Fascinating Turkey “autumn colors”-11D/10N- Dic 2024

• • A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required to secure reservations.
  • This itinerary is subject to changes and modifications due to government mandates in the countries visited.
  • The order of visits and excursions may vary depending on the arrival day or other factors, but the entirety of them is maintained.
  • City stay taxes are not included in the program price. If applicable, these will be paid by clients upon arrival.
  • The third bed in triple rooms is a foldable bed or cot.
  • As a general rule, hotel check-in time is from 14:00 onwards. Check-out time is at 12:00.
  • During fairs, religious and national holidays, visits and excursions may be diverted.
  • Accommodation may be in Kusadasi or Izmir. It will be confirmed in each case.
  • Confirmation of the final hotel details will be available 10 to 15 days before departure. It is the responsibility of the selling agency to request this information.
  • Any possible changes to the hotels will be informed in the brochure publication.

  ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR TURKEY FOR ECUADORIANS:

  Ecuadorian citizens do not need a visa to enter Turkey and can stay in the country for up to 90 days within a year for tourism purposes.

Arrival at Istanbul International Airport (IST). Meeting with our Spanish-speaking staff and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free to explore Istanbul on your own, formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople. The city's historic areas were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 due to its significant monuments and historical remains. Accommodation.

Day 2: ISTANBUL (B&B)
Breakfast. Afterwards, we will embark on a panoramic tour where we will see the Roman Aqueduct, completed in 368 AD during the reign of the Roman Emperor Valens, and the ancient Walls of Constantinople, which remind us of the times when they were seen as invincible. We will also pass by the Galata Bridge, situated over the "Golden Horn", from where we will have a view dominated by the minarets of the mosques, the Galata Tower, and the Asian side of the city. Then, we will venture into the Beyoglu district, where we can appreciate the atmosphere of a modern metropolis with traces of classical European architecture. This area is an open-air commercial and tourist center, full of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars, around its famous pedestrian street. Lunch at a traditional food restaurant. We will continue with the visit to the old Jewish quarter in Balat and the Fener district, where the impressive Greek Lyceum is located. Next, we will visit the Orthodox Cathedral of St. George, the principal patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church and seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. We will then proceed to the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent. This mosque, located on the highest of Istanbul's seven hills, was designed by the architect Mimar Sinan and was built between 1550 and 1557. Inside, we can admire the magnificent central dome, 53 meters high and 26 meters in diameter. We will also visit the Egyptian Bazaar or Spice Bazaar, a charming place for its colorful and aromatic ambiance. It is the quintessential place to buy teas, herbs, nuts, traditional sweets, and, of course, spices. To end the day, we will take a boat trip on the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia. We will enjoy wonderful views of some of the attractions located on the coast, such as Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Bosphorus Bridge, and Rumeli Fortress. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 3: ISTANBUL (B&B)
Breakfast. Free day. Optional visit available: "JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE" with lunch included at a traditional food restaurant. On this tour, we will delve into the city's historic center, where we can observe the variety of remnants from the different empires that shaped modern-day Istanbul. We will visit the impressive Topkapi Palace, the residence of the sultans and the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the 19th century, which today houses displays of the Ottoman royal treasury and other religious relics; Hagia Sophia, with its majestic Byzantine architecture and blend of Christian and Islamic religious elements; the Roman Hippodrome, the center of social life in Constantinople for thousands of years; and the Blue Mosque, with its more than 20,000 handcrafted blue ceramic tiles brought from Iznik. This mosque has six minarets, more than any other mosque in Istanbul. The construction of this number of minarets caused some problems since only Mecca had as many, so the sultan had no choice but to subsequently add a seventh to the most sacred of mosques. We will end the tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets where haggling is a tradition. Return to the hotel. In the afternoon, optional visit available: "ISTANBUL STREET GASTRONOMY". This gastronomic tour is a unique experience walking through the streets of the most historic region of Istanbul, in the heart of ancient Constantinople. It's an opportunity to discover new flavors, ingredients, and culinary techniques, and to appreciate the art and passion behind each dish. Transfer back to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 4: ISTANBUL - ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA (B&B)
Breakfast. We will depart early for Ankara, the current capital of Turkey. Upon arrival, we will visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Afterward, we will head to Cappadocia, with a stop at Salt Lake to photograph this spectacular place, which represents Turkey's largest expanse of salt and the country's second-largest lake. Along the way, we will also visit a Caravanserai, an inn from the time of the Silk Road. Arrival in Cappadocia and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and Accommodation.

