Istanbul and the original Anatolia

DAY 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
Scheduled flight with Turkish Airlines to Istanbul. Reception by the tour guide. Ride to the hotel. Dinner and 2 nights in Istanbul.

DAY 2: ISTANBUL
Visit the Hippodrome, the former racecourse. It has been the center of entertainment and architectural marvels from around the world adorn this place. Not far is the magnificent work of Ottoman religious architecture: The Sultan Ahmet Mosque from the 17th Yrs. Also known as the Blue Mosque, it shows a synthesis of all former architectural forms ever used. Visit the Topkapi Palace. From here, the Ottomans ruled their vast empire. Unimaginable art pieces are concealed in the various sections of this unique palace. One of the highlights of Istanbul is of course, the Grand Bazaar. Here we see the largest and most magnificent covered bazaar in Turkey.

DAY 3: ISTANBUL - CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast, drive to the Hagia Sophia from the year 537, which is one of the largest churches in the world. In this church was, according to the faith of the people, the navel of the world. A nice drive along the shores of the Bosphorus is waiting for us. Optionally, we can turn the trip into a dream boat trip through the Bosporus. It is a unique experience to be between two continents, Asia and Europe and to see the beautiful palaces and mansions along the shores. In the evening our Turkish Airlines flight brings us to Kayseri and we will be transferred to the hotel in Cappadocia. Dinner and 3 nights in Cappadocia.

DAY 4: CAPPADOCIA
Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum. Here are the most beautiful churches with unique frescoes of Byzantine times. Then drive to Uchisar. Climb to the highest tuff cone with a magnificent view. Hike through the Red Valley (1-2 hours, medium). With numerous breaks to take fabulous pictures, we end the day. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: CAPPADOCIA
Morning drive to the underground city of Avanos Özkonak, a former place of refuge of the Christians. Here, the early Christians in Anatolia were hiding from foreign aggressors sometimes for months. Then we visit a typical carpet weaving place of Cappadocia. Plentiful photo stops in the valley of the "petrified soldiers", in the Pigeon Valley, in Avcilar Valley and Pasha valley. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: CAPPADOCIA, KONYA
Trip to Sultanhani, the largest Karawanenserei in Anatolia from the 13th Century. There are so many caravans, where merchants found shelter and protect themselves and their goods against bad weather and raiders. Visit the Mevlana Museum in Konya, which is considered the most important center of Sufism and Whirling Dervishes. Then visit the Karatay Medrese, a former university from the 13th Century. Dinner and overnight in Konya

DAY 7: KONYA, ANKARA
Drive to Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Visit the world-renowned Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, where one can understand in a chronological order the 9000 year old history of Asia Minor. Continuing to the great Ataturk's mausoleum. Dinner and overnight in Ankara

DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport and flight back home.

The price includes
* International flights
* Domestic flights
* Taxes and service charges for the flights
* Transfers mentioned in the itinerary
* All transportation by airconditioned vehicle
* Professional english speaking guide
* Welcomecocktail
* All entrance fees
* 7 nights accommodation with breakfast & dinner