Best of Istanbul & world heritage Cappadocia

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival Istanbul

  Meet at the Istanbul Int. airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to the historical peninsula, known as Sultanahmet, where you spend the night at the hotel.

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 45 - 50 km (Istanbul Int. airport to hotel in Sultanahmet/Sirkeci)

  ON: in Istanbul at the hotel

  Meals:   - / - / -

• DAY 2

  Istanbul sightseeing historical peninsula

  After breakfast we head out for a fantastic tour through Istanbul, we start the day with a walk through the historical peninsula area where we visit Topkapi palace, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome square and blue mosque.

  The Topkapi palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years of their 624 year reign. As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. The palace is among the monuments contained within the "historic areas of Istanbul", which became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985. Next to Topkapi palace we head over to famous Hagia Sophia, considered to be one of the world’s most important monuments, a masterpiece and example of great architectural beauty. The marvel complex anchors the old city of Istanbul and has served for centuries as an Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later as a mosque and as museum. On our way we also pass through Hippodrome square, once a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. The surviving monuments of the Spina (the middle barrier of the racecourse), the two obelisks (Obelisk of Thutmose III & Walled Obelisk) and the Serpentine Column, now sit in holes in a landscaped garden. Our final visit takes us to blue mosque (Sultan Ahmed mosque), built between 1609 and 1616. The design is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighbouring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. We conclude the day with a traditional cup of Turkish tee, known as cay and afterwards return to our hotel.

  ON: in Istanbul at the hotel

  Meals:   B / - / -

• DAY 3

  Istanbul Bosphorus tour by boat & sightseeing historical peninsula

  Today we continue our exploration through Istanbul, we start the day with a Bosphorus tour by boat, right through the heart of modern Istanbul. The most impressive sights along the shores of the Bosphorus are the Topkapi palace, the Bosphorus Maiden's Tower (Kiz Kulesi) and Dolmabahce palace, several Ottoman palaces, fortresses, forested hills and shore villages with Ottoman architecture.

  Our next visit takes us to amazing Basilica cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. Ancient texts indicated that the basilica contained gardens, surrounded by a colonnade and facing the Hagia Sophia, Historical texts claim that 7,000 slaves were involved in the construction of the cistern. Our last stop takes us to famous covered bazaar (Kapali Carsi), one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. We conclude the day with a traditional cup of Turkish coffee and afterwards return to our hotel.

  Bosphorus tour by boat (public): approx. 2 - 3 h

  ON: in Istanbul at the hotel

  Meals:   B / - / -

• DAY 4

  Istanbul to Kayseri & world heritage Cappadocia

  After breakfast we drive to Istanbul Int. airport and fly to Kayseri and continue from there to Cappadocia, where we spend the next four nights to explore the history and landscape of this wonder of nature.  

  Cappadocia is undeniably a nature fantasy and it almost feels like another planet with its exceptional geological formations. Wind, rain and frost have sculpted this superb scenery in the volcanic rock during millions of years and eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and forms. In this creation of nature, the curiosity of the landscapes is added to the historical richness.

  Easy hiking, culture & sightseeing: Cavusin village, Pasabaglari (monk) valley, Zelve monastery & Avanos

  In Cappadocia we drive to Cavusin village, one of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia area; a small village made up of rock cut dwellings and elegantly carved stone houses. From here a walking path, close to beautiful rock formations and with magnificent views, permits us directly to nearby Pasabaglari (monk) valley. Here the fairy chimneys are unique and feature bizarre large toadstool like caps which protect the rest of the chimney from erosion. The area was formerly a monastic retreat and used to be known as monk’s valley and features a rock cut church dedicated to St Simeon. Close to Pasabaglari we also visit Zelve monastery valley, where once Christians moved during the Persian and Arab invasions and the region, though recently uninhabited, became an important settlement and religious area. Spreading out over three valleys, of which two are connected by a tunnel, the amazing cave town is famous for its honeycombed dwellings, religious and secular chambers. The monastery is rich in its own beauty; main decorations are high relief crosses representative of the Iconoclastic doctrine. We conclude the day with a visit to Avanos, where the most famous historical feature, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery. It is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used. We will take time to visit one of the pottery studios and you will try to shape by your own.

