Bosphorus Toast Tour

Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to the selected hotel. Free dinner and overnight stay.

Culture

40%

History

70%

Adventure

20%

Food

30%

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the “Imperial” city tour of Istanbul. The day begins at the ancient Hippodrome, where chariot races once took place, and with the Obelisks that still decorate the area today. We then continue with a visit to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, one of the most iconic masterpieces of Istanbul. Next, visit to the Basilica Cistern, built in 532 under Emperor Justinian I, during the period of greatest prosperity of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit to the Topkapi Imperial Palace (Harem section not included), residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly four centuries. Its architecture, decorations, and precious furnishings bear witness to the greatness and power of the Ottoman Empire. We then continue with an external visit of Hagia Sophia (now a mosque, entrance not included), an absolute masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Free time at the Grand Bazaar, the famous covered market of the city. At the end of the excursion, return to the hotel on your own. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Possibility to join an optional excursion, at extra cost payable locally, by boat on the Bosphorus, to admire both the European and Asian continents and the main palaces, mosques, and fortresses of the city, with return to the hotel. In the evening, optional participation (extra cost payable locally) in a traditional New Year’s Eve dinner in a typical venue.

Culture

70%

History

80%

Adventure

30%

Food

40%

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Ankara, the capital of Turkey, crossing the impressive Eurasia Bridge, famous for its breathtaking views connecting Europe and Asia.

Arrival in Ankara and lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continuation to Cappadocia. Arrival at the hotel in the late afternoon, check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.

In the evening, optional participation (at extra cost, payable locally) in the Sema ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes, a unique and spiritual experience.

Culture

70%

Nature

30%

History

50%

Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to discovering Cappadocia, a unique region in the world for its extraordinary combination of natural wonders and sites of great historical and cultural value. We begin with a walk through the enchanting Devrent Valley, known as the “Fairy Chimneys” valley, where wind and water erosion on volcanic rock has created a spectacular landscape of pinnacles, cones, and natural obelisks.

We then continue with a visit to the underground city of Özkonak (or a similar site), built by early Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab invasions. Stop at a carpet and kilim workshop. We continue with a visit to the Göreme Open-Air Museum, an extraordinary complex of churches, chapels, and monasteries carved into the rock and decorated with 11th-century frescoes, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the volcanic landscapes of Avcilar (“Hunters Valley”) and Güvercinlik (“Pigeon Valley”), followed by a panoramic stop to admire Uchisar Castle, an impressive tuff rock formation full of tunnels and natural openings. Finally, visit a workshop for the processing of precious stones, gold, and silver. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

In the evening, optional participation (at extra cost, payable locally) in a Turkish folkloric dance show.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Kayseri Airport in good time for the return flight, with a stopover in Istanbul.