Day 5: CAPPADOCIA (F/B)
This morning, you have the optional opportunity to take a "HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE", where we will admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth very early in the morning. Breakfast. Afterward, we will set out to explore this wonderful region with its fascinating and unique landscape formed by volcanic lava. We will visit the countless monasteries and chapels of Göreme in the Open Air Museum, carved into the rocks and adorned with frescoes from the 13th century. Then, we will explore the region's impressive valleys to enjoy views of the "Fairy Chimneys", peculiar rock formations eroded into shapes resembling houses with roofs. We will make a stop to admire the incredible panoramic view of Pigeon Valley, named for the numerous pigeons nesting in the rocks. Lunch. Afterward, we will visit an underground city built by ancient local communities to protect themselves from attacks. Before returning to the hotel, we will visit a carpet factory to learn about the artisanal production of these treasures, as well as a jewelry and gem center featuring exclusive regional designs. Dinner and Accommodation. Optionally, we can participate in a "TURKISH NIGHT" program to attend a presentation of folk dances in a typical cave with local drinks.

Day 6: CAPPADOCIA (B&B)
Breakfast. Free day. Optional visit available: "AUTUMN COLORS". We will start by visiting the Ihlara Valley, one of the most beautiful due to its vegetation, which in autumn displays a spectrum of various shades of green, yellow, and orange. We will continue with a visit to the Selime Monastery and the red church of Sivrihisar. We will then head to the village of Belisirma, where we will have lunch at a riverside restaurant. Return to Cappadocia. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 7: CAPPADOCIA - PAMUKKALE (F/B)
Breakfast. We will depart for Pamukkale, with lunch en route. Upon arrival, we will visit the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, which was built for its spa functions, and the Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of gigantic white waterfalls, stalactites, and natural pools. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and Accommodation.

Day 8: PAMUKKALE - EPHESUS - KUSADASI (F/B)
Breakfast. Afterward, we will head to Ephesus, the best-preserved Greco-Roman city in Asia Minor from the 1st and 2nd centuries. Due to its incredible value to humanity, Ephesus was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2015. It boasts several constructions that stand out for their importance and state of preservation, such as the Roman Theater, the Library of Celsus, and Marble Street. Lunch. We will visit the last home of the Virgin Mary, now a pilgrimage site that attracts over 800,000 pilgrims annually. Next, we will visit a leather goods store. We will then continue to Kusadasi or Izmir. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and Accommodation.

Day 9: KUSADASI (B&B)
Breakfast. Free day. Optional visit available: "CHIOS, A GREEK PARADISE". We will depart to the port of Çesme to cross the Aegean Sea to Chios, known for its mastic production, which is used to make a very typical and endemic candy of the region. We will visit the village of Mesta and its labyrinthine Byzantine-era streets. With its yellow stone-built buildings, the village has a pleasant and very romantic atmosphere. We will then head to Pyrgi, with its houses adorned with murals drawn in black and white. Afterward, we will transfer to the port to sail back to Çesme. Arrival and transfer to Kusadasi or Izmir. Dinner and Accommodation.

Day 10: KUSADASI - BURSA - ISTANBUL (B&B)
Breakfast. We will depart for Bursa, where we will take a panoramic tour of this significant city, which was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Lunch. Afterward, we will visit the Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum, symbols of the city named for their rich Iznik tile decoration. We will then continue to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 11: ISTANBUL (D)
Breakfast. Free time until the transfer to Istanbul International Airport (IST) for your return flight. End of our services.

From Twenty-nine (29) to Fifteen (15) days prior to departure.-75% of the invoice value.
From Fifteen (15) or more days prior to departure.-100% of the invoice value.

• In order to guarantee airfare, FULL PAYMENT must be made.
• A deposit of 50% of the total invoice amount must be made at the time of booking. Additional the value of the air ticket.
  The total balance must be paid at least 30 days before the scheduled departure.