Turkey - Istanbul & Cappadocia
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16th - 23rd May 2025
Why not join us on this two centre tour to Turkey based in Istanbul for 4 nights and 3 nights in Cappadoccia. Explore lstanbul, the eclectic city with an array of history, majestic architecture and lively markets. Straddling both Asia and Europe it embodies the collision of these two continents and cultures and is known for its diverse history, with influences from the Greek, Persians, Romans, Venetians and Ottomans to be discovered.
Cappadocia’s honeycombed hills and huge boulders create a landscape that could be from a fairytale. The hidden cave dwellings will enchant and amaze, and can be experienced with a stay in one of the cave hotels. You may even want to experience the unique landscape from a hot air balloon.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Turkish Airlines flight departs Manchester at 10.35 arriving in Istanbul at 16.50. Upon arrival in Istanbul you will be met by your tour guide. On the way into the city you will be given a short orientation tour before checking in at the Hotel Levni Spa. Tonight you will have a welcome dinner at Hamdi, a local restaurant which overlooks the Bosphorus. (D)
Day 2: Istanbul - After breakfast in your hotel, there will be a full day guided tour which includes St. Sophia (exterior only), the cathedral built by Emperor Justinian in 537 which was the largest church in Christendom for a thousand years, the Byzantine Hippodrome with its various monuments including a 3500-year-old red granite obelisk brought from Egypt and erected here in 390 AD. The Ottoman Empire produced marvellous architecture and you'll see two of its finest works: Topkapi Palace home of the sultans, and the famed Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I. You will also visit the Basillica Cistern. This marvel of Byzantine engineering once supplied water to Constantinople's Great Palace.After all these visits, you'll venture into the labyrinthine of the Grand Bazaar before returning to your hotel. (B)
Day 3: Istanbul - After breakfast you will be met by your guide who will take you on a short visit to the Spice Bazaar. Following this you board a private cruise sailing between the two continents, Europe and Asia, sailing past the latest palaces of Ottomans, as well as mansions and modern villas. After disembarking our cruise, you will then drive to Beyoglu and visit Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) which is a hive of activity any time of day or night. Here you will weave through the backstreets, an often neglected sightseeing route, dotted with historic buildings, crumbling churches, hip cafes, swanky restaurants and market stalls. This area is one of the most colourful districts in the city. Continuing on this pleasant downhill walk you arrive at Karakoy and cross the Unkapani Bridge, before arriving back at your hotel. (B)
Day 4: Istanbul - Today will be at leisure for you to further explore Istanbul (B)
Day 5: Istanbul to Cappadocia - Today you will be transferred to the airport for your Turkish Airlines 13.00 departure to Kayseri. Arriving in Kayseri at 14.30 you will be met by your guide for the transfer to your hotel the MDC Cave Hotel in Cappadocia. Dinner will be at the hotel (B, D)
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Cappadocia - Ancient volcanic eruptions and centuries of erosion have given the Cappadocia region of central Turkey one of the most distinctive landscapes in the country, if not the world. Its undulating, rose-tinted valleys are speckled with the towering tufa formations dubbed “fairy chimneys”. The same soft rock that was slowly shaped by nature was also worked by human hands to form thousands of cave dwellings, churches, monasteries and even entire underground cities. Add in an ancient wine culture, increasingly sophisticated dining and a wealth of outdoor activities and this is a destination of a lifetime. Why not greet the dawn on a hot air balloon ride?
Early risers often wake to the sight of a sky full of colourful hot air balloons floating over Cappadocia’s already-surreal tufa formations. Flights – weather permitting – usually take around an hour and are one of the most popular activities for visitors to the area. Balloon flights can be arranged at extra cost.
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Day 6: Cappadocia - After breakfast you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby for our visit to Devrent Valley where various types of fairy chimneys are abundant. Taking time to walk through this amazing valley. You will then travel to Pasabagi (Monk's Valley) with its multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. After your visit to Pasabagi, your journey takes you to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak River, the longest river of Turkey.
