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Ihlara Valley and see its impressive rock formations. Our final stop will be Agzikarahan Caravanserai, located on the historic Silk Road and built in the 13th century during the Seljuk period. After the tour, we will transfer you to Nevsehir Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel. End of our service.