Tour overview
Istanbul and Cappadocia tour are one of our top recommended main packages for guests who will be traveling to Turkey for the first time and have less than a week’s time. This package includes sufficient time to explore Istanbul, the cultural capital, as well as a visit to Cappadocia, where you’ll be captivated by the sensation of being on another planet rather than on Earth. We highly recommend taking part in a hot air balloon tour at sunrise in Cappadocia, as it offers an unforgettable experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Included
- Domestic Airfare
- Hotel Accommodation in Double or Triple
- Luxury Cave Hotel Accommodation
- Small Group Tours
Not Included
- Entrance Fees
- Guide Gratuity
Day 1- Arrival in Istanbul
Our packages are tailored for individual guests, so regardless of your arrival time, our team will be ready to pick you up at the designated meeting point at the airport around the clock. You will then be transferred to your chosen hotel in a private vehicle.
If you arrive early in the morning, please note that your room may not be ready until approximately 2:00 PM in the afternoon. If that's the case, you can store your luggage at the reception and take a brief stroll around the hotel to get acquainted with the surroundings.
Day 2- Walking Tour of Istanbul
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for the Turkish people, and you can hardly find such a variety of breakfast foods anywhere else in the world. After enjoying the buffet breakfast at your hotel, we will start our walking tour by picking you up from the hotel reception at the pre-arranged time.
Istanbul's Sultanahmet district is the heart of the old city also known as intra walls and where many of the top historical spots are. Getting around Sultanahmet is easy as all the sites are within walking distance of each other. Our recommendation for guests who have a problem with walking for a long time is to wear comfortable walking shoes. Unfortunately, since this area is closed to vehicle traffic, there are no other transportation options available.
Hagia Sophia: One of the world's architectural gems. It was first an Orthodox church, then a mosque, then a museum, and now a mosque again. It's particularly famous for its mosaics. This architectural wonder allows you to step through time. Just above the Imperial Door, look for what's known as the "Sweating Column". According to local legends, this marble column has supernatural powers, providing healing to those who touch it.
Blue Mosque: Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it's recognized by its six minarets and beautiful blue Iznik tiles inside. It's still an active mosque but is open to tourists outside of prayer times.
Hippodrome Square: This was the sporting and social center of old Byzantium. The only visible remains are three monuments in the center: the Obelisk of Theodosius brought from Egypt by Theodosius the Great. Look closely and you'll see the carvings depicting Theodosius' family watching the races from the royal box—a piece of ancient PR!, the Serpent Column, and the Walled Column.
Topkapi Palace: Once the residence of the Ottoman sultans. The museum holds vast collections of porcelain, armor, weapons, robes, miniatures, and Islamic calligraphic manuscripts, but the highlight might be the treasury with its collection of jewels and the Prophet Mohammed's cloak and sword. In the treasury, there's the 86-carat pear-shaped Spoonmaker's Diamond is cloaked in mystery. Legend has it that it was found by a poor man in rubbish, who sold it to a spoon-maker. It then made its way to the palace, where it was encrusted with other valuable stones.
Million Stone: A Byzantine milestone, believed to be the origin for all roads leading to cities throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. Only a fragment of the original stone remains today.
Grand Bazaar: One of the world's oldest and largest covered markets. It hosts more than 3000 shops selling anything from jewelry, rugs, antiques, and ceramics to textiles, spices, and Turkish delight.
Our local guided tour will be beneficial if you want to dive into these lesser-known nuances, engage with local lore, hidden gems and uncrowded corners of these iconic sites. Or finding unique Turkish culinary delights nestled in these places!