10D7N DELIGHTFUL TURKIYE (2N ISTANBUL )

Merhaba! Welcome to Ankara, the capital city of Turkiye.

After immigration clearance, transfer to the city center and visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk - final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Ataturk, also known as the Father of the Turks, is the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Be awed by the architecture and understand the history of how modern Turkiye came about.

Travel to " The Land of the Beautiful Horses " Cappadocia via Salt Lake, the second largest lake in Turkey, we will have a stop for photo stop. You will be able to buy some products from the stalls of the la

Today a beautiful and mysterious Cappadocia waits for you to explore.

Start the tour with visit Pigeons Valley and stop for photos. Continue the journey as we visit Uchisar – an old village that consists of small dwellings carved into huge rock and a place where the most beautiful fairy chimney formations can be observed.

Next stop we will stop at Avanos Village, a village is known for its pottery skills that passed through generations, and you will have the chance to see how pottery are made.

A visit of Goreme Open Air Museum where you will see examples of several Christian Churches, with rooms hollowed out of volcanic ashes.

Finally visit an Underground City. There are more than 200 underground cities in the Cappadocia region. Explore the wonders of ancient architectures and understand why the cities are built as they are.

Visit a carpet factory to understand why Turkish carpets are well known in the world. You will be amazed by the natural beauty of Cappadocia.

Optional:

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon, for those with an eye for natural beauty, a balloon tour is an essential part of any visit. From the moment of take-off, around sunrise, the spectacular landscape of Cappadocia enchants the passenger. You will feel as if you are in a dream, drifting gently past fairy chimneys, through valleys scattered with pigeon houses and over orchards and vineyards. The diverse colors and vistas of the flight will make for beautiful photographs and unforgettable memories.

Safari Jeep Ride, will have an experience with driving jeep vehicle through valleys, having a better view over valleys, churches and cultural highlights. We take you to off-beaten tracks to various spectacular views.

Belly Dance Show, one of the most beautiful, exciting, and sensual forms of self-expression. It is empowering, uplifting, healing, and fun! The typical Belly Dance cabaret (or routine), consists of several different segments, offering a complete glimpse into the dancer’s soul

This morning we will be travelling to Konya, enroute a photo stop at a13th century Caravanserai where Silk Road tradesmen accommodate.

Konya, one of the oldest urban centers in the world and the center of the Seljuk Empire as well as the city of Mevlana and his Whirling Dervishes. Visit Mevlana Museum which shelters the tomb of Jelaleddin Rumi (1207-1273), known to his followers as Mevlana (or Rumi). It is also well known for great dervish, poet and pioneer of Islamic mysticism, Mevlana Jelaleddin Rumi.

Continue to Pamukkale. See the sights of ancient city of Hierapolis, where Calcareous Thermal springs descending over cliffs have created fascinating travertines in the form of white terrace and basins also known as the Cotton Castle. You will have the chance to step into the white terraces with hot spring waters of Pamukkale. The ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to experience the thermal waters of Pamukkale.

Today we will travel towards to the Aegean Coast town. Enroute, make a stop at local Turkish Delights, dried fruits, and olive products store for some shopping.

Make a stop First stop of the tour is Ephesus, the biggest ancient site in Turkiye. Ephesus was once considered the most important Greek city and the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region. The city is also one of the most best-preserved Greco-Roman sites in the world. See the ruins of The Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, Arcadian Way etc. There is so much to see In Ephesus.

Next, visit of The House of Virgin Mary. It is believed that Virgin Mary accompanied by St. John the Evangelist came to Ephesus towards the end of her life. We will visit a leather factory, after all Seljuk is known for its leather products too. 

This morning, travel to Bursa, also known as Green Bursa.

Visit Ulu Cami, Grand Mosque. It is the largest mosque in Bursa and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture. The style of the mosque - a big stone square or rectangle toppled by small stones, is characteristic of the early Seljuk Turkish Empire.

Wander through Bursa's Covered Bazaar/Silk Market, where you have the chance to buy silk products at a very good price. The narrow streets harbor a dozen of Caravansaries where silk as Bursa's prime cloth trade for centuries.

Visit UNESCO World Heritage - Cumalikizik, a 700 years old unspoiled Ottoman village goes back to the Ottoman Empire’s foundation period. See many of it's colorful houses , mostly made of wood and rubble stones , you may even want to try some local fresh blackberry juice or other local delicacies made by the locals.

This morning says goodbye to Green Bursa as we will be leaving Asia side of Turkiye and heading toward to Istanbul for lunch.

After lunch starts your sightseeing of the old city of Istanbul. See the Hippodrome, where ancient races took place, while walking along the grounds of the Hippodrome, you will not miss the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and the Walled Obelisk.

Visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, which is famous for its 6 minarets and its interior of Iznik blue tiles.

Hagia Sophia is your next stop, formally a church during the Byzantine period, converted to a mosque in 1453.

Lastly visit Topkapi Palace, served as the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years. Today the palace is a large museum with a wide collection of kitchen wares, porcelains, Royal Antiques, Holy Relics e

Today, visit the famous Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar (or Covered Bazaar), built in the 15th century, is the oldest and biggest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets and 4000 shops.

*Note: The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and Religious Holidays.

Step into one of the most photogenic district neighborhood in Istanbul, Balat. Known for its old narrow streets, flamboyant bay windowed houses. You will feel nostalgic and be filled with the joy of discovering the depths of Istanbul.

See Galataport, a historical city harbour transforms into a world class cruise liner port, shopping center while the promenade opens to the public use for the first time in approximately 200 years.

The rest of the day free at leisure. You may also wish to join an optional excursion to see the beautiful shore sights of Istanbul with the ever-popular Bosphorus Cruise and the local Spice market.

Next stop to Taksim Square, the heart of Istanbul’s European side, Taksim Square is a corner of Istanbul where visitors have chance to witness the diversity mix of languages and cultures. Taksim is also a place where locals shop.

After that, stop at Ortakoy, a neighbourhood sits on Istanbul’s European shore , giving visitors unforgettable views of the Bosphorous strait. You may even want to try their ever popular baked potatoes which is famous.

Optional:

Bosphorus Cruise, the cruise route is a circular loop, passing by the note-worthy monuments of Istanbul. In a nutshell, you will get a brilliant view of the mesmerizing skyline of the city.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure till it is time to transfer to the airport for your flight home.