15 NIGHTS / 16 DAYS EXPLORE TURKEY

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL AND PRIVATE TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL.
Overnight at: https://www.sevenhillspalace.com/ for 4 nights in Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non-
Smoking, Pool View on bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 2 – PRIVATE BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN RELICS (breakfast-lunch)
In the morning sightseeing tour in the old city of
Constantine, Istanbul starts
with Hippodrome Square
where chariot races were once
held in Roman Age and today
one can see the Obelisk from
Egypt, the Fountain of Wilhelm
II and the Colossus, Serpentine
Column from Delphi and the
marvelous Underground
Cistern built in order to solve
water supply problem nearby.
Followed by a visit to the
masterpiece of Byzantine
architecture St. Sophia operates as mosque today. The splendor of the interior
decoration, the massiveness of its architectural proportions being unusual for
a church and the most important of all, the height of its central dome has
amazed everyone since it was first
constructed. Then only a short walk
away, Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) is the only
mosque with six minarets in Istanbul. Called as blue mosque
by foreigners because of the dominant color of more than
20.000 Iznik tiles decorating the spacious interior The
Mosque is regarded as the peak achievement of Ottoman
architecture. The highlights of the afternoon are a visit to the
magnificent Topkapi Palace which is the only palace
remaining from the Ottomans reflecting the splendor of the
once mighty empire. End the day with a visit to the incredible
Grand Bazaar.

DAY 3 – BOSPHORUS CRUISE BY PUBLIC FERRY WITH A VISIT TO SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE (breakfastlunch)
Enjoy the Bosphorus Cruise on a public
ferry (also known as Gypsy Boat)
passing half a dozen Ottoman imperial
palaces, traditional Yalis (waterside
villas) and shore villages. We drive to
visit Suleymaniye Mosque which was
built by the most important architect
of Ottoman times, Architect Sinan, this
superb monument is Istanbul’s largest
mosque complex.

DAY 4 – PRIVATE ECLECTIC TOUR OF ISTANBUL (breakfast-lunch)
This private tour includes a
perfect visit to the Galata
Tower built by the Genoese in
1348. The Old Pera was given
to them by the Ottoman
Empire because of their help in
defeating a Crusade. After a
short gentle walk we take the
oldest functioning metros in
the world. The “Tunnel”,
Completed in 1873, it is the
shortest metro ever built which
connects Karakoy to Beyoglu,
followed by a local windowshopping
if you would like to
experience. We will visit the
Galata Mevlevi Lodge (Galata
Mevlevihanesi) is an exciting
museum showcases variety of
Turkish calligraphic art items,
music items and items belonging to the Mevlevi cult ure. Gentle walk to Taksim Square then drive into the colorful sights,
vibrant sounds and intriguing scents of the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice MNear the mighty Hagia Sophia Basilica and the magnificent Topkapi Palace, Hodjapasha Cultural
Center is a delightful piece of the city’s striking cultural mosaic. Transformed from a large 15thcentury
hamam (Turkish bath), it now welcomes visitors under its high dome ceilings to showcase
some of the best of this vast country’s traditions.
Sufi whirling is a form of Sama or physically active meditation which originated among Sufis, and
which is still practiced by the Sufi Dervishes of the Mevlevi order. It is a customary dance within the Sema, or worship ceremony, through which dervishes (also called semazens) aim to reach
the source of all perfection, or kamala. This is sought through abandoning one’s nafs, egos or
personal desires, by listening to the music, focusing on God, and spinning one’s body in repetitive
circles, which has been seen as a symbolic imitation of planets in the Solar System orbiting the sun.
As explained by Sufis. In the symbolism of the Sema ritual, the semazen’s camel’s hair hat (sikke)
represents the tombstone of the ego; his wide, white skirt represents the ego’s shroud. By removing
his black cloak, he is spiritually reborn to the truth. At the beginning of the Sema, by holding his arms
crosswise, the semazen appears to represent the number one, thus testifying to God’s unity. While
whirling, his arms are open: his right arm is directed to the sky, ready to receive God’s beneficence;
his left hand, upon which his eyes are fastened, is turned toward the earth. The Semazen conveys
God’s spiritual gift to those who are witnessing the Sema. Revolving from right to left around the
heart, The Semazen embraces all humanity with love.

