Benny’s Royal Tour’s Turkish Delights Tour begins. Assemble at Kochi International Airport at 22.00 hrs (on 10 Oct) . The Kuwait airways flight departs at 01.35 to Kuwait & arrival at Kuwait International airport at 04.35.Later flight connecting at 09.35 from Kuwait & arrive at Istanbul International airport at 13.20. Welcome to Istanbul, the capital city of the Ottoman Empire. After emigration and customs formalities, meet Benny’s Royal Tour representative at the airport. we will transfer to Istanbul Hotel Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Istanbul.
Overnight stay : Hotel in Istanbul.
Meals : Breakfast and lunch on board, and dinner at hotels/restaurants
Day 2
Istanbul –Kusadasi
After breakfast,the city tour begins from Bosphorus Cruise by public ferry, Bosphorus where you will see beautiful homes, hotels and palaces from the water. The strait that separates between old Istanbul in Europe and new Istanbul in Asia. Cruises in the strait are very scenic with many attractions on both sides. Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics. Istanbul is the most populous European city and the world's 15th-largest city.
Bosphorus Day Cruise
The cruise along the Bosphorus Strait provides stunning panoramic views of Istanbul's iconic landmarks, including the historic mosques, palaces, and waterfront mansions. Two Continents: The Bosphorus Strait separates Europe and Asia, allowing you to witness both continents from the water.
Kusadasi
After lunch transfer to Kusadasi by road, Kusadasi is a vibrant town situated on the west coast of Turkey, right across the Greek island of Samos. Kusadasi is renowned not only for its beaches and nightlife but also for its proximity to many important historical sites such as Ephesus. “Kusadasi” that means “bird island” took its name from the Pigeon Island. Following the First World War, the Greeks invaded Kusadasi in 1919. After a prolonged struggle, the fishing village successfully regained its independence in 1922, becoming a part of the Turkish Republic.
Check -in and Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Kusadasi.
Overnight stay : Hotel in Kusadasi
Meals : Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at hotels/restaurants
Day 3
Ephesus – Pamukkale
After breakfast check out hotel and transfer to the historical city Ephesus
Ephesus was the second biggest city of the Roman Empire
Back in the day, it was one of the most important Greek cities and the most important trading hub of the Mediterranean. For centuries, the city served as a crossroads between the East and West. It was the second biggest city of the Roman Empirethe glorious city visited by millions of visitors every year. This vast and beautiful Greco-Roman city was once home to 250,000 people, and the glorious monuments that remain point to it being a vibrant and rich metropolis. The ruins of Ephesus are a popular tourist attraction on the west coast. The city of Ephesus was once famed for the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world; which was destroyed by a mob led by the archbishop of Constantinople in 401 AD. Some of the structures can still be seen however including the Great Theatre and the Library of Celsus. The library was built around 125 AD to store 12,000 scrolls and to serve as a monumental tomb for Celsus, the governor of Asia. Visitors from around the world visit here to walk down the well-preserved Roman streets, gaze at the mighty monuments, and soak up the ancient soul of this ruined city. On the way visit leather factory.
House of Virgin Mary
‘According to the tradition of Ephesus, John and Virgin Mary stayed together after the crucifixion as Jesus entrusted Mary to John the Evangelist. The Christian faithful take this passage from the Bible as a reference and assume that John took Virgin Mary under his protection and they came to Ephesus together. The House of the Virgin Mary is located in modern Turkey. It is situated on Mount Koressos (also known as Bülbüldağı), which is about 5 kilometers away from the ancient city of Ephesus, and 7 kilometers away from the modern-day town of Selçuk. The site is considered to be the place where the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her last years, and it has become a pilgrimage destination for Christians from around the world. however, the evidence that St. Mary actually stayed there is not very strong, and there are much better indications that her permanent house was in Jerusalem. After lunch proceed to Pamukkale .
Pamukkale - "Cotton Castle"
Pamukkale is a Turkish word that translates to “cotton castle” also called the ancient Hierapolis (which means Holy City), which is located the southwest of Turkey. The site is widely known for thermal pools. The name comes from snow-white limestone formations shaped as terraces that appear to be gleaming. These radiant terrace formations were formed over a long period by the spring carrying water rich in calcium. The springs’ water moves down the mountainside all the way into milky pools that are at the base. The hot springs in the area are 17 in number with water coming out at temperatures of between 35 °C to 100 °C. Tourists are not allowed to go near the terraces. Tourists are only allowed to dip their bare feet into the smaller pools since new regulations were put in place. Previously people could be seen bathing in the pools.
