Magic Triangle Tour | 7 Nights
After a few days in fascinating Istanbul, loose yourself in mysterious Cappadocia. From the minarets of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia then enjoy the best coasts of Antalya.
Day 1 - Istanbul
You will be met at the airport by holding a name board then you will be transferred to your hotel. After C/in process then the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul
Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour
(Breakfast included)
We depart at 09:00 for the Istanbul City Tour. We will begin with ancient Hippodrome, which was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. We will then continue with Sultanahmet Mosque across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decorated with blue Iznik tiles, we then head to our last stop which is the famous Hagia Sophia. This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. Overnight in Istanbul
Day 3 - Istanbul | Bosphorus Cruise and Spice Market Tour | Cappadocia
(Breakfast included)
SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar) The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. BOSPHORUS BY BOAT 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 pass the magnificent 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 is marble facade faces 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 Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. BEYLERBEYI PALACE The summer residence of ottoman sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian. BOSPHORUS BRIDGE unique change to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe). After the Tour we will transfer you to the Ataturk Airport for Evening flight to Cappadocia. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours. Overnight in Cappadocia
Day 4 - North Cappadocia Tour
(Breakfast and lunch included)
Tour Highlights; Dervent Valley, Pasabag, Avanos, Goreme, Uchisar Castle
Lunch, featuring a selection of Turkish cuisine
After breakfast our first real encounter with Cappadocia almost Martian landscape is in the Dervent valley. We visit Pasabag’s “fairy chimneys”, where the voice of the wind harmonizes with songs of the fairies. From here we pause at Avanos center of terracotta art which is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over the river and is its production of earthenware pottery, it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used. A visit to ceramic & tile center to see how the ceramics made by hand. After lunch we visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia. People of Goreme, at the heart of the Cappadocia Region, realized that these soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post-iconoclastic period. These frescoes are a unique artistic achievement from this period. We complete the tour with a visit to the Uchisar Rock-Castle which has the numerous hollowed-out containers, rock tombs, and a large water cistern all welcome you as silent witnesses to history and human life giving you a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Free evening. Overnight in Cappadocia
Day 5 - South Cappadocia Tour | Antalya
(Breakfast and lunch included)
Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride in the early morning)
Optional Activity On this day; you may want to join Hot Air Balloon tour. Between 05:00am to approx. 08:00am for 60min flight,
Tour Highlights; Kaymakli Underground City, Red Valley, Cavusin, Ortahisar
Lunch, featuring a selection of Turkish cuisine
Depart from your hotel to visit Red valley and explore the famous rock- cut churches and hike 5 km through the Gulludere valley. Then visit Cavusin village. Old Cavusin was abandoned several decades ago due to avalanches. The current village of Cavusin is located on the road. Old Cavusin, with its rock-cut dwellings and stone houses, had several hermitages. After lunch drive to the Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli Underground City, where early Christians lived in fear and faith. The houses in the village are constructed around the nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city, which is one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia. The underground city was originally carved out as eight floors; however four floors are available to visit. In wartime about 5000 people can refuge in. The tunnels are still used today as storage areas, stables, and cellars. On the way back visit the natural castles at Ortahisar. After the tour we will rest at the hotel untill transfer to the airport for your flight to Antalya. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours. Overnight in Antalya
Day 6 - Antalya | Perge Aspendos Tour
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After breakfast at 08:30 am depart to Antalya (30 minutes drive).
PERGE : According to the geographer Strabon. Perge has been founded by Akhas who came down here after the Trojan wars. Perge was first mentioned in 334 BC when Alexander the Great passed through here. In the following years, Perge went under the control of Pergamon when the Kingdom of Pergamon became a part of the Roman city. Especially in the first and the second centuries BC, Perge became one of the richest towns in Pamphylia. Therefore it is not a surprising that St. Paul started his campaign in Anatolia from Perge in 46 AD. After the tour, departure for Aspendos. Lunch break on the way.
ASPENDOS: The eastern land of Antalya was called Pamphylia in ancient times. Aspendos (Belkis) lies 47 km east of Antalya in the Pamphylian plain. In 486 BC, Greeks and Persians had a great battle here (Greeks won, they didn't stay for long). During the reign of he Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-80 AD) Aspendos got its theatre, which is the best preserved of all. It was built by Romans and maintained by Byzantines and Seljuks. The ruins of the ancient city are extensive and include a stadium, an agora, and a basilica. Dinner at your Hotel. Overnight in Antalya
Day 7 - Antalya | Istanbul
(Breakfast included)
After breakfast you will have free time untill your airport transfer at noon, we depart for Antalya Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul. Transfer from Ataturk airport to your hotel in Istanbul. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Overnight in Istanbul
Day 8 - Istanbul
(Breakfast included)
We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again.After breakfast check out from the hotel. We make your return airport transfer services. Have a nice trip back home and thanks for choosing Luxury Istanbul.
To customize or get a tailor made tour in and around Istanbul please contact your travel professional mailto (@) luxuryistanbul.com or call us at + 90 535 312 2642