Page 94 - Southern Europe

Istanbul
& Cappadocia
7 days
Istanbul, Zelve, Urgup, Goreme, Kaymakli, Mustafapasa, Keyseri
Day 1: Istanbul
Arrival to Istanbul Ataturk International Airport. Meet our driver or guide, according to your arrival time, who will transfer you to your hotel. Meet with your guide at the hotel around 8 PM and go out for a dinner and night out to get your first taste of Istanbul's magic. Overnight in Istanbul. [D]
Day 2: Istanbul (Walking the Old City) First visit the Hippodrome, the social center of this Byzantine city. Next visit the Blue Mosque, the Grand Mosque of the Ottomans for 3 centuries, followed by the Hagia Sophia. After visiting the Underground Cistern of Yerebatan, enjoy lunch nearby and rlax with a Turkish coffee. After lunch, you will visit the Topkapi Palace, imperial palace of the Ottomans which reflects the splendor of the Ottoman Empire. Relax on the Palace terraces before returning to the hotel. [B/L]
Day 3: Istanbul (Contemporary Tour)
Istanbul's proximity to Europe and The Middle East has made it a melting pot
of both cultures. You will be able to see this reflected in the exhibits while visiting the Istanbul Modern Art Museum and the Pera Museum. Beyoglu Street, close to Pera Museum, f requently hosts contemporary art exhibitions. Your itinerary will be updated to take advantage of any new and important exhibitions offered during your stay. The highlight of this trip will be a visit to the "Museum of Innocence" which is based on a novel of the same name written by Turkish Nobel-Laureate writer, Orhan Pamuk. After sampling this rich literary aspect of Turkish culture, you will return to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. [B] Day 4: Istanbul
Your day will start with a stroll f rom the old city of Istanbul to the Golden Horn to catch a regular Bosporus cruise between the Asian and European
continents. For an hour and more, you will be floating through the real history channel. Big mansions located by the water will take you to the 19th Century of Istanbul and your return will give amazing opportunities to take pictures of the Old City of Istanbul,
once capital to Byzantium and Ottoman empires. You will embark by the Spice market and stroll in and around the bazaar where the Spices from India was sold to the Ottoman merchants before they sailed to
Europe. The Spice market is now hosting several Turkish delight shops giving you the opportunity to taste the great variety of Turkish Delights. Near the market, a hidden gem, the Rustem Pasha Mosque houses the best examples of Ottoman tiles, making the Blue Mosque jealous. Overnight in Istanbul. [B]
TURKEY Downtown Providing Fascinating Travel Experiences
94 For prices and other details visit www.holidayswithdowntown.com