{"id":108072,"date":"2025-05-27T10:19:33","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T14:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fundaystours.com\/?post_type=product&p=108072"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:59:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T19:59:46","slug":"turkey-as-a-gift-discover-istanbul-cappadocia-ephesus-2","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/fundaystours.com\/en\/destinos\/turkey-as-a-gift-discover-istanbul-cappadocia-ephesus-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Turkey as a Gift: Discover Istanbul, Cappadocia & Ephesus"},"content":{"rendered":"

Turkey as a gift on an unforgettable journey, with daily departures except Fridays<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 1: ARRIVAL \/ ISTANBUL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Welcome to Istanbul! <\/strong>Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel category. Accommodation<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST), <\/strong>our representative will be waiting for you at your exit through gate number 8.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are arriving at Istanbul Airport (SAW) <\/strong>on the Asian side, our representative will be waiting for you, crossing the pedestrian walkway between column 9 and column 10.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 2: ISTANBUL \/ SULEIMAN THE MAGNIFICENT (D)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast. <\/strong>Departure to visit the S\u00fcleymaniye Mosque <\/strong>, located on the third hill of Istanbul, offering one of the most famous panoramic views of the city. Commissioned by Sultan S\u00fcleymaniye the Magnificent, it was built by the renowned imperial architect Sinan. After the visit, enjoy free time for a full-day tour of Istanbul’s historic district. <\/strong>You will see the Hagia Sophia <\/strong>(exterior only), a masterpiece of Byzantine art, and the pearl of Istanbul, the famous Topkapi Palace <\/strong>, residence of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant in the <\/strong>Sultanahmet area . Admire the Blue Mosque <\/strong>, a marvel of harmony, proportion, and elegance, and the Hippodrome <\/strong>, which preserves the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, the Fountain of Emperor Wilhelm, and the Egyptian Obelisk. In the late afternoon, visit the famous Grand Bazaar, <\/strong>where you will have free time to explore its 4,000 shops. Overnight stay .<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 3: ISTANBUL \/ FREE DAY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast <\/strong>. Full-day Bosphorus boat tour and visit to the Asian side with lunch. <\/strong>Departure for one of Istanbul’s most famous activities: a boat trip on the Bosphorus <\/strong>, the strait that separates Europe and Asia. During this journey, you’ll see the palaces of the Sultans, traditional wooden houses, and experience history in a unique way. Next, we’ll visit one of the highlights, the Spice Bazaar <\/strong>, established by the Ottomans five centuries ago and still in use today. We’ll then continue to Beylerbey Palace, <\/strong>located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. This former summer residence of the Ottoman sultans also features the famous suspension bridge.<\/strong> From the Bosphorus <\/strong>, which connects the European and Asian sides of the city, after lunch <\/strong>we will visit the underrated district of \u00dcsk\u00fcdar, <\/strong>located on the Asian side <\/strong>, before heading to \u00c7aml\u0131ca Hill <\/strong>, one of the city’s seven hills and the highest point in Istanbul. At 268 meters above sea level, \u00c7aml\u0131ca Hill offers panoramic views of both sides of the city. At the end of the day, return to the hotel. Overnight stay<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 4: ISTANBUL \/ ANKARA \/ CAPADOCIA (B -D)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast <\/strong>( breakfast box included). Departure for Ankara <\/strong>, passing through the Bolu Mountains. Ankara , the capital of the Turkish Republic <\/strong>and Turkey’s second most populous city , is a modern and cosmopolitan metropolis steeped in history and ancient culture. Visit to the An\u0131tkabir Mausoleum <\/strong>, a symbol of Ankara and the final resting place of the founder of the Turkish Republic <\/strong>. Continue the journey to Cappadocia. En route, we will see Turkey’s second largest lake, Lake Tuz (Salt Lake) <\/strong>, and a 13th-century caravanserai <\/strong>(medieval inn). Arrival in Cappadocia. Optionally<\/strong> You can book a Jeep Safari tour of Cappadocia <\/strong>, one of the most exciting adventures in Cappadocia, allowing you to explore the region in an off-road vehicle and reach unique landscapes of rock formations and valleys. Dinner <\/strong>and accommodation included .<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On some departures, the Istanbul-Ankara leg may be covered by high-speed train or domestic flight for operational reasons)<\/p>\n

Day 5: CAPADOCIA (B \u2013 C)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast <\/strong>at the hotel. Visit this fascinating region with its unique landscape, formed by lava ejected from the Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes 3 million years ago. We will visit the G\u00f6reme Valley <\/strong>, an incredible Byzantine monastic complex comprised of churches carved into the rock <\/strong>and adorned with beautiful frescoes. Next, we will visit the Avcilar and G\u00f6vercinlik Valleys <\/strong>, where you can admire the best views of the volcanic formations known as “fairy chimneys.” <\/strong>We will also visit traditional carpet and onyx workshops .<\/strong> and Turquoise <\/strong>. Dinner at the hotel and accommodation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 6: CAPPADOCIA \/ PAMUKKALE (B – D)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast <\/strong>at the hotel. Early departure for Pamukkale . <\/strong>Arrival and visit to Hierapolis <\/strong>, an ancient Hellenistic city now in ruins. Visit to the famous Cotton Castle <\/strong>, a natural wonder of gigantic white cascades, stalactites, and natural pools formed over centuries by the flow of calcium-rich water from thermal springs. Arrival at the hotel . Dinner and overnight stay.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 7: PAMUKKALE \/ EPHESUS \/ KUSADASI \/OR IZMIR (B – D)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast <\/strong>at the hotel. Morning departure for Ephesus, <\/strong>a Greco-Roman city, ancient capital of Asia Minor and one of the best-preserved ancient cities, home to the Temple of Hadrian <\/strong>, the Temple of Trajan <\/strong>, the theater <\/strong>, and the Library of Celsus <\/strong>. Visit to the House of the Virgin Mary <\/strong>, where she spent the last years of her life. Afterward, we will visit a leather goods gallery <\/strong>to learn about the region’s renowned production of lambskin garments. In the late afternoon, we continue to Kusadasi or Izmir. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay <\/strong>. (During the summer months of May- October , accommodation may be in Izmir and its surroundings instead of Kusadasi .)<\/p>\n

Day 8: KUSADASI \/ OR IZMIR \/ BURSA \/ ISTANBUL (D)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast. <\/strong>Departure for Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit to the Ulucamii Mosque <\/strong>, the Kozahan Silk Bazaar <\/strong>, and the Green Mausoleum <\/strong>. Continue the journey to Istanbul; arrival and overnight stay <\/strong>.<\/p>\n

(On some departures, for operational reasons, the Izmir-Istanbul leg may be covered by a domestic flight without passing through Bursa).<\/p>\n

Day 9: ISTANBUL \/ AIRPORT. (D)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast <\/strong>and at the indicated time, transfer to the airport . End of services.<\/strong><\/p>\n

(Pick-up will be 4 hours before <\/strong>the international flight time; the exact time will be confirmed by your assistant at your destination).<\/p>\n

***End of services****<\/strong><\/p>\n

SERVICES INCLUDED:<\/strong><\/p>\n