Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll get picked up at the airport and head to your boutique hotel in the Old City. If your flight gets in early, there's time to wander through the bazaars or stop by Hagia Sophia. At 6 pm you'll meet your leader and the group for a welcome meeting, then walk over to a local restaurant for dinner with Ottoman and Turkish dishes.
Included Activities
- Welcome Meeting
- Welcome Dinner - Ottoman and Turkish cuisine
Optional Activities
- Walk through bustling bazaars
- Visit Hagia Sophia
Landmarks/POIs Hagia Sophia - Day 2
Istanbul
After breakfast, your leader takes you through the Blue Mosque, then you do an orientation walk around Sultanahmet in the Old City. You'll see the hippodrome and spend time in the Grand Bazaar with its 3000+ stalls. Later in the afternoon, you board a private yacht to see Istanbul's skyline from the Bosphorus.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Blue Mosque visit with leader
- Orientation walk through Sultanahmet
- Grand Bazaar exploration
- Private Bosphorus Cruise
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mosque Sultanahmet Hippodrome Grand Bazaar Bosphorus Strait - Day 3
Pergamon
This morning you travel to Kusadasi with a stop at Pergamon along the way. A cable car takes you up the hillside to explore the ancient ruins, including the Temple of Trajan, the Hellenistic Theatre, and the Altar of Zeus. From there you continue to Kusadasi on the Aegean Sea and check into your hotel for the next three nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Pergamon Ancient City visit
- Cable car to Pergamon hilltop
- Temple of Trajan exploration
- Hellenistic Theatre visit
- Altar of Zeus exploration
Landmarks/POIs Pergamon Temple of Trajan Hellenistic Theatre Altar of Zeus - Day 4
Ephesus
The day focuses on the Greco-Roman ruins at Ephesus, where you walk through marble streets and see the theatre, gymnasium, baths, and Library of Celsus. You'll visit a carpet weaving demonstration in Sultankoy and have a picnic lunch. This afternoon there's a hands-on cooking class where you prepare traditional Turkish recipes and share them with the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch at Sultankoy)
Included Activities
- Ephesus archaeological site visit
- Ancient theatre exploration
- Gymnasium visit
- Baths exploration
- Library of Celsus visit
- Sultankoy carpet weaving demonstration
- Picnic lunch
- Hands-on Turkish cooking class
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Library of Celsus - Day 5
Kusadasi
Kusadasi is yours to explore on your own pace this morning. You could stroll along the seafront promenade, grab lunch by the harbour, or check out the main bazaar. If you want, optional tours are available to Hierapolis Ancient City or you can relax at Pamukkale's mineral springs, a UNESCO site known for its turquoise waters and white mineral cascades.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hierapolis Ancient City tour
- Pamukkale mineral springs visit
- Seafront promenade walk
- Harbour dining
- Main bazaar exploration
Landmarks/POIs Pamukkale Hierapolis - Day 6
Kayseri
You catch a flight to Kayseri this morning and check into your Feature Stay with restored cave suites in the Old City. A local family invites you to their home for Turkish lunch. From there you head to Goreme Open Air Museum to see the rock-carved churches, monasteries, and chapels. The day ends with a tour of Cappadocia's highlights, including Imagination Valley with its famous fairy chimney formations.
- Meals
- Lunch (Home-cooked Turkish lunch in local home)
Included Activities
- Flight to Kayseri
- Home-cooked Turkish lunch in local home
- Goreme Open Air Museum visit
- Cappadocia panoramic sights tour
- Imagination Valley visit
Landmarks/POIs Goreme Open Air Museum Imagination Valley - Day 7
Cappadocia
After breakfast you explore the underground cities beneath Cappadocia, walking through intricate subterranean homes from the 8th and 7th centuries. A local ceramic master shows you traditional pottery techniques passed down through six generations in their studio. Later you hike through Red Valley to see the incredible red rock formations. Tonight you'll have time for sunset before heading back to town for group dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner in town)
Included Activities
- Kaymakli Underground City exploration
- Pottery demonstration at ceramic master's studio
- Red Valley hike
Optional Activities
- Hot Air Balloon Ride - EUR255
Landmarks/POIs Kaymakli Underground City Red Valley - Day 8
Cappadocia to Istanbul
You leave Cappadocia and fly back to Istanbul. When you arrive, your leader gives suggestions for exploring the European side or crossing the Bosphorus. This evening there's an optional farewell dinner at one of Istanbul's restaurants where the group can celebrate the trip together.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore European side of Istanbul
- Bosphorus crossing trip
- Farewell dinner at Istanbul restaurant
- Day 9
Istanbul
After breakfast, your Turkish journey ends here. You're free to depart whenever works best for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
