Highligts of Turkey

Breakfast. We spend a full day getting to know the old town of Istanbul. Starting with a visit to Topkapi Palace, built between 1460-1473 by order of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. It was the residence of 26 different sultans for almost 400 years. The palace was used as the centre of residence and administration of the Ottoman Empire. Today it is one of the most visited museums in Istanbul, where you can see very special pieces of the Ottoman royal treasury, spoils of war, trophies, gifts, ceremonial weapons and religious relics. Afterwards, we will visit Hagia Sophia, a building full of history, built by Emperor Justinian, one of the masterpieces of Byzantine art since the 5th century. Today it presents Muslim and Christian religious references, mixed after the conversion of the basilica into a mosque and finally into a museum. Later we will visit the Roman Hippodrome, built in 203 by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus. It was enlarged by Constantine the Great when he chose Istanbul as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. It is decorated with obelisks, columns and fountains. Then we will visit the Blue Mosque - Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which has six minarets, which at the time of its construction caused much controversy, since Mecca also had six. But to appease the faithful, a seventh minaret was built in Mecca to mark the difference. A beautiful mosque where there are more than 20,000 blue tiles that adorn it. Lunch. We will continue with a visit to the famous Grand Bazaar, the largest covered bazaar in the world with 4,000 shops, covering 30,700 m2.

Breakfast at the hotel. We start the day with a visit to the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque, the most popular mosque of the Ottomans. Located on a hill overlooking the Golden Horn, the Suleymaniye Mosque is visible from almost every point in the city, its minarets being “primus inter pares” and its dome the most visible hat of those that crown the Istanbul mosques. 
Just before lunch we will visit the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George, which is currently the main Greek Orthodox cathedral in Istanbul. Since around 1600, it has been the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the main patriarchate of the Orthodox Church of Greece and recognized as the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christians of the world.
After lunch in a typical restaurant, we will take a breathtaking boat ride along the Bosphorus, the strait that physically separates the European and Asian parts of the city, where you can see the beautiful mosques, mansions, suspension bridges that light up at night with different colors, palaces and Ottoman fortresses. We will end the day with a visit to the Spice Bazaar, built in 1660 and still an unavoidable destination for lovers of international cuisine where you can try and buy all kinds of spices and Turkish delights. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure from the hotel. We head towards Ankara, capital of Turkey. Visit to the Mausoleum of the Founder of the Republic Mustafa Kemal. The father of the country Atatürk is one of the most important figures in the history of Turkey, in addition to being a national hero and first president of Turkey, he was also a true revolutionary who transformed the country into a modern republic, which is why today he is still loved and respected by the Turks, citizens who continue to faithfully attend his Mausoleum every year.
On the way we pass by the Tuz Golu Salt Lake, the second largest lake in the country. Arrival in Cappadocia (in Turkish, Kapadokya) is a historical region of Central Anatolia, which covers parts of the provinces of Kayseri, Aksaray, Niğde and Nevşehir. Cappadocia is characterized by having a unique geological formation. Before arriving at the hotel, we will visit a workshop of traditional ceramics from the Cappadocia region. Dinner and accommodation.
**Optional hot air balloon tour with additional cost to admire the spectacular landscapes of the natural formations of Cappadocia at sunrise. Cappadocia is one of the three natural places in the world where it is recommended to take a hot air balloon ride.

Breakfast. Departure to visit this fantastic region with its spectacular and original landscape, formed by lava thrown by the Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes 3 million years ago.
Cappadocia is the land of beautiful horses according to the description of the Persians who arrived in the region in the 7th century BC. Visit to the open-air museum of Göreme where there are churches and chapels dug into the volcanic rocks by the first Christians who arrived in the region.
Later, we will visit the valleys of Pasabag and Güvercinlik; which have a spectacular landscape of the Fairy Chimneys. Later we will visit the most popular valley in the region called the Valley of Love. Visit to an authentic stone workshop. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Early departure to Pamukkale passing by the largest inn in Anatolia which is known as Sultanhanı, built by Sultan Kaikubad I (1221-1237) to speed up and facilitate regional trade. Later we will pass through Konya, the largest city in Anatolia and the center of the dancing dervishes.
Arriving in the city of Denizli we will visit Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder, a giant waterfall, stalactites and natural pools formed over the centuries by the passage of thermal waters loaded with calcareous salts. Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure to Ephesus, the best preserved Greco-Roman city in Asia Minor from the 1st and 2nd centuries. Walking through the main entrance to the city, the Magnesia Gate, you will be amazed by the incredible views. Streets made of marble lead to impressive temples, frescoes in the Townhouses, fountains and porticoes.
Touring the 3-story Library of Celsus, it was the third largest library in the ancient world, The Odeon, Temple of Hadrian on Curetas Street (the street of the priests), Trajan's Fountain, as well as the Great Theater that held around 25,000 spectators. After the visit of Ephesus, we will continue with the visit of the House of the Virgin Mary, supposed last resting place of the mother of Jesus, and today, especially by Catholics, it is considered a pilgrimage point. We continue to Kusadasi on the Aegean Sea, later we will visit a leather workshop. Dinner and accommodation.
**Accommodation may be in Izmir or Kusadasi, depending on the season or availability at the time of booking.

Breakfast. Departure to Bursa. Panoramic tour of this important city that was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire.
Visit to the Green Mosque, one of the main mosques in the city and one of the most beautiful in all of Turkey. We will also visit the green tomb where one of the most important Sultans called Mehmet I is buried. You will have the opportunity to take a walk through the silk market, where you can see antiques, silks, perfumes and pashminas. Arrival at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast and free time until the time indicated for personal activities. Transfer to the airport.