9 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS – SKI & DISCOVER TURKEY

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL AND PRIVATE TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL.
Overnight at: https://www.titanic.com.tr/titanic-city-taksim or similar 4 stars hotel for 2 nights on
bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 2- PRIVATE BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN RELICS & BOSPHORUS CRUISE BY PUBLIC FERRY WITH A
VISIT TO SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE
Our guide will meet you at your hotel at a convenient time. This
tour includes visits to Hippodrome the former center of
sportive and political activities of Constantinople, Blue Mosque
and please enjoy St. Sophia Mosque. Then 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 3 – PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER AND ERCIYES SKI CENTER
Turkish Airlines, Istanbul (IST) to Kayseri (ASR): 07:45 – 09:05 am
What is included?
Helmet and Gloves, Ski equipment
Ski instructor, Entrance fees
Lunch, Hotel pick up and drop off
Professional guide
What is excluded?
Telfer (Cable Car)
Drinks, Other services not
mentioned
Optional Gratuities
Overnight at: https://www.libraryhotelerciyes.com/en or similar mountain boutique hotel for 3
nights on bed & breakfast basis.

DAY 4 – ERCIYES SKI CENTER
What is included?
Helmet and Gloves, Ski equipment, Ski instructor, Entrance fees, Lunch, Hotel pick up and drop off
Professional guide
What is excluded?
Telfer (Cable Car), Drinks
Other services not mentioned
Optional Gratuities

DAY 5 – ERCIYES SKI CENTER
What is included?
Helmet and Gloves, Ski equipment, Ski instructor, Entrance fees, Lunch, Hotel pick up and drop off
Professional guide
What is excluded?
Telfer (Cable Car), Drinks
Other services not mentioned
Optional Gratuities

DAY 6 – DRIVE TO CAPPADOCIA & PRIVATE CLASSICAL CAPPADOCIA TOUR
After breakfast check out and head to Cappadocia. In the morning, meeting with 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).
WHIRLING DERVISHES CEREMONY IN THE EVENING AT 18:30
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
performed 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.
Overnight in Göreme at: https://goremehouse.net/ or similar stone boutique hotel for 1 night on
bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 7 – HOT AIR BALLOON RIDING TOUR & DRIVE TO KONYA
Early morning hot-air balloon (up 6 years old).
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.
Departure for Konya. On the
way visit to the 13th century
Seljukian masterpiece
Sultanhan Caravanserai and
arrival in Konya. Lunch. After
visiting the Mausoleum of
Mevlana, the world-wide
famous mystic. If time permits;
proceed to Karatay
Theological School in which beautiful tiles are on display.
Overnight in Konya at https://www.balikcilar.com/ or similar hotel for
1 night on bed and breakfast basis

DAY 8 – HEAD TO ANTALYA PRIVATE ANTALYA OLD CITY TOUR
After breakfast head to Antalya. Tour will start with
the visit of Antalya’s most
distinctive landmark is the Yivli
Minare (fluted minaret), built
by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin
Keykubad (1219-36). The
minaret is a typical example of
Seljuk architecture, with a
square base surmounted by an
octagonal drum bearing the
fluted shaft, with its corbelled
gallery around the top. The
attached 14th-century mosque is still in use today. The minaret is right beside
the Kale entrance gate into the old city.
Overnight in Antalya at: https://pudinghotel.com/ or similar hotel for 1 night on bed and breakfast
basis.

DAY 9 – PRIVATE PERGE, ASPENDOS, SIDE & MANAVGAT WATERFALL TOUR & FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL
Depart from your hotel to visit Perge. An important
city of ancient Pamphylian, Perge was originally
settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. St. Paul
preached some of his first sermons here. The theater
stage has finely carved marble reliefs; other carvings
from around the city are displayed in the stadium.
Amateur archaeologists will want to see the
handsome city gate flanked by two lofty towers, a
long colonnaded road once paved with mosaics and
lined with shops, a large agora, the public baths and
a gymnasium. Proceed to Aspendos one of the bestpreserved
theatres in the world with seating for
15,000. Still used today, the theater galleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify to the
architect’s success. Nearby stand the remains of a basilica, agora and one of the largest aqueducts in
Anatolia. It is commonly believed that Aspendos was founded by colonist from Argos. We will then
proceed to Manavgat Waterfalls for a refreshing break. After having lunch, depart for Side where you
will have free time for shopping and private airport transfer to your Istanbul flight.
Pegasus Airlines, Antalya (AYT) to Istanbul (SAW): 19:25 – 20:40
Welcome to Istanbul and private transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at: https://www.titanic.com.tr/titanic-city-taksim or similar 4 stars hotel for 1 night on
bed & breakfast basis.

DAY 10 – LEISURE DAY ON YOUR OWN & PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO YOUR HOME BACK FLIGHT
End of the services.