Turkish Magic of Year-End Tour

Departure from Milan. Arrival at Istanbul airport and meeting with the local guide. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation in the rooms.

Culture

50%

History

60%

Adventure

40%

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

Lunch at 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, elegant decorations, and precious furnishings reflect the greatness and power of the Ottoman Empire. We then continue with an external visit of Hagia Sophia (now a mosque, entrance not included), a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, followed by free time at the Grand Bazaar. Return to the hotel. In the evening, transfer to a traditional venue for the New Year’s Eve dinner (included).

Culture

60%

History

40%

Adventure

30%

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, transfer to the Golden Horn and boarding of a boat for a cruise on the Bosphorus, during which it will be possible to admire both the European and Asian sides of the city, with its main palaces, mosques, and fortresses.

Lunch at a restaurant.

In the early afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir. Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight stay.

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

Culture

60%

History

50%

Food

30%

Cappadocia illuminated by the first light of dawn (optional excursion, available at an extra cost and subject to availability. The activity may be cancelled even a few hours before departure due to adverse weather conditions).

Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to discovering Cappadocia, a unique destination 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 fascinating Devrent Valley, known as the “Fairy Chimneys” Valley, where wind and water erosion on volcanic terrain 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. The tour continues 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 spectacular 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 specializing in the processing of precious stones, gold, and silver. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

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.