Holy City of Hierapolis
Here we visit number of hot springs. Among all the hot springs in Pamukkale Cleopatra's Antique Pool is the most popular one. This is a man-made pool said to have been a gift from Marc Anthony to Cleopatra. In the 7th century, a massive earthquake destroyed the Roman Temple to Apollo surrounding the pool, toppling the columns into the water, where they now remain for visitors to swim around. Formerly it was called Roman or Antique pool as emperors used to relax and treat here. But in XX century the pool got more appealing name. Thus, the legend was made up saying that Cleopatra took a bath in this spring to be young and beautiful. Check -in and Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Pamukkale.
Overnight stay : Hotel in Pamukkale.
Meals : Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at hotels/restaurants
Day 4
Pamukkale – Cappadocia
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer to Cappadocia by road (via Konya).
Melvana and Sultanhan Caravanserail
On the way visit Melvana and Sultanhan Caravanserail (photo stop). The Melvana museum, in Konya, Turkey, started life as the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. It houses the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic. Melvana museum is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims because Rumi is a saint. His poetic message of peace, Love of God one’s fellow creatures, resounds to a far wider audience today than it did over 700 years age when Rumi preached and taught in Konya, and whirled in ecstasy through its streets. Muslim and non-Muslim pilgrims come from throughout the world to visit his tomb. On the way have lunch and overnight stay at cave hotel in Cappadocia.
Cave Hotels in Cappadocia
People in Cappadocia have been living either underground or in caves for literally centuries, right up until the present day. There are a number of reasons for this, which we'll get into of course, but the point is that the way people have lived and survived in Cappadocia is just as remarkable as its terrain. Many were built by hand in the soft volcanic rock hundreds if not thousands of years ago. The caves have been used as homes, monasteries, churches and now hotels. In Göreme alone there are over 30 cave hotels offering everything from one star to five star accommodations.
The plumbing, heating and wires for the electricity are all hidden under the floor so you've got modern conveniences without spoiling the traditional look of the caves themselves. And it was worth it. Tatler magazine has called it “one of the most beautiful hotels on the planet.” Every room is different. So you can enjoy the two night comfortable stay at Cappadocia luxurious caves
Overnight stay : Cave hotel in Cappadocia.
Meals : Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at hotels/restaurants
Day 5
Cappadocia Tour
Thrilling moments in hot air balloon above the Cappadocia valley
Early morning, we proceed to central Anatolia to visit the beautiful valleys of Cappadocia in hot air balloon ride (subject to the weather). In this flight trip you will see caves, fairy chimneys, weird formations and giant mushrooms. During the hot air balloon ride, you'll get an incredible bird’s-eye overview of the valleys and the orchard-filled plateaus and Cappadocia's "fairy chimney" carved from millennia of wind and water action, from just above. Cappadocia is a breath-taking semi-arid region known best for its honeycombed hills and on this thrilling hot air balloon flight trip you will get some unforgettable memories and photographs of the Cappadocia valley. To commemorate the lifetime experience you will get a champagne treat and personalized flight certificate at the end of the flight trip.
Visit özkonak Underground city
Later return back to hotel. After the breakfast explore Cappadocia valley on a guided tour. Outstanding landscape, natural beauties, rock-cut houses, caves, the picturesque valleys, scenic lunar hills are the popular spots of Cappadocia. Here we visit the özkonak Underground city. Derinkuyu is an ancient multi-level underground city near the modern town of Derinkuyu in Nevşehir Province, Turkey, extending to a depth of approximately 85 metres (280 ft). It is an ancient city built into the northern slopes of Mt. Idis about 14 km northeast of Avanos in Nevşehir Province, in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. After we will visit Pigeon Valley, avanos town (visit pottery shop). Then evening visit pottery ceramic factory. Turkey’s history of ceramic production dates back to about 10,000 years, with different types developing in multiple regions. During the mid-20th century era, mass production began as Turkish ceramic producers built factories to produce the ceramics on a much larger scale, leading to the popularity and incline in production of Turkish ceramics.
Enjoy Turkish Night Show Dinner
Turkish night show is such an experience that you may have fun at plays and dances, learn about the culture and enjoy your dinner at the same time. Turkish night is one of the best ways to enjoy the night in Cappadocia..Turkish night show includes different folk music and dances representing different part of the country, stage plays and belly dance show in the end.Turkish night show is performed in stone carved places, it creates a special atmosphere. Generally, Cappadocia Turkish night show is organized in Avanos and Uçhisar and it takes about 3 or 4 hours. The night begins after serving your dinner in old stone houses or the stone carved places called caves.Turkish Cuisine, which in general consists of sauced dishes prepared with cereals, various vegetables and some meat, soups, cold dishes cooked with olive oil, pastry dishes and dishes made from wild vegetation has also produced a series of health foods such as pekmez, yogurt, bulgur etc.
