ISTANBUL AND THE ORİJİNAL ANATOLİA

7 nights 8 days

info@aura-tour.com

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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.

a large building with a flag on top of it next to a body of water
a large building with a flag on top of it next to a body of water
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.

a view of a mosque through an archway
a view of a mosque through an archway
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.

assorted-color hot air balloons over brown mountain range during daytime
assorted-color hot air balloons over brown mountain range during daytime
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.

mountain with carved houses during daytime
mountain with carved houses during daytime
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

people in dress dancing
people in dress dancing
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.

a group of people walking through an airport
a group of people walking through an airport

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