Day 1 – Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul
You will be met and transferred to your Hotel
C/in to your Hotel
Candle-lit dinner at Cistern Restaurant.
Overnight in Istanbul in a quality boutique hotel

Day 2 – Istanbul

Our day starts with the visit of the masterpiece of ottoman architecture in Istanbul, the Mosque of Soliman the Magnificent built by the great architect Sinan. We stroll in the narrow streets of Suleymaniye where we feel like time stopped in 16th century.
We then continue with the Blue Mosque which takes its name from the 17th century blue tiles which decorates the inner part of the walls.
Then along the park through the monuments we walk to Topkapi Palace, the old residence of ottoman sultans where more than 20 ottoman rulers lived during almost 400 years. The highlights of the palace are first the famous 86 carat diamond in the treasury halls and the harem where the sultans lived with their family. Lunch at “Konyalı Restaurant” in the palace.
In the afternoon we proceed to Eminonu area to visit the ‘Egyptian bazaar’ so called as the spices sold there in old times were all brought from Egypt.
We wonder in the streets in and around the bazaar to enjoy a typical market where local people buy their goods.
To finish the day we take our Turkish coffee in the area where the first coffee shops were established in the history of Europe.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 – Istanbul

On this day our tour starts with Hippodrome Square’ that was considered as the political and social heart of Constantinople. We enjoy the Obelisk brought from Egypt and the Serpentine Column.

We then proceed to amazing Underground Cistern which was used as a water reservoir in the times when the city was raided by enemies.After the underground cistern, we visit, the old ‘Via Egnatia’ of roman times to get into the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, the oldest big church of the world, St. Sophia.The lunch is in one of the local restaurants in Sultanahmet or Eminonu area.

After lunch we begin by driving across the first Bosphorus Bridge and head for the summit of Camlica Hill, which affords panoramic views of Istanbul, the Sea of Marmara and the Princes'' Islands. From here a short brings us to the Palace of Beylerbeyi on the shore of the Bosphorus. Perhaps the most elegant of the late Ottoman palaces, Beylerbeyi boasts six sumptuously furnished reception halls. Finally we visit the Maiden''s Tower, which stands on the only island in the Bosphorus and is associated with many romantic tales and legends, including that of Hero and Leander.
Evening flight to Kayseri and private transfer to your Cappadocia Hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia

Day 4 – Cappadocia

In the early morning Hot Air Balloon flight . After Breakfast first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; visit to Pasabag “fairy chimneys” where the voice of wind mixes with the “songs of fairies”. Lunch in Avanos, Center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.

In the afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Climb on top of the Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Depending on the period of the season, Göreme Open Air Museum visit time can be altered to avoid crowds of tour buses. Dark Church & Buckled Church visits are also included in this tour.
Dinner at Elai Restaurant in Uchisar
Overnight in Cappadocia

Day 5 – Cappadocia

In the morning, descend into the center of the earth in the Underground city of Kaymakli, the largest and the deepest of the 40 others in Cappadocia; walking in Ihlara Canyon, a “mirage” in the Steps of Anatolia up to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema: “Valley of the Sky” along the Melendiz River. Rock-cut churches, spread across a wild plantation, surprise you with their successfully painted representations from the Bible. Lunch in Belisirma in a local restaurant by the river.

After lunch we drive towards Sinasos (Mustafapaşa) an old Greek village. Visit of St. Nicolas, St. Constantine Churches.
Whirling Dervishes Ceremony at a 12th Century Caravanseri.
Overnight in Cappadocia

Day 6 – Cappadocia

We will taste 7 different wines produced by local companies as well as national ones among which we see Kavaklıdere and Doluca vineries.

Our day starts with a very pleasant walking in Kızılçukur, through old traditional vineyards. This trekking will help us enjoy the amazing natural landscape of Cappadocia and very beautifully decorated rock-carved dovecotes of the region.

On our way we will also visit the hidden church with columns. Our walk will end in one of the least touched villages in Cappadocia, Çavuşin.

We will make our first tasting upun arrival with cold sparkling wine produced with Emir grape and than discover the village. Lunch on a vineyard.

In the afternoon we follow the red river (Kızılırmak) to proceed to Açıksaray monastery complex and the church of St.John the Baptist located in the vicinity of Gulsehir town. We then go to Uchisar areas to visit old wine cellar of Kocabag winery carved in volcanic tufa. Our final tasting takes place in Kocabag Kav Butik located near the Pigeon Valley in Uchisar.


Day 7 – Istanbul
Early morning fly to Istanbul & Day on leisure.