Istanbul & Cappadocia

Today, our local guide will show you around the old city area of Istanbul with rich historical relics. The first stop will be the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople (Sultanahmet Square) of the Byzantine Era (395-1453). It is one of the most frequented squares in the city, inviting you to trace the storied past by visiting those well-preserved buildings. Then proceed to visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia around. Standing as an iconic landmark in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque attracts you with more than 20,000 sophisticated blue and white Iznik tiles inside. These tiles have deep cultural connotations in addition to their outstanding artistic value. Blue is often linked with the sky and the sacred in Islam, so the tiles also represent devotion and a quest for the sacred. Hagia Sophia, once a church in Byzantine Era and a monastery in Ottoman Era (1299-1923), shows a perfect fusion of Christian and Islamic architectural styles. Its massive domes and soaring minarets blend together beautifully from a distance.

► Tip: Bring a plastic bag to carry your shoes to avoid losing them, because the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia require shoes-off visit. Also, wear clothing that covers your shoulders and legs. Headscarves are needed for women. If your attire does not fit the requirements, do not worry - you can obtain one at the entry.

In the afternoon, we will go on to explore Topkapi Palace, the imperial palace and political center of Ottoman Empire from 15th to 19th century. In addition to traditional European elements, it incorporates Islamic and other architectural forms. Admire the ceramics, weapons, jewelry, and apparel that the Ottoman Sultans once used in this currently Turkey’s largest museum. We’ll visit the Basilica Cistern instead when the Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday.

★ Extra Entry to the Harem of Topkapi Palace Included
Get a comprehensive view of the Harem with our all-inclusive tickets. It offers you a unique window into the private life of the Ottoman royal family.

Today’s tour will end at Grand Bazaar, the indoor fair with more than 4,000 shops on 65 streets. Please pay close attention to our guide to avoid getting lost in these maze-like passages. Zincirli Han carpet shop is an ideal destination to experience authentic Turkish atmosphere. You can appreciate an extensive collection of hand-woven carpets and kilims in vibrant hues, designs, and sizes. But the prices here are not wallet friendly, if you want to buy, find more cost-effective options in Cappadocia later.

You will then be escorted back to the hotel by the guide and driver. Otherwise, you can say goodbye to them and return on your own if you’d like to continue exploring the Grand Bazaar. A 15-minute walk northeast or a 5-minute ride on Tram Line T1 (3 stops from Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı to Gülhane) will take you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan Hotel, Istanbul (4 stars) or similar

Today’s visit will begin with another bazaar, the Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Market. It is full of colorful spices, dried fruits and other daily essentials, making it a shopping paradise for locals. Turkey’s cuisine is the world third largest one, with spices playing a crucial role in that ranking. Why not find more about the Turkish cooking secrets and discuss the use of specialty spices with the store owners?

★ Special Arrangement: Bosphorus Strait Cruise
Next, the guide will accompany you to enjoy a 2-hour Bosphorus Strait Cruise. Bosphorus Strait separates Asia and Europe, so you can get a deeper understanding of cultures and histories here when passing by the Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace and Bosphorus Bridge. The cruise ship has two floors, and the seats are not fixed. Switch your viewpoint freely to take in the beautiful surroundings, but seats on the left side and second floor offer a more magnificent view.

Following that, the driver will transfer you to the airport to take a 1.5-hour flight to Cappadocia. Upon your arrival, you will be escorted to the hotel.

► Indulge in a Unique Cave Hotel Experience
Our carefully arranged hotel offers primitive and elegant living spaces, undoubtedly a unique but essential option when exploring this magical land. With its natural stone walls, red Anatolian carpets and a wonderful terrace, you can take unparalleled photos from any angle here.

► Recommended Activity: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Considering the possible fear of heights, hot air balloon riding is not listed as a must in our itinerary. For acrophobics, watching hot air balloons on the hotel’s observation deck is the best option. Otherwise, taking a hot air balloon ride to look down the lunar-like landscape is surely an amazing experience for people who are not afraid of heights. Not only will you witness the glory of the sunrise from the air, but also enjoy the celebratory champagne and receive a flight certificate as a souvenir after the flight. Please let us know in advance if you wish to take it, so we can book a seat for you.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Agarta Cave Suites, Cappadocia or similar

After breakfast, our local guide will accompany you to explore the Northern Cappadocia. The first stop will be the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its volcanic rock formations. But the rocks are not unbreakable, Christians had painstakingly cut out more than thirty cave churches here. They even painted beautiful murals to adorn the churches.