DAY 5 – FLIGHT TO KAYSERI & PRIVATE CLASSIC CAPPADOCIA TOUR (breakfast-lunch)
Pick-up from your hotel and private transfer to the airport for your flight to Kayseri.
Turkish Airlines, Istanbul (IST) to Kayseri (ASR): 09:05 – 10:25 am
Arrive in Kayseri or Nevsehir airport and transfer to Cappadocia for your tour.
PRIVATE CLASSICAL CAPPADOCIA TOUR & SUNSET CAMEL SAFARI
Meeting with your guide and visit the lunar landscape of
Cappadocia, starting with the rock formations beyond; visit
Devrent and Pasabag –three coned fairy chimneys” where
the voice of wind mixes with the “songs of fairies”. Lunch is
in Avanos, center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. In
the afternoon visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site
Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of
Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with
frescoes and paintings (10th & 13th century). Private
transfer to your Sunset Camel Safari (90 min.) then head
back your hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia at: https://www.argosincappadocia.com/home-page for 2 nights in
Deluxe Room on bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 6 – HOT AIR BALLOON RIDING TOUR & PRIVATE HIDDEN DWELINNGS OF CAPPADOCIA TOUR &
TURKISH NIGHT SHOW WITH DINNER (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
Early morning hot-air balloon. Experience
begins by transfer of the passengers to the
headquarters with luxury minibuses. Our
passengers will have an open buffet – full
catered delicious breakfast and their check-in
will be made while the pilots are choosing a
good launch site according to the wind
directions. Once the launch site is selected, the
passengers will proceed to the launch site
where they will witness how the crew and the
pilot unload, assemble and inflate the balloon.
Following an introduction to the safety factors
of ballooning with your pilot, your amazing
experience will begin. The balloons will climb
approximately 300 meters (1000 feet) during
the flight. A panoramic and marvelous view will
greet the passengers while drifting above the valleys and between rock formations. Balloons move
by the wind and you will float wherever the wind takes you; so that each flight brings new and
memorable experiences. Each passenger is to dress according to the temperature. Flat shoes, hat,
sunglasses and of course camera is a must. The flight presents many photo opportunities and lifetime
memories to cherish. The flight will last approximately for 60 minutes. In keeping with ballooning
tradition, our passengers are treated to a champagne ceremony upon landing by our crew. The
passengers will receive a memento certificate. All our passengers are covered with insurance by
Eureko Insurance Company. After the flight our luxury minibuses will take you back to your hotel.
Your entire balloon adventure lasts about 180 minutes.
PRIVATE HIDDEN DWELINNGS OF CAPPADOCIA TOUR
After second breakfast at your hotel meeting with
your guide and driver for start your next tour. Red
Valley, with its fabulous volcanic rock formations, is
in the heart of Cappadocia but away from the tourist
crowd. Rock-Cut hermit churches with frescoes and
paintings fit with the Valley’s meditative atmosphere,remained intact since the beginning. Our lovely hike will start from a
beautiful panoramic point presenting
us great light in the morning for pictures. After the hike we give a
refreshment break in Cavusin village which will be complemented by a
visit to the ruins of Cavusin Town. After lunch, 20-minute drive will take
us to the least visited Underground city; Ozkonak which was discovered
by a villager while he was looking for the water disappearing from his
irrigation system in his field. Unlike other underground cities, Ozkonak
has different ventilation and security system. 3 of the 5 floors are open
to visitors and believed to shelter many people from persecution and loots

DAY 7 – FLIGHT TO IZMIR (breakfast-lunch)
06:00 am, Depart from your hotel and transfer to Kayseri airport for your flight to Izmir.
Sun Express Airlines, Kayseri (ASR) to Izmir (ADB): 08:35 – 10:10 am
Arrive in Izmir airport and transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi.
Overnight in Kuşadası at: http://lavistahotel.net/en/homepage/ for 2 nights in Suite on bed and
breakfast basis.

DAY 8 – PRIVATE PAMUKKALE TOUR (breakfast-lunch)
Pamukkale; with the other name ‘’The
Cotton Castle’’ One of the natural wonders
of Turkey; the thermal spa of Pamukkale has
abundant supplies of remarkable hot spring
waters laden with calcareous salts. It is
claimed to benefit heart and circulation
complaints, as well as digestive disorders
and rheumatic and kidney diseases. Nobody
can dispute its excellent stress-relieving
properties: a half-hour wallow will certainly relax you. Hierapolis; Walk around the ancient city, the monuments and the thermal baths. See the
architectural genius of the theatre, the magnificently well-preserved Necropolis and the worldwide
famous Devil’s Hole. End of the tour head back to Kuşadası

DAY 9 – PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR & Izmir – Sanliurfa (breakfast-lunch)
Take off to the ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus was
undoubtedly one of the
most important cultural
centers of the ancient
world. Impressive
structures you will see
include the Library of
Celsus, Temple of
Hadrian, Theater and
Odeon. Close by is the
House of the Virgin
Mary where she is
believed to have spent her last years. On August 18th, 1961, Pope
John XXll proclaimed the House of Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred. You will have a chance to
take a phial of Holy Water from the Sacred Spring End of the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir airport for your flight to Sanliurfa via Istanbul.
Pegasus Airlines, Izmir (ADB) to Istanbul (SAW): 16:40 – 17:45 (1 hour 25 mnts connection)
Istanbul (SAW) to Şanlıurfa (GNY): 19:10 – 20:55
Arrive in Sanliurfa and private transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Şanlıurfa at: https://www.alahanotel.com/ for 3 nights in Exclusive Suite on bed and
breakfast basis

