Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul
Your English-speaking transfer consultant meets you at Istanbul International Airport's International Arrivals Terminal and takes you to your hotel. You'll have time to settle in, freshen up, and relax after your journey.
- Day 2
Istanbul
Meet your guide at the hotel this morning and head out to explore Istanbul's main landmarks. You'll see the Roman Hippodrome, then walk through the Blue Mosque with its famous Iznik tiles and the Hagia Sophia. Next comes Topkapi Palace where you can tour the Harem Court. By afternoon, you're browsing the Grand Bazaar with its 4,000 shops, so bring comfortable shoes and budget time to wander through this massive covered market.
Included Activities
- Visit Roman Hippodrome
- Visit Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)
- Visit Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
- Visit Topkapi Palace and Harem Court
- Visit Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi)
Landmarks/POIs Roman Hippodrome Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Topkapi Palace Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi) - Day 3
Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll head to Dolmabahce Palace to see the Ottoman architecture up close. Later, walk through Istiklal Street and Taksim Square where you can grab lunch at one of the cafes or restaurants. During the afternoon, explore the backstreets including Balik Pazari Fish Market and the neighborhoods of Tunel and Asmalimescit. You'll also check out Galataport and its museums before crossing the Bosphorus Bridge to Kadikoy, where a vibrant street market gives you a taste of local life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dolmabahce Palace
- Experience Pera promenade and Istiklal pedestrian avenue
- Explore backstreets including Balik Pazari (Fish Market)
- Explore Tunel and Asmalimescit bohemian neighborhoods
- Visit Galataport
- Visit Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
- Visit Istanbul Mimar Sinan University Museum of Painting and Sculpture
- Cross Bosphorus Bridge to Asia
- Explore Kadikoy neighborhood and street market
Optional Activities
- Private Bosphorus Tour in Istanbul - $60 per person (minimum 10 people)
Landmarks/POIs Dolmabahce Palace Istiklal Street Taksim Square Galata Tower Balik Pazari (Fish Market) Tunel Asmalimescit Galataport Istanbul Museum of Modern Art Bosphorus Bridge Kadikoy - Day 4
Istanbul to Cappadocia
After breakfast you'll fly to Cappadocia. Once there, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Goreme Open Air Museum to see the distinctive fairy chimneys and rock-cut churches decorated with Byzantine frescoes. Head to Uchisar for panoramic views, then walk through Pigeons' Valley and Hunters' Valley. Before the day ends, you'll stop in Avanos village on the Kizilirmak River to see the ceramic-making traditions that have been around for centuries.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Domestic flight to Cappadocia
- Visit Goreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Uchisar
- Visit Pigeons' (Guvercinlik) Valley
- Visit Hunters' (Avcilar) Valley
- Visit Avanos village
- Experience Turkish Ceramic and Iznik Tiles making at master potters' workshop
Optional Activities
- Hot Air Balloon - $285 per person
- Pottery Workshop - $50 per person
- Jeep Safari - $120 per person (1.5 hours)
- Jet Boat - $60 per person (20 minutes)
- Wine Tasting in Cappadocia - $70 per person
- Horse Riding - $60 per person
Landmarks/POIs Goreme Open Air Museum Uchisar Pigeons' Valley (Guvercinlik) Hunters' Valley (Avcilar) Avanos Kizilirmak River (Red River) - Day 5
Cappadocia
This morning starts with learning about Turkish carpet and kilim weaving at its birthplace. From there, you'll head to Ihlara Valley and descend 450 steps to start an easy 2-mile trek past rock-cut churches with early Christian frescoes. Lunch is fresh fish at a traditional restaurant right on the Belisirma River. Later in the afternoon you'll reach Three Beauties fairy chimneys and settle in to watch the sunset over Rose Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local fresh fish lunch at traditional restaurant on Belisirma River), Dinner
Included Activities
- Experience Major Turkish Art of Weaving
- Descend 450 stepped staircases in Ihlara Valley
- Trek 2 miles through Ihlara Valley
- View rock-cut churches and chapels with frescoes
- Lunch at traditional restaurant on Belisirma River
- Visit Three Beauties (Uc Guzeller)
- Watch sunset at Rose Valley
Optional Activities
- Jeep Safari - $120 per person (1.5 hours)
- Jet Boat - $60 per person (20 minutes)
- Horse Riding - $60 per person
- Wine Tasting in Cappadocia - $70 per person
Landmarks/POIs Ihlara Valley Belisirma River Three Beauties (Uc Guzeller) Rose Valley - Day 6
Cappadocia to Istanbul
You'll check out and fly back to Istanbul. If there's time after you land, head to Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) for some last-minute shopping where you can browse spices, herbs, Turkish coffee, and candies. This evening, join your traveling group for a farewell dinner to wrap up your trip.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner with traveling group)
Included Activities
- Domestic flight back to Istanbul
- Visit Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
Landmarks/POIs Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) - Day 7
Departure from Istanbul
Your vacation ends this morning. You'll have breakfast before your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
