NATURAL BEAUTIES OF TURKEY

Our trip begins in incredible İstanbul. After arriving at the airport and meeting with our guide, we will be transferred to the hotel to rest. We will have some free time to walk and explore the streets of this ancient city.

This morning, we will be picked up from our hotel to begin our tour of İstanbul. We will visit some of the city’s most famous monuments. Topkapi Palace (Turkish: Topkapı Sarayı), which is a notable highlight in İstanbul that served as the Ottoman Empire’s administrative building for nearly 400 years. Hagia Sophia Mosque (Turkish: Ayasofya Camii) is our next stop and another sacred landmark for Muslims and Christians. This mosque was once a Byzantine church before the Ottomans took control of the city. Blue Mosque (Turkish: Sultan Ahmet Camii) is a majestic place of worship with six exquisite minarets and a series of domes that show the difference between traditional and contemporary Turkish design. In the past, chariot races were held in the Hippodrome. Its Obelisks now stand tall in the open square outside the Blue Mosque. After having lunch, we will visit the Grand Bazaar (Turkish:Kapalı Çarşı), a traditional roofed Turkish market that is one of the oldest and longest markets in the world.

Today is the time to say goodbye to magnificent İstanbul and head to Ankara (450 km). We can stop by Lake Sapanca (Turkish: Sapanca Gölü), a freshwater lake surrounded by mountains and green plants, for a short refreshment. After arriving in Ankara, we will check into our hotel.

Today in Ankara, we have enough time to visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum (Turkish: Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi), a fantastic museum with relics from over 8,000 years ago. Then, we will visit Ankara Castle (Turkish:Ankara Kalesi), which overlooks the city and the historic houses of old Ankara. In the afternoon, we will go to Ataturk’s Mausoleum (Turkish: Anitkabir), the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader, founder, and the first President of the Republic of Turkey.

Today, we leave Ankara to head to Konya (270 km). This city is well-known for being one of the religious cities in Turkey. It was the final home of Rumi, whose Turquoise-Domed Tomb in the city is its primary tourist attraction. Every Saturday, there are Whirling Dervish spiritual performances at Rumi’s Cultural Centre. Next, we will be amused by the artifacts collection depicted at Konya Archaeological Museum.

This morning, we will discover Konya Butterfly Botanical Garden, that a great diversity of butterflies and different tropical plants are gathered.Then, we will have a journey to Kapadokya (270 km). On the way, we will visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, which contains the remains of many churches carved into the famous Kapadokya rocks as well as many excellent frescoes that can be seen when exploring the sites.

Kapadokya is a top-rated tourist destination because of its unique geological, cultural, and historical attractions. One of the most amazing experiences we could have is the Balloon Ride (price not included in the package) in Kapadokya. We must be present before sunrise to enjoy the beauties of a unique landscape with magnificent valleys, volcanic rock formations, spectacular pigeon houses, and breathtaking views when the sun is rising on the horizon.

Today is the last day of our tour, and we will be transferred to Kapadokya Airport to fly to İstanbul. From there, we will take our international flight back home.