A study in contradictions, Turkey is a nation with multiple identities. Straddled between the East and West, Turkey embodies characteristics of the Middle East as well as Europe. This 6 day roller coaster ride around Turkey includes a performance by whirling dervishes, exploring the Old City of Istanbul and hot air ballooning over the mesmerizing landscape of Cappadocia, food tours with local guides, and much more. Come along and savour the delights the Turkey has to offer.
Trip essence: History| Culture| Adventure| Photography| Local food| Boutique stays
Highlights of the trip
- A performance by whirling dervishes in an atmospheric setting
- Relax at a Turkish hammam
- A guided walking tour of the Old City of Sultanahmet in Istanbul
- Discovering Istanbul on an amazing guided food tour
- Living in a luxurious cave hotel in Cappadocia
- Hot air ballooning over Cappadocia’s unique landscape
- Day trip to the charming Princes’ islands
This is how the trip plan looks:
Day 1, 15th April: Arrival in Istanbul
Reach Istanbul by mid day and check into your luxurious hotel. You have the day at leisure to discover the beautiful city of Istanbul. In the evening, make your way to catch a transcendent performance of the whirling dervishes.
Meals: None
Experiences: Be enthralled by a performance of the whirling dervishes
Day 2, 16th April: Istanbul – The Old City Tour
From Byzantium to Constantinople and finally Istanbul, the Old City of Sultanahmet represents the history of Istanbul spanning over thousands of years. Head out today for a guided tour of the Old City of Turkey encompassing the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Serpent Column, German Fountain, Hagia Sophia Museum, Grand Bazaar. After lunch, you will drive along the City Walls and visit Golden Horn and enjoy a Bosphorus Cruise. Then drive to Pierre Loti Hill, where you will have a nice view of the city. At the end of the tour, you will be droped off at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Experiences: A guided tour of the Old City
Day 3, 17th April: Istanbul to Cappadocia (Goreme) (1.5 hours by flight plus 1 hour by road)
Fly to the city of Kayseri from Istanbul and head to Goreme, a beautiful town in Cappadocia, by road. After settling into a beautiful cave hotel, head out to explore this charming town. After your walk, relax with a massage at a traditional Turkish hammam
Meals: Breakfast
Experiences: Turkish hammam (Add On)| Stay in a cave hotel
Day 4, 18th April: Cappadocia to Istanbul (1.5 hours by flight)
In the morning, venture out for an amazing hot air balloon ride to catch the sunrise over the surreal landscape of Cappadocia, dotted with valleys, unique rock formations and ravines (Add On).
Check out from your hotel and go for a guided tour of Goreme which includes, Dervent Valley, Pasabag’s “fairy chimneys, Avanos, Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Rock-Castle. After the tour, transfer to airport and fly back to Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
Experiences: Hot air ballooning (Add On cost of 95 euros per head)| Goreme guided tour
Day 5, 19th April: Istanbul
You have the day at leisure. You can opt for a tour of the Princes’ Island, which is a quaint sea front town near Istanbul. The islands are a chain of nine rather small islands in the Sea of Marmara. They evolved from a place of exile during the Byzantine era, to a popular destination for tourists and Istanbulites alike to escape the hectic city life for a day. Of those nine islands, only four of them are open to the public: Büyükada, the biggest and most popular,Burgazada, Heybeliada and Kınalıada. All motorized vehicles are banned, making the islands an oasis of peace and quiet. The only sounds you’ll hear are bicycle bells and the typical sounds of horse hoofs. Horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the main transportation means on the islands. But that’s not the only feature that makes the Princes’ Islands unique. You’ll find yourself walking or riding through narrow streets flanked by either untouched pine-forests or fine, wooden Victorian cottages.
In the evening, you can enjoy an exciting food tour! The best way to see a city like a local? Eat and drink like a local! This culinary adventure takes you on foot, away from the tourist trail, to search out the hidden gems of Istanbul’s thriving street food scene. Learn what’s trendy today in Turkish cuisine and sample a variety of tasty treats as you work your way through the best food in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
Experiences: Istanbul night food walk (Add On cost of 75 euros per head)| Prince’s Island Tour (Add On cost of 50 euros per head)
Day 6, 20th April: Istanbul return
Set sail for home, after an incredible Turkish holiday and memories to last a lifetime J
Meals: Breakfast
FOR MORE DETAILS: http://bit.ly/turkeybbt