CENTRAL TURKEY & ISTANBUL (10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS)

DAY 1 ISTANBUL

Today, we arrive in Istanbul, where a transferman will meet us at the airport. 

We transfer to our hotel downtown, and have a brief orientation late in the afternoon.

This evening, we can discover any of the Turkish restaurants in the area as we enjoy dinner on our own.

DAY 2 ISTANBUL

This morning we visit Hagia Sophia, the "Church of Divine Wisdom." Completed under the Emperor Justinian in AD 537, the magnificent dome of the Hagia Sophia was once the pre-eminent architectural wonder of the Byzantine world. 

The massive building was a Christian church for almost a thousand years, until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, when Mehmet the Conqueror claimed it for Islam. 

This impressive structure has also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Tour of Istanbul including visits of St. Saviour in Chora - (Kariye Museum) Originaly formed the center of a Byzantine Monastery complex. 

Only the church section which was dedicated to Jesus Christ the Saviour, has survived. 

Continue your tour with the visit of Taksim Squere.We have lunch on our own, and then board the Old Tram for a ride down Istiklal Street to the heart of Art Nouveau Istanbul. 

Continue your tour with the visit of Spice Market, Egyptian Bazaar built in the 17th century, this is the second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul. 

On to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, where the pungent and savory aroma of exotic oils, herbs and spices have perfumed the arched stone corridors for nearly 350 years. 

Now also proferring nuts, honey, dried fruits, traditional sweets and herbal remedies, the Spice Bazaar’s redolent wares will transform you into a veritable spice trader!.

This afternoon, we take to the water for our Bosporus cruise.

You can look north to the “European” district of Galata, or east to the Asiatic side of the Bosporus and the Maiden’s Tower. 

In ancient times, the Golden Horn could be closed off to warships with a giant chain stretching from here to Seraglio Point. 

Following our cruise, we enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant

DAY 3 ISTANBUL

This morning, we'll discover some of Istanbul's most famous sites on foot, includingTopkapi Palace. 

Mehmet the Conqueror started building this complex in about 1459 and it served as the royal palace of the Ottoman sultans until 1853. 

Today, it is one of the world's richest museums, with a staggering collection of jewels, arms, porcelain, sculpture, manuscripts, and more. 

Next, we stop at the classic Blue Mosque, so-called for the shimmering blue tiles that line its interior. 

Flanked by symmetrical soaring minarets, it is one of the defining elements of the Istanbul skyline. 

This classic of Ottoman architectural design was constructed under the patronage of Sultan Ahmet I, from 16091616.

Hippodromme,center of sporting (chariots races,athletics) events and political activities of the old city.

The Blue Mosque,one of the famous mosgues of the Ottomans are known for it’s blue Iznık tiles and unique with its 6 minarets.

Just a short walk across the square takes us to the Underground Cistern, the largest of the many underground cisterns built during the Byzantine Empire to supply the city with water. 

This cistern is especially fascinating because the Byzantine builders recycled many stone structures—capital heads and columns-- that had been used in earlier temples. 

Now an upside down Medusa stares out at us from her watery home. 

The tour will end with the visit to the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, and carpets. 

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 4 ISTANBUL, ANKARA

After breakfast We drive  to Airport to fly  to Ankara: to see Anatolian Civilisation Museum and Ataturk Mosel.Turkey’s capital and second largest city. 

Our first stop will be the fascinating Museum of Anatolian Civilisations (The Hittite Museum) with its display of treasures and artefacts from the Assyrian trade colonies, the mighty Hittite Empire, and the Phyrgian and Urartu civilisations.  

We also visit theMausoleum of Ataturk. 

This magnificent tomb is in memory of Kemal Ataturk, commander of the Army for National Independence and the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey.

You will be absorbed by the fascinating, life size depiction of life in the trenches, from the Turkish perspective, during the Gallipoli War. 

Drive to hotel for dinner and overnight in Ankara. 

DAY 5 ANKARA, HITTITES SITES, AMASYA

After breakfast we drive about 3 hours to the north of Cappadocia.

The archaeological site of Hattusha in UNESCO Sites List, former capital of the Hittite Empire, is notable for its urban organization, the types of construction that have been preserved (temples, royal residences, fortifications), the rich ornamentation of the Lions' Gate and the Royal Gate, and the ensemble of rock art at Yazilikaya temle. 

The city enjoyed considerable influence in Anatolia and northern Syria in the 2nd millennium B.C. 

Afternoon we drive to  Amasya. 

Dinner and overnight at hotel which is an old Turkish house than converted to an Hotel.

DAY 6 AMASYA, SIVAS

After breakfast,we visit a mental hospital built in 1309 by Ilduş Hatun, wife of the İlkhanid Sultan Olcaytu, the Darüşşifa (or Bimarhane) may have been the first place to try to treat pychiatric disorders with music.

It was used as a hospital until the 18th century. 

One of the most important physicians who worked here was Serefedin Sabuncuoğlu; today the hospital is a museum to his work and includes surgical equipment and some fascinating (and rather graphic) illustrations of treatments

During our walking tour we enjoy  the most beautiful  view of rock tombs above the northern bank of the river is a sheer rock face with the conspicuous cut-rock Tombs of the Pontic Kings. 

The tombs, cut deep into the limestone as early as the 4th century BC, were used for cult worship of the deified rulers. 

There are more than 20 (empty) tombs in the valley and they're at their most striking when viewed from the southern river bank. 

At night they are lit up in a memorably garish fashion.

Amasya  museum packs in beautifully laid out treasures from the Bronze Age, Hittite, Pontic and Roman eras.

Look out for the famous Statuette of Amasya, a bronze figure of the Hittite storm god Teshub. 

