Istanbul & Cappadocia

Discover Istanbul, the capital of three empires, on today’s privately guided tour. Start your sightseeing at the ancient Hippodrome, where you will admire the exterior of the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque and visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia – one of the most important religious buildings ever built. Next, explore the atmospheric Underground Cisterns and complete the day at the wonderful Archaeological Museum.

Continue your tour of Istanbul at the Topkapi Palace – the seat of Ottoman power for four centuries. Next, discover the world’s largest covered market, the Grand Bazaar, and then see the exquisite Iznik tiles of the Rustem Pasa Mosque. A relaxing private Bosphorus cruise on Istanbul’s defining waterway will complete your sightseeing. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of the palaces, parks and traditional Ottoman wooden buildings (known as yalis) that line both the Asian and European shores.

Choose between taking a private Istanbul food-themed tour that will enable you to experience the city in the most mouth-watering way, or continuing exploring Istanbul’s history and culture, with visits that will include the Suleymaniye Mosque, the former church of St. Saviour in Chora (Kariye Mosque) where some of Byzantium’s finest mosaics are located, and the colourful houses in the neighbourhood of Balat. Then, drive to Istanbul Airport and check in for your flight to Cappadocia.

This morning there will be an optional opportunity for a dawn hot-air balloon flight drifting over Cappadocia’s beguiling lunar landscape (supplement applies) – a magical experience. Your privately guided Cappadocia sightseeing will begin with a scenic drive along the winding roads and through the breathtaking landscapes that make Cappadocia such a unique and special place. Explore the Devrent Valley and Pasabagi – one of the finest of Cappadocia’s valleys – before arriving at the rabbit-warren-like rock of Old Cavusin. Next, visit the extraordinary Goreme Open Air Museum, with its painted churches and troglodytic monastic dwellings. A walk (optional) through the stunning Rose Valley (about 2 hours) will enable you to experience the beauty of the Cappadocian landscape before your tour concludes at Uchisar with a climb up through the tunnels of the rock ‘castle’.

Today is dedicated to discovering a Cappadocia that lies off-the-beaten-track. Ortahisar’s ‘Hospital Monastery’ will be your first stop. Then, continue to Mustafapasa, and visit the recently renovated Monastery of St. Nicholas. Outside Urgup, you’ll see the Keslik Monastery, the most expansive cave monastery in Cappadocia. A drive will take you to the 13th-century Taskinpasa madrasa and the recently discovered 4th-century BC ancient city of Sobestos. Continue to Mazi village, where you’ll descend underground and discover eight layers of an underground city that is complete with warehouses, churches and cellars. The charming town of Avanos, known for its traditional pottery and ceramics, will be your final destination.

Private transfer to Nevsehir or Kayseri Airport and check in for your onward flight.