DAY 10 – PRIVATE URFA, GÖBEKLİ TEPE AND HARRAN TOUR (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
We will visit Urfa Museum, city tour with Abraham’s pool,
Harran plateau and finally Gobekli Tepe the oldest temple of the
world a game changer in archeology world.
What a researcher would find in the
books and articles about Neolithic Age
until 15-20 years ago as the most
popular idea until a German
archaeologist, Klaus Schmidt
discovered Gobekli Tepe within 18
km. distance of Urfa, one of the
renowned mystic cities of human history. The world was dazzled with this
surprising discovery because Gobekli Tepe was not only the earliest
sanctuary on Earth, it was the oldest architectural monument too. It was
dated to 10.000 B.C. to Pre-pottery Neolithic age miraculously predating
the earliest settlements in Mesopotamia by 5000 years, Stonehenge in
England 7000 years, Egyptian pyramids 7.500 years and Ggantija Temples in Malta 6.500 years. This
fact indicates that humans had already achieved an unexpected
level of imagination
and complex thinking
at a time they were
thought to be simple
hunter-gatherers
without any sign of
agriculture yet. Back
to Urfa (Şanlıurfa) for
overnight. We will experience the Sira Night (Sıra Gecesi) in Urfa

DAY 11 – LEISURE DAY ON YOUR OWN (breakfast)

DAY 12 – DRIVE TO GAZIANTEP ON THE WAY VISITING RUMKALE AND HALFETI (breakfast-lunch)
After breakfast we
will head to Şanlıurfa
with visit an amazing
stop on the way at
Halfeti at the banks
of river Euphrates , a
boat trip on the
village sunken under
the dam waters
Rumkale hopefully
we will also see Bald Ibis’, arrive to Gaziantep.
Overnight in Gaziantep at https://www.divan.com.tr/otel/divan-gaziantep-otel for 1 night in Suite
King City View on bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 13 – PRIVATE GAZIANTEP TOUR & FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL (breakfast-lunch)
Gaziantep city of gastronomy also with famous baklava
shops besides its history. We
will be visiting new Zeugma
Mosaic Museum – 2nd
biggest in the world after
Hatay Archeology Museum.
Our exploring the city will
continue with old city and
copper makers bazaars and
Gaziantep War Museum.
End of the tour private airport transfer to your Istanbul flight.
Turkish Airlines, Gaziantep (GZT) to Istanbul (IST): 18:05 – 19:50
Welcome to Istanbul airport and private transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul at: https://www.perapalace.com/ for 3 nights in Deluxe Golden Horn Side
Room with King Bed on bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 14 – PRIVATE PRINCES ISLAND TOUR BY PUBLIC FERRY (breakfast-lunch)
Explore Büyükada, the largest of Turkey’s
Princes islands, on this excursion. Cruise across
the Sea of Marmara, watching the sights of
Istanbul slip from view.
You can explore the pedestrianized island in the
best possible way – by bike (not included) or
spend time at leisure, perhaps relaxing on one of
its beaches, before returning to Istanbul.
Depart from your hotel with your guide, and
board the public ferry that will take you to the
Princes islands. The largest and most interesting of the islands is Büyükada, which is your destination
for the day.
From the boat you can look back on the sights of Istanbul, seeing iconic landmarks such as Topkapi
Palace and the pretty Kiz Kulesi (also known as the Maiden’s Tower), which was featured in the
James Bond film, The World is Not Enough.
Dock in Büyükada and then take a stroll through the
streets with your guide, soaking up the laid-back
atmosphere of island life. Your guide will tell you about
the island’s history during the ride, and about its time
as a place of exile for banished statesmen and royalty,
and of its life as a monastic settlement during Turkey’s
Byzantine-Christian period.
Pass lovely wooden mansions that are stunning
examples of the island’s late Ottoman-era architecture,
and look out over the sparkling sea. Seagulls are
everywhere in Büyük ada, and if you’d like to feed
them your guide will give you simits (bread with sesame seeds) so you can toss them a treat.
Meet your guide at a pre-arranged time for your public ferry ride back to Istanbul. The last leg of your
journey will be by coach, and you’ll be dropped off at your Istanbul hotel.

DAY 15 – ENJOY AQUA FLORYA SHOPPING MALL AND AQUARIUM & PRIVATE SPICE BAZAAR FOOD
TOUR AND COOKING CLASS (14:00 – 20:30) (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
Morning at desired time, your driver
and guide will pick you up at your
hotel and go to the Aqua Florya.
PRIVATE SPICE BAZAAR FOOD TOUR AND COOKING CLASS (14:00 – 20:30)
(14:00 – 20:30) Enjoy visiting an historic spice & food
bazaar, tasting what it has on offer then cooking your
own meal in a professional kitchen with our chefs.
It’s essential to have a guide in the hustle and bustle of
the 17th century Spice Bazaar.
The Spice Bazaar is actually only 5 % spices! The other
95% of what the Spice Bazaar has to offer includes
baklava, fresh fruits & nuts, fresh dates, charcuterie,
specialty cheeses, Turkish delight (made of pomegranate,
rose petals, white chocolate)
If you want to understand the vastly rich heritage of
Turkish cuisine and how to cook with all of these ingredients yourself, then this tour is JUST RIGHT for
YOU!
You will learn how to prepare a delicious five-course Turkish meal to reproduce back at home for
family and friends.
*Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or special considerations.

DAY 16 – PRIVATE TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FOR FLIGHT BACK HOME. (breakfast)
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