Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, begin your Turkish journey.

We will explore Istanbul city today. Our first visit will be to HIPPODROME. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. The ancient Hippodrome was the center of Byzantine civic life, from political and theological controversies to chariot races and riots. Built-in 203 by Emperor Septimus Severus, it is estimated that the arena could accommodate up to 100,000 spectators. This square in Istanbul previously was a circus that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos, horse, and dromos, path or way.

Then we will visit SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, and is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.

Note – Please do not forget to carry a Scarf with you for visiting Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Mosque.

After the mosque we will proceed for lunch.

Our next visit will be to the famous HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, is simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th-century golden mosaics. Today it is a mosque.

After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.

Today’s evening is going to be the most beautiful one. Get dressed in Green Ladies and enjoy the dinner cruise in Bosphorus.

DINNER CRUISE ON THE BOSPHORUS TOUR: Tonight, we have an Entertaining Dinner Cruise program on the Bosphorus, where Europe and Asia are connected. You will spend an unforgettable night on the Bosphorus with dinner, unlimited local alcoholic and non-alcoholic & soft drinks, a belly dance show, a Turkish Folklore show, a DJ Performance, and great entertainment on Bosphorus Dinner Cruise. End of the entertainment at about midnight 00:00 am, transfer to your hotel.

(Would like to appraise that the Bosphorus Cruise does not have an elaborate menu for vegetarians. Its quite limited but it is an experience in itself, that is why Meraki Diaries recommend it and have it in the itinerary.).

Overnight at a hotel in Istanbul.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast enjoy BOSPORUS BY BOAT in the morning; a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will see the magnificent sights of the following attractions from your boat.

See Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade facing the shore.

At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque, and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries. RUMELI FORTRESS (view from the boat), Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.

BEYLERBEYI PALACE (view from boat), is the summer residence of Ottoman sultans in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Time for some delicious lunch at the Turkish restaurant.

After the lunch we will then take you to the GRAND SPICE BAZAAR, which is a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find; Exotic Spices and Herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all naturel olive oil, soaps and many other goods in Souvenir Shops and stores.

After the tour transfer to Istanbul Airport for domestic flight to Izmir.

Transfer from the airport and check in to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kusadasi.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast we will have a tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world en-route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curetes street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library and Grand theater.

Time for some Turkish lunch.

After lunch, visit Sirince’s – Turkish old village – construction style today belongs to Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slope are all Original with their white paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey – especially fruit wines.

We will see the vineyards and it is time to learn how to make fruit wine. In the evening, you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine.

After the tiresome wine making, relax yourself and enjoy Turkish hammam. Enjoy a traditional Turkish hammam experience in Kusadasi. The Turkish bath, called in Turkish “Hammam”, has been part of Turkish Culture for hundreds of years. There are Hammams in Turkey over 250 years old. Begin in the Sicaklik or hot room, where you let your muscles relax with the heat.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will depart for Pamukkale in the morning. Upon arrival at Pamukkale we will first go for our lunch.

Afterwards, we will visit the CALCIUM TERRACES OF PAMUKKALE (cotton castle) and the ruins of HIERAPOLIS, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Denizli/Pamukkale means seaside in Turkish and is located on the Buyuk Menderes River. It is a growing industrial town, known for its textile industry and outlet shopping. You will visit one of the famous textile factories of Pamukkale.

Enjoy a full day here.

Later return to the hotel (Kusadasi).

Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

Early breakfast at the hotel (We may take the packed breakfast here).

After breakfast, we depart for İzmir Airport for our domestic flight to Cappadocia.

After arriving Transfer to your hotel.

Dinner & overnight at hotel.

Hot Air Balloon Tour – Today early in the morning, we will go to the most beautiful and unique area of the world, where hundreds of Hot Air Balloons will take off through the air. We will watch the sunrise over those splendid fairy chimneys and valleys that impress people with their exquisiteness.

In case any of you want to take this experience of 1-hour flight ballooning the same can be done on a direct payment basis (Approx. Euro 216 per person).

After this, we will return to our hotel and have breakfast.

After breakfast, we will depart for the Cappadocia Tour.

We will drive to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the best-preserved underground cities in Cappadocia.

After the Underground City tour, you visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia. Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to the 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks.

The next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. After Cavusin you go to the restaurant to have lunch. After lunch, we will visit a pottery workshop, to see how to make pottery.

Then will go to LOVE VALLEY. Love Valley Cappadocia is a hidden valley with scenic formations, to say the least. Despite the resemblance to manhood, these amazing rock formations are far from man-made.

Break for lunch.

The next stop is DEVRENT VALLEY, which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. The last stop is THREE BEAUTIES, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia.

Dinner & overnight in a hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will depart for our domestic flight to Istanbul.

Check into the hotel and have some rest. In the evening some chit-chat about our trip experience over dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, we can take a stroll of a market before heading out for the airport.

Depart for homes