★ VIP Ticket with Access to Dark Church
With our all-inclusive ticket, admire the most well-preserved murals in the Goreme Open Air Museum. Don’t be scared by the name of the Dark Church. It is precisely because of the dim light that you can examine the stunning details and colors of the murals.

Then we’ll visit Avanos. Follow the guide to explore those special motifs in ceramic studios and porcelain boutiques here, unveiling the secret craftsmanship for generations. The Kizilirmak River, Turkey’s longest inland river, runs through Avanos. The red clay from the river is ideal for pottery-making, shaping Avanos into the ceramic haven it is today. The next stop will be the Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), exuding entirely natural beauty with those prettiest fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. Then we’ll head to the Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley), a concentration of oddly shaped volcanic cones and the most obvious eroded landforms. Not to be missed are the camel-shaped cones, serving as unique landmarks to offer you unforgettable sight. Afterwards, you’ll be escorted back to the hotel. On the way, we will stop at Love Valley so you can snap photos of the breathtaking Cappadocia sunset.

►  Expert Tips for Capturing Sunset Portraits
1. To make your shots more creative, form a circle with your hands and enclose the sun;
2. Focus on far-off fairy chimneys and blur the character, and you’ll get a more story-telling photo;
3. Pose with a clear outline, and your photographer needs to adjust the exposure from a distance to capture it, adding sense of artistry to your photo.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Agarta Cave Suites, Cappadocia or similar

Today, continue to visit the Southern Cappadocia. At first, the guide will accompany you to visit the Cavusin Village, a deserted ancient village rich in rock houses. And we’ll visit the Great Basilica (St. John the Baptist Chapel) here. Then, go on to visit the Rose Valley, which is home to towering rocks. The mountain here appears in various colors as the angle of sunlight changes, through which you’ll have an illusion of being in a movie screen. Our next destination is Red Valley, and we’ll enjoy a 2-hour hiking here. After that, you’ll be guided to the Uchisar Castle, a masterpiece of natural and ancient wisdom. The 60-meter-high rock was cleverly hollowed out into various caves. When foreign enemies invaded, they became natural havens with enough supplies to sustain the inhabitants for months.

Today’s final viewing destination will be Kaymakli Underground City, the largest and most popular one among more than 30 underground cities found in Cappadocia. Our guide will navigate you throughout its labyrinthine tunnels so you won’t get lost inside. While exploring, keep your eyes on those huge round stone wheels over the entrance on each level. Despite their decorative appearance, these wheels could block the entry along the preset trajectory once the enemies invaded. Consequently, ancient inhabitants could rely on livestock and supplies inside the underground city to hold on until the danger passed.
► Tip: There will be a great test for your knees and spine, because you need to stoop while walking in the low and narrow corridors. Please do it according to your ability.

At the end of the day, we will escort you to the airport to take a 1.5-hour flight back to Istanbul. Upon your arrival at Istanbul airport, our local driver will greet you there and transfer you to the hotel.

► Recommended Restaurant: Şehzade Cağ Kebap
Finish your last dinner in Istanbul with a traditional kebab. This restaurant is a 4-minute walk northwest of your hotel and costs around TL 300-400 (USD 9-12) per person. As the kebabs are grilled over charcoal, they get even more tempting and juicy. Putting them on a pancake with various sauces and side dishes is a unique way to savor them. Remember to order a Turkish yogurt to help with the grease, or try to add it on pancakes.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan Hotel, Istanbul (4 stars) or similar

At the agreed time today, our driver will escort you to the airport and see you off. Our service will end here. Hope you have had a great time with AgateTravel.

► For Your Information: 
If your flight is scheduled in the afternoon or later this day, consider to hang out in the Gülhane Park, which is a 10-minute walk northeast of your hotel. It is not only the back garden of Topkapi Palace, but also a perfect place to unwind from travel fatigue. Especially in April, the park will be dressed up like a fairy tale world when the tulips are in full bloom. Or take a 15-minute walk southwest to Cemberlitas Hamam to try a relaxing Turkish bath. In operation since 1584, this classic hamam offers clay masks, oil massages, and head massages.

If you plan to extend your trip in Turkey or visit other destinations in Asia and Europe, please contact us any time to tailor your trip.

Meals: Breakfast