Ballooning in Cappadocia! BALLOON RIDE at sunrise to spot the exotic and mystical landscape of Cappadocia.If you plan to visit Cappadocia, a fascinating and unique place in the world, be sure to consider GUSTO TURISMO this unforgettable proposal.
We offer a trip throughout the skies! Discover this amazing area from a different perspective. You can record or photograph with the vision of a bird all the beauties of Cappadocia. A fantastic landscape, similar to the lunar environment, with strange and beautiful formations of lava originated from the eruption of Mount Erciyes. This experience is a must!
In Istanbul BOSPHORUS TOUR! Have lunch in the seaside fish restaurant and then navigate the Bosphorus Strait that separates Europe and Asia continents, in which 60,000 ships navigate annually. From the boat we can see a wonderful view of the strait with its palaces, fortresses and summer houses. After the boat tour we will go the Spice Market, built in the seventeenth century, with typical products like pashmina, saffron, spices (seasonings), dried fruits, teas, treats, perfumes and more!
In Istanbul BOSPHORUS TOUR! Have lunch in the seaside fish restaurant and then navigate the Bosphorus Strait that separates Europe and Asia continents, in which 60,000 ships navigate annually. From the boat we can see a wonderful view of the strait with its palaces, fortresses and summer houses. After the boat tour we will go to the Yerebatan Cistern, which was the water tank of the sixth century, and was constructed with the ruins of the buildings of those times. We will continue to the Spice Market, built in the seventeenth century, with typical products like pashmina, saffron, spices (seasonings), dried fruits, teas, treats, perfumes and more! (Lunch included)
In Istanbul HEART OF CONSTANTINOPLE TOUR! The first stop will be at the Roman Hippodrome, where horse races were held and subsequently became the center of civil activity of the Byzantine Empire. Today we still can see the Obelisk of Theodosius. Visit the majestic and elegant Blue Mosque, built in 1616 and famous for its interior decoration with 21,000 Iznik tiles. After visit the Saint Sophia Cathedral, which is considered a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and currently is a museum. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Visit the Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Sultans between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries, where we can see gorgeous collections of porcelain, jewelry, clothing of sultans and many other relics. Visit the famous Grand Bazaar which is a covered market of the fifteenth century, consisting of 5000 stores, and is considered one of the first shopping centers in the world. (Lunch included)
Roman Hippodrome: the square that is opposite to the Blue Mosque, corresponds to the place of the ancient Hippodrome, one of the most famous monuments of Byzantine Constantinople. It was subsequently used as a resting place for the Ottoman troops and was called “At Meydani”, square of horses. There we can admire the wonders of the Byzantine Empire: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, German Fountain and the Column of Constantine.
Blue Mosque:It is one of the most emblematic monuments of Istanbul, with its dome and semi-domes in the form of waterfall. Its six elegant minarets accents the angles of the mosque and its courtyard. Its walls are lined with beautiful Iznik tiles.
Hagia Sophia: One of the most remarkable buildings of architectural history. It was the Byzantine cathedral for 9 centuries and mosque for another 5. Currently is a museum open to the public. Closed on Mondays.
Topkapi Palace: place where the Ottoman sultans lived between the 15th and 19th centuries after the conquest of Constantinople, Sultan Mehmet II ordered the building of the palace at the height of his power and the Ottoman Empire. Among the gardens and courtyards (some with sea view), beautiful rooms are distributed, as the Library of Ahmet III, the Iftariye Pavilion and the Baghdad Pavilion. The art collection includes precious articles like rugs, clocks, ceramics, crystal and silverware. At the exhibition of the Treasury, there is a great collection of jewelry, such as diamond armor belonging to Mustafa III and the breathtaking Topkapi dagger, both studded with precious stones, and a diamond of 86 carats. The Harem is the area where lived the wives, concubines and children of the sultan. The palace is stunning and worths a visit! Closed on Tuesdays.
Grand Bazaar: This bazaar was founded in the Ottoman period by Sultan Mehmet II “The Conqueror”. The Grand Bazaar is a small town. According to datas from 1880, the bazaar had 4,399 stores, 2195 goldsmiths, 497 looms, 12 warehouses, 18 sources, 12 small mosques, also a large mosque, a primary school and a tomb. The number of shops is more or less the same as today, but half a dozen restaurants, many cafes, two banks, toilets and an information center were added. Closed on Sundays.
Tour with lunch included. Our first stop will be at the Roman Hippodrome, where horse races were held and subsequently became the center of civil activity of the Byzantine Empire and today preserved the Obelisk of Theodosius. Visit the majestic and elegant Blue Mosque, built in 1616 and known for its interior decoration with 21,000 Iznik tiles. Next stop is at Saint Sophia Cathedral, which is considered a masterpiece of the Byzantine architecture, and currently is a museum. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Visit the Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Sultans between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries, where we can see a gorgeous collections of porcelain, jewelry, clothing of sultans and many other relics. Visit the famous Grand Bazaar, which is a covered market of the fifteenth century, consisting of 5000 stores, and is considered one of the first shopping centers in the world. This itinerary corresponds to Heart of Constantinople tour.
Private Tour to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary. Visit the House of Virgin Mary, site of supposed final resting place of Jesus’ mother. This site began to be considered a point of pilgrimage after the visits of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Visit Ephesus, the Greco-Roman city, well preserved in Asia Minor, which once had a population of 250,000 inhabitants and monopolized the wealth of the Middle East. It keeps treasures as the impressive Roman Theatre that housed more than 25,000 spectators, the magnificent Library of Celsus (third largest library in the ancient world), the Temple of Hadrian and the Marble Street.
For those arriving on cruises to Istanbul, we recommend the Heart of Constantinople tour, which shows in a short time the essential of Istanbul. Departure from the port in private vehicles accompanied by the guide and return to the ship at the agreed time.
Cappadocia – Presentation of folk dances from different regions of the country and belly dancing at a typical cave with unlimited local drinks, without dinner.
Istanbul – Presentation of folk dances from different regions of the country and belly dancing with the best dancers. The dinner is included and drinks are limited.
In Cappadocia participation in the religious ritual of the famous Whirling Dervishes, renowned for the worship ceremonies in which they whirl in a devotional act.
