MAGNIFICENT TURKEY
AT/PRO-02 “MAGNIFICENT TURKEY”
1st Day: ISTANBUL
Arrival and transfer to hotel.
2nd Day: ISTANBUL / BLUE MOSQUE & ST. SOFIA (B)
Half day city sightseeing: Hippodrome; once, center of horse races, chariot rallies and Byzantine civic life. Today only remain three monuments: The Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the column of Constantine. Blue Mosque; with its harmonious cascade of cupolas and six minarets, is certainly one of the most majestic and elegant mosques of Istanbul. Saint Sophia; built in IV. Century, the Mosque of St. Sophia is unquestionably one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture with its immense dome and beautifully preserved Byzantine mosaics. Afternoon OPTIONAL Topkapi Palace, (closed on Tuesdays).
3rd Day: ISTANBUL / ANKARA / CAPPADOCIA (L/D)
Early morning breakfast at hotel and departure to airport for flight to Ankara. Arrival and city sightseeing including the famous Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey. Then continue to Cappadocia via the Salt Lake. Lunch enroute. Arrival to hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
4th Day: CAPPADOCIA (B/L/D)
After breakfast full-day is dedicated to exploring the amazing world of Cappadocia, unique in the world for its moon-like landscapes. Visit the amazing underground city of Ozkonak used by the Christians of the 7th century as a refuge from the Roman persecutions, rock-carved churches in Göreme, troglodyte villages and fairy chimneys at Urgup, Avcilar and Uchisar. Lunch at a typical restaurant. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
5th Day: CAPPADOCIA / PAMUKKALE (B/L/D)
Breakfast at hotel and departure for Konya, the former capital of the Seljuk Empire. Visit enroute the Seljuk caravanserai of Sultanhani. Continue to Pamukkale. Lunch enroute. Arrive at Pamukkale and enjoy the sunset on its unique formation of petrified calcium cliffs. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
6th Day: PAMUKKALE / KUSADASI / IZMIR / ISTANBUL (B/L)
Morning breakfast at hotel. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and the hot-spring pools of Pamukkale, a spectacular natural site of dazzling white castles. Departure to Ephesus, one of the best preserved cities of ancient times. After lunch visit the Ruins, the Odeon, the Temple of Adrian, the famous Roman Baths, The Library of Celso, the famous Theatre, etc. In continuation visit the House of Virgin Mary, the sacred place for pilgrimage. Transfer to Izmir Airport and flight to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
7th Day: ISTANBUL (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to your next destination.
