Ait 3403 - Istanbul-Ankara-Cappadocia-Aksaray Cultural Tour

IMPORTANT NOTE:Our programs are available for domestic and international participation. For the participants, transfers from ADANA AIRPORT and HATAY AIRPORT and additional accommodation one day before and one day after the end of the program are arranged. When you add it to your portfolio, we kindly ask you to contact the GoAyas Tour Organization department for detailed information about the program change of our guests. You can arrange the necessary arrangement through our GoAyas Tour Organization Department personnel..!

Day 1: Europe-Istanbul-Byzantine Land and Sea Walls

Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will embark on an orientation bus tour while heading to your hotel. We will explore large sections of the terrifying Byzantine land and sea walls that were breached only in 1453 by Fatih Sultan Mehmed.

Dinner and overnight stay at a 4*-Boutique or equivalent hotel for the first four nights.

Day 2: Eyüp-Eyüp-Mosque Area-Pierre Loti-Chora Church-Hagia Sophia-Topkapi Palace-Harem

Today, after an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we will discover the Golden Horn by bus. We start from the Eyüp district, where Muslims come to visit the tomb of Prophet Muhammad's standard-bearer. On top of the great Islamic cemetery, there is the famous café of the French officer Pierre Loti, who fell in love with a forbidden love. Then, we walk along the Byzantine walls to the Chora Church, which is renowned for its world-famous mosaic cycle depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

We continue to Yedikule and the land walls. At Panorama 1453, we experience the last days of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Lunch at a "Greek" restaurant near the Hippodrome. In the afternoon, we visit Hagia Sophia and the Harem of Topkapi Palace.

If time permits, we might have some time to explore the Grand Bazaar. Dinner will be in Kumkapı, a district famous for its excellent fish restaurants.
Overnight stay at a 4*-Boutique or equivalent hotel.

Day 3: Circus Maximus-Ibrahim Pasha Palace-Basilica Cistern-Spice and Egyptian Bazaar-Blue Mosque-Bosphorus Boat Tour

After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, At the Hippodrome, we discuss the Nika Revolt under the rule of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, as well as the remains of the Circus Maximus. We visit the Ibrahim Pasha Palace and the Ethnography Museum. Afterward, we walk through the historic Sultanahmet district and visit the Blue Mosque.

We have lunch at Mezopotamya Restaurant, known for its Southeast Turkish cuisine. Later, we enter the marvelous Basilica Cistern, a large Byzantine underground water reservoir.

In the afternoon, we visit the Spice and Chache Bazaar. While waiting at the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, we also see Mahmut Paşa's Brokante Bazaar.

We take a boat tour on the Bosphorus, gliding under the two suspension bridges that connect Europe to Asia, admiring priceless mansions and imperial palaces like Beylerbey and the unique Dolmabahçe Palace. We get to know cultural Turkish products such as carpets, gold and silverware, and leather goods.

Dinner and overnight stay at a 4* Boutique or similar hotel.

Day 4: Istanbul-Ankara-Tuz Gölü-Aksaray

Good morning! After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we depart for Ankara via the picturesque road of the Black Sea - Pont Euxin. We explore the desert landscapes of Central Anatolia.

Upon arrival in Ankara, we have lunch at a traditional döner restaurant called Hacıbey.

In the afternoon, we visit the Anadolu Medeniyetleri Museum, a museum that received the 1995 World Museums Award. We see an interesting cuneiform letter written by a Hittite woman to her husband working abroad, mentioning her mother-in-law.

After crossing Tuz Gölü, we arrive in the Seljuk medieval town of Aksaray for dinner and overnight stay. Along the way, we think of the salts, rock crystals, and the ancient inland sea, as well as the wild geese, ducks, partridges, bees, flamingos, and turtles. We also consider Karaman's herds or sleds, Ankara goats, rabbits, hares, and maybe even Cappadocia wolves.

Dinner and overnight stay in Aksaray.

Day 5: Aksaray-Acemhöyük-Cappadocia-The Land of Beautiful Horses

In the morning, After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we visit the Seljuk city of Aksaray with the Pizz Tower and the Grand Mosque.

We head to Acemhöyük, the first capital of the Hittite Empire and one of the three main commercial banks of the Assyrians. Through the rich mansions, we explore the area via Sarıkaya-Hatipler, Enver Arıbaş Cemetery.

After strolling around the village and having a dialogue with the locals at the typical village cafés, we have lunch with residents or at the town hall.

In the afternoon, we take a hike along the Peristrema Valley in the Melendiz Canyon, passing by primitive rock churches dating back to the first half of Christianity: Selime-Belisırma-Ihlara. The Agzikarakah on the Silk Road welcomes you with camels and donkeys.

We have a wine tasting with the residents of the Saratlı Underground City, who are Alevi Muslims.

Dinner and overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Day 6: Cappadocia - The Holy Land of Christianity

After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we will have walking tours in a series of valleys with beautifully eroded tuff formations: Rose Valley and a visit to a carpet school. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit the Göreme Valley, an open-air museum surrounded by churches. We can admire the primitive Christian art and Byzantine frescoes in various churches. We end the day with a delicious dinner accompanied by folk dances. Overnight stay at a 4* hotel.

Day 7: Cappadocia - Hacıbektaş-Kayseri-Ankara (320 km)

After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we take a pleasant time to walk around Pasabag and visit Avanos. The excavations show that Avanos has a long history dating back to the Bronze Age. It is known as the pottery region since Hittite times.

Then, we head to Hacıbektaş, a pilgrimage site for Alevi Muslims. The city takes its name from the 13th-century Sufi Haji Bektash Veli, who is considered the founder of the Bektashi order. Alevism, Bektashism, and Sufism view Ali as the Lion of God (Esedullah-Asadullah). Approximately one-fourth of Turkey's population is Alevi. Alevism is a branch of Shia Islam, with much less emphasis on laws and regulations and much more on respect for other people, regardless of their religion, race, origin, or gender. We visit the Haji Bektash Veli Tomb, tour the museum, and learn about the soft side of Islam.

10 Muharram, Ashura Day: Husayn bin Ali, the younger son of Muhammad, was killed in Karbala.

In Kayseri (formerly Caesarea), along the road, we find the Seljuk Castle, the Archaeology Museum with the Huant Medrese, Ulu Mosque-Honata Hatun Mosque, and Sahabiye Medrese, which we admire.

We find the Döner Kümbet (1276), a classical mausoleum of a Seljuk princess, and the first Seljuk anatomy school and the Gevher Nesibe Museum, which is part of the medical history.

Lunch with regional delicacies in Kayseri.
Dinner and overnight stay in Ankara at a 4* or 5* hotel.

Day 8: Ankara

After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, enjoy free time in Ankara until the transfer to the airport for your return flight. Bid farewell to another cultural tour with AyasİsosTravels.

• 8 days/7 nights half board from the first evening dinner and breakfast on the last day

• Overnight stays in a charming room of a 4*-5* authentic hotel

• Transportation in Turkey

• Bosphorus boat tour

• Folkloric dances accompanied by a delicious dinner

• Access to scheduled visits

• Services of a university-approved guide speaking French, English, or Dutch.

Not Included:

• Flights Europe/Istanbul and Ankara/Europe
• All Lunches
• Entrance fees to the listed places and museums.

• Insurance, airport taxes

• Beverages at meals and customary tips for the driver and guide (estimated price 3 to 5 euros per person).