Cappadocia, on the other hand, offers a different but equally fascinating glimpse into Turkey's rich tapestry of history and geography. Known for its distinctive fairy chimneys, ancient cave dwellings, and underground cities, Cappadocia's landscape seems almost otherworldly. The region's history is deeply intertwined with the early Christian Church, with numerous chapels, churches, and monasteries carved into the rock, often adorned with remarkable frescoes.
The historical significance of Cappadocia extends back to ancient times, as noted by Herodotus. Its strategic location and fertile lands made it a significant area of interest for various empires, including the Persians and Romans. The region's complex history, marked by the influences of diverse cultures and civilizations, has left a rich archaeological and cultural heritage that continues to draw tourists and scholars alike.
Both Istanbul and Cappadocia serve as captivating chapters in Turkey's long and multifaceted history, each offering unique insights into the human past and present. Istanbul's bustling streets and remarkable monuments tell stories of emperors, conquerors, and commoners, while Cappadocia's serene landscapes and ancient dwellings invite contemplation of the more spiritual and mystical aspects of Turkey's heritage. Together, they exemplify the blend of natural beauty, historical depth, and cultural richness that makes Turkey a fascinating country to explore.
Day 1
On arrival at Istanbul New Airport , you will be met by your driver and transfer to your hotel to check in.After you have checked in the rest of the day will be free.
Day 2
After breakfast,
Full Day Bosphorus Cruise and Two Continents Tour Seat in CoachChange Sightseeing( 9 Hours | 07:30 )
Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of ?stanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities.
Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian,
Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age.
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc. Bosphorus Cruise on Plan Tours’ private boat, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments.
Rumeli Fortress (from the boat – no interior visit), historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture. (Visit a leather showroom if time permits)
Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant.
Dolmabahçe Palace, recent residence for Ottoman Sultans built by two Ottoman architects Karabet and Nikogos Balyan on a 110.000 m² area and served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Famous with great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls.
Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes. Çaml?ca Hill, famous for its widest bird’s eye panoramic view of ?stanbul from Marmara Sea to the Black Sea, gives a chance to see the Bosphorus and Golden Horn from one of the best point of the highest and most appealing places of the city.
also:
IMPERIAL GARDENS OF ROYAL YILDIZ PALACE
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE connecting EUROPE & ASIA continents
BEYLERBEY? PALACE from the boat
Day 3
After breakfast, today you will be check out from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your next destination Cappadocia. you will then proceed with Half day tour of Red Tour Historical Cappadocia Exploring the spectacular natural valleys and rock formations of northern Cappadocia, together with some of its most important historic sites, the North Cappadocia Red tour covers the highlights of this famous region. Accompanied by an expert, local guide, you will have time to wander through its magnificent landscapes and witness ancient frescoes that combine to make Cappadocia a UNESCO World Heritage listed destination. Combined with the South Cappadocia tour, this day trip is ideal for
those wanting to experience the best Cappadocia has to offer. Goreme Esentepe for Panoramic View. Our next stop is at the Esentepe viewpoint, located between Uchisar and Goreme. This stunning panorama overlooks not only the town of Esentepe, but also the surrounding landscape of fairy chimneys. Goreme Open Air Museum We will begin at the Goreme Open Air Museum, an impressive collection of monasteries, churches and chapels that date back to the Middle Ages. It served as an important Christian center of learning and its religious buildings still exhibit elaborate and beautifully preserved frescoes. Pasabag – Monks Valley We will then have time to explore the Monks Valley, famed for its three-headed fairy chimneys. This region of is also known as Pasabag, or ‘Pasha’s Vineyard’, as its stunning earth pillars are located within a vineyard. Devrent Valley After a short drive we will stop in the Devrent Valley, famed for its lunar-like landscape of small, pointed fairy chimneys. We will take the time to explore the valley and witness some of its most unusual rock formations. Avanos Pottery workshop Our final destination is the small town of Avanos, home to a terracotta industry that dates back to 3000BC. The clay is sourced from
the Red River which passes through the town and we will have the opportunity to visit a traditional
pottery workshop and see how it is crafted first-hand. Three Beauties Three Graces are the brilliant three fairy chimneys located near Urgup. It is the most famous natural beauty and symbol of Urgup. This amazing natural formation is well known not only its enchanting landscape but also its incredible story.
