JGT’s 

Istanbul & Cappadocia, Turkey
29 April 2023

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Please call us to register your interest in future trips. 

JGT Group departs Saturday 29 April ’23. 4 nights in Istanbul & 3 nights in Cappadocia, including all international & domestic flights, airport transfers and a full touring programme. Fully escorted from Dublin.

Saturday 29 April ’23 – 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 Occidental Taksim Hotel in the heart of the city near Taksim Square with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants nearby.

L (on board flight)

Sunday 30 April ’23 – Istanbul

Breakfast at hotel and departure for full day city tour.

The Blue Mosque

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. Cross the Bosphorus by driving through the Bosphorus Bridge to go over the Asian side of Istanbul. Lunch at local fish Restaurant.

After lunch transfer to pier. Embark the private boat for cruise on Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating two continents. The day finish with a visit to the Spice Market, where locals still shop for herbs and spices coming from all over the World.

Transfer back to the hotel and overnight. (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.

Monday 01 May ’23 – Istanbul

Breakfast at hotel. Departure for full day tour.

In the morning visit to Topkapi Palace, the principle residence of Ottoman Sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries (Excluding Harem section).

Lunch at local restaurant. (Konyali Resaurant)

Finish the day with a shopping spree at the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of more than 4,000 shops. Transfer back to hotel and overnight. (B/L)

Tuesday 02 May ’23 – Istanbul

Breakfast at hotel. Departure for half day tour.

Visit Dolmabahce Palace, the late palace of Ottoman Empire from 1856 famous for being the first European-syle one in Istanbul. And then visit to Galata Tower for a breathtaking view of the city of Istanbul. Afternoon free at leisure. Transfer to the hotel for those who want to return to the hotel.

Galata Tower

Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel. (B)

 

Wednesday 03 May ’23 – Istanbul & Cappadocia

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

0930   Depart from your hotel and transfer to the new Istanbul International Airport.

1255    Depart Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK 2012.

1415    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)

Thursday 04 May ’23 – 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

Friday 05 May ’23 – 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

Saturday 06 May ’23 – Cappadocia to Dublin

Breakfast at hotel.

0600 Transfer to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Istanbul.
0835  Depart Kayseri on flight TK 2011.
1005  Arrive at Istanbul International and transfer to the Dublin gate.
1315   Depart Istanbul on TK 1977.
1550  Arrive at Dublin.

END

 

Price €1,899 per person sharing. Single Supplement € 400

Non-refundable deposit € 310pp. Balance due 10 weeks before departure.
Consumer Protection Levy is an additional €10pp and is mandatory for all clients.

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 Taksim Hotel in Istanbul
3 nights accommodation at 4-star Doubletree by Hilton Avanos or similar in Cappadocia
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:
Dinners other than those specified
Beverages
Personal expenses and optional activities
Tips for driver (€4pppd) & guide (€5pppd)

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.

 

N.B. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure from Turkey at the end of your trip. No Turkish Visa is required for Irish Passport holders. Other nationalities please check with the Turkish Embassy. 

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