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 privately guided full day tour of Istanbul 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. Visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour).

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 3 Istanbul

First, drive to Dolmabahce Palace to visit the beautiful 19th century residence of Ottoman Sultans, located on the banks of the Bosphorus. Then drive to Spice Bazaar, a covered bazaar serving people looking for spices, coffee and herbs for centuries. Proceed to the Sultanahmet square, visit here the Underground cistern, the largest of the underground water reservoirs from the Byzantine era. The pillars were brought from antique cities of Asia minor. Then drive to Suleymaniye mosque, commissioned by Suleyman the magnificient, this mosque is a masterpiece of the grand architect Sinan. Drive back to hotel.

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 4 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 with your own private car and guide in Cappadocia. You will be driven 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 you will be driven to Uchisar Castle, the highest point of the region, where we have a fabulous panoramic view over Cappadocia. Conclude with a visit to the Pidgeon Valley.

As an optional activity you can choose to have a Hot Air Balloon and have a complete view of Cappadocia area

The Museum Hotel (4*) is right in the center of Cappadocia, in the village of Uchisar, the highest peak of Cappadocia. The hotel is located at a pinnacle, overlooking the whole region, including the entire Goreme Valley, Red Valley, Ortahisar and the White valley, just 3km away from Nevsehir, 4km from the Goreme Open Air Museum and 15km away from Urgup. As it stays at the highest point of Cappadocia, in Uchisar, the guests of the hotel will enjoy the view of the fabulous rock formations and the valleys, from the restaurant, the reception area, the teahouse, swimming pool, the terrace bar and the streets, but also from all of the traditional and cave rooms. Seeing the sunrise and sunset from the Museum Hotel exhibits you unknown sides of Cappadocia with colorful landscape.

Overnight at Museum (4*).

Day 5 Cappadocia

Enjoy a full day tour in Capadoccia and visit the Ortahisar, a natural citadel carved in rocks. Then visit the subterrenean city of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, established in the 7th century by Christians fleeing persecution, in which a visitor is able to descend several levels underground. You will be driven 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.

Overnight at Museum (4*).

Day 6 Istanbul

Airport transfer with your private car and driver.

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

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from Istanbul airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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