Inclusions :
A/C transportation (SIC BASIS)
Guide
Day 4
After breakfast, Today you will enjoy a full Green Tour with Trekking in Ihlara Valley
Derinkuyu Underground City, which is the biggest and deepest underground city of Cappadocia, is our first stop. You will be amazed when your guide tells you the story of the places where thousands of people were living in the time of the Roman Empire. After the trip to the Derinkuyu underground city, we will leave for Ihlara Valley again. After leaving us at the beginning of the valley, we go down to walk in the biggest valley of Cappadocia using 350 stairs. After a 1-hour walk to the middle of the valley we reach Belis?rma Village.Here we have lunch in a beautiful restaurant on the Melendiz River.
After the meal, we reach Selime Monastery and visit it. We will listen to how the monastery life is, where it is built, what is taught and the living conditions from our guide. After this stop, we return to Uchisar town of Nevsehir for our last stop. Once you have visited the Güvercinlik Valley and have a short break, you will return to the hotels.
DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY:
Derinkuyu is Cappadocia's biggest underground with approximately 7 floors and 85m deep. It contains all the usual rooms found in an underground city (stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches, wineries etc.). Apart from these, a large room with a barrel vaulted ceiling on the second floor was a missionary school, the rooms to the left being study rooms. From the 3rd and 4th floors onwards the descent is by way of vertical staircases, which lead to a cruciform plan church on the lowest floor. The 55m deep ventilation shaft was also used as a well. Not every floor was provided with surface access in order to protect the dwellers from poisoning during raids. Derinkuyu Underground City was opened to visitors in 1965 but so far only 10% can be visited.
IHLARA VALLEY - TREK:
Early Christians have constructed their rock houses and temples by carving the tuffs in the valley of Ihlara, through the valley runs the Melendiz River. The waters of the river are named Ihlara as
Peristrema meaning "The people of circulating waters". To search the source of the water in Ihlara is in fact trying to reveal the meaning of life. It takes 2 1/2hrs to walk from the Ihlara Vadisi to Belisirma and about 3hrs to walk from Belisirma to Selime.
BELISIRMA AND LUNCH:
After walking through Ihlara Valley you will be driven to Belisirma for a smorgasbord lunch, a mixture of Turkish and Western food including dessert.
PIGEON VALLEY:
You will stop on the outskirts of Goreme village and look down into Pigeon Valley to see the centuries old pigeon houses carved from the cliffs. Throughout the years farmers have used pigeon manure as a rich source of fertilizer for their crops.
SELIME MONASTRY:
Selime Monastery is an astonishing rock cut structure incorporating a vast kitchen and soaring chimney. A church with a gallery all around it, stables with feeding troughs and other evidence of the
troglodyte lifestyle.
GOREME ESENTEPE (PANAROMIC VIEW):
The magnificent landscape around Goreme has been formed from its solidified lava streams, its ash and tuff stone, all dating from the Neocene period. A result of thousands of years of continual erosion makes this area look like a lunar landscape. The fairy chimneys also have a great color variety. There are light and dark colors from white to yellow, pink, grey and black.
The tour starts with pick ups around at 09:00 and ends aprox at 17:30
Inclusions :
A/C transportation (SIC BASIS) Guide
Day 5
Hotel in City Center - Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport(Cappadocia) Minivan
Transfer from Hotel in City Center to Kayseri Erkilet Airport or Nevsehir Airport for your flight to Istanbul then connect your flight to Dubai.
Return International Flight/ Domestic flights.
2 Nights accommodation in Istanbul at the The Green Park Hotel Taksim (Standard Room - Bed and Breakfast).
2 Nights accommodation in Cappadocia at the Meleklerevi Cave Hotel (Deluxe Cave Room,1 Queen Bed,Nonsmoking. Free breakfast,Free WiFi Free breakfast).
Istanbul New Airport To Hotel in European Side on Medium Car (Istanbul).
Hotel in European Side To Istanbul New Airport on Medium Car (Istanbul).
Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport To Hotel in City Center on Minivan (Cappadocia).
Hotel in City Center To Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport on Minivan (Cappadocia).
Full Day Bosphorus Cruise and Two Continents Tour on Seat in Coach (Istanbul).
Full Day Red Tour Historical Cappadocia on Seat in Coach (Cappadocia).
Full Day Green Tour with Trekking in Ihlara Valley on Seat in Coach (Cappadocia).
Inclusive of all current applicable taxes.