Highlights:

Discover the fascination of the "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City", from where the Byzantine and Ottoman empires were ruled.

Departure:

We will pick you up from your hotel between 09:00-09:30 AM

Itinerary:

You will visit:

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi), formerly the Church of the Divine Wisdom, with its innovative architecture, rich history, religious significance, and extraordinary features. It has battled time for centuries and was the largest Eastern Roman church in Istanbul. Built three times in the same place, it is the oldest and quickest-built cathedral in the world.

Blue Mosque, opposite Hagia Sophia, famous for its İznik blue tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.

Hippodrome, the center of sporting events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the ancient city.

Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius, and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments adorning the Hippodrome.

Lunch at a Turkish restaurant.

Topkapı Palace, the residence of Ottoman sultans displaying imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section, etc. Guide's explanation is not allowed in special sections. (The Harem is not included in the program)

Hagia Irene, located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace, is the oldest church of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine). It was also the second-largest church in Istanbul after Hagia Sophia. It is a typical Byzantine structure with its materials and architecture; it was built on the site of an ancient temple in 330.

This tour ends around 5:00 PM

We will meet you in the lobby of your hotel in Istanbul at 4:00 in the morning and accompany you to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia, scheduled for 6:35 from Istanbul airport. Upon your arrival in Cappadocia at 7:55 in the morning, we will be waiting for you at the airport, just outside the arrivals gate, with a sign bearing your name. From there, we will guide you to the meeting point with the rest of the group members to begin our excursion through northern Cappadocia.

We will explore the Open-Air Museum of Göreme, Devrent Valley, Pasabag, and Avanos on our tour of northern Cappadocia.

We will start with a visit to Devrent Valley, where you can marvel at various rock formations known as fairy chimneys. Then, we will head to Pasabag, also known as Monks Valley, famous for its peculiar rock structures. We will continue to Avanos, famous for its pottery craftsmanship dating back to the Hittite era. Here, local artisans work with red clay from the Kizilirmak River, the longest river in Turkey. After lunch, we will explore the Open-Air Museum of Göreme, where you can admire churches, chapels, and monasteries carved into the rocks, adorned with frescoes dating from the 10th to 13th centuries. You will have time to take photographs in the beautiful valleys before returning to the hotel.

Early in the morning, at 05:30 am, pick up from the hotel for the hot air balloon flight (optional).At 09:00 am return to the hotel for breakfast.

Kaymakli or Derinkuyu Underground City, Rose Valley, Pigeon Valley, Ortahisar Castle

After breakfast at the hotel, check-out.

At 10:00 am you will be picked up from your hotel for the tour of southern Cappadocia.

First, we will visit Rose Valley, one of the most beautiful trekking valleys in Cappadocia, and explore the famous rock-carved churches by hiking through the valley. Rest in Cavusin, an old Greek village known for its houses and Christian churches. After having time for lunch, we will visit Ortahisar Castle, similar to Uchisar Castle in style, where storage caves can also be observed. In the afternoon, we will visit the Kaymakli Underground City (or Ozkonak), where the early Christians lived with fear and faith. On the way back, we will visit the panoramic Pigeon Valley, where pigeons contributed to the locals' lives with their droppings to fertilize the vineyards. You could also try Cappadocian wine at a local winery.At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel to pick up your luggage and head to the airport. You will fly from Cappadocia to Istanbul. Upon arrival at the airport, there will be a representative waiting for you at the exit to transfer you to the hotel.

Hot Air Balloon Tour Hot air balloon flight is an incredible and unforgettable experience that you will never forget. Very early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to our launch site. You will be greeted with a light breakfast as you check in for your flight. After meeting us at the balloon site, you will see us prepare our balloons for your adventure. After takeoff, you will see a beautiful sunrise over Cappadocia. You will be thrilled with the scale of colors and shapes. We will ascend to 3000 feet and then you will almost be able to touch the fairy chimneys. After landing, we will celebrate our flight with a champagne toast (or soft drink), and your pilot will hand you your flight certificates. After deflating the balloons, you will be transported to your launch site and continue with your day.

Transfer from your hotel to the airport