Itinerary

Day 1 Istanbul

Istanbul (Byzantium, and later Constantinople) is the world's 3rd largest city and Turkey's cultural and financial center. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is therefore the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

Enjoy a private airport transfer today with a car/driver and airport assistant.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, plane tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Situated in the heart of downtown Istanbul, Yasmak Sultan (4*) neighbours celebrated museums, mosques, palaces shopping areas. Just a short walking distance from St.Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Covered Bazaar, the centre of old city Istanbul awaits discovery. Hotel Yasmak Sultan brings a refreshing alternative to the typical Istanbul Hotel, pairing boutique style with elegant guest service. Friendly, multilingual staff looks forward to welcoming you to the Yasmak Sultan Hotel.

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 2 Istanbul

Enjoy a full day tour of Istanbul with other travellers and see the most important sights. Visit the St. Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture (excluding the Gallery floor); the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles; Byzantine Hippodrome, where once chariot races were held; and the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. After lunch (included in the tour price) visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour). The tour ends at your hotel.

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 3 Istanbul

Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting. The guide will pick you up from your hotel. In the morning a visit to the Spice Market, where locals still shop for herbs and spices coming from all over the world. Cross the Bosphorus by driving through the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge to go over the Asian side of Istanbul. Visit Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans, used in the 19th century. After lunch, enjoy a cruise by boat on the Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating two continents. (order of visits can change)

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 4 Istanbul

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).
    
Day 5 Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey, largely in Nevsehir Province. The name was traditionally used in Christian sources throughout history and is still widely used as an international tourism concept to define a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage. The term, as used in tourism, roughly corresponds to present-day Nevsehir Province. In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine (Black Sea). Cappadocia, in this sense, was bounded in the south by the chain of the Taurus Mountains that separate it from Cilicia, to the east by the upper Euphrates and the Armenian Highland, to the north by Pontus, and to the west by Lycaonia and eastern Galatia.

Airport transfer with your private car and driver.

Enjoy a direct flight from Istanbul to Capadoccia. The flight duration is about 1 hour.

Airport transfer with your private car and driver.

Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting in Cappadocia. Drive to Devrent valley and then to Pasabagi valley, to see the amazing fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. From here you will be driven to Avanos, the famous pottery town, to have lunch. After lunch depart from Avanos to see the beautiful examples of Byzantine art in the churches of Goreme Open Air Museum. Then be driven to Uchisar castle, the highest point of the region, where we have a fabulous panoramic view over Cappadocia, finally a visit to the Pidgeon valley. The tour starts and ends in your hotel.

With its original architecture in perfect harmony with the natural look of the region, smiling staff and excellent service await you. Lykia Lodge, located in this very special region of Turkey, has been hosting tourists coming to the region for many years. Lykia Lodge, sits on a total area of 40.000 sq m, is only 5 km to Nevsehir and Goreme and quite centrally located. Lykia Lodge is the perfect hotel to enjoy Cappadocia's magical geography in comfortable harmony with the region. Dining includes traditional dishes of the region, and wines from grapes of the fertile vineyards of Central Anatolia; enjoy the wonderful fairy chimneys and valleys of Cappadocia from atop a horse, a bike or to fully enjoy this unique panorama the best view is from the sky in a hot-air balloon.

Overnight at Lykia Lodge (4*).

Day 6 Cappadocia

Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting in Cappadocia and visit the Ortahisar a natural citadel carved in rocks. Then visit Subterrenean City of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, established in the 7th century by Christians fleeing persecution, in which a visitor is able to descend several floor levels. Drive to Cavusin Valley to see the troglodyte dwellings where people lived until mid 20th century. After lunch a visit to the Red valley, finally a visit to a Winery, Cappadocia is famous for its fertile vineyards due to the mineral-laden volcanic soil of the area. The tour starts and ends at your hotel.

Overnight at Lykia Lodge (4*).
    
Day 7 Cappadocia

Airport transfer with your private car and driver.

Enjoy a direct flight from Kayseri airport to Istanbul. The flight duration is around 1 hour.

Depart from the Kayseri airport-end of the itinerary

Overnight at Depart.

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