  Walking time: 45 min.; walking distance: 3 km; ascent: 60m; descent: 70m; (Cavusin - Pasabaglari)

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 45 - 50 km (Hotel in Sultanahmet/Sirkeci to Istanbul Int. airport)

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 80 km; (Kayseri airport - Cappadocia)

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 5

  World heritage Cappadocia

  Optional Activity: hot air balloon ride

  In the early morning before sunrise it is optional possible to go on a hot air balloon flight. Cappadocia is awarded as one of the world's best balloon flight areas and it is one of the best ways to discover the unique landscapes of this impressive wonder of nature.

  Culture & sightseeing: Uchisar citadel, Goreme open air museum & red valley

  After having breakfast we drive Uchisar village where we visit the high viewpoint known as “the fortress”. Many rooms hollowed out into the Rock, are connected to each other with stairs, tunnels and passages. The top of the Citadel provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. Afterwards we drive to Goreme open air museum; one of the most beautiful valleys in Cappadocia. The Christian people at the heart of the Cappadocia realized that the soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches and monasteries. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post iconoclastic period. The frescoes inside the Goreme open air museum are a unique artistic achievement from this period. Our last visit takes us to red valley area, another beautiful valley in Cappadocia with spectacular formations and colours, full with old cave houses, complexes and hidden churches from the old Christian civilization. Although it is not definite, the common believe is that most of the churches and complexes carved out of the cliff face date back to the 8^th and 9^th centuries and its decorative reliefs and frescoes added in the 10^th and 11^th centuries.

  Optional activity: Turkish bath (Hamam)

  In the afternoon it is possible to visit a traditional Turkish bath, better known as Hamam, combines the functionality and the structural elements of its predecessors in Anatolia, the Roman thermal and eastern Roman baths. In Turkish culture it stands for far more than getting a leisurely bath, it is a special place of relaxation designed to regenerate body and mind.

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 6

  Cappadocia to Ihlara valley & Selime monastery via Derinkuyu underground city

  Easy hiking, culture & sightseeing: Derinkuyu underground city to Ihlara valley, Selime monastery and Guzelyurt

  After breakfast we drive to Ihlara; on route take time to visit incredible underground city of Derinkuyu, opened to visitors in 1965. The city is approximately 85m deep, but only 10 % can be visited, and contains all of the usual rooms found in an underground city, stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches and wineries. Apart from these, a large room with a barrel vaulted ceiling on the second floor served as a missionary school, the rooms to the left used as study rooms. Our hike we start in famous Ihlara valley, a 14 km long canyon with hundreds of rock cut rooms and churches. This valley proved to be an ideal place for Monks to worship in seclusion, as well as provide a safe hideaway and place of defense for people during times of invasion. There are numerous dwellings, some of which are connected by tunnels and corridors. The decorations in the churches date from the 6^th to the 13^th centuries. After having lunch in Belisirma village we continue our walk to Selime where we visit Selime monastery, a visit to this complex of buildings on a steep mountain slope is a must in the region. In the late afternoon, on our way back to Cappadocia, we also visit Guzelyurt village, formerly Gelveri, an area of great natural beauty and an important place in the history of Christianity.

  Walking time: 2 h; walking distance: 6 km (Ihlara to Belisirma)

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 95 km (Cappadocia to Ihlara via Derinkuyu / one way)

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 7

  World heritage Cappadocia

  City tours & time at leisure: visit Urgup & Goreme

  We start our final day with a visit to Goreme village, designated as an important tourist destination; a "center" for all tourism in Cappadocia. Afterwards we drive to Urgup too, one of the most important places in Cappadocia, known for its famous wines and pleasant cafes.

  In Urgup and Goreme we take time to relax a while and to taste a traditional cup of Turkish tea before we explore the centers of these famous cities (villages), with their small shops and pleasant cafes, on our own way.

  Optional activity: Turkish night show

  In the evening it is possible to visit a Turkish night show; the show begins with a short version of Dervish Sema (Mevlana) ceremony. Afterwards folk dancers in traditional costumes will show you dances from different parts of Turkey, including the famous ‘bride and groom’ and the highlight of the night, the belly dance show, a perfect finish to a great holiday.

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 8

  Trip concludes at Kayseri airport

  After breakfast; transfer to Kayseri airport where the trip concludes.           

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 80 km; (Cappadocia - Kayseri)

  Meals:   B / - / -