7 Day Itinerary Private Anatolian Tour / Istanbul and Cappadocia
Flight from Washington to Istanbul (11 hours and 25 minutes) +1
Day 1 Transfer · Sea Song Tours - Arrival Suitcase Information VIP Airport Meet & Greet Service Arrival (OPTIONAL) Seasons Restaurant (Dinner Recommended) Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet (3 nights)
Day 2 Private Full Day Walking Tour Hippodrome Blue Mosque Topkapi Palace Matbah Restaurant (Lunch Recommended) St. Sophia Serefiye Cistern End of the Private Full-Day Sightseeing Balikci Sabahattin (Dinner Recommended)
Day 3 Private Full Day of Sightseeing Grand Bazaar Suleymaniye Mosque Chora Museum Hamdi Restaurant (Lunch Recommended) Spice Bazaar End of the Private Full-Day Sightseeing Private Sunset Bosphorus Cruise End of the Private Bosphorus Cruise Experience Mikla Restaurant (Dinner Recommended)
Day 4 Transfer · Sea Song Tours - Departure Flight from Istanbul to Kayseri (1 hours 40 minutes) Transfer · Sea Song Tours - Kayseri Airport Arrival Devrent Valley Dibek Restaurant (Lunch Recommended) Pasabag Valley Zelve Valley End of the Private Sightseeing Seki Restaurant (Dinner Recommended) Argos In Cappadocia (3 nights)
Day 5 Private Full Day of Sightseeing Kaymakli Underground City Göreme Open Air Museum Ziggy Restaurant (Lunch Recommended) Avanos & Red River 1 Avanos & Red River Uchisar Castle End of the Private Full-Day Sightseeing Lil'a Restaurant (Dinner Recommended)
Day 6 Hot Air Balloon Flight Private Full Day of Sightseeing Pigeon Valley Mustafapasa Village Old Greek House Restaurant (Lunch Recommended) Sobesos Ancient City Keslik Monastery End of the Private Full-Day Sightseeing Sira Restaurant (Dinner Recommended)
Day 7 Transfer · Sea Song Tours - Departure Flight from Kayseri to Istanbul (1 hours 40 minutes) Flight Connection Flight from Istanbul to Washington (11 hours and 25 minutes) +1
Included Services Not Included Services Costed Separately
Washington, Washington Dulles Intl to Istanbul, Grand Airport Turkish Airlines (TK) Image credits : Pixabay
11 hours and 25 TK +1 Depart IAD • minutes Carrier / Flight Arrive IST • Duration
Day 1 Transfer · Sea Song Tours - Arrival +90 212 292 85 55 http://www.seasong.com
2 Departing Arriving Vehicle Istanbul Airport Hotel Mercedes Vito & Mercedes Sprinter
Notes
Arrive in Istanbul, you will meet your Sea Song representative at the meeting lounge outside of the luggage claim. Enter the meeting lounge and give your name to the concierge and they will contact our representative who will assist with the transfer to your hotel.
Suitcase Information
Transfer vehicles are based on 2 medium suitcases per person. Only 1 transfer is included for arrival and departure. Please let us know if you need any individual transfers at extra costs and if you have additional luggage.
VIP Airport Meet & Greet Service Arrival (OPTIONAL)
You can be met at the gate of the aircraft upon arrival in Istanbul by our VIP host/ess with a name sign. Your buggy will take you through the airport to passport control and assist with luggage and bring you to meet your Sea Song representative who will handle your transfer to your hotel. You can have VIP Meet & Greet Airport Service upon arrival at the the Istanbul airport.
We highly recommend this service as the new Istanbul Airport is very large and there are big distances from the gate to the luggage claim area. (Approximately 25 minutes walking distance)
Seasons Restaurant (Dinner Recommended) +90 552 402 31 00 Cankurtaran, Tevkifhane Sk. No. 1, 34110 Fatih/Istanbul https://www.fourseasons.com/istanbul/dining/restau...
Dinner is suggested at Seasons Restaurant serving delicious local and international cuisine. Located in the garden of Four Seasons Sultanahmet.
