JGT’s 

Istanbul & Cappadocia, Turkey
20 September 2020

JGT Group departs Sunday 20th September 2020. 4 nights in Istanbul & 3 nights in Cappadocia, including all international & domestic flights, airport transfers and a full touring programme. Fully escorted from Dublin.

Sunday 20 September – Istanbul

1055    Depart Dublin on Turkish Airlines TK 1976. Check-in two hours before departure. Your baggage allowance is 23kgs per person.
1720    Arrive at Istanbul Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by your English speaking assistant and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the evening is free to explore the area. Your hotel is the 4-star Larespark Hotel in the heart of the city near Tacksim Square with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants nearby.

L (on board flight)

Monday 21 September – Istanbul

Breakfast at hotel and departure for full day classic city tour.
0845 Start the day with a visit to Hagia Sophia, a marvel of world architecture, before heading to the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik tiles and the only imperial mosque with six minarets. Continue to the Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium that held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire.

                           The Blue Mosque                              

Lunch at Konyali Restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus. In the afternoon, visit to Topkapi Palace, the principle residence of Ottoman Sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries (excluding Harem section).

Topkapi Palace

Finish with a shopping spree at the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of more than 4,000 shops. Transfer back to hotel. Evening free.

B/L

n.b. Headsets will be provided on our tours, so you can hear the guide in crowded, busy places. This day requires a lot of walking, sometimes at pace in crowded streets, and standing in queues for entrances to monuments etc. It may be hot. You should be physically fit enough to partake for your own enjoyment and so as not to impede progress for the other members of the group.

Tuesday 22 September – Istanbul

Breakfast at hotel. Morning departure for half day tour.

0930 The day starts with a visit to Dolmabahce, the late palace of the Ottoman Empire from 1856, famous for being the first European-style one in Istanbul. Then we will visit Galata Tower where we will enjoy a breathtaking views of the city of Istanbul. The tower overlooks the city like a guard and is a symbol of it for centuries. After that, you can transfer back to hotel by coach, if you wish.

Alternatively, take off on your own and enjoy a stroll at your own pace through the main pedestrian street of the city, Istiklal Street. The first neighborhood of the city that developed outside the Old Town in the 19th century. This walk gives you a chance to learn about contemporary Istanbul and the lives of the locals. Begin at Galata Tower and walk along Istiklal Street, which leads to Taksim Square. Follow the nostalgic tram rail to the top of the street and end at Tacksim Square. In this lively street, you will see bookstores, art galleries, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, passages, shops frequented by locals, and monuments, such as Armenian Catholic Churches , Orthodox Churches , palatial consulates of foreign countries and the picturesque Fish Market full of people at any time of the day. Not only the main street but also the backstreets of the area make it unique for the city.

Galata Tower

Return to your hotel under your own steam and at your own pace. Do a bit of shopping on the way, if you like. Afternoon and evening free at leisure.

B

Wednesday 23 September – Istanbul

Breakfast at hotel and morning departure for half day tour.

0930 In the morning, visit to the Spice Market, where locals still shop for herbs and spices coming from all over the world. Later on, embark on a private boat for a cruise on the Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating the two continents. Disembark and set foot in Asia as you transfer to the delightful Del Mare Restaurant (local fish restaurant) on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Enjoy a lovely meal on the waterfront, as you watch the ships sail by on their way to or from the Black Sea.

After lunch your coach will take you back to Europe and your hotel. Afternoon and evening free at leisure.

B/L

Thursday 24 September – Istanbul & Cappadocia

Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight to Kayseri for Cappadocia.

0945   Depart from your hotel and transfer to the new Istanbul International Airport.

1220    Depart Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK 2012.

1355    Arrive at Kayseri Airport, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your
hotel.

1530  Arrive at hotel. Check-in and relax for the afternoon/evening.

                Dinner at hotel and overnight. (B/D)

Friday 25 September – Cappadocia

Breakfast at hotel and departure for full day tour. The tour begins with amazing Rock formations in Devrent Valley and then Zelve-Pasabag Valley where the voice of wind mixes with “the songs of fairies”.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit Avanos where has been centre of terra-cotta work of art since 3000 BC. Then, we drive to the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-sculpted churches with fascinating frescoes. The tour finishes with the Uchisar Rock Castle to have fabulous panoramic views. Transfer to hotel.
Dinner at hotel and overnight.

B/L/D

Saturday 26 September – Cappadocia

Breakfast at hotel and departure for full day tour. Our first stop is Red Valley. We hike through the valley by the untouched rock-sculpted churches and natural rock formations until we arrive at the lovely Cavusin Village which has famous houses and churches. At the end of the hike, relax and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit Kaymaklı Underground City one of the largest of Cappadocia’s many such settlements. Late afternoon visit the Old Greek Village in Cappadocia – The Sinasos. At the end make a stop at a shop of carpets and kilims. Return to hotel.
Dinner at hotel and overnight.

B/L/D

Sunday 27 September – Cappadocia to Dublin

Breakfast at hotel.

0645 Transfer to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Istanbul.
0915  Depart Kayseri on flight TK 2011.
1055   Arrive at Istanbul International and transfer to the Dublin gate.
1305   Depart Istanbul on TK 1977.
1545    Arrive at Dublin.

END

 

Price €1,699 per person sharing. Single Supplement € 400

Non-refundable deposit € 305pp. Balance due 10 weeks before departure.

Package includes:

Return flights Dublin – Istanbul – Kayseri return by Turkish Airlines
23kg per person baggage allowance
Inflight meals
Arrival & departure airport transfers with English speaking guide
4 nights accommodation at 4-star Occidental Hotel or similar
3 nights accommodation at 4-star Best western Premier Hotel or similar
7 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
3 Dinners in Cappadocia
English speaking guide on tours
Headsets during city tours
Museum entrance fees
Tours & cruise as specified

Not Included:
Turkish Visa Apply here :- https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Dinners other than those specified
Beverages
Personal expenses and optional activities
Tips for driver (€4pp) & guide (€10pp)

Occidental Tacksim Hotel, Istanbul
https://www.barcelo.com/en-gb/occidental-hotels/hotels/turkey/istanbul/occidental-taksim/

Occidental Hotel Taksim Istanbul is the perfect base to match the leisure or business expectations of the discerning travelers in this exciting city. Their exceptional service, combined with the warm Turkish hospitality, provides the deluxe comfort and sophistication for an enjoyable stay. All the rooms represent the unique ambiance and spacious comfort that you can expect, featuring LCD TV, tea & coffee making facilities, electronic safe deposit box, minibar, air conditioning, pillow menu, direct dial telephone, voice mail, telephone and hair dryer in the bathroom. Non-smoking rooms are also available.

Best Western Premier, Cappadocia
www.bwpremiercappadocia.com

 

N.B. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure from Turkey at the end of your trip. Turkish Visa is essential and must be obtained before travel. We can guide you on that.

Fitness to travel – Istanbul is a very busy and crowded city and you will need to be in a good state of health to enjoy this trip properly and to ensure that you are not holding up the others. Cappadocia has rough terrain and involves hiking, walking on uneven ground and into caves. You must be in a physical condition which will allow you to enjoy this trip and to ensure the others enjoy it too.  You should be able to walk and hike long distances, sometimes at pace, and stand in queues for entry to major attractions.

To book this trip call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie