Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and get settled into your hotel with help from your personal guide handling check-in. After that, the day is open for you to do as you like, whether that's exploring the city or taking time to rest after traveling.
- Start point
- Türkiye (Istanbul)
- Day 2
Istanbul
Start your exploration of Istanbul's historic center at the Blue Mosque, then head to the Hippodrome of Constantinople. From there, you'll see Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, finishing with Topkapi Palace to get a sense of Ottoman imperial life and the architecture that defined the empire.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Blue Mosque visit
- Hippodrome of Constantinople visit
- Hagia Sophia visit
- Basilica Cistern visit
- Topkapi Palace visit
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mosque Hippodrome of Constantinople Egyptian Obelisk Serpentine Column Hagia Sophia Basilica Cistern Topkapi Palace - Day 3
Istanbul
Begin at the Spice Bazaar to walk through the sights and sounds of Turkish commerce, then board a shared Bosphorus cruise to see the city from the water. Later in the afternoon, you'll visit the Kariye Mosque and Suleymaniye Mosque before spending time wandering through the Grand Bazaar with its countless shops and vendors.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Spice Bazaar visit
- Bosphorus cruise (shared)
- Kariye Mosque visit
- Suleymaniye Mosque visit
- Grand Bazaar visit
Landmarks/POIs Spice Bazaar Bosphorus Strait Kariye Mosque Suleymaniye Mosque Grand Bazaar - Day 4
Istanbul to Cappadocia
Fly to Cappadocia and start exploring the unusual landscape right away. You'll check out Devrent and Pasabagi Valleys to see the natural rock formations, take a break in Avanos, then visit the Goreme Open Air Museum where you can see ancient frescoes carved into the stone.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Devrent Valley visit
- Pasabagi Valley visit
- Goreme Open Air Museum visit
Optional Activities
- Rest and reflection time in Avanos
Landmarks/POIs Devrent Valley Pasabagi Valley Avanos Goreme Open Air Museum - Day 5
Cappadocia
Continue deeper into Cappadocia by visiting Ortahisar citadel, then go down into Kaymakli's underground city to understand how people lived below ground. After that, you'll see Cavusin Valley with its rock-hewn homes, and finish the day in Red Valley surrounded by vineyards and dramatic rock formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ortahisar citadel visit
- Kaymakli underground city visit
- Cavusin Valley visit
- Red Valley visit
Landmarks/POIs Ortahisar Kaymakli Underground City Cavusin Valley Red Valley - Day 6
Cappadocia to Konya
Head to Konya and stop at Sultan Han caravanserai on the way to get a feel for how merchants traveled these routes historically. Once there, visit the Mevlana Museum to learn about Rumi's teachings, then go to Catalhoyuk to see one of the earliest known human settlements and experience Neolithic history firsthand.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sultan Han caravanserai visit
- Mevlana Museum visit
- Catalhoyuk visit
Landmarks/POIs Sultan Han Mevlana Museum Catalhoyuk - Day 7
Konya to Antalya
You'll drive roughly 4.5 hours to Antalya, stopping first at Aspendos to see the 2nd-century Roman Theatre built under Marcus Aurelius. From there, continue to Perge where Greco-Roman ruins and the impressive Roman Gate arch give you a sense of the city's former importance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Aspendos Roman Theatre visit
- Perge visit
Landmarks/POIs Aspendos Theatre Perge - Day 8
Antalya
This day is yours to move through Antalya as you choose. You can walk through the ancient streets, grab lunch at local restaurants, or simply relax on the Mediterranean beaches depending on what appeals to you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Antalya's ancient streets
- Dine in quaint restaurants
- Relax on Mediterranean beaches
- Day 9
Antalya to Pamukkale
Travel to Pamukkale to see the striking white terraced basins filled with crystal-blue thermal waters. Then visit Hierapolis nearby, an ancient city with well-preserved streets, gates, and a theater that overlooks the landscape below.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Pamukkale terraces visit
- Hierapolis visit
Landmarks/POIs Pamukkale Hierapolis - Day 10
Pamukkale to Kusadasi
Explore Aphrodisias to see marble sculptures and the Temple of Aphrodite that tell stories of ancient times. You'll also walk through the Theatre and other ruins before heading to Kusadasi later for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Aphrodisias visit
- Temple of Aphrodite visit
- Aphrodisias Theatre visit
Landmarks/POIs Aphrodisias Temple of Aphrodite - Day 11
Kusadasi
Visit Ephesus, one of the most well-preserved ancient Greek and Roman sites around. Walk the Arcadian Way, spend time at the Library of Celsus and Ephesus Theatre, then head to the House of Virgin Mary for a quieter, more personal experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ephesus visit
- Arcadian Way visit
- Library of Celsus visit
- Ephesus Theatre visit
- House of Virgin Mary visit
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Arcadian Way Library of Celsus Ephesus Theatre House of Virgin Mary - Day 12
Kusadasi to Canakkale
Start at Bergama's Asclepion, an ancient healing sanctuary with interesting architecture. Later, travel to Troy where history and mythology blend together. You'll arrive in Canakkale as evening comes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Asclepion visit
- Troy visit
Landmarks/POIs Asclepion Troy - Day 13
Canakkale to Istanbul
Cross the Dardanelles by boat to Gallipoli and walk through the historic grounds where important historical events took place. You'll return to Istanbul in the afternoon and have the evening free to do as you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dardanelles crossing
- Gallipoli visit
Landmarks/POIs Dardanelles Strait Gallipoli - Day 14
Istanbul
Have breakfast and then your guide will take you to the airport for your departure, bringing your journey through Turkey to a close.
- Meals
- Breakfast
