DAY 01: ARRIVE ISTANBUL (l)Arrive at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (or Karakoy Port). Meet AVOTUR's local guide or representative and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and short rest. (Please note check-in time at most hotels is 14:00 but we will do our best to arrange early check-in if necessary.)
Departure for halfday city tour. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Halfday city tour with a visit to the main historical center of Istanbul, Sultanahmet with its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. The monuments to be visited are the Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome (Obelisk of Theodosius, serpent column, brick column, Kaiser Wilhelm II fountain), the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace with its Treasury and Sacred Trust sections. Return to the hotel after the tour. Dinner at the leisure.
DAY 02: ISTANBUL (b, l)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Fullday city tour covering the Bosphorus area. Our tour today starts with the Spice Market located next to the New Mosque facing the Galata Bridge straddling the Golden Horn. Continue with the 19th century Dolmabahce Palace and visit the men's section with its Hereke carpet covered ceremonial halls. A (private) cruise on the Bosphorus will introduce us to the rich cultural heritage of the palaces, fortresses, wooden Ottoman villas and lively little fishing villages and famous nightclubs of the city. (For individuals public boat will be used.) Lunch will be served at a local fish restaurant. Intercontinental Bosphorus suspension bridge crossing to the Asian side of Istanbul. For a wide panoramic view of the city we will visit the Camlica Hill. At the end of the tour, return to the hotel. Dinner at leisure.
DAY 03: ISTANBUL - ANKARA (b, l, d)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Ankara. City tour in Ankara with visits to the ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS MUSEUM at the CITADEL area and the MAUSOLEUM of ATATÜRK (founder of the Republic of Turkey 1881-1938). A short drive will introduce you to the capital of Turkey with the panoramic Atakule tower, Presidential Palace at Cankaya, the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Ministries. Lunch at a local restaurant.
At the end of the tour transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 04: ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA (b, l, d)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue to Cappadocia driving along the Salt Lake. Visit the Agzikarahan caravanserai before reaching Cappadocia (Land of Beautiful Horses). Lunch at Belisirma. A stroll along the Ihlara Valley for a first glimpse of the moonlike landscape of Cappadocia with its gorges, rock-hewn churches and troglodytic settlements. Continue to our central hotel in Cappadocia.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 05: CAPPADOCIA (b, l, d)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Fullday tour of Cappadocia including UCHISAR rock formation to have a panoramic view, GÖREME Valley Outdoor Museum to view the frescoes of the famous churches known by the names Apple, Dark, Barbara, Sandal and Snake churches, the PASABAGI Monks Valley, an underground city, DEVRENT VALLEY, RED VALLEY, URGUP fairy chimneys. Lunch during the tour. Visit the Avanos village pottery center located along the Kizilirmak (Red River, Turkey's longest river). Afternoon spent at the various handicraft workshops of the region selling carpets ad rugs, ceramics, onyx, jewelry and souvenirs.
Dinner at the hotel, but there is also the opportunity to wine and dine in one of Urgup's cave restaurants enjoying a folk and belly dance show.
Day 06: CAPPADOCIA - ANKARA DEPARTURE (b)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer back to Ankara airport (ESB) for the departure flight.
Hotels to be used in:
| ISTAMBUL | |
| 3 STAR | Golden Age Istanbul |
| 4 STAR | Grand Öztanik Istanbul |
| ANKARA | |
| 3 STAR | Ickale Ankara |
| 4 STAR | Etap Altinel Ankara |
| CAPPADOCIA | |
| 3 STAR | Dinler Cappadocia |
| 4 STAR | Lodge Cappadocia |
