Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and connect with your driver at the airport for the transfer to your hotel. After you check in, the rest of the day is yours to settle and rest up for the sightseeing ahead.
- Start point
- İstanbul Airport, İstanbul Airport Turkey, Arnavutköy, Istanbul, Turkey (Istanbul Airport)
- Day 2
Istanbul Full Day Walking Tour
After breakfast, meet your guide for a full day walking through Istanbul's historical center. You'll see Hagia Sophia, the Underground Byzantine Cistern, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and its Harem, and the Grand Bazaar. Lunch happens during the day, so you'll have time to refuel between sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Hagia Sophia (St. Sophia) museum
- Explore Underground Byzantine Cistern (Yerebatan)
- View remains of Hippodrome of Istanbul
- Visit Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
- Tour Topkapi Palace and Harem section
- Walk in Grand Bazaar
Landmarks Hagia Sophia Underground Byzantine Cistern (Yerebatan) Hippodrome of Istanbul Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) Topkapi Palace Grand Bazaar - Day 3
Istanbul Sightseeing and Bosphorus Boat Trip
Your guide picks you up at the hotel to continue exploring Istanbul. You'll check out Suleymaniye Mosque, the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora, and head up to Pierre Lotti Hill for views across the city. Later, a private yacht takes you out on the Bosphorus to see historic palaces and fortresses, and you'll wrap up at the Spice Market.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Suleymaniye Mosque
- Visit Church of the Holy Savior in Chora
- View from Pierre Lotti Hill
- Bosphorus boat trip on private yacht
- See Dolmabahce Palace
- See Beylerbeyi Palace
- See Anadolu and Rumeli fortresses
- Visit Spice Market
Landmarks Suleymaniye Mosque Church of the Holy Savior in Chora Pierre Lotti Hill Dolmabahce Palace Beylerbeyi Palace Rumeli Fortress Anadolu Fortress Spice Market - Day 4
Istanbul to Troy to Assos
An early start from Istanbul means about 5 hours of driving to reach Troy. You'll walk through Homer's legendary Troy site and see the replica wooden horse. From there, it's roughly 1 hour to Assos where the Temple of Athena sits with spectacular views overlooking the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Troy archaeological site
- See replica of wooden horse
- Visit Temple of Athena in Assos
Landmarks Troy Temple of Athena 
- Day 5
Assos to Bergama to Kusadasi
Leaving Assos, you'll drive about 3 hours to Bergama. There you'll see the Asklepion ruins and explore Pergamon's ancient city, including the Temple of Hadrian, a Hellenistic theater, the Zeus altar, and the 2nd largest ancient library. Then it's approximately 2.5 hours to Kusadasi.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Asklepion ruins
- Tour ancient city of Pergamon
- Visit Temple of Hadrian
- View Hellenistic theater
- See Zeus altar
- View 2nd largest ancient library
Landmarks Asklepion Pergamon Temple of Hadrian 
- Day 6
Kusadasi to Ephesus and Sirince
After breakfast, the drive to Ephesus takes only 20 minutes. You'll explore Ephesus, one of Turkey's most significant Roman sites, and the House of Virgin Mary. Following local lunch, you'll wander through Sirince village and stop at the Temple of Artemis, one of antiquity's seven wonders, before heading back to Kusadasi.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Ephesus
- Visit House of Virgin Mary
- Explore Sirince village
- Stop at Temple of Artemis
Landmarks Ephesus House of Virgin Mary Temple of Artemis 
- Day 7
Three Ancient Cities of Aegean Region
This day focuses on three ancient cities in the Aegean region. You'll see Priene, one of the best preserved Greek cities, then Miletos where the philosopher Thales taught his ideas, and the Temple of Apollo in Didyma, the second largest oracle center of antiquity. Local lunch breaks up the day before you return to Kusadasi.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Priene
