Destinations & Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Istanbul
Arrival to Istanbul Airport and transfer to hotel, remainder of day at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 Ottoman Byzantine Relics Tour – Istanbul
We will leave hotel in the morning to visit the Sultanahmet Square and the spectacular Blue Mosque decorated with beautiful 17th century Iznik tiles. Then stroll around the historical Hippodrome where chariot races were once held. Continue with the Hagia Sophia / St. Sophia and Museum. An early Christian church, later converted to a mosque under Ottoman rule, this magnificent temple now serving as a museum with all the artefacts from the Byzantine era intact, is especially famous for its mosaics. After lunch, we will visit the Topkapi Palace Museum, the residence of the legendary Ottoman Sultans, now converted into a museum. It consists of several exhibition halls, such as the Treasury, the porcelain section, Armoury and Holy Relics. We will complete this historical day with a visit to the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi) and return to the hotel for overnight.
Day 3 Bosphorus and Two Continents Tour – Istanbul
We will take you to Spice Market, still in use as one of the world’s largest spice bazaars since 1665. Next, we will board the ferries across the Bosphorus which will take us to both European and Asian sides of the city. This beautiful voyage will take you along the shores of Bosphorus and you will see the Rumeli Fortress from the 15th century as well as the seaside summer palaces and unique wooden houses of the area, as well as the natural beauty of the forests above. The last stop on the cruise is the fishing village of Sariyer, close to the Black Sea. From there on we will drive you by coach via the world’s only Intercontinental Bridge Bosphorus Bridge to take you to Camlica Hill on the Asian side. Camlica is the highest tip in Istanbul where you will enjoy breathtaking views of Istanbul. We will visit the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the royal Ottoman family with original furniture and magnificent gardens. After the tour, you will be transferred your hotel.
Day 4 Istanbul – Cappadocia
Breakfast at hotel check out and transfer to Istanbul Airport Internal Terminal for early flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival to Kayseri Airport, meeting tour guide at airport and drive to Urgup Village and check into your Cave Hotel where rooms are dug inside fairy chimneys and 2000 years old cave dwellings with the comfort of any other city hotel and even more. After quick check in you will be picked up from your hotel lobby to join a small group for Cappadocia. Today
visit Devrent Valley and Monk’s valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world famous fairy chimneys. Lunch break in Avanos then on to visit Goreme Open-Air Museum to explore the numerous churches and monasteries with their frescoes. These churches and monasteries where carved from the soft volcanic stone and decorated by Medieval Orthodox Christian Monks around 12th Century AD. A visit to Ortahisar Natural Rock Castle for panoramic views. After tour, return to hotel with the evening at leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5: Cappadocia – Istanbul
Breakfast at hotel, check out then depart on another full day tour this time starting with a visit to the famousDerinkuyu Underground City which was built as a defense and hiding site during the period of spreading Christianity. Then on to Cavusin Old Christian Village where you will find a triple Apse church and the monastery of St John the Baptist. In Sinasos Old Greek Village you find old Greek and Ottoman houses. The days touring includes an easy grade 3km hike through Red Valley offering some great scenery that would otherwise not be accessible by car and a visit to Uchisar Natural Rock Castle. At end of the tour, collect luggage from hotel reception and transfer on to Kayseri Airport for the return flight to Istanbul. Arrival, transfer to hotel and remainder of evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 6 Departure Transfer
Breakfast at hotel, check out and transfer to Istanbul International Airport.
Please take note of the following:
* The order of visiting sights, may vary slightly from time to time
* Clothing: Entrance to Mosques and Churches visited in our tours is not allowed to gentlemen and ladies with no proper outfit
* You are kindly requested to present your self at the pick up point 15 minutes prior the pre advised pick up time.
* Smoking is not permitted but all tours make frequent stops.
* Optional Dinner and Oriental Belly & Folk Dance Show
What’s Included:
* Airport Return Transfer to hotel
* 5 Nights Hotel Accommodation + 5 Hotel Breakfasts
* Personal Travel Insurance in Turkey
* Domestic flight tickets between Istanbul-Kayseri-Istanbul
* Fully guided tour with the services of an experienced and qualified professional tour guide
* Luxury non-smoking air-conditioned coach
* On ground support and access to True Blue Tour Istanbul offices should you require any further assistance
* All Admission Fees.
* Lunch On Tours
* V.A.T.