3 Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet +90 212 402 30 00 Cankurtaran Mahallesi, Tevkifhane Sk. No:1, 34122 Sultanahmet-Eminonu /Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey http://www.fourseasons.com/istanbul/
2:00 PM 12:00 PM 3 nights Check-in Check-out Duration
The century-old neoclassical home is a tranquil sanctuary in the middle of Istanbul's Old City, Sultanahmet, bounded by the mystic waters of the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus. While just steps away from top historic attractions such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, an intimate hotel of 65 spacious guest rooms and suites, all exceedingly comfortable and with exquisite touches to reinforce the sense of place - and to remind you that you are in one of the most entrancing destinations in the world - Turkey. Each of the guest rooms is unique and intimate, and is complemented by Four Seasons world renowned standards of service.
Day 2 Private Full Day Walking Tour
Meeting Point Hotel Lobby
You will meet your professional guide at the hotel lobby for your private full-day walking tour.
4 Hippodrome
You will visit the Hippodrome Square which was built by Septimius Severus to entertain the public at the beginning of A.D 2 th century, In 196. Pretty attractive Thedosius I Obelisk is the product of Egypt. This alone should give you some idea of how impressive the Hippodrome of Constantinople's architecture was.
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque, this breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey. The blue Iznik Tiles covering the walls have given the mosque its popular name, Blue Mosque. Make sure you will spend some time in silence inside the magnificent mosque to admire its prayerful atmosphere and superb blue tiles.
* It is advised to dress respectfully when visiting, although scarfs and outer garments are given at the door if necessary.
5 Topkapi Palace
You will visit the magnificient Topkapi Palace which was completed between 1465 and 1478. The Topkap Palace Museum is notable not only for its architecture and collections but also for the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire that it recalls. Opulent, decadent and steeped in history, it offers visitors a chance to get to know the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire rather more intimately.
Matbah Restaurant (Lunch Recommended) +90 212 514 61 51 Cankurtaran, Caferiye Sk. 6/1, 34400 Fatih / Istanbul http://www.matbahrestaurant.com
Lunch is suggested at Matbah Restaurant serving traditional Turkish cuisine.
6 St. Sophia
Hagia Sophia is mostly known as one of the most valuable and fascinating structures in the world of art and architecture. It deserves to enter to the collection of the rare works by challenging to the time. The walls of this beautiful piece of architecture are decorated with gorgeous mosaics. UNESCO accepts Hagia Sophia as The World Heritage because of architectural beauty.
Serefiye Cistern
The Serefiye Cistern, believed to have been built under the reign of Byzantine emperor Theodosius II (42843), was uncovered under an early 20th century mansion and a municipal building that was constructed in 1950. It was known as Theodosius Cistern in the past, but it is called Serefiye, meaning the "Goodwill" in Turkish, since 19th century.
End of the Private Full-Day Sightseeing At the end of your tour, you will return to your hotel.
7 Balikci Sabahattin (Dinner Recommended) +90 (212) 458 1824 Seyit Hasan Kuyu Sok. No:1, 34122 Cankurtaran - Eminonu / Istanbul http://www.balikcisabahattin.com
Dinner recommended at Balikci Sabahattin Restaurant serving delicious seafood in old city. Nestled on a street behind the Blue Mosque, this restaurant has been one of the city’s top choices for seafood since 1927. (Transportation to and from the restaurant can be arranged.) *The dress code is smart casual.
Day 3 Private Full Day of Sightseeing
Meeting Point Hotel Lobby
You will meet your professional guide for your private full-day of sightseeing.
Grand Bazaar
You will visit the Grand Bazaar. Before arrival to the Grand Bazaar you will have an opportunity to learn about the art of carpet weaving. One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar dates from the 15th
century. The world famous handmade carpets and kilims of Turkey, some of the most beautiful examples of Turkish 8 century. The world famous handmade carpets and kilims of Turkey, some of the most beautiful examples of Turkish silver art, souvenirs and decorations made of copper and bronze and high quality ceramics, onyx, and leathergoods are for sale.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Suleymaniye Mosque, or better known as the mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, was built in the 16th century by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleyman the Magnificient, also known as the Legislator. The Süleymaniye crowns one of stanbul's seven hills and dominates the Golden Horn, providing a landmark for the entire city. The mosque is the largest mosque of Istanbul.
