Timeless Turkey: Istanbul & Cappadocia

Welcome to Istanbul! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner. (D)

East Meets West Discover Istanbul with a captivating, guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Roman Hippodrome and hear about the events held there. Marvel at the six minarets of the Blue Mosque, and the intricate decoration and blue hues of its interior. Stand below the breathtaking dome of the Hagia Sophia and visit Topkapi Palace to see how the Sultans lived. Explore Istanbul’s famous Spice Market, where a kaleidoscope of colours, aromas, and flavours creates an unforgettable shopping experience. Enjoy free time this evening to discover more at your own pace. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, later renamed Constantinople, and today called Istanbul, the city on the Bosporus remains one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as a gateway between Orient and Occident, the Islamic and the Christian worlds, and the Black Sea and the Mediterranean predestined it for a turbulent yet exciting history.

Heart of Turkey This morning visit one of the ancient Constantinople’s most remarkable feats of engineering, the Underground Cistern, known by the locals as the Sunken Cistern. Later, depart Istanbul for an interesting drive to reach Turkey’s capital city Ankara. En route, visit a traditional village to experience Turkish hospitality during a home visit with a local family and gain an authentic insight into everyday life and local traditions. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT The Underground Cistern was built during the Byzantine Empire to supply water to parts of the city of Constantinople. An incredible structure with 336 pillars holding up a magnificent, vaulted ceiling over an artificial freshwater lake. It can be classed as an early example of recycling as the builders made use of stone structures from earlier temples – one of the most famous “recycled stones,” that can still be seen, is the upside-down head of Medusa.

Going Underground This morning, visit Ankara’s Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with its vast and varied collection of artefacts. Later, drive to Ozkonak for a guided visit of the incredible underground city that was carved into the volcanic rock around the 4th century BC. Reach your hotel in Cappadocia. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT In 1972 a local farmer was curious as to why the excess crop water disappeared so fast - it was the start of the discovery of Ozkonak underground city. This city was formed of 10 levels and built to protect about 60 000 people from religious persecution and war. To ensure they could all survive for up to 3 months the city had its own ventilation system, water supply and moving stone doors with a hot oil defense system. Any attackers trying to enter the city would be stopped in their tracks by the hot oil being poured over their heads!