Turkey Delights Istanbul to Cappadocia Discovery

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Fly UK to Istanbul, Turkey
  Welcome to Istanbul or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, upon your arrival our assistants will be there to greet and facilitate your transfer to the hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You can choose to relax and unwind at the hotel or explore the surrounding area and embark on your own adventures in Istanbul, the day is yours to make the most of as you please. Overnight accommodations will be provided at the hotel in Istanbul, ensuring you have a comfortable and restful stay before continuing your journey in this vibrant city. If you need any assistance or recommendations during your stay, our staff will be more than happy to help make your time in Istanbul memorable.
• Day 2 - Istanbul, Turkey
  Your day begins with an early pick up from your hotel in the morning, you'll be transferred to the port where your adventure to the Prince's Islands begins. Step aboard the boat that will take you on a scenic journey to the Princes' Islands. As you depart from the bustling city, prepare to immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the sea. Around Midday you will explore Buyukada, upon arrival at Buyukada which is the largest of the Princes Islands, you'll embark on a guided tour. Learn about the island's rich history, including its past as a place of exile for banished statesmen and royalty, as well as its role as a monastic settlement during the Byzantine-Christian period. Your guide will narrate as you navigate the island's charming streets, passing by lovely wooden mansions that showcase the island's late Ottoman-era architecture. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, savouring the flavours of Turkish cuisine amidst the island's serene surroundings. Following lunch, the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure on the island. Take this time to unwind and soak in the island's tranquil atmosphere. As the afternoon draws to a close, you will meet back with your guide at the port to board the boat back to Istanbul. After a leisurely journey across the sea, you'll arrive back at your hotel in Istanbul, where you can reflect on the day's adventures and relax for the evening.
• Day 3 - Istanbul, Turkey
  Starting the day with a Bosphorus boat cruise provides a picturesque introduction to Istanbul's stunning waterfront. Guests will have the opportunity to capture the beauty of the Bosphorus and admire the imposing Rumeli Fortress, a testament to the city's strategic importance throughout history. While travelling by bus along the Golden Horn, guests can take in the panoramic views of this natural harbour, which has played a vital role in Istanbul's development. Learning about the area's significance in separating the old and new parts of the city, as well as its multicultural past, adds depth to the experience. Exploring Balat offers insight into Istanbul's diverse cultural heritage. Guests will have the chance to view architectural gems such as the Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, the Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), and the Fener Orthodox Patriarchate, providing a glimpse into the area's rich history and multicultural identity. Driving along the Byzantine City Walls allows guests to trace Istanbul's fortification history. Emphasizing the walls' role as the strongest fortifications of the Middle Ages adds context to their significance in protecting the city throughout various periods. Taking a cable car ride to the Pierre Loti Coffee House offers guests a unique perspective of Istanbul's landscape. Named after the famous French novelist and Istanbul enthusiast Pierre Loti, this spot provides stunning views of the city and a chance to relax in a historic setting.
• Day 4 - Istanbul - Kayseri , Cappadocia
  After breakfast, travellers have the entire morning and early afternoon to explore Istanbul at their leisure. You can choose to visit additional attractions, indulge in shopping or simply relax and enjoy the ambiance of the city. The hotel's check-out time will be12:00 PM and there is an option to store luggage at the hotel until departure. At 12:00 PM there will be a scheduled transfer from the hotel to either Istanbul or Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Upon arrival at Kayseri Airport, travellers will be greeted by your assistant and transferred to their hotel in Cappadocia. This seamless transition ensures a stress-free journey from Istanbul to Cappadocia, allowing travellers to focus on enjoying the upcoming experiences in this unique region. After a day of travel, guests can look forward to settling into their hotel in Cappadocia for a restful overnight stay.
• Day 5 - Cappadocia
  Departing from the hotel after breakfast, the first stop is Devrent Valley, renowned for its fascinating fairy chimneys. These distinctive rock formations, sculpted by centuries of erosion, come in various shapes and sizes, including caps, cones, mushrooms, pillars, and pointed rocks. Guests will have the opportunity to explore this otherworldly landscape and capture stunning photographs. The tour continues to Avanos, a town famous for its pottery-making tradition, which dates back to the Hittite period. Guests will visit local pottery workshops to witness artisans demonstrating their craft and learn about the techniques passed down through generations. Following lunch at a local restaurant, the tour proceeds to the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a significant cultural and historical landmark. Here, guests will explore ancient churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys, dating back to the 10th to 13th centuries. The walls of these rock-cut structures are adorned with intricate frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and early Christian life, providing valuable insights into the region's religious history. The tour concludes with a visit to Uchisar Castle, the highest point in the Cappadocia region. Guests will have the opportunity to admire panoramic views of the surrounding landscape from this ancient fortress, which was once a bustling settlement. The castle and its surroundings offer a glimpse into the region's past and its strategic importance throughout history.
• Day 6 - Cappadocia
  Departing from the hotel after breakfast, guests will venture into the Red Valley, an impressive area known for its vibrant hues and fascinating rock-cut dwellings and churches dating back to the time of early Christianity. Exploring these ancient sites offers insight into the region's rich history and religious significance. The tour continues with a visit to Cavusin Village, one of the oldest Greek settlements in Cappadocia. Guests can take a leisurely stroll through the village's charming streets, admiring its traditional architecture and learning about its cultural heritage. Guests will then visit Ortahisar Castle, an impressive rock-cut fortress that once served as a defensive stronghold. This is followed by an trip to Kaymakli the Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge from persecution, offering a fascinating glimpse into their way of life. En-route back to the hotel, guests will stop at Pigeon Valley here you will learn about the ingenious ways in which pigeons were used by the local population. To conclude the tour guests will have the opportunity to taste some of Cappadocia's finest wines at a local wine factory. This provides a perfect opportunity to unwind and savour the flavours of the region while reflecting on the day's adventures. Guests will be transferred back to their hotel, allowing them to relax and rejuvenate for the evening.
• Day 7 - Fly to the UK
  After breakfast, travellers have the entire day to explore Cappadocia at their leisure. You can choose to visit any attractions you may have missed, indulge in shopping for souvenirs, or simply relax and soak in the unique ambiance of the region. With no structured itinerary, guests can tailor the day to their preferences and interests. Guests should check out of their hotel by 12:00 PM (mid-day) However, you can leave luggage at the hotel free of charge, allowing you to continue exploring without being encumbered by their belongings. In the afternoon, there will be a scheduled transfer back to Kayseri Airport in preparation for the domestic flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, travellers will proceed with their international flight connection back to the UK. This itinerary provides travellers with the opportunity to make the most of their last day in Cappadocia while ensuring a smooth transition back to Istanbul for their onward journey.