There will be time for lunch before proceeding to Goreme Open Air Museum (Dark Church entrance is excluded as it requires additional admission fee) to visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescos painted on the walls. We will then visit Love Valley and Uchihsar Castle before returning to your hotel. Dinner will be at the hotel. (B, D)
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Day 7: Cappadocia - Once again, after breakfast you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby to continue your exploration of the area with a visit to Rose Valley, one of the most beautiful trekking valleys in Cappadocia, and explore the famous rock-cut churches by hiking through the valley. Following your visit to Rose Valley you will visit Cavusin, an old Greek village, known for its Christian houses and churches. Here you will have time for lunch before moving on to visit Ortahısar Castle, where the storage caves can also be observed. Later in the afternoon you’ll be able to explore Kaymakli (or Ozkonak) Underground City where the early Christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back to the hotel a visit to the panoramic Pigeon Valley where the pigeons contributed to the lives of locals with their manure to fertilize the vineyards. You may also like to taste Cappadocia wine in a local winery.
Dinner will be at the hotel. (B, D)
Day 8: Cappadocia Return - Sadly it is time to say farewell to Cappadocia. After breakfast and check out you will be transferred to Kayseri airport for your Turkish Airlines flight which departs at 15.15 to Istanbul where you will transfer to the Manchester flight arriving at 21.55. (B)
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Your Hotels: Istanbul - Hotel Levni Spa This luxury hotel is located on the heart of the Old Town of Istanbul, providing an easy access to many attractions such as Üsküdar Square, Taksim Square, Galata Square and Istanbul Archaeological Museum. Marmaray Sirkeci Metro is just a few steps away from the hotel. This hotel offers modern rooms, equipped with air-conditioning, TV with satellite channels, tea and coffee facilities and bathroom with shower and hairdryer. All kinds of delicacies are available to savour in the hotel's restaurant, with specialities for vegetarians and diabetics. Its roof top bar offers stunning views of the Bosphuros and Istanbul. Guests can enjoy leisure time in the indoor swimming pool or maintain fitness at the gym room. Forget the worries of the day as guests can also enjoy a relaxing massage at a spa centre after a busy day.
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Cappadocia - MDC Cave Hotel The hotel is nestled in the picturesque background of Urgup, Cappadocia and features an impeccable blend of luxury, beauty, style and heritage. The MDC Cave Hotel is located in a quiet and charming area within walking distance to the Urgup town centre and is surrounded by the extraordinary beauty and relaxing nature of the valleys and the unique fairy chimneys - a stunning location which makes the MDC Cave Hotel a special place to stay in Cappadocia.
Each room is designed to pamper and provides the ultimate in comfort. The fine details have been passionately chosen and each room deserves a visit. The MDC Cave Hotel's rooms were once private homes that have been restored under the guidance of UNESCO Heritage controls.
All 46 rooms at MDC are different in size and design; each has its own little story. Rooms could at one time have been kitchens, sleeping areas or stables. They mix valuable antiques and original artworks to create a traditional authentic style with an unexpected modern twist.
On the top floor, there is also a delightful terrace available for the use of guests, from where you can enjoy the wonderful view. Buffet breakfast is served in the garden restaurant and also outside on our patio during the summer months.
MDC hotel has added brand new heated outdoor swimming pool in late 2022.
Price per person (Based on 2 Adults sharing Twin/Double Room):
- Member Plus Adult - £2249
- Member Adult - £2289
- Non Member Adult - £2329
- Single Supplement - £650 (double/twin for sole occupancy)
Price Includes:
- Return Turkish Airlines (not Lo-Cost) from Manchester to Istanbul & Istanbul to Kayseri
- Return airport transfers with English speaking guide
- Porterage at both hotels if required
- 4 nights B&B accommodation at the Hotel Levni Spa (Istanbul)
- 3 nights HB accommodation at the MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia
- Entrance fees to attractions as per the itinerary
- Local taxes and service charges
- Meals are indicated by code letters in itinerary (B) Breakfast (D) Dinner
- English speaking guide throughout the tour
- A/C vehicle with driver throughout the sightseeing tours
Not Included:
- Single Supplement
- Any items of a personal nature such as meals, drinks, etc
- Guide/Driver Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
- Hot Air balloon Ride
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