TÜRKIYE, BETWEEN SEAS AND CULTURE

Welcome to Turkey, a country with a unique history and culture, where you will experience an extraordinary holiday. A new world of experiences awaits you, where the differences of East and West come together in one country. Arrival by international flight to the spectacular Istanbul Airport (IST), inaugurated in April 2019 and today the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. After disembarking, passing through immigration and collecting your bags, you must go to our meeting point (check your voucher) where our team will meet you. Then we will meet our drivers and modern vehicles for your transfer to the hotel. Arrival and accommodation. Free time to rest. Accommodation.

At the indicated time, departure to enjoy the “PEARLS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS” excursion (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant): Visit the old Jewish neighborhood in Balat, the Greek neighborhood in Fener, and admire the magnificent views of the Golden Horn. Afterward, visit St. George Cathedral, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church; then continue to the Suleymaniye Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, which features the largest dome of all the mosques in Istanbul. We will head to the Spice Bazaar, a place with a special charm due to its colors and aromas, the perfect place to purchase teas, herbs, dried fruits, traditional sweets, and of course, spices. The tour concludes with a boat ride through the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where we will enjoy marvelous views of the Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges that connect both sides of the city. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Free day. Possibility of taking the optional excursion “JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE” (includes lunch in a typical restaurant): Immerse yourself in the historic center of the city, where you can observe the variety of vestiges of the different empires that shaped present-day Istanbul: the imposing Topkapi Palace, residence of the sultans and main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire; Hagia Sophia with its majestic Byzantine architecture and mix of Christian and Islamic religious elements; the Roman Hippodrome, center of social life in Constantinople for thousands of years; the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world and where haggling is a tradition. At the indicated time, departure to the airport to take the domestic flight to Cappadocia. Departure to the airport to take the flight to Cappadocia. Arrival and accommodation.

Today we will visit this wonderful region with its fascinating and original landscape, formed by volcanic lava more than 3 million years ago. Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, a monastery with chapels carved into volcanic rocks and decorated with 13th century frescoes. Visit the stunning valleys of the region with their “otherworldly” landscapes. We will also appreciate the views of the symbols of the region's geological formations, the famous "Fairy Chimneys". We will stop to enjoy the incredible and extensive panoramic view of the Pigeon Valley, which owes its name to the numerous pigeons housed in the rocks, as in Cappadocia these animals have long been a source of food and fertilizer. We will visit an underground city in Cappadocia, one of the many impressive engineering works built by ancient local communities to protect themselves from attacks throughout history. At the end of our tour, we will visit a carpet center to learn about the artisanal production of these pieces that are true treasures. Then we will visit a center of precious stones and jewelry with exclusive designs from the region. Return to the hotel, dinner and accommodation.

Optional programs in Cappadocia:

• TURKISH NIGHT: Presentation of folk dances in a typical cave with local drinks.
• JEEP SAFARI: Adventure through the mystical valleys of the region with stops to take the best photos.
• BALLOON RIDE: Early in the morning to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

Depart for Antalya and en route you will get to know the Taurus Mountains, a stunning mountain range stretching along the southern coast of the country. These majestic mountains, covered in dense forests and dotted with picturesque valleys, offer a spectacular and diverse landscape. With heights exceeding 3,000 metres, the Taurus Mountains provide a breathtaking backdrop for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. Numerous hiking trails and paths meander through their rugged slopes, providing unparalleled panoramic views of the region and the Mediterranean Sea. Arrival in Antalya. Dinner and accommodation.

Visit of Kaleici Known for its charm and ancient character, Kaleici is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets surrounded by fortified walls. In this district, visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history of the city, discovering restored old Ottoman houses, historic mosques, charming squares and traditional craft shops. Kaleici is a popular destination for tourists looking for an authentic experience in Turkey, with its bohemian, cozy and romantic atmosphere. We continue through the historic center of Antalya and the Karpuzkaldiran Waterfall. This waterfall is known for its natural beauty and the lush surroundings. The Karpuzkaldiran waterfall is fed by the Duden River and falls from a height of approximately 40 meters down a steep rock face. The name "Karpuzkaldiran" means "lifting a watermelon" in Turkish, which refers to the ancient practice of using a water elevator to transport watermelons from the river to the city. It offers a beautiful setting to relax and enjoy nature. Free afternoon.

Possibility of taking the optional excursion “CLASSIC MEDITERRANEAN” with lunch included: Departure to the magnificent city of Perge, an important city in the Roman province of Pamfila that during the Hellenistic period was one of the richest and most beautiful in antiquity, where the water that comes from the mountains pours directly into the sea in a drop of about 30 meters. Transfer to Aspendos, an ancient city where we will visit one of the best preserved Roman theaters in the world. Lunch. Continuing to Kaleici; the ancient Antalya, with a mix of ancient and modern history, showing old port houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit to a jewelry store, once the region is known for its high standard production of jewelry products and world brands.

Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Departure to Pamukkale to visit ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder, a giant waterfall, stalactites and natural pools. The name “Hierapolis” is derived from Greek and means “sacred city”, referring to the numerous temples and religious sites that existed in the city. One of the most notable aspects of Hierapolis was its famous theatre, which had a capacity to hold thousands of spectators and is still largely preserved today. The city gained recognition as a popular spa and healing destination due to its natural hot springs and white limestone pools. These waters, loaded with minerals, created stunning natural terraces and waterfalls known as “Pamukkale”, which in Turkish means “cotton castle”. Pamukkale and Hierapolis are together on the UNESCO World Heritage list due to their historical significance and natural beauty. The region is also known for its cotton production, and we will have the opportunity to learn about locally made textile products. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Depart for the iconic House of Mary. This sacred site, situated on a nearby hill, is considered the final resting place of Jesus’ mother, where, according to tradition, she spent her final years under the care of the apostle John. You’ll also experience the rich history of Selçuk, enjoying a panoramic tour that includes the majestic Ottoman Castle, the Basilica of St. John, and the impressive ruins of the Temple of Artemis. Next, immerse yourself in local craftsmanship at a showroom specializing in leather goods, where you can see high-quality products, famous for their lightness and made from sheepskin. After a day full of culture and exploration, relax with a delicious dinner at the hotel and accommodation.

*Note: Accommodation may be in Izmir or Kusadasi depending on the season.

Departure to Bursa and panoramic tour of this important city, which was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit to the Green Mosque and Mausoleum, symbols of the city and named after their rich Iznik tile decoration. Continuing to Istanbul, arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

At the indicated time, transfer to Istanbul International Airport (IST) for the departure flight. (Flight not included).