Chora Museum
The Chora Museum has one of the best examples of Byzantine mosaic art. The museum today is located at Kariye neighborhood near Edirnekapi city walls over the Golden Horn. Originally a Christian church, it was converted into a mosque after the Conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans, and after the Republic it became a museum.
9 Hamdi Restaurant (Lunch Recommended) +90 533 658 80 11 Tahmis Cad. Kalcin Sokak No:11 Eminonu - Istanbul http://hamdi.com.tr
Lunch is suggested at Hamdi Restaurant, located on the Golden Horn. You can taste traditional Turkish kebabs.
Spice Bazaar
The historical Egyptian / Spice Bazaar is a colorful and mystical covered spice market lined with spice stalls in Eminonu coast, near the Yeni Mosque, in the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul. Spices, dried fruits, cheeses, sausages, jams, nuts and seeds, Turkish delight and other edibles fill most of the shops. You are able to find about every kind of herbs and spices at the market, and as well as ingredients for cooking, Turkish delight and Turkish coffee.
End of the Private Full-Day Sightseeing At the end of your tour, you will return to your hotel.
10 Private Sunset Bosphorus Cruise
At 7:00pm, you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and transfer to the pier to embark on a private motor yacht to enjoy a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus, the narrow strait of water separating the Asian and European continents and the life blood of Istanbul. Passing along the shores of the Bosphorus you will view magnificent palaces, restored Ottoman villas, impressive fortresses and the waterside residences of Istanbul’s elite. Enjoy soft drinks on the motor yacht and see a different perspective of Istanbul, described by a Byzantine visitor in the 12th century as “the city of the world’s desire”. Cruise will take approximately 1 ½ hours. (Sunset Time: 7:45pm)
End of the Private Bosphorus Cruise Experience At the end of your private bosphorus cruise experience, you will return to your hotel.
Mikla Restaurant (Dinner Recommended) +90 212 293 56 56 Asmali Mescit, The Marmara Pera, Mesrutiyet Cd. No:15, 34430 Beyoglu / Istanbul http://www.miklarestaurant.com
Dinner recommended at the Mikla Restaurant which is located in Beyoglu area frequented by the locals. The restaurant’s current menu reflects the chef’s Turkish-Scandinavian influenced ideas served against a breathtaking view. *The dress code is smart casual. No shorts, flipflops or sportswear please. (Transportation to and from the restaurant can be arranged.)
11 Day 4 Transfer · Sea Song Tours - Departure +90 212 292 85 55 http://www.seasong.com
Departing Arriving Vehicle Hotel Istanbul Airport Mercedes Sprinter or Mercedes Vito
Notes
Check-out of your hotel, you will meet your Sea Song representative at the hotel lobby and transfer to the airport for your domestic flight.
Istanbul, Grand Airport to Kayseri, Erkilet Turkish Airlines (TK)
TK 1 hours 40 minutes Depart IST • Arrive ASR • Carrier / Flight Duration
Transfer · Sea Song Tours - Kayseri Airport Arrival +90 212 292 85 55 http://www.seasong.com
Departing Vehicle Kayseri Airport Mercedes Sprinter or Mercedes Vito
Notes
Arrive in Kayseri, meet your professional guide holding a name sign outside of the luggage claim area at the airport and drive to Cappadocia for approximately 1 hour with visits on your way to the hotel in Cappadocia.
Devrent Valley
12 You will view Devrent Valley. One magical corner in the countless panoramic valleys of Cappadocia, here is an unbelievable landscape with its rock formations and savage feeling, one of the best introductions to understanding the structure of fairy chimneys. You can find animal-shaped rocks and fairy chimneys among these unusual formations. Feel free to use your imagination while exploring!
Dibek Restaurant (Lunch Recommended) +90 384 271 2209 Belediye Cad. Hakki Pasa Meydani, Cami Sk. No:1, 50180 Goreme / Nevsehir http://www.dibektraditionalcook.com
Lunch recommended in Dibek Restaurant serving traditional home-cooked food. The restaurant also serves homemade wine.
