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Seattle, United States
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Washington, United States
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İstanbul, Türkiye
### Sunday, June 21st: Arrival
* **06:20 AM:** Arrive in Istanbul.
* **08:30 AM:** Drop luggage at **Sirkeci Mansion Hotel** (they will securely hold your bags until check-in).
* **09:00 AM:** Walk to the nearby Sirkeci branch of **Hafiz Mustafa** for a traditional Turkish breakfast.
* **Afternoon:** Take a relaxing walk through **Gülhane Park** (right next to your hotel) to stay awake, enjoy the greenery, and gently adjust to the time zone.
### Monday, June 22nd: Old Town Highlights & Rooftop Dinner
* **09:00 AM – 01:00 PM:** 4-hour private walking tour of the Old Town (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar).
* **01:00 PM – 05:00 PM:** Mid-day break to rest at the hotel, avoid the peak afternoon heat, or leisurely explore the Sirkeci neighborhood.
* **05:00 PM:** Dinner at **Seven Hills Restaurant** (Rooftop dining with panoramic views; consider asking for a table with an umbrella as the June sun is still strong at 5 PM).
### Tuesday, June 23rd: Galata, Istiklal, & Whirling Dervishes
* **Morning & Afternoon:** Cross the Galata Bridge, explore Galata Tower, and walk up the vibrant Istiklal Street.
* **04:45 PM:** Early dinner at **Hodjapasha Meat & Seafood House** (timed slightly early so you don't have to rush your meal).
* **06:00 PM:** Arrive at the Hodjapasha Cultural Center for mandatory performance check-in.
* **06:30 PM:** Watch the **Whirling Dervishes Ceremony**.
### Wednesday, June 24th: Palace, Cistern- USE ISTANBUL EPASS & Family Hammam
* **09:00 AM – 12:00 PM:** Explore **Topkapi Palace** and the historic Harem section.
* **12:00 PM:** Lunch at the palace restaurant.
* **02:30 PM – 03:30 PM:** Visit the underground **Basilica Cistern**.
* **04:00 PM – 06:00 PM:** **Traditional Family Turkish Bath** (Süleymaniye, Ağa, or Vezneciler).
* **Evening:** A slow, easy dinner near the hotel
### Thursday, June 25th: Bosphorus Cruise & Asian Side
* **10:00 AM – 11:30 AM:** **Turyol Bosphorus Cruise** (departing from the Eminönü docks right down the street from your hotel).
* **11:45 AM:** Catch a public ferry from Eminönü to the Asian Side (**Kadıköy** for bustling food markets or **Üsküdar/Kuzguncuk** for quiet historic charm).
* **Afternoon & Evening:** Explore the Asian side at your own pace, enjoy a local lunch and dinner, and head back across the water whenever you're ready.Departure to Cappadocia
* **08:00 AM:** Airport transfer pick
### Friday, June 26th: -up from Sirkeci Mansion.
* **11:20 AM:** Flight departs to Cappadocia
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Cappadocia, Türkiye
Friday , June 26th- Uchisar Castle, not covered by the pass, Dinner at 5 at Montana cafe- reservation confirmed
Sat, June 27-4:30-8- hot air baloons
10:30- Derinkuyu underground city- 1.5 hr, then walk in mustafapasa village.
Sun 28th- morning Goreme open air museum, arrive by 9 - 2-3 hrs to visit. Then drive 15 min to pasabaq (love) valley - about 1 hr to visit. then Avanos pottery shop (mahmuts or chez hakan) or guray museum . Maybe sira restaurant- wine cellar for dinner
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Antalya, Türkiye
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Çıralı, Türkiye
Mon 29th-arrive to Antalya airport at 11 15
Transfer to Cirali,
Swim at the beach
Tues , 30th -Olympos hike in the morning, not steap, flat, some uneven surfaces, walk 20 min to the entrance, about 3 hrs, walk and swim at Olympus beach
Afternoon- relax at our beach
Wed- july 1st - Ceneviz Bay, Sazak Bay, and nearby coves boat tour
Thur July 2nd- chimaera, eternal flames. Car ride qp-15 min to the entrance. Total visit: about 1.5–2 hours
20–30 min climb up
30–45 min at the flames
15–20 min descent
Friday July 3rd- beach
Sat july 4th - leave to pamukkale -car transfer 10 am 3.5 hrd drive
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Pamukkale, Türkiye
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İstanbul, Türkiye
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Toronto, Canada
Erica is flying back on July 7th
HJYBSB
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Buffalo, United States
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Chicago, United States
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Seattle, United States