Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and get transferred from the airport to your hotel. After you've settled in, the rest of the day is yours to do as you like. Some people grab a rest after traveling, while others head out to get a feel for the city. Since Istanbul sits on both sides of the Bosporus, you're in a place where Europe and Asia meet, and there's plenty to see whenever you're ready.
Optional Activities
- Explore Istanbul independently
- Day 2
Istanbul
This morning you'll join a guided tour covering Istanbul's major sites. You'll see Hagia Sophia with its massive dome, walk through the Hippodrome where chariot races once happened, tour Topkapi Palace where Ottoman sultans lived, and visit the Blue Mosque with its distinctive blue tilework. After that, you'll navigate the Grand Bazaar, a massive covered market with thousands of shops selling everything from spices to souvenirs. By evening you're free to relax at your hotel, or you can book an optional dinner cruise on the Bosporus if you want something more active.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Full-day guided sightseeing tour of Istanbul
- Visit exterior of Hagia Sophia
- Visit Hippodrome
- Visit Topkapi Palace
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Explore Grand Bazaar
Optional Activities
- Dinner cruise on the Bosphorus Strait (book and pay locally)
Landmarks Hagia Sophia Hippodrome Topkapi Palace Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar 
- Day 3
Istanbul to Cappadocia
You'll fly from Istanbul to Kayseri this morning, then drive to Cappadocia. The landscape here is unlike anywhere else, with rock formations carved by erosion into shapes that look like animals. You'll explore Devrent Valley to see these formations up close, then head to Pasabagi to see the mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles. After that, the pottery village of Avanos gives you a chance to see local craftspeople at work. Later you'll tour the Goreme open-air museum, which has ancient churches carved right into the rocks by Christians centuries ago. By evening you'll return to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Flight from Istanbul to Kayseri
- Visit Devrent Valley
- Visit Pasabagi (Monk's Valley)
- Visit Avanos pottery village
- Tour Goreme open-air museum
- Explore rock-cut cave churches
Landmarks Devrent Valley Pasabagi (Monk's Valley) Avanos Goreme Open-Air Museum 
- Day 4
Cappadocia
If you're interested, you can start the day with an optional hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, floating above all those unusual rock formations at sunrise. Later, you'll hike through Ihlara Valley, a gorge shaped thousands of years ago by volcanic activity. You'll see Selime's citadel, which was carved out of rock and has ancient churches inside. Next you'll visit Yaprakhisar village for photos, walk through Pigeon Valley, and then descend into Derinkuyu Underground City. This underground settlement goes deep into the earth and has dwellings, churches, and other structures from centuries past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic hike through Ihlara Valley
- Explore Selime citadel and churches
- Visit Yaprakhisar village
- Visit Pigeon Valley
- Tour Derinkuyu Underground City
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia (book and pay locally)
Landmarks Ihlara Valley Selime Yaprakhisar Pigeon Valley Derinkuyu Underground City 
- Day 5
Cappadocia to Kusadasi
You'll transfer to Kayseri Airport this morning and fly west to Izmir. From there, it's a drive to Kusadasi, a popular beach town on the Aegean coast. Once you arrive and check into your hotel, the evening is free. You can wander along the waterfront, find a restaurant for dinner, or just relax after travel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Kayseri to Izmir
- Day 6
Ephesus
A full-day tour takes you to Ephesus, one of the most significant ancient cities from the Roman period. You'll see the Library of Celsus, an impressive structure that still stands after nearly 2,000 years. The ancient amphitheatre held up to 25,000 people for performances and gladiator shows. You'll also see the single column that remains from the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Before heading back to Kusadasi, you'll visit the House of Mother Mary, an important religious site.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Full-day guided tour of Ephesus
- Visit Library of Celsus
- Visit amphitheatre
- View Temple of Artemis column
- Visit House of Mother Mary
Landmarks Library of Celsus Ephesus Amphitheatre Temple of Artemis House of Mother Mary - Day 7
Pamukkale
You'll travel from Kusadasi to Pamukkale today. The main attraction here is the white calcium formations locals call 'cotton castles' because they look like terraced layers of white cotton. These terraces, called travertines, were formed over thousands of years by mineral-rich thermal water flowing down the hillside. You'll walk along these white water pools and can swim in some of the man-made pools. After that, you'll visit Hierapolis, an old Roman spa town built on top of the terraces. If you want, you can swim in Cleopatra's Pool, which has ancient Roman columns right in the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Pamukkale
- Walk along white travertines
- Swim in man-made thermal pools
- Visit Hierapolis Roman spa town
- Explore Hierapolis ruins
Optional Activities
- Swim in Cleopatra's Pool
Landmarks Pamukkale Hierapolis Cleopatra's Pool Temple of Apollo 
- Day 8
Istanbul
You'll transfer to Denizli Airport for your included flight back to Istanbul, where your tour ends. Keep in mind you have options here. If you'd prefer to stay longer in Istanbul or skip the flight back altogether, you can arrange that. Otherwise, you'll fly back and your trip wraps up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Denizli (Pamukkale) to Istanbul
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Istanbul (can be arranged)
- Exclude flight back to Istanbul
