Istanbul, Cappadoia and Cilicia

DAY 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
Flight to Istanbul. Meeting the guideand drive to the hotel. Dinner and 4 nights in Istanbul.

DAY 2: ISTANBUL
Visit the Hippodrome, the ancient horse racing place. It has been the center of the entertainment and monuments from around the world decorated the place. Not far is the magnificent work of Ottoman religious architecture: The Sultan Ahmet Mosque from the 17Century. Also known as the Blue Mosque in Istanbul this icon hides the synthesis of all the previously used architectural forms. Visit the Hagia Sophia from the year 537, which is one of the largest churches in the world. According to the faith of the people, the Center of the World was in this church.Visit the Topkapi Palace: From here, the Ottomans ruled their vast empire. Unimaginable treasures are hidden in the various areas of this unique palace.

DAY 3: ISTANBUL
Today we will begin with a visit to the apprentice work of the famous court architect Sinan. The Sehzade-Prince mosque from 16.Century. It will make you feel and understand the modest, yet perfect art of the Otoman classical period. A walk through the alleys behind the Suleymaniye Mosque will bring you to the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, then down-hill to the Galata Bridge and the Golden Horn to the harbour. Today, a beautiful boat ride through the Bosporus is awaiting us as well. Here you will move along the palace complexes between the two continents.

DAY 4: ISTANBUL
The day will begin with a drive to the Asian side of town where you can take a view from the Camlica Hill over the whole city. Then visit the Chora Church, a jewel of Byzantine art. Their wonderful mosaics and frescoes are the most well preserved and give an imposing appearance from the original splendor of Constantinople. Afterwards a religious neighborhood of Istanbul will be visited. Eyüp is the place, where the standart-bearer of the Prophet Mohammed is burried. Nearby is also the famous Pierre Loti Hill, who will offer a magnificent view over the Golden Horn.

DAY 5: ISTANBUL - KAYSERI
This day is at leisure. You can move around on your own in Istanbul and collect your own experiences. Late in the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport and fly to Kayseri. Transfer to the hotel in Cappadocia. Dinner and 4 nights in Cappadocia.

DAY 6: CAPPADOCIA
In the morning we will start with a hike through the Red Valley on to Cavusin. In Cavusin you get the chance to explore the abondoned city.Then we will continue on to Pasabag (Intermediate 6 km;-170m +100 m, 3.5-4h). After lunch a visit to the Goreme Open Air Museum is scheduled. Here are the most beautiful churches with unique frescoes of Byzantine art. Then drive to the Ortahisar for some breathtaking photo breaks of Capadocias landscapes.

DAY 7: CAPPADOCIA
In the morning we will drive to the biggest underground city of Cappadocia, Derinkuyu, a place of refuge for the Christians. Here, the early Christians in Anatolia were hiding from foreign aggressors sometimes for months. After this interesting excursion, we will drive to Ihlara valley, to start our hike along the Melendiz river. (easy 7 km-80m, 2.5-3h).

DAY 8: CAPPADOCIA
This morning we will visit a typical carpet weaving center of Cappadocia, where you will enjoy the colorful world of carpets. Then we will get to the castle of Uchisar, where you can enjoy a fantastic view of Cappadocia. Our last hike in the region will be through the “Love”valley. Some interesting formations are awaiting you there, which proove the name “Love” write. (light-medium 4.5 kilometers;-200m, h) 2-2,5. They end the day with photo stops in the region.

DAY 9: CAPPADOCIA - SILIFKE
Todays drive brings us via Aksaray and Nigde on through the Cilician Gates to Tarsus (birthplace of St. Paul). Here we will visit the fountain of St.Paul's , the Cleopatra Gate and the Roman road. Continuation to Kiz kalesi to the hotel on the beach for 6 nights.

DAY 10: SILIFKE
In the morning we will drive you to a 7.century castle, which is lying high over the little town of Silifke, the ancient Seleucia on the river Kalykadnos. A woderful view is awaiting you of the city and river. Other excursion destinations for today are the grotto of St. Thekla and the Thekla church. Lunch is taken together in a restaurant in Silifke and then we will stroll through the shopping streets and try to make contact with the locals. After a short drive we will reach the Corician Caves, two giant sinkholes, dips in the limestone, which were caused by underground running water. They are popularly known as "Heaven and Hell". After getting out of the sinkhole, it is possible to visit a dripstone cave and a Hellenistic temple of Zeus. Then we will drive to the spot where the water falls out of the caves directly into the sea. Here you will see the famous mosaic of the "Three Graces". Over a glass of tea in a nice restaurant right on the waterfront we will end the day, before driving back for dinner to the hotel.

DAY 11: BOAT TOUR
Today you take a boat trip along the Cilician fantastically beautiful coastline. With several swim breaks, you will enjoy this relaxing day. Aboard bream will be served for lunch. Often one can see Caretta Caretta turtles, or even the Mediterranean sea lions.

DAY 12: THE PRINCESS GORGE
Today, we will drive a little higher into the Taurus Mountains; our destination will be the princess gorge. Through a magical natural beauty, we will take a hike (moderate 7.5 kilometers; +250 m, 3-3.5 h). Then we will drive to Uzuncaburc, the Graeco-Roman Diokaiserea. We will explore the theater, the Hellenistic tower and the Temple of Zeus. From Diokaiserea we will start another hike along the old Roman road to Olba (easy 1.5 kilometers; -100 m, 45 min). Afterwards we will get to the temple tombs of Imbriogon.

DAY 13: LAMAS
Before we get to todays hiking destination, we will visit the theater of Eliaussa Sebaste and continue to the Lamas-cliff, where we will hike towards the source of the River. (Moderate to challenging, 5 km; +70 m-70m, 2.5-3h). Todays lunch will be a picnic by the River. Maybe even in the river, where you can have the tables and chairs put into the cold water of the river. Dinner and overnight again in kalesi Kiz

DAY 14: DAY ON LEISURE
Relaxation and recreation at a beach hotel prior to departure. Farewell dinner at the hotel.

DAY 15: DEPARTURE
Transfer to Adana via Istanbul and returning to your home country.

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