Pasabag Valley
You will stop in the Pasabag Valley, where the formation of “fairy chimneys” can be best observed. Pasabag, the Pasha’s Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations, a spectacular scene.
13 Zelve Valley
You will visit Zelve Open Air Museum, where three valuable valleys meet. This glorious natural beauty consists of numerous pointed and large fairy chimneys, incredible cave town, honeycombed structures, religious and secular chambers.
End of the Private Sightseeing At the end of your tour, you will return to your hotel.
Seki Restaurant (Dinner Recommended) + 90 384 219 31 30 Asagi Kayabas Sk. No:23, 50240 Uchisar / Nevsehir https://www.argosincappadocia.com/en/seki-restaura...
Dinner recommended at Seki Restaurant serving local cuisine with great wines inside Argos Hotel. Chefs of the restaurant use only fresh local ingredients and interpret with contemporary cooking techniques to create incredible and unique flavors.
14 Argos In Cappadocia +90 384 219 31 30 Aa, Kayaba Sk., 50240 Uçhisar/Merkez/Nevehir http://www.argosincappadocia.com/
2:00 PM 12:00 PM 3 nights Check-in Check-out Duration
Natural wonders and modern comforts in the cradle of history!
Set in the heart of Anatolia on the hilltop village of Uçhisar, Argos in Cappadocia captivates visitors with its mystical landscape shaped by Mother Nature over millennia. The unique five-star property is part archeological treasure, part charming rural retreat, paying homage to local traditions with its distinctive architecture and interior design as well as its delicious culinary offerings.
Set on cascading terraces with commanding views of the area, the 51 guestrooms of argos in Cappadocia are formed from unearthed caves that have been lovingly restored and transformed into one-of-a-kind luxurious lodgings. Each guestroom is an archeological treasure providing a window into the past.
Day 5 Private Full Day of Sightseeing
You will meet your professional guide in the hotel lobby for your private full-day of sightseeing.
15 Kaymakli Underground City
You will visit Kaymakli Underground City, where eight levels extend below ground and include; living quarters, kitchens, wine presses, storage rooms, stables and ventilation shafts. Early Christians carved out these subterranean complexes to avoid invaders who swept across the plains of Anatolia from the 6th to the 9th Century.
Göreme Open Air Museum
Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum which is the miraculous and amazing small cave city that located at Cappadocia’ s famous Goreme Valley. The rich museum has been a member of UNESCO World Heritage Museum List since 1984. The oldest churches in the area date back to the 6th century. Among these churches, the most important ones are Dark Church, Snake Church, Apple Church, and Buckle Church.
16 Ziggy Restaurant (Lunch Recommended) +90 384 341 71 07 Musa Efendi Mahallesi, Ahmet Refik Cd., 50400 Urgup / Nevsehir http://www.ziggycafe.com
Lunch recommended at Ziggy Café in Urgup, where you will see the blending of landscape and buildings with local cusine in a family environment. Turkish Meze Menu is highly recommended.
Avanos & Red River
Visit pretty town of Avanos, which has long been a center for pottery artisans as it lies on the banks of the Red River where clay supplies are abundant. Enjoy a visit to a pottery workshop to meet the artisans and see their collections displayed in a underground cave complex.
17 Uchisar Castle
You will stop on the best spot to have a panoramic view of the Uchisar Castle, full of towering rock houses typical of this area. Uchisar is a small town and it is situated at the highest point in Cappadocia. It is named after the enormous piece of rock in the center of the town, which was once used as a castle.
End of the Private Full-Day Sightseeing At the end of your tour, you will return to your hotel.
Lil'a Restaurant (Dinner Recommended) +90 384 219 2220 Tekeli Mah. Eski Goreme Cad. No.2 50240 Uchisar / Nevsehir http://www.lil-a.com.tr
Dinner recommended at Lila Restaurant located inside Museum Hotel, offers the most distinct interpretations of Anatolian cuisine and Cappadocia food culture with the wonderful view of the valley.