Later transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Cappadocia
Overnight stay : Cave Hotel in Cappadocia.
Meals : Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at hotels/restaurants
Day 6
Cappadocia - Istanbul
After breakfast check out hotel and proceed to Istanbul.
Göreme open air museum
On the way visit Göreme open air museum or Vallée de Pasabag. Göreme panoramic viewing the fascinates those who want to watch the beauty of Cappadocia and the sunrise and sunset with its generosity. The most practical way to enjoy the beauty of the Cappadocia valleys, the uniqueness of the fairy chimneys and the balloons that add colour to the sky is to go to the panoramic viewpoint of Göreme. After we will visit Pigeon Valley, pasabag monk’s valley. Pasabag goes back to the early Christian era, and the valley has been used for religious purposes by monks for centuries. During the Byzantine period, monks seeking refuge from religious persecution settled in the valley, and they carved out cave dwellings and chapels in the soft tuff rock formations. Later visit Uchisar, Devrent valley and Shopping jewellery + carpet ,Devrent Valley also known as 'Imagination Valley', this is astoundingly absurd and mesmerizing valley contains a variety of rock formations shaped like animals, all naturally created by nature..
ISTANBUL
After Lunch transfer to Keyseri airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. We will arrive at Istanbul transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Istanbul.
Overnight stay : Hotel in Istanbul.
Meals : Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at hotels/restaurants.
Day 7
Istanbul City Tour
After breakfast we enjoy full day Istanbul guided classical city tour and visit Hagia Sofia,
Hagia Sophia - Holy Wisdom” in Latin
Hagia Sophia, an important Byzantine structure in Istanbul and one of the world's great monuments. It was built as a Christian church in the 6th century ce (532–537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In subsequent centuries it became a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again. The most striking and unique part of Hagia Sophia's structural design is its dome, which gives off the impression that it is floating. Hagia Sophia architecture includes an Orthodox longitudinal basilica, a 32-metre massive dome supported on four pendentives and two semi-domes, and marble flooring that resembles flowing waters. Ottoman additions include the four minarets, a mihrab, and a minbar.
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, through its architecture, interior design, and ceremonial activity, has cemented its place as the cultural icon of the Ottoman Empire, now demonstrating for 400 years, just how powerful the Ottomans were. The Blue Mosque (Called Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish) is an historical mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is known as the Blue Mosque because of blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design. Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 years, during the rule of Ahmed I.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is an impressive example of Ottoman architecture and one of the key attractions in Istanbul. It served as the residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, functioning as both an administrative and educational center of the Ottoman Empire. Topkapi Palace has one of the world's greatest collections of Islamic arms. With a collection that spans 1300 years, you can see arms and weapons that date back to the 7th century. Most of the collection comprises Ottoman weapons, but it also includes swords and armor from the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties. Initially constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, and expanded upon and altered many times throughout its long history, the palace served as the home of the Ottoman sultans and their court until the middle of the 19th century.
Later we visit , Grand Bazaar or Spice Market, Golden Horn View and many other places .
Grand bazaar shopping
Later return to city and spend your evening at leisure in Istanbul for shopping. We visit Grand Bazaar, the major shopping area in Istanbul with more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as hand painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water pipes, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes…etc.
Bosphorus Night Cruise
Evening you will transfer to Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with unlimited Drinks and Dance Performance. In the cruise you will be able to see the famous landmarks of great cultural importance; Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Bosphorus Bridge, Beylerbeyi Palace, seaside mansions, and the Maidens Tower in lights. During our journey on the Bosphorus, you will be enchanted and energized by a variety of dance performances and entertainment shows prepared by the cruise team. After dinner you will transfer to the hotel and overnight stay at hotel in Istanbul.
Overnight stay : Hotel in Istanbul.
Meals : Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at hotels/restaurants
Day 8
Istanbul
After breakfast check out from the hotel. Free time for leisure and shopping .Shopping is an integral part of a memorable vacation – apart from beautiful memories that you will cherish of the beautiful country, Turkey, bringing back cute souvenirs that will remind you of the good times spent here, is equally important. It’s the time to say goodbye to all the new friends you have made. We hope you take back happy memories of your Turkish Delight Tour. We would like you to spare a few minutes of your time to write and tell us how you enjoyed your tour and any suggestions you may have for the future .Later we proceed to Istanbul airport .Our flight departs @ 14.45 to Kuwait and arriving Kuwait international airport at 18.10.Connecting Kuwait airways flight at 23.55 to Cochin
Day 9
Istanbul - Cochin
Arrive Kochi International Airport at 07.45 . With sweet memories of Benny’s Royal Tour’s Turkish Delights Tour
