Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll touch down in Istanbul and get transferred to your hotel in the old city. A welcome package including tour vouchers and a map of Istanbul will be waiting in your room. The afternoon and evening are free for you to settle in and walk around the neighborhood at your own pace.
- Day 2
Istanbul
A guided tour takes you through Istanbul's main sights starting with the exterior of Hagia Sophia and then the Blue Mosque with its distinctive blue tiles. You'll see the Byzantine Hippodrome where chariot races happened centuries ago, then spend time in the Grand Bazaar navigating its 4000 shops. The day wraps up at Topkapi Palace where you'll tour the Harem and learn about Ottoman sultans.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hagia Sophia Mosque (exterior view)
- Visit Byzantine Hippodrome
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Explore Grand Bazaar
- Visit Topkapi Palace with Harem access
Landmarks/POIs Hagia Sophia Mosque Byzantine Hippodrome Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar Topkapi Palace - Day 3
Istanbul
Hotel pickup in the morning for a tour covering several neighborhoods and waterways. First you'll go to the Spice Market where locals buy herbs and spices, then take a cruise along the Bosphorus between two continents. After lunch you head to Pierre Loti Hill for views and coffee at the historic Pierre Loti Cafe. Later in the afternoon you see Eyup Mosque and walk the old City Walls of Constantinople along the Golden Horn while learning Ottoman history. The day ends exploring Balat and Fener districts with their cafes, shops, and street art.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Spice Market
- Bosphorus cruise
- Visit Pierre Loti Hill and Pierre Loti Cafe
- Visit Eyüp Mosque
- Explore City Walls of Constantinople
- Explore Balat district
- Explore Fener district
Landmarks/POIs Spice Market Bosphorus Strait Pierre Loti Hill Pierre Loti Cafe Eyüp Mosque City Walls of Constantinople Golden Horn Balat Fener - Day 4
Istanbul to Cappadocia
After hotel pickup, you'll be taken to Istanbul airport for a 1-hour direct flight to Cappadocia. Your private driver meets you on arrival and drives you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to walk around Cappadocia and get oriented with the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Cappadocia
You start in Red Valley checking out rock-cut churches and hiking through the colorful fairy chimneys. Then you drive to Cavusin, a former Greek village with more rock-cut churches. After lunch you head to Ozkonak, Cappadocia's largest underground city, then see Pigeon Valley with its old dovecotes. The day ends at Ortahisar Castle, the region's biggest fairy chimney formation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Explore Red Valley with rock-cut churches
- Hike through fairy chimneys
- Visit Cavusin Greek village
- Visit Ozkonak underground city
- Visit Pigeon Valley
- Visit Ortahisar Castle
Landmarks/POIs Red Valley Fairy Chimneys Cavusin Ozkonak Underground City Pigeon Valley Ortahisar Castle - Day 6
Cappadocia to Antalya
Following breakfast, the hotel arranges your transfer to Cappadocia airport for a flight to Antalya. Once you land and clear arrivals, your driver takes you to your hotel in Antalya. You'll stay overnight there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 7
Antalya
After breakfast you visit Duden Waterfall, a natural feature along the Duden River that's unique to Antalya. Then you explore Kaleici, the old town where you'll see Hadrianus Gate, the Clock Tower, and the Fluted Minaret. Wander through narrow streets in the ancient harbor area and take a 1-hour boat cruise on the Mediterranean Sea before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Duden Waterfall
- Explore Kaleici old town
- Visit Hadrianus Gate
- Visit Clock Tower
- Visit Fluted Minaret
- Explore ancient harbour
- One-hour Mediterranean boat cruise
Landmarks/POIs Duden Waterfall Kaleici Hadrianus Gate Clock Tower Fluted Minaret Mediterranean Sea - Day 8
Antalya
This day is completely free in Antalya. You can spend time at the beaches, relax at your hotel, or explore whatever else interests you in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Antalya beaches
- Day 9
Antalya to Istanbul
After breakfast you get transferred to Antalya airport for your flight back to Istanbul. The tour ends when you arrive in Istanbul, and you can then make your connection for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
