Turkey

 Turkey officially the Republic of Turkey is a contiguous transcontinental country. Its larger part (sometimes called Anatolia) is in Western Asia, and the smaller (sometimes called East Thrace) in Southeastern Europe.

6 nights / 7 days – Turkey

Day 01 : Fly / Istanbul

 Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Bosphorus Cruise - You will have chance to see the gorgeous Bosphorus during your boat journey. The Bosphorus is the unique strategic waterway which connects the two continents -Europe and Asia- so it is a bridge between European and Asian Sides that makes Istanbul unique as well. and Spice Bazaar visit - Being within the complex of Yeni Camii, Spice Market hosts 88 shops which are all under the same dome. You will feel that Istanbul is a vibrant city while smelling the scents of spices and herbs, trying different tastes like Turkish delight, seeing the lights and hearing the sounds of crowd. We suggest you to indulge yourself with halvah and baklava while drinking your Turkish coffee.. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 02 : Istanbul / Ankara / Cappadocia

 After breakfast transfer to the airport to catch the 08:00 hrs flight to Ankara. The city of Ankara lies in the center of Anatolia on the eastern edge of the great, high Anatolian Plateau, at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level. It is the center of the province of the same name, which is a predominantly fertile wheat steppe-land with forested areas in its northeast region and agricultural lands in its south. Ankara has a continental climate; summers are hot and dry, winters are cold and snowy. It is bordered by the provinces of Cankiri and Bolu to the north, Eskisehir to the west, Konya and Aksaray to the south, and Kirikkale and Kirsehir to the east. The city is well connected to the other parts of the country by highways and railroads, there is also a big international airport.The region’s history dates back to the Bronze Age; Hatti Civilization, which was succeeded in the 2nd millennium BC by the Hittites, then the Phrygians (10th century BC); Lydians and Persians followed. After these came the Galatians, a Celtic race who were the first to make Ankara their capital (3rd century BC). It was then known as Ancyra, meaning anchor. The town subsequently fell to the Romans, Byzantines, and Seljuks under ruler Alparslan in 1073, and then to the Ottomans under sultan Yildirim Beyazit in 1402, who remained in control until the First World War.Anatolian Civilizations Museum and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, Local lunch at the restaurant,Drive to Cappadocia around 4,5hrs driving time.Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 3 : Cappadocia

 Breakfast at the hotel and start sightseeing. Cappadocia is the ancient name of the region which is located in the central part of Turkey with a history dating back to the Neolithic age. The first settlement in the area was at Catalhoyuk. Many years later, two major volcanoes erupted in the Hasan and Erciyes mountains. The lava which was expelled, called tufa, has created the carved landscape which it appears as today. In that tufa mixture there was mainly two materials: Basalt and Andesite. Over time, the soft basalt eroded leaving behind the andesite, which formed surrealistic rock shapes, now called ‘fairy chimneys’.
The major places to see these fairy chimneys are Zelve, Pasabag, Pigeon valley, Red Valley, Goreme, Urgup. Due to the fact that the soil is not fertile for agriculture, it is used instead for vinyards. The surrounding flora of the area consists of these vineyards, onion and potato fields. As the earth was so easily pliable, the inhabitants of the area lived for long periods in underground cities like Kaymakli, Derinkuyu, Mazikoy… when threatened by enemies. There are 36 underground cities like these in the region.The very first Christians of Anatolia settled in Cappadocia and built rock cut churches with beautiful frescoes in order to educate the community. Almost in every valley there is a church with magnificent frescoes inside, but the most popular ones are the ones which are in Goreme Open Air Museum.After the tour local lunch at the restaurantDinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 4 : Cappadocia / Konya / Pamukkale

 Drive to Pamukkale (8 hrs) with Konya visit. Pamukkale is an extraordinary natural wonder. The mineral-rich waters rise from the ground at a temperature of 35°C and tumble down the mountain from a height of 100 metres, forming a myriad of pools. Cream coloured stalactites are formed as the water overflows the pools, creating a breathtaking sight unequalled in the world. Water is the sole instrument in the creation of this gleaming fairy castle that resembles cotton (hence the name “Cotton Castle”). There are an abundance of hot springs in this wonderland which are recommended for the treatment of heart disease, circulatory problems, high blood pressure, nervous disorders, rheumatism, eye and skin diseases, nervous and physical exhaustion, and digestive maladies.Konya visit with 13th century Seljukian caravanserai “Sultanhan”,Mevlana Museum and the Theological School of Whirling Dervishes
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Pamukkale.

Day 5 : Pamukkale / Kusadasi

 Full day sightseeing of Pamukkale area and drive to Kusadasi,Pamukkale visit with Hierapolis and Necropolis, Aphrodisias,Local lunch at the restaurant,Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6 : Kusadasi / Istanbul

 Sightseeing of Ephesus area:Ephesus and The House of Virgin Mary,Archeological Museum,Lunch at a local restaurant,Transfer to airport and flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 7 : Istanbul / Fly (B)Half Day Old City Tour

 St. Sophia (On Mondays replaced by the Chora Church Museum),Blue Mosque (Closed on Fridays during pray time),Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays)
Checkout and transfer to the airport for onward flight.

Disclaimer:

 The above program is only for guidance purpose, Similar programs can be tailor made as per request.