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CHRISTMAS IN CAPPADOCIA & TURKEY
ALL EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
FROM €1,369
WHEN 23RD-29TH DECEMBER
VISITING: Cappadocia, Goreme Valley, Pasabaglari, Avanos, Rose Valley, Cavusin, Pigeon Valley, Kaymaki, Ortahisar, Istanbul, Sultanahmet district
MONDAY 23RD DECEMBER | ARRIVAL
We meet at the airport at 7 am for our Turkish Airlines flight taking us to Cappadocia via Istanbul departing at 9.40 am. On arrival at 5.40 pm, we are transferred to our 5-star Mustafa Resort Hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. Dinner will be provided as a cold-packed meal at the hotel.
TUESDAY 24TH DECEMBER | GOREME VALLEY & AVANOS
(Optional: Hot air Balloon riding is available early in the morning! A unique experience.) After breakfast, we go for another full-day tour in Cappadocia. Here we can see the main Goreme Open Air Museum (entr. Included) in Goreme Valley, home to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescos depicting various scenes from the Bible. We will have some free time for lunch (extra), and later visit Avanos, the very well-known pottery and craft center since Hittite times.
WEDNESDAY 25TH DECEMBER | ROSE VALLEY, PIGEONS VALLEY & KAYMAKLI UNDERGROUND CITY
Today we will discover Cappadocia with a sightseeing tour. We will first walk through Rose Valley visiting its churches. Afterwards, we will visit the old Christian village of Cavusin. We will celebrate Christmas by having a Barbeque lunch (included) consisting of salad starters, a mix of grilled meat and sweets (excluding drinks), Later we will stop at Pigeons Valley and then proceed to see the marvelous construction of the Kaymakli Underground City (entrance included). Finally, we arrive at a viewpoint to see the Ortahisar Natural Rock Castle.
THURSDAY 26TH DECEMBER | ISTANBUL SPICE MARKET TOUR
After breakfast, we will proceed to the airport for our internal Turkish Airlines flight departing at 9.45 am and arriving in Istanbul at 11.20 am. On arrival, we will go on a half-day Spice Market Tour where the air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme, and every other conceivable herb and spice. We will then go back to the hotel and have free time for personal sightseeing or shopping in the evening.
FRIDAY 27TH DECEMBER | BOSPHORUS CRUISE
Today we will continue to explore Istanbul starting by visiting Galata Bridge, where we will embark on a private boat for the Bosphorus cruise. Bosphorus is a natural route between two continents and two seas (Black Sea and the Mediterranean), where historic Ottoman buildings and nature meet in a delightful synergy. We will cruise along Istanbul’s two seashores, admiring the royal palaces and mosques, prestigious universities, hotels, and bridges, offering stunning panoramic views of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks.
SATURDAY 28TH DECEMBER | BYZANTIAN & OTTOMAN RELICS TOUR
Today we will start the tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Saint Sophie (ent. extra). Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. We will then proceed to the Blue Mosque (ent. included), which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. We will also see the Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium which held 100,000 spectators. Following, there will be free time for lunch (extra). We will then visit the world-famous “Yerebatan Sarnici Muzesi” known as the Sunken Palace or Basilica Cistern (ent included). In this underground cistern, there are 336 columns carved from various types of marble. Our last stop will be at the Grand Bazaar, the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops full of treasures. This includes carpets, kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons and leather goods.
SUNDAY 29TH DECEMBER | FREE MORNING & DEPARTURE
Today we will have a free morning for personal sightseeing and shopping. In the early afternoon, we go to the airport for our return Turkish Airlines flight departing at 6.20 pm.
PRICE PER PERSON
Adult in Triple €1,369
Adult in Twin €1,379
Adult in Single €1,729
Child sharing w/2 adults €1,099
**There are many restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel from which one can choose from.
PRICE INCLUDES
Turkish Airlines return flights to Cappadocia via Istanbul
3 nights 5-star Mustafa Resort Hotel in Cappadocia on Half-board
3 nights 4-star Taksim Gonen Hotel in Istanbul on Bed and Breakfast
1 BBQ lunch & 3 dinners
Daily buffet breakfast
Excursions as per the program
Return airport transfers
Services of tour leader
Professional English-Speaking guide during sightseeing
Airport taxes & service charge
Insolvency fund
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Hot Air Balloon ride including transfers- TBA
St Sophia Entrance- €28 per person