Discover Turkey

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.  .  

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 at 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 Göreme, which preserves an impressive collection of churches, chapels and monasteries carved out of the rock with frescoes dating back to the 11th century, which have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Pass through the Güvercinlik (Pigeon) Valley to admire a wonderful panoramic view of Uchisar Castle, perched atop 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. Early departure to visit the Seleucid Caravanserai "Sultanhan", located on the Silk Road, which served as a stopping place for traders, pilgrims and military personnel. Continue to Pamukkale, also known as the Cotton Castle. Its hot springs with calcareous salt sediments have given rise to a landscape of exceptional originality, with white pools located on the slopes of the hills and with giant stalactites that give it the appearance of petrified waterfalls. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. In the morning, a visit to Hierapolis, an ancient spa town founded around 190 BC by the king of Pergamon and built on top of the pools with a fabulous theater and a grand necropolis, which flourished mostly during the Roman era. Continue to Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in Turkey, built in the year 1000 BC (the ruins we see today date from the 4th century BC), where the highlights include the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and its great theater. Afterwards, visit the Basilica of St. John, built by Emperor Justinian over the tomb of the apostle St. John, who died in Ephesus. Erected in 548, next to the ancient acropolis of Ephesus, it was destroyed over time due to wars, conflicts and earthquakes, and today only its ruins remain. Stop at one of the places where parades are held and leather clothes are sold.Continue to Izmir airport and board a scheduled flight to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to the selected hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Free day. Accommodation.

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