Istanbul and Cappadocia tour

Istanbul is the only city in the world which embraces two continents, one arm reaching out into Asia, the other into Europe. Considered as a leading metropolis in the world, for culture, arts, history, trade and business, Istanbul first appears on the scene of the history toward the end of the second millennium BC , as a fishing community and town called Lygos. The museum, churches, places, mosques and bazaars and the sight of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected in the windows and on the slender minarets on the opposite shore you understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. Cappadocia region lies on a wide plateau, formed by the lava flows and ash from the eruptions of the now extinct volcanoes Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan Mountains in the region. The area has remarkable rock formations, with churches carved into odd-shaped rocks, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. There are more than 220 churches, most of which are located in the Cappadocia area.

Itinerary : 8 days

Day 1 : Istanbul
Meet the group at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight hotel.

Day 2 : Istanbul – Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque
In the morning we start our tour at the old part of Istanbul. First Ancient Hippodrome the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civil life, stood in the open space in front of the Blue Mosque. We will see tree charming monuments. Then we pass to Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) is more familiarly known as Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent panelling of blue. It has 6 minarets and very nice cupolas. it was built by architect Mehmet between 1609 and 1616. Other visit to Yerebatan Sarayı is the sixth century Byzantine cistern. Three hundred and thirty-five massive Corinthian columns support the immense chamber’s fine brick vaulting. Afternoon we will visit Topkapı Palace, is administrative palace of the Ottoman Dynasty, that rule on three continents for centuries. Amaze of buildings at the center of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. In these opulent surroundings, the sultans and their court lived and governed. Then we pass to visit Mısır Carsısı (Spice bazaar) next to Yenı mosque in Emınonu, transports you to fantasies of the mystical East. The smell of the whole kinds of spices fill the air Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 : Istanbul – Bosphore tour and Grand bazaar We embark on our ferry through Bosphorus is a water pass, that spans 36km between Black sea and the Sea of Marmara and 700m. wide at the narrowest point. At this location, on the either side of the strait, stands the two medieval castle built by the Ottoman Turks for the conquest of the city Anadolu hisari (14th century) in Asia, and right across, the awesome Rumelihisari constructed in the 15th century. The winding strait that separates Europe and Asia. Its shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present, grand splendour and simple beauty. Afternoon visiting of Covered Bazaar ,the world largest covered market. This labyrinth of the streets and passages houses more than 4.000 shops. Covered bazaar is still commercial centre of the old city. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 : Saint Sophie – Kariye Museum – Night train to Ankara In the morning , we will visit St. Sophia now called Ayasofya Museum. It is really one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in 6th century. Its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters. we will absorb the building’s majestic serenity and admire the fine Byzantine mosaics. We go on to visit Istanbul with Kariye Museum, the 11th century church of ‘’St. Saviour’’ in Chora is after St. Sophia, the most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul. The walls are decorated with superb 14th century frescoes and mosaics on a gold background. The church is a remarkable museum of Byzantine art that influenced the European Renaissance. In the evening we embark on the night sleeper train to Ankara. Overnight at train.

Day 5 : Ankara - Cappadocia
In the morning we visit Anatolian Civilisation Museum consist from many collection of different civilisations. It contains many ruins of Hittite times. After visiting we drive to Cappadocia region (4h) formed by the lava flows and ash from the eruptions of the now extinct volcanoes Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan Mountains in the region. Uchisar is famed for its immense fist-shaped tower of volcanic tuff. Uchisar citadel, the highest point in Cappadocia, offers a stunning panorama of the Cappadocia region. The citadel was used as a defense center by civilization when the enemies attack the region. Overnight at hotel

Day 6 : Cappadocia In the morning we visit Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex of rock churches and chapels covered with frescoes, is one of the best-known site in the region. Most of the chapels date from the 10th to 13th centuries and many of them are built on an inscribed cross-plan with a central cupola supported by four columns. The first settlements in the area were founded after the missionary journeys of St. Paul in the year AD 53. The soft rocks were hollowed out for different purposes. The museum also contains many of the rock churches .Afternoon we arrive at the small village of Cavusin which lies on top of a collapsed section of early Christian cave city. This was caused by a huge rockslide, which together wit earthquakes and natural erosion has caused a split in the plateau. The atrium of the church at cavusın hac cascaded down, exposing some of the frescoes. The richness and variety of these frescoes has caused to be reportedly among the best works of early Christian icon painting. Here we visit Saint Jean Baptise church. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 : Cappadocia- Ihlara In the morning we drive to Ihlara valley the narrow, steep-sided Ihlara valley, dotted with rock cut churches, was once the favourite retreat of Byzantine monks. This valley was formed by primeval earthquakes and the was once rushing river is now a quiet stream. As we visit the winding valley, with cliffs reaching up to 170m in some places , we see small garden cultures that originally would have provided for the colonies and made them self supporting. There are many rock-cut churches is this valley with valley with well preserved frescos dating from the 9th century. we drive to visit 13th century Agzikarahan caravanserai. The gate is a fine example of Selcuk architecture and is a reminder that we are travelling one of the ancient caravan routes linking Asia to Europe. The caravanserais built to develop the trade on the Silk road. To stay in the caravanserai was free for the people. It usually contains resting places, stables for the animals, etc... Afternoon we will visit Derinkuyu underground city, built 57 meter under the ground for defending themselves against enemy attacks. The underground cities had kitchens, stables, storage etc... We drive to our hotel. Overnight at hotel

Jour 8 : home
In the morning transfer to Kayseri airport and fly home

Season : April to November

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