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| Day 1 - Istanbul
Arrival at Istanbul airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Dinner at your hotel. | | Day 2 - Istanbul
Following the breakfast we drive to the 'Old City' where we will visit the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles and Saint Sophia. This church - turned mosque - turned museum takes the breath away with the sheer architectural size of its interior and magnificent dome and next we will visit the spectacular Topkapi Palace. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex commands views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It was the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852). Then, we will visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, built by master architect Sinan during the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, the Lawgiver. The last stop will be Grand Bazaar, with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets and leatherwear. | | Day 3 - Istanbul / Cappadocia
Early in the morning we will fly to Kayseri for the Cappadocia Valley in the heart of the Anatolian Plateau, and marvel at the twisted lunar landscape. Successive eruptions of a now-extinct volcano left the plateau covered with volcanic tuff, which was transformed by intense erosion into beautiful landscapes of cones, columns, and canyons. Between the 4th and 13th centuries Christians hewed dwellings and sanctuaries from the rock, totally incorporating the architecture into the landscape. | | Day 4 - Cappadocia
Further exploration today includes the Valley of Fairy Chimneys, Goreme Valley, with its Byzantine rock churches, the city of Zelve and the subterranean city of Kaymakli. Overnight in Cappadocia. | | Day 5 - Cappadocia / Kayseri / Izmir
Following the breakfast we will drive to Kayseri Airport, where we'll take our direct flight to Izmir, the third biggest city of Turkey. Upon arrival in Izmir, we will proceed to the old section of Izmir called Kadifekale which was a bastion built by Alexander the Great when he moved the city to this commanding location over the Bay of Izmir. Following our panoramic Izmir tour and a tasty lunch in lively city center of Alsancak, we will get settled in your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. | | Day 6 - Ephesus / Istanbul
Your full day tour of Ephesus includes visits to the Arcadian Way, the Marble Road, the Great Theater, the Library of Celcius, St. John's Basilica and the Shrine of Virgin Mary. Following the excursion we will drive to Izmir Airport for our flight to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. | | Day 7 - Istanbul
We will spend the day with exploring the city on our own. | | Day 8 - Istanbul
After breakfast, your tour host will escort you to the airport for your flight home. |
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