18 Day 6
Hot Air Balloon Flight
**The exact pick-up time will be advised one night before.
Early in the morning you can wake-up to get ready for your ballooning experience in small group basket for 1 hour. You can float over Cappadocia and see the fantastic landscape, going down into the valleys. It is an unforgettable experience. After your experience, you will return to your hotel for breakfast.
**Weather permitted.
Private Full Day of Sightseeing
You will meet your professional guide in the hotel lobby for your private full-day of sightseeing.
Pigeon Valley
You will have a morning hike in the Pigeon Valley to enjoy a fresh morning air and have an opportunity of seeing the landscape closer. The valley’s name comes from the pigeon-cotes carved on its walls.
19 Mustafapasa Village
You will visit the picturesque village of Mustafapasa, which is a perfectly preserved Greek village in the heart of Anatolia. The former Greek inhabitants left the town in 1923 during the population exchange between Turkey and Greece. The houses exhibit a wealth of carved stonework, wall paintings, and many reminders of their former inhabitants. There will be free time to explore.
Old Greek House Restaurant (Lunch Recommended) +90 384 353 53 06 Davutlu, Sahin Cd. No:16, 50420 Mustafapasa / Urgup / Nevsehir http://oldgreekhouse.com
Lunch is suggested at the Old Greek House Restaurant serving local cuisine in an old mansion.
20 Sobesos Ancient City
You will visit the excavations at the Sobesos Ancient City. The earliest evidence of settlement dates from the neo- Roman period and excavations have revealed that the city was occupied in the Byzantine period. Of particular interest are the Roman Bathhouse with an impressive and intact underfloor heating structure, and a covered walkway leading visitors around the intricate mosaics.
Keslik Monastery
You will visit the Keslik Monastery which consists of two churches; it was one of the crucial sites for worship and religious education. Visit the Archangelos Church, which shows scenes from Christ’s entombment, and Stefanos Church displays the Saint Euphemia cross from the iconoclastic period. At the Keslik Monastery, you can enjoy a glass of tea in the caretaker’s garden.
End of the Private Full-Day Sightseeing At the end of your tour, you will return to your hotel.
21 Sira Restaurant (Dinner Recommended) +90 384 219 30 37 Tekelli Mah. Goreme Cad. No: 87 Uchisar / Nevsehir http://sirarestaurant.com
Dinner recommended at Sira Restaurant offering the specialties of Turkish modern cuisine and Ottoman kitchen. (Walking distance to your hotel.)
Day 7 Transfer · Sea Song Tours - Departure +90 212 292 85 55 http://www.seasong.com
Departing Arriving Vehicle Hotel Kayseri Airport Mercedes Sprinter or Mercedes Vito
Notes
Check-out of your hotel, you will meet your Sea Song representative at the hotel lobby and transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul.
Kayseri, Erkilet to Istanbul, Grand Airport Turkish Airlines (TK)
TK 1 hours 40 minutes Depart ASR • Arrive IST • Carrier / Flight Duration
Flight Connection
Arrive in Istanbul and connect your international flight.
Istanbul, Grand Airport to Washington, Washington Dulles Intl Turkish Airlines (TK)
22 11 hours and 25 TK +1 Depart IST • minutes Carrier / Flight Arrive IAD • Duration
Included Services Included Services:
• All Private arrival and departure transfers with baggage handling. • 5 full-days of private sightseeing in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver. • Officially Licensed professional tour guide in English language throughout the tour program • Entrance fees to all museums, parks, and historic sites as marked on the itinerary. • Domestic Airfare - (Turkish Airlines- Economy PrimeFly) • Private Sunset Bosphorus Cruise Experience for 1.5 hours. • Hot Air Ballooning Experience on Small Group Balloon King Flight, 75 minutes. • Bottled water provided throughout the tour. • Welcome Package. • Taxes.
Not Included Services • Gratuities to driver and guide. • International airfare. • Recommended lunches and dinners will be at guests’ own expenses. • Personal expenses of the guests.
Costed Separately • VIP Airport Service for international arrival. This service is provided inside the airport to expedite airport formalities. • Hotel accommodations in Istanbul and Cappadocia. • Round-trip dinner transportation for recommended dinners.
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