The complete wonders of Turkey – 2×1

Arrival in Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. 

(BREAKFAST – LUNCH – DINNER) (SUNDAYS – THURSDAYS) 
Breakfast and early morning departure to Ankara, passing through the Bolu Mountains. In Ankara, visit to Ataturk’s Mausoleum, inaugurated in 1953 and dedicated to the founder of modern Turkey. This marble block structure with 40-ton columns is reached via a long avenue lined with lions and ends at a vast square. 
Lunch at a local restaurant, then continue on to Cappadocia. En route, visit the Salt Lake. Arrival in Cappadocia, dinner, and overnight at the hotel. 

(BREAKFAST – LUNCH – DINNER) Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to this fascinating region with a unique landscape formed by the lava from Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan 3 million years ago. Visit to the Goreme Open-Air Museum, an incredible Byzantine monastic complex with churches carved into the rock and stunning frescoes. We will also visit Avcilar Valley and Güvercinlik Valley, both known for their spectacular landscapes and iconic Fairy Chimneys. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then continue with a visit to Pasabag Valley or Çavuşin. We will also visit traditional carpet, onyx, and turquoise workshops, known for their quality and fair prices. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.  Optional during your stay: Attend a folklore dance show in a traditional cave with unlimited local drinks and/or take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. 

(BREAKFAST – LUNCH – DINNER) 
Breakfast and departure to Pamukkale via the Konya Plain. En route, visit a caravanserai, an ancient type of roadside inn for caravans of merchants, pilgrims, and soldiers traveling long distances. 
Lunch at a local restaurant. 
Continue on to Pamukkale, where the high calcium content of its waters has formed one of the most spectacular natural sites in the world. 
Dinner and overnight at the hotel. If time allows, enjoy the hotel’s thermal pools.

(BREAKFAST – LUNCH – DINNER) 
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Hierapolis, an ancient Hellenistic city now in ruins. 
Visit to the famous Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of giant white cascades, stalactites, and natural pools formed over centuries by waters rich in calcium salts. 
Transfer by bus to Selçuk, center of Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city of Asia Minor. 
Lunch at a local restaurant. 
Visit to the Temple of Hadrian, Roman Baths, the Library, Odeon, Theatre, etc. 
Then visit the House of the Virgin Mary, and in the afternoon, stop at a leather goods workshop featuring famous fabrics from the Aegean region. 
Transfer to Izmir area, dinner, and overnight at the hotel. 

(BREAKFAST) 
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by bus to Bursa. 
Arrival and visit to the Green Mosque (Yesil Camii), built in 1419 by Mehmet I Çelebi. 
Next to the mosque is the Green Mausoleum, considered the most beautiful building in Bursa. 
Continue by bus to Istanbul. 
Overnight stay in Istanbul. 

(BREAKFAST) 
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for one of Istanbul’s most iconic activities: a boat ride along the Bosphorus, the strait separating Europe and Asia. 
Admire Sultan’ Palace, traditional wooden houses, and enjoy the city’s history from the water. 
End the day with a visit to the Spice Bazaar, built by the Ottomans five centuries ago and still operating. 
Free time. End of the visit at the Egyptian Bazaar. 

(BREAKFAST) 
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to explore the city or join an optional full-day tour of the Jewels of Constantinople, including lunch: 
Visit the Ancient Hippodrome, the former center of Byzantine civil life, where chariot races, gladiator fights, and ceremonies were held. 
See the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, and German Fountain. 
Visit the Blue Mosque, built in 1609 by Sultan Ahmet, with six minarets aiming to rival the Hagia Sophia. 
Visit to Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman sultans until the 19th century, housing many of their treasures. 
Then visit the Hagia Sophia, the finest example of Byzantine architecture and one of the world’s greatest monuments. 
Finish with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, built in 1660, resembling a covered city with hundreds of domes, 4,000 shops, alleyways, squares, and 18 entrances. 
End of visit at the Grand Bazaar. 

(BREAKFAST) Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport.  END OF SERVICES