- Visit Miletos
- Visit Temple of Apollo in Didyma
Landmarks Priene Miletos Temple of Apollo in Didyma 
- Day 8
Kusadasi to Aphrodisias to Pamukkale
Leaving Kusadasi, you'll drive about 2.5 hours to Aphrodisias, known for its well preserved stadium and pool. After lunch, it's roughly 1 hour to Pamukkale, the 'Cotton Castle'. You can swim in the thermal pools there and explore what remains of the ancient city of Hierapolis.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Aphrodisias
- Swim in Pamukkale thermal pools
- Explore ancient city of Hierapolis
Landmarks Aphrodisias Pamukkale Hierapolis 
- Day 9
Pamukkale to Saklikent Gorge to Kas
After breakfast, you'll drive about 3 hours to Saklikent to see Europe's second largest gorge. A quick photo stop at the ancient city of Tlos shows off Lycian Tombs, then you'll visit Xanthos with its unique ancient Lycian architecture, and Patara, a Lycian city near one of Turkey's longest beaches. You'll arrive in Kas for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- View Saklikent Gorge
- Photo stop at Tlos
- See Lycian Tombs
- Visit Xanthos
- Visit Patara
Landmarks Saklikent Gorge Tlos Xanthos Patara - Day 10
Kas to Kekova to Demre to Antalya
After breakfast, it's roughly 2 hours to the fishing town of Kekova for a boat tour to see the sunken city. You'll drive to Demre along the scenic Turquoise Coast and visit St. Nicholas Church, birthplace of Saint Nicholas, plus the ancient city of Myra. Then approximately 2.5 hours to Antalya, stopping at scenic coastal towns along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Boat tour to see sunken city of Kekova
- Visit St. Nicholas Church in Demre
- Visit ancient city of Myra
Landmarks Kekova St. Nicholas Church Myra 
- Day 11
Antalya to Perge to Aspendos to Konya
Leaving Antalya after breakfast, you'll head to Perge, the Greco-Roman city where Paul gave his first speech on Christianity. Next, you'll see Aspendos, home to one of the world's best preserved Roman theaters. It's about 3 hours from there to Konya (ancient Iconium) where you'll visit the Mevlana Mausoleum, the spiritual center of whirling dervishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Greco-Roman city of Perge
- Visit Roman theater in Aspendos
- Visit Mevlana Mausoleum
Landmarks Perge Aspendos Theater Mevlana Mausoleum 
- Day 12
Konya to Cappadocia via Ihlara Valley
You'll transfer from Konya toward Cappadocia. On the way, you'll hike through Ihlara Valley and see its Byzantine cave churches. Then comes Kaymakli Underground City, used by early Christians hiding from Roman persecution. It's one of 36 underground cities in Cappadocia and the widest most visited one. You'll settle at your hotel in Cappadocia by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Ihlara Valley
- Explore Byzantine cave churches
- Visit Kaymakli Underground City
Landmarks Ihlara Valley Kaymakli Underground City 
- Day 13
Cappadocia Sightseeing and Flight to Istanbul
An optional early morning hot-air balloon flight is available (pickup around 04:30-05:00 am) with a 1-hour ride and certificate. After breakfast, your guide takes you to Goreme Open-Air Museum and its monastery complex, Avcilar Troglodyte Village, Ortahisar Castle, Avanos Village (known for pottery), fairy chimneys, and St. Simeon Church at Pasabag. You'll transfer to the airport for an evening flight back to Istanbul, then to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Goreme Open-Air Museum
- Explore Avcilar Troglodyte Village
- Visit Ortahisar Castle
- Tour Avanos Village pottery production
- View fairy chimneys
- Visit St. Simeon Church at Pasabag
Optional Activities
- Hot-air balloon flight in Cappadocia (early morning, approximately 1 hour flight)
Landmarks Goreme Open-Air Museum Avcilar Troglodyte Village Ortahisar Castle Avanos Pasabag (Monks Valley) - Day 14
Departure from Istanbul
You'll head to the airport for your return flight home.
- End point
- İstanbul Airport, İstanbul Airport Turkey, Arnavutköy, Istanbul, Turkey (Istanbul Airport)
