Meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel. Today’s tour will start with a visit to the Roman Hippodrome, that used to be one of the Roman World's largest stadiums where chariot races and gladiator fights took place.

Next will be the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), the masterpiece of 17th century Ottoman imperial mosque architecture; famous for its unique, handmade, original Iznik Tiles, impressing visitors with their rich, predominant blue colors and oriental patterns, which have become collective items auctioned at celebrated houses like the Sotheby’s.

Then proceed to the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD as the biggest and the most impressive Christian cathedral of its style. It is one of the most extraordinary masterpieces in the history of world architecture. This awesome building inspired countless generations with its colossal definition of what the ideal interior space in a domed basilica should be, and with its innovations in weight-support and construction techniques. This exemplifies the very best of Byzantine, Renaissance, Christian and Islamic Art, due to Hagia Sophia’s unique religious and cultural heritage.

From the Hagia Sophia we will stroll to the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the first residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years, perfectly nestled at the Historical Peninsula where they ruled three continents and seven seas. Currently, Topkapi Palace offers its visitors great displays of the Ottoman Family Dynasty Collections including; 86 carat Kasikci (Spoonmaker's) Diamond, the Topkapi Dagger, The Golden Throne, The Holy Relics and many more. Visit the Harem Court, the home of the sultans, which gives extraordinary insight to the sultans' lifestyle.

The Harem Chamber is the only place where the private lives of the sultans took place. Resembling a labyrinth, the Harem Court is the most secret place in Topkapi Palace, where intertwined structures, corridors, large and ostentatious halls are intricately located.

Next will be the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi). No bazaar, however, is more dazzling than the Grand Bazaar, built in 1461 and has been in service ever since. Along with magnificent mosque complexes, the mother of all bazaars was a monument to the “Rise of Istanbul”- the great master plan of the Turks for the rejuvenation and reanimation of an old imperial capital. It contains 4.000 shops, employing more than 20.000 people all under one roof. Everything imaginable is for sale including; gold and silver jewelry, rugs, carpets, antiques, tiles, leather, souvenirs, but just seeing and experiencing this mother of all bazaars is worth the trip.

Return back to the hotel for overnight.

The day will start after breakfast with the visit to Dolmabahce Palace, the largest and finest example of Baroque, Rococo and Ottoman architecture, a monument to the Ottomans' modernization process in the 19th century. The Ottoman response to the overwhelming changes in the post-renaissance world was rapid westernization, initiated in the imperial lifestyle at first, that gave way to the creation of a series of Baroque style European fashion palaces on the shores of the Bosporus.

Experience a memorable Pera promenade (famous lstiklal Street, Beyoglu). lstiklal pedestrian avenue, is in the very heart of Istanbul, starting from Taksim Square to Galata Tower. This popular street hosts hundreds of cafes, restaurants, shops and bookstores, old churches and also the main consulates of many countries. Feel yourself in the old Pera times as you enjoy the crowded nostalgic trams passing by the street.

Explore the backstreets of lstiklal, where you will explore Balik Pazari (Fish Market), and the bohemian neighborhoods of Tunel and Asmalımescit, an area where many local and international artists live a bohemian life and find enough inspiration to create various works of art.

Galataport is Istanbul's new mega cruise port, featuring the world's first underground cruise ship terminal, located in the heart of Istanbul at the waterfront neighborhood of Karakoy. However, Galataport is more than just a cruise port. The mega project brings together all fields of life, from tourism to culture, dining, shopping, and entertainment. Galataport Istanbul was named "Port of the Year" at the Seatrade Cruise Awards, the cruise industry's premier award organization. Galataport is not only home to a world-class terminal, but also offers numerous entertainment options, ranging from art and culture to gastronomy and shopping. Fine dining experiences play an important role in the complex, which becomes Istanbul's new gastronomic neighborhood. Galataport, Istanbul's new hub for arts and culture, hosts Istanbul Museum of Modern Art and Istanbul Mimar Sinan University Museum of Painting and Sculpture.

Then you will change continents from Europe to Asia through the Bosphorus Bridge for a unique "local experience" of discovering the Kadikoy neighborhood, where you will be surrounded with locals at their famous open air street market which is in synch with the way most people in Istanbul cook and eat. You will indulge yourself with the huge variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, with plenty to discover for the "foodies". Feel the real bazaar shopping experience with the fish mongers, bakers, butchers and grocers singing out to attract you to their stall.

Return back to the hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, you will proceed to Cappadocia, and start your excursion in the mesmerizing "Land of Beautiful Horses" featuring visits to; Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where towering fairy chimneys are on display. We will step inside the rock-cut churches and chapels to admire fresco decorations from early Christian and Byzantine era.

Uchisar, the highest point of the region for taking great pictures of volcanic landscape and troglodyte dwellings.

Pigeons’ (Guvercinlik) Valley, where you will admire countless little niche-style carved bird houses, used by human beings since the Neolithic period for obtaining guano for fertilizing their fields.

Hunters' (Avcilar) Valley, the ideal point to enjoy the breathtaking view of Goreme.

Avanos village, beautifully located by the shores of Turkey's longest river, Kizilirmak (Red River), is a quaint town of art, where you will have a great educational experience of another major art of the Turks, Turkish Ceramic and world famous Iznik Tiles' making, at one of the world's celebrated master potters' workshops in Avanos village.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will start your excursion with one of the other highlights of the Cappadocia, which will be an educational experience of The Major Turkish Art of Weaving at its birthplace. Not only will you be amazed by the artistic creations; but rolling, and flying internationally awarded carpets, kilims, cicims and more, which will all take your breath away.

Then you will continue on a short ride to the deepest and longest tectonically created canyon in the country, lhlara Valley. Your visit will start by walking down the famous 450 stepped staircases, then continue with an easy trekking / hiking path of 2 miles in the valley, which offers unexpected natural beauties and great early Christian era fresco decorations in the hidden rock-cut churches and chapels hewn in the cliffs of the canyon. At the end of the canyon, you will be served a local fresh fish lunch at a traditional restaurant located on the Belisirma River.

Following lunch, you will be driven back to Cappadocia and stop at Three Beauties (Uc Guzeller), where you will see iconic three fairy chimneys, symbolizing the Cappadocian family, and listen to their tale from your guide. Last call of the day will be at Rose Valley for a great sunset over the fairy chimney-full valleys of Cappadocia.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Return back to the hotel for check out and continue to the Airport for your domestic flight back to Istanbul.

Upon arrival, if time allows, before going to your hotel, you will enjoy last minute shopping at Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) for a "true taste" of culture mosaics in Istanbul. Originally devoted to spices and herbs, it now sells a great variety of goods from groceries to souvenirs; from delicatessen, to Turkish coffee and candies. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner accompanied by your "travelling family".

Overnight at the hotel.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning and we hope to see you again. Transfers to Istanbul International Airport.