Day 1: ______– ISTANBUL
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to the city. Istanbul city tour with local guide:
Blue Mosque – built by Sultan Ahmet between 1609-1616, being the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets (turrets), most mosques having only four, two or even a minaret, famous for their 20,000 “Iznik” blue tiles from the inside that were used to build it, the outside being nothing blue; The racecourse that served for sports competitions, circus, gladiators, festivities in honor and celebration of emperors; St. Sophia Museum – one of the greatest architectural and religious wonders of all time; Topkapi Palace – the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans – we will visit the Museum with the most famous imperial jewelry and the Chinese porcelain section. The last stop on this day is at the Grand Bazaar – the largest and most attractive shopping area in the world.
The Grand Bazaar dates back to the 15th century and is currently the largest and oldest covered bazaar in the world, totaling nearly 4,000 stores arranged like a huge maze of nearly 60 stalls. The main shopping street of the bazaar is called the “golden street” because here the jewelers’ shops have their shops, while the rest of the streets are dedicated to the shops of clothes, shoes, accessories, carpets, traditional Turkish delicacies, etc. From 09.00 when the bazaar opens and until 19.00, closing time, the whole area is a real anthill. Thousands of people running from store to store create a unique atmosphere, which you are unlikely to meet in another corner of the world. The bazaar is visited daily by an impressive number of people: between 250,000 and 400,000 people take part in this daily “show”. The sellers are very kind and patient even with the most indecisive customers. Not infrequently you will wake up “crawling” in stores and serve tea and jam while the seller presents his goods. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel in Istanbul.

Day 2: ISTANBUL – BOSPHOR STRAIGHT BETWEEN TWO CONTINENTS
Breakfast. Free time available or, optionally, Bosphorus Cruise and visit to Asian Istanbul. The Asian part of Istanbul is separated from the European part by the Bosphorus Strait, the connection between the two continents being ensured by the two Suspended Bridges. Along the shores of the Bosphorus you can admire many historical monuments such as the Fortress of Europe, the Fortress of Asia, the Beylerbey Palace, the Dolmabahce Palace, etc., but also the luxurious villas of Turkish billionaires. The contrast between the two parts of the city is amazing. While the European part is the commercial heart of the city, suffocated by the daily congestion on the narrow streets, in the Asian part you will meet new buildings, airy areas and wide streets. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel in Istanbul.

Day 3: ISTANBUL – ANKARA
Breakfast. After breakfast we head to Ankara. The capital of Turkey is an urban agglomeration in the middle of the Anatolian steppe. Before becoming the capital of the country, Ankara was famous all over the world for its soft sweaters knitted with soft goat wool. We visit the Ataturk Mausoleum – the Turks have a real cult for Atatürk – the founder of the Turkish Republic, and the Ataturk Mausoleum is a very important monument in Ankara; Museum of Anatolian Civilizations – located below the citadel of Ankara, the museum holds an impressive number of archaeological objects dating from the Paleolithic to the classical periods. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Ankara.

Day 4: ANKARA – CAPADOCIA
Breakfast. Departure in the morning to Cappadocia. On the way to Cappadocia we visit Selcuk Agzikarahan Caravanserai and the natural citadel Uchisar. In the afternoon, shopping opportunities at local jewelry stores in Onyx and at the famous Sentez carpet store where a specialist will introduce you to the art of traditional Turkish handmade carpets. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 5: CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast. We are in the spectacular Cappadocian landscape distinguished by enchanting chimneys, expanding underground cities and churches dug in volcanic tuff, but also of the bizarre shapes that nature has carved into the rock over time. Due to its isolated location, Cappadocia has long been a place of refuge for Christians persecuted by Roman legions, and between the 10th and 15th centuries it became a place of refuge for many monks. This is how more than 3,000 churches dug in the spectacular formations resulting from volcanic eruptions were born. The selenarian landscape was also chosen as the filming location for some sequences from “Star Wars”. In an impressive landscape, entirely sculpted by erosion, we visit the Goreme Valley. The landscape full of history, the churches carved in stone and the unusual forms of relief resulting from erosion, combine to produce a landscape both natural and cultural, with an unusual look. The main features of this landscape are the columns, pillars, towers and obelisks, which reach a height of 40 meters. Akdag Peak, the main remnant of erosion, measures 1325 meters high and is the dominant feature of the valley. In the afternoon you will see for yourself the Zelve Valley and the underground city of Kaymakli, one of the largest underground settlements in the region. We visit Ortahisar located at the foot of the contorted walls of volcanic tuff, in which countless houses were dug. We end the visit with Avanos, a village located on the river Kizilirmak, famous for pottery and traditional carpets. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 6: CAPPADOCIA – KONYA – PAMUKKALE
Breakfast. On the way to Pamukkale, we stop in Konya – a former city of Muslim monks for 800 years. Today Konya is the most religious conservative city in Turkey. We visit the most famous place in Konya, the Mevlana Mausoleum, a place of pilgrimage for believers. Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, also known as Mevlana or Rumi, is the founder of the Sufi order of the Rotating Dervishes, which was banned in the late 1920s. We arrive in Pamukkale – where the huge natural travertine waterfall resembles a large castle in cotton. Pamukkale is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage destinations. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Pamukale.

Day 7: PAMUKKALE – EFES – ŞIRINCE – KUŞADASI
Breakfast. We will visit the ruins of Hierapolis – the “Sacred City” and the famous limestone formations. On the way to Ephesus we visit the House of the Virgin Mary – according to local tradition, it is considered the place where the Virgin Mary spent the last years of her earthly life. The place, surrounded by a thick belt of plants and trees, is considered holy by both Christians and Muslims. We arrive in Ephesus and visit the old city and St. John’s Basilica (St. John the Apostle spent the last years of his life in Ephesus where he wrote the Gospel). We continue the itinerary to the Village of the First Christians Şirince, famous for wines and shopping. The legend of the place is much more captivating because it is said that Sirince was wandered by the Mother of God and the Apostle John, who baptized the ancestors who live here. We then headed to Kuşadası, dinner and accommodation at Hotel in Kuşadası.

Day 8: KUŞADASI – ÇANAKKALE
Breakfast. We head to Pergamon (Bergama) – known for its production of wool, gold and fine carpets, the city was an important cultural center in ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Here the parchment was invented, owning a library with over 200,000 volumes. We visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Trajan – located majestically on a hill with a beautiful view over the city of Bergama -, the Altar of Zeus, the Theater and the Temple of Dionysus, with a final stop at Asclepion, an old medical center where treatment methods included walking and therapy. through music. In the afternoon we head to Canakkale. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel in Canakkale.

Day 9: CANAKKALE – ISTANBUL
Breakfast. The trip continues to Troy – famous for the legendary Trojan Horse from the times of the beautiful Helen – Queen of Sparta and Prince of Troy – Paris. We then head to Istanbul. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel in Istanbul.

Day 10: ISTANBUL – ________
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your country. Departure from Istanbul at __:__, landing in your Country at __:__ .