The highlight though is a collection of mummies dating from the 14th-century İlkhan period.

After lunch we visit highlights of Saljuk Turkish State and Mongolians buildings.

The Sultan of the Seljukians I. İzzeddin Keykavus died in 1220 and rests at a mausoleum south of theŞifaiye Theological school as he had willed. 

Çifte Minareli (Double Minaret) Theological School: The theological school is located in the city center. 

The building was constructed by the vizier of İlhanlı, Şemseddin Mehmet Cüveyni in 1271. Only the original eastern side of the structure is still standing. 

Than drive to hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7 SIVAS- DIVRIGI UNESCO SITE

After breakfast we drive to Divrigi of Sivas.

The magnificent building called Divriği Ulu Camii and Daru'ş-şifa (old Mosque and Hospital) in the World Art History was built by lord of Mengücek Feudal Ahmet Şah in 1228. 

Şifahane (Hospital) was built by Ahmet Şah's wife Melike Turan. Divriği Ulu Camii is also known as Fatma Hatun Camii or Ahmet Şah Camii.

This building has some differences from the others. 

For example, the 3D geometric styles and botanic designs were said "unique" by art historians and architects. 

Designs which embroider on doors and walls are asymmetric and every square have over then a thousand patterns. 

The foreman had always renovated himself. 

All the styles were arranged for showing unity of God. 

Divriği Ulu Camii and Daru'ş-şifa has four doors. 

They are Şifahane Taç Door, North Taç Door, West Taç Door, Şah Mahfili Taç Door. 

Each of them is different from the other and glorious. 

Divriği Ulu Camii is a marvellous architecture and engineering example with it's every units. 

After lunch ,we drive back to Sivas to hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8 SIVAS - CAPPADOCIA

After breakfast, drive to Cappadocia.. 

After arrival in Cappadocia we drive to a village, the smell of apricots permeates the village as the harvest blankets the roofs of the flat-topped houses. 

Down in the valley is an almost eerie grouping of cave facades that retain the curvy lines of the smooth cave surfaces. 

At sunset, the sound of drums in the distance and the image of village women baking the evening meal's bread in ancient rock ovens create an unforgettable vision of rural life.

These villages make their living as farmers and herders, and their lands abound with fruit trees and fertile gardens. 

This afternoon, we'll get an up-close look at life here as we share a traditional, home-cooked meal with alocal family when they welcome us as guests into their stone home, enjoying both the hearty, flavorful food of cappadocia 

Others may be doing traditional needlework and embroidery, preparing meals, or making molasses or bulgur.

Men may be harvesting crops, plowing the fields, or sowing wheat, depending on the season. 

Here is a chance to observe a fascinating way of life that may soon disappear as Turkey becomes increasingly modern and aligned with the West.

Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9 CAPPADOCIA

Today you may have an optional Cappadocia Balloons Tours 

Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most fanciful and recognizable landscapes, and during this optional hot-air balloon flight, we’ll soar over its amber terrain and fairy-tale chimneys, savoring a unique panorama in the quiet, rosy light of dawn.

Please note: The cost of this tour cannot be refunded to passengers who cancel less than 24 hours prior to the flight .

We’ll drive to the famous Goreme “open-air museum,” a group of ancient churches carved from the rock. 

Most of these chapels have colorful frescoes inside, which date from the tenth to the 13th centuries. 

Then we take a short drive to Uchisar Castle which is thepopular, panoramic viewing goreme-open-air-museum-tourpoint for Cappadocia. 

There are many rooms, steps, tunnesl and galleries inside the castle. 

Avanos, will provide us with the opportunity to purchase some of the hand-turned pottery and tile that has been shaped here for millennia. 

Some of the techniques still used date back to Hittite times to 2000 BC. 

This afternoon we visit Zelve open -Air Museum. 

This nature site is the perfect place to take photos of remarkable landscape of tufa cones 

Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10 CAPPADOCIA

This morning we drive to Kaymaklı Underground City. 

During the Hittite era, as successive armies swept across Asia Minor, underground cities were built as a uniquely defensible community, some eight stories underground. 

We can explore some of the hundreds of rooms, wandering the many narrow, sloping passageways between kitchens with enameled food storage areas, water cisterns, stables, and living spaces—all well ventilated by air shafts. 

At one time, several thousand people lived here. 

We will see another interesting rock formation called Dervent valley. The small fairy chimneys in this valley formwhat looks like a lunar landscape. 

The valley also has many animal shaped rocks. It looks like a sculpture zoo made but  by nature. 

After lunch we havea hike to Rose Valley. 

This is a large valley located between Goreme and Cavusin villages, and is divided into many smaller valleys:cappadocia-pasabag-valley Gulludere, Kizilcukur, Meskendir and Zindanonu Valleys. 

This beautiful valley gets its name from the rose-colored rock that varies in hue and intensity depending on time of day, season and weather conditions. 

Later this afternoon, we have the unique opportunity to get acquainted with the old Turkish carpet-making tradition of Anatolia. 

Return to hotel or before dinner we have an optional Whirling Dervish tour, You can be witness the "Ritual of Sema." 

The Semazens, also called “Whirling Dervishes,” believe that the fundamental condition of our existence is to revolve. 

Dinner and overnight.

DAY 11  CAPPADOCIA - ISTANBUL

After breakfast transfer to Airport for your flight to Istanbul

Included

* Hotel pick up-drop off

* Hotel with half board (Only breakfast at the hotel is included )

* Guidance

* Entrance fees 

Excluded

• Flight tickets (International & National) 

* All meals and drinks are not included.Only breakfast at the hotel is included

Important information

Please note that all times are approximate and subject to change.

The Guide may make corrections and adaptations in the course of the tour program according to the conditions and situations of the planned places of visits

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