Magical Cappadocia

Arrival at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. Boarding formalities and departure on a flight to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Half-day city tour of Istanbul. Start with the Basilica of St. Sophia, one of the most fantastic buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and rebuilt by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome is 55 meters above the ground and has a diameter of 31 meters. During the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque and over time minarets were added. Continue to the old Byzantine Hippodrome, which was the center of civil activity in the country, where not only horse races and gladiatorial combats were held, but also celebrations in honor of the Emperor. Today it still preserves the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Emperor Wilhelm Fountain. The visit ends at the Blue Mosque, famous for its 6 minarets. Return to the hotel on your own. Accommodation.  

Breakfast. Half-day city tour starting at the Soliman Mosque, considered the most beautiful of Istanbul's imperial mosques. Departure towards the ancient Walls of Constantinople, which protected the city from constant attacks by various peoples. Then a visit to the Monastery of St. Mary of the Fountain, known for its fountain of miracles. The tour ends at Eminönü, once the main access to the city in Byzantine and Ottoman times, but now a busy area where the Egyptian Market or Spice Bazaar is located. Return to the hotel on your own. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Free day. Accommodation. 

OPTION BY BUS: Breakfast. Departure by bus to Ankara. Arrival in Ankara, the "Capital of the Republic" and visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, an archaeological museum with a unique prehistoric and Hittite collection. Continue your journey to Cappadocia. Arrival at the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

OPTION BY PLANE: Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Cappadocia. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation. 

Breakfast. Visit to the region where St. George was born, which is unique in the world and combines the vagaries of nature with sites of great cultural interest. The visit begins in the fascinating Dervent Valley, known as the valley of the "Fairy Chimneys", where the erosion caused by the action of wind and water on the volcanic terrain has given rise to a spectacular landscape formed by peaks, cones and obelisks. Next, a visit to the underground city of Ozkonak (or similar), built by Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab attacks. Stop at a carpet and kilim workshop. Continue to the Göreme Open Air Museum, which preserves an impressive collection of churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the rock with frescoes dating back to the 11th century and which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, a panoramic tour of the village of Uchisar and the spectacular volcanic formations of Avcilar (of the hunters) and Güvercinlik (of the pigeons) to admire a wonderful panoramic view of Uchisar Castle, situated on top of a promontory of volcanic rock, pierced by tunnels and windows. Stop at a handicraft and jewelry workshop. Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation. 

Breakfast. Departure to visit the famous "Three Beauties of Urgup", where you can see the mushroom-shaped rock formations, followed by a panoramic tour of the city of Urgup. Next, a visit to the small but beautiful town of Ortahisar, which stands out for its 86-meter-high geological castle that was converted into a dwelling by the Hittites. In the afternoon, visit the Zelve Valley, formed by two canyons, where Muslims and Christians lived together until 1924. Then a visit to the Cavusin Valley, where the houses carved into the side of a hill have splendidly decorated façades, a beauty that has lasted through time. Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation. 

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the airport. Boarding formalities and departure on a flight back to Portugal. Arrival.