Full-day tour of the Old City. In the morning, we will visit Hagia Sophia (exterior view only), one of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks, a magnificent architectural marvel that we offer to our visitors. It is considered one of the largest and most important mosques in the world. We continue to the Blue Mosque, admired for its six tall minarets, terraces, and domes that rise from the center of the building. You will see that the architect undoubtedly achieved perfection with this impressive work of art. In the afternoon, we will visit the Roman Hippodrome (dating from the reign of Septimius Severus), a space where horse races and circuses were held, providing entertainment for the inhabitants of Constantinople for over a thousand years. Transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Next, we will visit Topkapi Palace, where the sultans lived between 1478 and 1865. Topkapi is not a single structure, but rather an organic monumental complex comprised of various pavilions, gardens, and scattered areas located in the historic district at the entrance to the Golden Horn. We will end the day at the covered market, the Grand Bazaar, where you will have free time. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay. **The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and religious holidays.

Meals included: Breakfast

Breakfast and free time in Istanbul. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

OPTIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON EXCURSION. Take an optional hot air balloon ride at sunrise, a unique experience amidst rock formations, fairy chimneys, natural formations, and lunar landscapes. Discover Cappadocia, a region unique in the world for its geological formations, where you can discover breathtaking reliefs and formations that will undoubtedly amaze you. Enjoy a full day of hiking in northern Cappadocia, the most stunning part of this volcanic landscape. First, we will visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and medieval monastic complex of rock-hewn churches and dwellings carved into the tufa rock by Orthodox monks in the 4th century. We will then continue to the Ortahisar Panorama, which offers a magnificent view with its natural castle at its center, stone houses, and beautiful mosques. From here, a short drive will take us to Paşabağı (Monks' Valley), where we'll see the conical columns, resembling fairy chimneys, which also served as homes and Orthodox churches for hermits. After lunch at a local restaurant (not included) in the town of Avanos, on the banks of the Kızılırmak (Red River), we'll admire some of Turkey's most famous handicrafts. Before returning to the hotel, we'll stop at Devrent Valley, famous for its unique rock formations. The Valley of the Three Beauties offers a beautiful view of the town of Ürgüp, renowned for its wine and vineyards with apricot orchards, where you can always take memorable photos. Finally, visitors will be transferred back to their hotel after a visit to the Göreme Panoramic Viewpoint, a scenic viewpoint overlooking Göreme.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner 

Breakfast at the hotel. Our first stop will be the Ihlara Valley, a stunning canyon approximately 100 meters deep and 10 kilometers long. It was formed by the volcanic activity of Mount Hasan and the erosion of the Melendiz River hundreds of thousands of years ago. The Ihlara Valley is not only a natural wonder but also a rock-hewn settlement area that was home to a vibrant monastic life between the 4th and 13th centuries AD. It boasted over 4,000 dwellings and a hundred hidden rock-cut churches adorned with frescoes. Next, we will visit the village of Belisırma, a typical Anatolian village, and have a break for lunch at a local restaurant (not included) near the river.

Afterward, we will see the famous Selimiye Monastery, one of the largest and most fascinating religious settlements in Cappadocia. We will then continue to Pigeon Valley to enjoy its fantastic panoramic views. End of tour. Dinner and overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner 

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take the connecting flight back to Istanbul.

Meals included: Breakfast