Magic Dreams

Arrival at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport and transfer to hotel for check-in. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Departure at 08:30 for a full-day city tour with a professional guide. First visit Hagia Sophia, the great palace church of ancient Byzantine Constantinople, later converted to a mosque following Sultan Mehmet’s conquest in 1453. Continue to the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, famous for its striking interior of blue Iznik tiles. Proceed to the Hippodrome, once the centre of Byzantine social life and chariot racing, with its surviving monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. After lunch, visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and most atmospheric markets, offering authentic Turkish goods such as leather, gold, handicrafts, and souvenirs. The remainder of the evening is free at leisure. Overnight stay in Istanbul. Note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. A visit can be arranged as an alternative to the Grand Bazaar in the afternoon, subject to an additional ticket cost.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Pick-up at 08:30 for a full-day Bosphorus cruise and shopping tour. Enjoy a traditional boat excursion along the Bosphorus Strait, the waterway dividing Europe and Asia, lined with Ottoman mansions, palaces, and fortresses. Admire sights such as Dolmabahce Palace, Yildiz Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortaköy, Rumeli Fortress, and Beylerbeyi Palace. Cross the Bosphorus Bridge, experiencing the unique opportunity to step from one continent to another. Visit Camlica Hill, Istanbul’s highest point, offering panoramic views of the city and Bosphorus. Following the cruise, continue with a shopping experience, including a visit to traditional carpet-weaving workshops, jewellery and handicraft centres, and a modern leather show. Gain insight into centuries-old artisanal traditions while enjoying the lively atmosphere of Istanbul’s bazaars. The evening is free at leisure. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out and transfer to the airport for flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, meet at the airport and begin a full-day tour. Visit Göreme Valley to explore the remarkable rock formations, followed by Uchisar with its cave dwellings surrounded by conical rocks. Enjoy a tea and coffee break before visiting the Göreme Open-Air Museum, home to some of the best-preserved frescoed rock-cut churches and monasteries. After lunch, visit the fairy chimneys of Ürgüp and the panoramic Wishing Hill. Continue to Devrent Valley to see uniquely shaped rock formations. At Monks Valley (Rahipler Vadisi), explore distinctive cave dwellings unique to this region. Visit Avanos, known for its pottery traditions, and enjoy a short walk in Rose Valley Cavetown. The day ends with a sunset viewpoint. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Morning departure for a hiking tour of Ihlara Valley, including visits to rock-hewn churches decorated with frescoes. Walking distance is approximately 4 km. Lunch by the riverside of the Melendiz River. Continue to Selime Cathedral, an impressive rock-carved monastery. Visit Derinkuyu Underground City, a remarkable multi-level settlement that maintains a constant cool temperature year-round. Pass Nar Crater Lake during the journey. End the day at Pigeon Valley, with its distinctive pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Morning visit to Rose Valley, named for the unique rose-coloured rocks that change hue with the seasons and light. Enjoy a walk among this striking natural landscape before transfer to the airport for return flight to Istanbul to connect with international flights home.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner