General

This tour would take you through many popular sites in Islamic Turkey, starting from Istanbul with visits to the medieval Ottoman Heritage. Then you will be taken on a tour to Bursa, that was the first Ottoman capital. The fairy chimneys at Cappadocia would be the next to amaze you. The dream world of Konya will be the next stop, which is the home of the famous whirling Dervishes and Rumi. This will fascinate you beyond measure while you take a peak into the sufi side still breathing in modern Turkey.

Itinerary

Day-by-Day Schedule

Day 1: Arriving Istanbul

• Land at the Istanbul airport. Meet & Greet
• A private transfers is pre-arranged for you to take you to your hotel
• You will be provided with tourist maps and a welcome pack with vouchers for the whole trip after your check in, in the hotel, along with some useful info that you might need during the trip.
• Please note that there are no meals included for the day

Day 2: Ottoman Heritage Tour in Istanbul

Second day would be dedicated to visiting the following places of historic significance in Istanbul:

• Hagia Sophia Museum – considered the eighth wonder of the world
• Basilica Cistern or Sunken Palace Istanbul where goldfish and carp swim around the base of its columns
• The Blue Mosque – magnificently curvaceous exterior characterizes a cascade of domes and six lean minarets
• Grand Bazaar – called the mother of all malls with 4000 shops
• Topkapi Palace Museum – the largest and the most aged palace in the world to exist to our day

Note: Breakfast and Lunch included

Day 3: A Trip to the First Ottoman Capital, Bursa

Day 3 would start with a travel to Yalova by an awesome ferry ride and the a road trip to Bursa, where you would explore:

• • The Green Mosque – an architectural masterpiece
  • The Green Tomb – mausoleum of Sultan Mehmet I
  • The Imperial Great Mosque featuring 12 enormous pillars and 20 domes
  • Enjoyable barbeque lunch on the mountain
  • Koza Hani – The core of the bazaar where you can peruse a diversity of shops and boutiques selling beautiful silk products
  • The silk cocoon Caravanserai – the hostelries of the road
  • Return to Istanbul in the evening

Note: Breakfast and Lunch included

Day 4: Cruise the Bosphorus in Istanbul and Flight to Cappadocia

Your morning would have a uplifting visit to:

• • The Spice Market, where an assortment of spices and herbs come from all over the world
  • Then, a boat will cruise across Bosphorus that runs through the heart of the city and joins Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea.
  • You will return to the hotel after cruise to freshen up for a one-hour flight to Cappadocia in the afternoon after getting picked up from your hotel on your private car.
  • A hotel in Urgup called Cave would await your arrival. You will have a comfortably enjoyable stay there in the combination of cave rooms and suites.

Note: Breakfast included

Day 5: Discover the curvaceous landscape of Cappadocia winding down to the horizon

Today you will take curiously enjoyable visits to:

• • Devrent and Pasabagi valleys and Avanos
  • Goreme Open Air Museum
  • Uchisar Castle

Note: Breakfast and Lunch included

Day 6: Roam around Konya, the City of Rumi and Whirling Dervishes

Drive along the region after breakfast and venture to see untouched splendors of the country. Upon arrival at Konya to see:

• • The Mevlana Museum, also known as the Green Dome, is the lodging of the Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes, a mystical Sufi Muslim group. It also holds the shrine and tomb of Jalaluddin Rumi.
  • Free time to explore the shop in the local market and buy souvenirs
  • Check into the hotel for an overnight stay

Note: Breakfast and Lunch included

Day 7: Konya continues…

Freshen up and after breakfast visit the:

• • Karatay Tile Museum – the climax of Seljuk architectural small-space design. The great dome and elaborative decoration schemes, with Sufi mysticism and symbolism, are the museum’s striking features.
  • Ince Minare – one of the most extraordinary structures brought in by the Seljuks
  • Aladdin Mosque – the pronounced masterwork of Seljuk Period is the biggest and oldest mosque in Konya and is located on the meteoric landscape of Aladdin Hill.

Note: Breakfast and Lunch included

Day 8 – Konya – Istanbul

• On the last day of your tour, relish a breakfast and get ready to go to the airport with your private car and driver. A direct flight would take you from Konya to Istanbul.
• Arrival at the Istanbul airport marks the end of the itinerary.

Note: Breakfast included

This package includes…

• Bed and Breakfast
• Accommodation in the hotels mentioned above
• Economy class tickets for domestic flights tickets
• Transportation within Turkey via comfortable and air-conditioned vehicles
• Services and assistance by experienced local tour guides
• Private transport and driver
• Meals and entrance fee where specified in the itinerary

This package does not include…

• Passport and Visa fee
• International Airfares
• Airport taxes
• Insurance
• Beverages and meals that are not specified in the itinerary
• Tips to driver and local tour guides
• Items of a personal use
• Excess baggage
• Excess baggage allowance
• Hotel extras