Istanbul and Cappadocia Tour

Departure from Italy with Pegasus flights. Upon arrival in Istanbul, meeting with the assistant and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation in reserved rooms, free dinner, and overnight stay.

Culture

30%

Nature

20%

History

30%

Adventure

20%

Breakfast. Departure for the "Classic" tour: we will start by visiting the Hagia Sophia Basilica (now a mosque) "Divine Wisdom", undoubtedly one of the most fabulous buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and rebuilt by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome rises 55 meters from the ground, with a diameter of 31 meters. During the Ottoman Empire, it was transformed into a mosque, and minarets were eventually added.

We continue with a visit to the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome, which was the center of the country's civil activity, where not only horse races and gladiator fights were held, but also celebrations in honor of the emperor. Today it preserves the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Fountain of Emperor Wilhelm. The Blue Mosque was built in 1609 by Sultan Ahmet, who wanted to surpass the Hagia Sophia Basilica with his mosque and built it with 6 minarets. Free lunch and rest of the afternoon at leisure.

There is the possibility to take an excursion (optional, at an additional cost) to the Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern of Yerebatan, and the Grand Bazaar. Free return to the hotel, free dinner, and overnight stay.

Culture

30%

Nature

20%

History

40%

Food

10%

Breakfast and then departure for the so-called "Byzantine" tour. We will start by visiting the Suleymaniye Mosque - The Magnificent, considered the most beautiful of Istanbul's imperial mosques, built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the famous architect of the Ottoman Golden Age.

We will then head towards the ancient walls of Constantinople, near the current Mevlana Gate, built by Emperor Theodosius II in 413. These sturdy walls, several stories high and thick between three and six meters, protected the city from continuous attacks by Huns, Bulgarians, Russians, Arabs, Goths, and Turks. The walls were breached only twice, by the Crusaders in 1204 and by Mehmed "the Conqueror" in 1453.

Afterwards, we will visit the Monastery of the Virgin of the Fountain; according to historians Procopius and Cedrenus, the church was originally built by Emperor Justinian in the last years of his reign, near a water source formerly known as the "Fountain of Miracles", originating from a sacred well located outside the walls of Theodosius II near the present-day Silivri Gate.

Free time for lunch in the Eminönü district, the main entrance to the city in Byzantine and Ottoman times, now a popular area where the "Egyptian Market" or "Spice Bazaar" is located. Afternoon at leisure. Opportunity for an optional, paid Bosporus Cruise excursion. Free return to the hotel, free dinner, and overnight stay.

Relax

20%

Party

20%

Adventure

30%

Food

30%

Breakfast. Free day to enjoy the beauties of the city, for relaxation or shopping. We recommend visiting the beautiful Ortakoy Mosque, the Euroasia Bridge and the picturesque neighborhood of Kuzguncuk. Take a ride on the vintage tram and get lost among the colors and flavors of the streets of Balat; enjoy a coffee on the waterfront in Uskudar or in the hipster cafes of Karakoy. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast and departure for the capital of Turkey: Ankara. Crossing the Eurasia Bridge and continuing via the highway. Arrival in Ankara and visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, also known as the Hittite Museum, where artifacts are displayed chronologically, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of civilizations in Anatolia from prehistoric times to the Roman period. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Continuation to Cappadocia, arrival and check-in at the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay. In the evening, after dinner, there is the possibility to attend the performance of the whirling dervishes (optional, at an additional cost).

Culture

30%

Nature

30%

History

30%

Food

10%

Breakfast and the entire day dedicated to exploring this fantastic region, where San Giorgio was born, with its fascinating and original landscape, formed 3 million years ago by the lava ejected by the Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes.

Visit to the underground city of Ozkonak (or another similar one), built by Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab invasions. We will make a stop at a carpet and kilim workshop.

Opportunity to join a hot air balloon tour to admire from above the breathtaking lunar landscape of Cappadocia illuminated by the early morning light (optional, payment on-site and subject to confirmation based on seat availability. This tour may be cancelled even a few hours before its start due to adverse weather conditions).

Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit to the numerous monasteries and chapels of Göreme, carved into the rock and adorned with frescoes, crossing the Güvercinlik (Pigeon) Valley to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Uchisar, situated atop a promontory of volcanic rock punctured by tunnels and windows. Finally, a stop at a craft workshop featuring typical Cappadocian decorations, stones, and jewelry.

At the end of the day, the opportunity to attend the spiritual dance of the whirling dervishes (optional, payment on-site).

Return to the hotel and dinner. In the evening, after dinner, the chance to participate in a Turkish night, with folklore performances and popular dances (optional, payment on-site). Overnight stay at the hotel.

Culture

20%

Nature

30%

History

30%

Adventure

20%

Breakfast and departure to see the famous "Three Beauties of Urgup", where you can admire the mushroom-shaped rock formations and a panorama of the city of Ürgüp.

Next, we will visit the small and beautiful village of Ortahisar, distinguished by its 86-meter-high geological formation castle converted into a dwelling by the Hittites.

In the afternoon, we continue with a visit to Zelve Valley, formed by two canyons, a place where Muslims and Christians lived together until 1924. The slopes on the right side are pink, while those on the left side are dominated by white. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Then, we will visit Cavusin Valley, where the houses, carved into the hill, have richly decorated facades, a beauty that has been preserved over time. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

In the evening, after dinner, there is another opportunity to attend the whirling dervishes show (optional, at an additional cost).

Breakfast at the hotel (according to the departure time). Transfer to Kayseri airport in time for boarding procedures. Departure for Italy with a flight via Istanbul.