14 Days in Turkey
Day 2: “Walking Tour in Istanbul”, Full Day Tour
The old city of Constantine Istanbul sightseeing tour in the morning starts with Hippodrome Square where chariot races were once held in Roman Age and today one can see the Obelisk from Egypt, the Fountain of Wilhelm II and the Colossus, Serpentine Column from Delphi and the marvelous Underground Cistern built in order to solve water supply problem nearby. Followed by a visit to the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture St. Sophia operates as museum today. The splendor of the interior decoration, the massiveness of its architectural proportions being unusual for a church and the most important of all, the height of its central dome has amazed everyone since it was first constructed. Then only a short walk away, Sultanahmed Mosque is the only mosque with six minarets in Istanbul. Called as blue mosque by foreigners because of the dominant color of more than 20.000 Iznik tiles decorating the spacious interior The Mosque is regarded as the peak achievement of Ottoman architecture. The highlights of the afternoon is a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace which is the only palace remaining from the Ottomans reflecting the splendor of the once mighty empire.Day 3: “Splendors of Istanbul”, Full Day Tour
Visit the magnificent and colorful Spice Market which was the biggest spice mall of the middle east when the silk road was still functioning before the Suez channel and the route below Africa invented by the Portuguese… the tour includes a short Bosporus cruise for an hour approximately giving us a chance to see the beautiful Bosporus mansions and old houses reflecting us the late Ottoman era architecture. After the cruise, we will experience the world’s second oldest subway; Tunel which literally means Tunnel that will take us to contemporary Istanbul; Beyoglu district. A gentle walk up to the Taksim square will give us opportunity to see todays Istanbul and lunch can be held at one of the restaurants along the way. After lunch, walk down to the Galata tower, built by the Genoese in 1348. The Old Pera was given to them by the Ottoman Empire because of their help in defeating a Crusade. After a short gentle walk we will get to Karakoy area to meet with our driver to take us back home.
Day 4: ‘Deeper Istanbul’ Full Day Tour
Our day starts with visiting the Chora church, Church of St. Saviour in the skirts of the Old City Constantinople. Late mosaics of the beautiful churh will take us to a journey to the late Byzantium era and prosperity of Christianity in Anatolia. Our minivan is going to take us to Grand Bazaar where we will wander in the hundreds of streets of the Grand Bazaar, have our lunch there, get lost in between the 4000 shops of the huge bazaar and enjoy Turkish bargaining, see handcrafts from all over the country, several artisans still working in their small shops and designing their own dreams. If time permits we are going to visit The Suleymanie. This mosque complex is Architect Sinan’s most splendid work, built at the top of the Ottoman Empire. In the work called the Biography of the Construction, architect Sinan recounts the opening of the Mosque, and how the Sultan asked him to be the one to unlock its doors. Suleymaniye is not an ostentatiously decorated building, only a bare amount of tiles decorate its walls. It is said that 4 minarets and the 10 balconies of the Mosque represent Suleyman the Magnificent being the 4th Sultan to reign in Istanbul and the 10th Ottoman Sultan. Our minivan will take us back to the hotel.
Day 5: Flight to Bodrum or Dalaman for your weekly Cruise, overnight at the boat
Day 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 1 0 / 11 at Gullet
Day 12: Check out your gullet and Private transfer to Bodrum or Dalaman airport for a flight to Cappadocia over istanbul, private transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia and overnight.
Day 13: Classical Cappadocia Tour
Meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia, in the morning, starting with the rock formations beyond imagination in Devrent valley; Walking in Zelve Open Air Museum: a journey in the past with its troglodyte houses; visit Pa?abag –three coned fairy chimneys” where the voice of wind mixes with the “songs of fairies”. Lunch is in Avanos, center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. In the afternoon visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site Göreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th & 13th century). It is recommended to have Turkish coffee right across the red valley to relax before returning to your hotel. Göreme Open Air Museum visit time can be altered, depending on the period of the season, to avoid crowds of tour buses. Dark Church is also included in this tour.
Day 14: Hot Air Balloon Flight in the mornign and half day ‘Hidden Dwellings of Cappadocia Tour’
Red Valley, with its fabulous volcanic rock formations, is in the heart of Cappadocia but away from the tourist crowd. Rock-Cut hermit churches with frescoes and paintings fit with the Valley’s meditative atmosphere, remained intact since the beginning. Our lovely hike will start from a beautiful panoramic point presenting us great light in the morning for pictures. After the hike we give a refreshment break in Cavusin village which will be complemented by a visit to the first church of the region; John the Baptist. Lunch is in a local house in lcoal restaurant. After lunch, 20 minute drive will take us to the UNESCO heritage site; Kaymakli Underground city; unlike other underground cities, Kaymakli has different ventilation and security system. 4 of the 8 floors is open to visitors and believed to shelter 60,000 people from persecution and loots.
Day 15: Flight to Istanbul for your international flight back home.
Luxury yacht charter Turkey offers you much more things to discover. You will have a great fun on board.