Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
Your driver picks you up at Istanbul/SAW Airport and takes you to your hotel. After checking in, the day is free for you to rest and recover from travel. It's a good time to adjust to the time zone and settle into your room.
- Day 2
Istanbul
You'll start early for a full-day tour through Istanbul's historic core. Begin at Hagia Sophia, the massive Byzantine structure that dominated the skyline for centuries. From there, head to Topkapi Palace where Ottoman sultans ruled for nearly 400 years. You'll also see the Hippodrome with its ancient Roman history, then visit the Blue Mosque with its six minarets. The Grand Bazaar with over 4,000 shops wraps up the day before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Full-day guided tour of Hagia Sophia
- Full-day guided tour of Topkapi Palace
- Full-day guided tour of Hippodrome
- Full-day guided tour of Blue Mosque
- Full-day guided tour of Grand Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Hippodrome Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar - Day 3
Istanbul to Cappadocia
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide at the Spice Bazaar to wander through aromatic herbs and spices. Next comes a traditional boat cruise on the Bosphorus where you'll see old wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses, and fishing villages including Dolmabahce Palace and Rumeli Fortress. You'll drive to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Kayseri, then transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia later that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day guided tour of Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)
- Traditional Bosphorus Cruise by boat
Landmarks/POIs Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) Dolmabahce Palace Rustem Pasa Mosque Rumeli Fortress Yildiz Palace - Day 4
Cappadocia
Your guide leads a full-day exploration of Cappadocia starting with Rose Valley and its pink-tinted rock formations. You'll visit Cavusin village in Red Valley, known for its rock-cut churches, then walk through Pigeon Valley with its countless dovecotes carved into volcanic rock. The Underground Cities follow next, an eight-storey settlement with corridors that once sheltered thousands. End the day at Ortahisar with its castle-like rock formation and historic churches.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Full-day guided tour of Rose Valley
- Full-day guided tour of Cavusin
- Full-day guided tour of Pigeon Valley
- Full-day guided tour of Underground Cities
- Full-day guided tour of Ortahisar
Landmarks/POIs Rose Valley Cavusin Pigeon Valley Underground Cities Ortahisar - Day 5
Cappadocia
Start at Goreme Museum to see rock-cut churches from the 9th century with their colorful frescoes. You'll check out the quirky animal-shaped rock formations in Devrent Valley, then explore Pasabagi with its hermitage history. Lunch happens in Avanos where you'll try traditional Turkish food and try pottery-making with local experts. Later, visit Goreme Panorama for views of the fairy chimneys, then finish at Uchisar for panoramic views from the natural rock castle.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Turkish Lunch in Avanos)
Included Activities
- Full-day guided tour of Goreme Museum
- Full-day guided tour of Devrent Valley
- Full-day guided tour of Pasabagi (Monks Valley)
- Traditional Turkish Lunch in Avanos
- Pottery-making experience with local experts
- Full-day guided tour of Goreme Panorama
- Full-day guided tour of Uchisar
Landmarks/POIs Goreme Museum Devrent Valley Pasabagi Avanos Goreme Panorama Uchisar - Day 6
Cappadocia to Antalya
Your driver picks you up at the hotel and takes you to the airport for your flight to Antalya. Upon landing, you'll be greeted and driven to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the area on your own if you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 7
Antalya
Meet your guide for a full-day tour starting at Perge, one of the largest ancient cities with impressive Roman ruins including an amphitheater. Head to Aspendos Ancient Theatre, which still hosts festivals and concerts today. Grab lunch at a local riverside restaurant, then visit Kursunlu Waterfall where you can experience fresh pine scent and cool air near the spectacular waterfalls.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local riverside restaurant)
Included Activities
- Full-day guided tour of Perge
- Full-day guided tour of Aspendos Ancient Theatre
- Visit to Kursunlu Waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Perge Aspendos Ancient Theatre Kursunlu Waterfall - Day 8
Antalya to Kusadasi
Leave early from your hotel for the drive to Pamukkale, the natural thermal wonder with white terraces formed by warm spring water. You'll visit the ancient city of Hierapolis with its vast necropolis and the Sacred Pool with thermal waters rippling over Roman ruins. After the tour wraps up, travel to Kusadasi for check-in at your hotel there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Full-day guided tour of Pamukkale
- Full-day guided tour of ancient city of Hierapolis
- Visit to Sacred Pool
Landmarks/POIs Pamukkale Hierapolis Sacred Pool - Day 9
Kusadasi
Your guide starts the full-day tour at the House of Virgin Mary, a church built on foundations from the 1st century. Continue to Ancient Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities with over 250,000 people during its peak. You'll walk ancient streets visiting monuments including a major library and the largest Roman theatre on the Asia continent. The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, concludes the tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Full-day guided tour of House of Virgin Mary
- Full-day guided tour of Ancient Ephesus
- Full-day guided tour of Temple of Artemis
Landmarks/POIs House of Virgin Mary Ancient Ephesus Temple of Artemis - Day 10
Kusadasi
Check out from your hotel by noon. Your tour ends here as you prepare for your onward travel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
