Turkish Epic: From Empires to Natural Wonders!

Arrival in Istanbul (new Ist airport), (check-in at the hotel no earlier than 14) after which - transfer and check-in at the hotel

Two mosques

Anatolia

the Asian side of Istanbul, or Anatolia/Anadolu as the Turks call it, we will visit an elegant palace on the Bosphorus, which is one of the most magnificent symbolic structures of the changing identity of the Ottoman Empire of the 19th century. The interior will amaze you with its scale to match the relics of the then Ottoman Empire. We'll have lunch and take some photos of the famous Maiden Tower from

The modern city center

On the way along the street, we'll look into the Christian Church - a real piece of Italy in the center of Istanbul. From the tower we'll go down to the Galata Bridge, then it's time to return to the hotel.

Egyptian Bazaar

In the morning, we'll visit the famous Egyptian Market

It is not an easy task to resist the enchanting delicacies at the Spice Bazaar. You'll see colorful mosaic lights, sun-dried sausages, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants hanging from the ceilings and facades of stores and lined up with shops every step of the way up to the exit from the bazaar

Princes' Islands

were once used to imprison the sons of Byzantine kings, but today they are known for their sandy beaches, old wooden structures and their clean air.

We'll start this journey with a boat trip across the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The journey takes 1.5 hours towards the first island. After arriving at the largest island, we will go up to its very top by electric transport, and we will walk the last 1 km to the monastery and the observation deck. Upon returning to the marina, it's time for lunch at a restaurant with a large selection of seafood.

In the afternoon, we return to Istanbul, where you will have some free time for shopping or dining in the historic city center.

Historical center

We move to the most historic center - Hippodrome Square with its ancient artifacts. After that, we go to Topkapi Palace for more than 2 hours

The Topkapi Grand Palace has been one of the main residences of the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years. The palace complex consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. At its peak, the palace was home to 4,000 people and covered a large area with a long coastline. It housed mosques, a hospital, a bakery, and a mint. You will see all this from the inside, and as a bonus, you will get another great view of the Bosphorus

Two mosques

Now it's time to visit two of Istanbul's most famous mosques, located opposite each other: Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (optional, as admission has become chargeable). Hagia Sophia is famous for its massive dome and is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. It remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, until 1520. Both buildings will amaze you with their scale and give you some of the most unforgettable moments of

In the evening we have some free time and we return to the hotel

In the morning, we check out from the hotel in Istanbul, then an hour transfer, then an hour's flight, and upon arrival, an hour's transfer to the center of Cappadocia and check into a hotel.

Hiking

Today is about hiking. We will visit 3 of Cappadocia's most beautiful valleys

We'll make it to one of them before lunch (the walk takes 1 hour).

And in the afternoon, the main hiking route of the tour to the Cappadocia Valleys awaits us, surrounded by bizarre geological formations and the way of life of local residents. You'll also see stunning early Christian churches hidden in the valleys

In the evening, a picturesque sunset on the best observation deck in the Goreme area.

We will try to provide you with a balloon flight (paid option) on the very first morning in Cappadocia.

Underground City

check out of the hotel and ask ourselves: what are the underground cities of Cappadocia? These troglodyte cave cities date back to the Hittites and expanded over the centuries as various marauding armies crossed Central Anatolia in search of captives and looting.

The Valley and the Monastery

A walk to a picturesque valley awaits us, one of those over which balloons fly in the morning. It is very pleasant to walk along the valley among churches from 1000 years ago, surrounded by pristine nature. We have

lunch here

After lunch, we will visit an old Christian monastery.

On the way back to the hotel, we'll stop by a shop with all sorts of sweets and souvenirs.

We check out of the hotel and start our last day in Cappadocia.

Today we have a rich program and all kinds of observation decks in Cappadocia (including the Valley of Love). It all looks like a sculpted zoo created by nature. Top-notch Instagram photos in each location are guaranteed to you!

Valleys of monks and imagination

The Valley of the Monks is home to some of the brightest fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, with double and even triple stone roofs. This style is unique even to Cappadocia, and these fairy chimneys are called mushroom-shaped chimneys. We will see even more bizarre figures in the Valley of Imagination on the

The Open-Air

Museum, once home to one of the largest communities in the region, is an amazing cave town dotted with dwellings, religious and secular spaces.

Then it's lunch time.

Pottery Town

These famous potters make great souvenirs, and here you can buy everything from simple ashtrays and mugs to decorative plates and chess sets. We will visit one of the pottery shops and workshops, as well as the local ethnographic museum

Transfer to Konya We'll be free at

5:00pm, then 3-hour drive to Konya and check into

Greek town

Let's start our acquaintance with the lake district from a Greek town. The town was founded by the Greeks and still retains its original beauty and charm, surrounded

Turkey's third largest lake

After the observation decks with stunning views of the lake, we go up to the National Park Pass and descend from the slope to the other side of the mountains.

Turkey's fourth largest lake

Another lake on our way to the West. The lake has different colors at different times of the day; it is surrounded by apple and peach orchards and is known for its crystal clear waters.

We have lunch in a town by the lake, you should definitely try lake perch. We spend the

night

Turkish Provence

Today, about 95% of all Turkish lavender grows in this area. Lavender coffee and tea, ice cream, cookies, honey, lokum, a variety of cosmetics: from lavender water and soap to various creams, household chemicals and, of course, lavender oil. It is a cosmetic, therapeutic, and culinary remedy. You can find all this in stores and on Turkish Maldives layouts. Then we drive to the shore of the lake known as the Turkish Maldives

. No comments are needed. See photos of this crater lake, whose bottom is lined with marble.

You will be able to have lunch at a self-service restaurant right on the beach before leaving for Pamukkale.

Pamukkale and Hierapolis

so-called snow-white cotton castle travertines appeared on the mountainside as a result of the deposition of calcium carbonate from carbon dioxide water. You can take mineral baths all year round. In 1988, Pamukkale and the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Pamukkale is famous not only for its mineral springs and snow-white travertines. The ancient city of Hierapolis (Hierapolis or Hierapolis of Phrygia) is located nearby. The ruins are scattered over

Guests can take a thermal bath in Cleopatra's springs at an additional cost. We will watch the sunset with a view of the travertines, and exit the complex through the remains of the walls of the ancient

We will spend the night at a thermal hotel near Pamukkale.

In the morning - 3.5-hour drive to the Aegean Sea

It was formed by the abrasion of rocks by running water over thousands of years. You and I will walk as far as possible into the canyon at this time of

Then an hour's drive and we'll swim in the wonderful Oludeniz (an hour from the airport), because the local beach is one of Turkey's top 3 beaches.

Transfer to the airport and flight back In the evening, you will be taken to Dalaman Airport, departing

around 22:00.

Those interested can continue their vacation at one of the resorts in Mugla province (Oludeniz, Fethiye)