Charming Triangle | 6 Days

DAY 1:                                     ISTANBUL

Transfer from New Airport to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 2:                                     ISTANBUL

Enjoy a guided tour including Topkapi Palace (closed Tuesdays), the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia (external visit), and the Grand Bazaar (closed Sundays). (B, L)

DAY 3:                                     ISTANBUL – KAYSERI – CAPPADOCIA

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kayseri (flight included) where you will be picked up and taken to Cappadocia. Visit the Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Drive to Pasabagi (Monk’s Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles. In the afternoon visit Open Air Museum in Goreme where the remains of rock-cut churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, L, D)

DAY 4:                                     CAPPADOCIA 

Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at 09.30-10.00 depending on the arrival time of the other participants and drive to Ihlara Valley, created from the ashes of the volcanic Mt. Hasan. After hiking through the valley, which is watered with Melendiz River by Belisirma, proceed to Selime with hollowed out citadel and churches where fairy chimneys rest on the steep hillside. Stop at Yaprakhisar village to take photos. In the afternoon, visit to Derinkuyu Underground Village where dwellings with stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches and wineries were used as refuges for the Christian communities. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, L, D)

DAY 5:                                     CAPPADOCIA – KAYSERI – IZMIR – KUSADASI

Transfer to Kayseri airport for flight to Izmir (flight included) and be transferred to the resort town of Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, D) 

Note: Depending on schedule, flight from Kayseri to Izmir may go via Istanbul.

DAY 6:                                     KUSADASI – EPHESUS – IZMIR – ISTANBUL

Full day tour of the ancient site of Ephesus with its theatre, library of Celsius, gymnasium, and Hadrian’s Temple. Continue with a visit to the stone cottage of the Virgin Mary. Transfer to Izmir airport for your flight to Istanbul (flight included). End of services. (B, L)

ACCOMMODATION (or similar):

STANDARD CLASS:

ISTANBUL: Asur Hotel

CAPPADOCIA: Burcu Kaya Hotel

KUSADASI: Golden Gate Hotel

SUPERIOR CLASS:

ISTANBUL: Kent Hotel

CAPPADOCIA: Yusuf Yigitoglu Cave Hotel

KUSADASI: Efe Boutique Hotel

Includes:

–          Transportation by air conditioned vehicle

–          Accommodation as listed below or similar

–          Flights: Istanbul – Kayseri – Izmir – Istanbul 

–          Meals as per itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)

–          Touring with English speaking guide

–          Entrance fees and local taxes

Additional Notes:

–           Internal visit to St. Sophia is not included