Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and meet our representative at the airport. If you're flying into IST, look for the Euroriente Travel sign at gate 8. Passengers arriving at SAW on the Asian side should cross the pedestrian bridge between columns 9 and 10 for pickup. From there, you'll be transferred to your hotel to settle in.
- Day 2
Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll head out at 08:00 am to see the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent and have time to walk around on your own. There's also an optional full day historical tour available that covers Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar, with lunch included if you book it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent
Optional Activities
- Full Day Historical Tour in Istanbul including Hagia Sophia (exterior), Topkapi Palace, typical lunch at local restaurant in Sultanahmet area, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius/Serpentine Column/Emperor's Fountain/Egyptian Obelisk, Grand Bazaar with 4,000 shops
Landmarks/POIs Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Blue Mosque Hippodrome Grand Bazaar - Day 3
Istanbul
You'll start with breakfast before boarding a boat for a Bosphorus cruise, where you can see sultans' palaces and old wooden houses along the water. From there, you'll visit the Spice Bazaar, which has been operating for about 500 years. If you're interested, there's an optional tour of the Asian side that includes Beylerbeyi Palace, the suspension bridge, and Camlica Hill for views across the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat trip on the Bosphorus
- Visit to Spice Bazaar
Optional Activities
- Tour with lunch to Asian part of city visiting Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus suspension bridge, Camlica Hill at 268 meters elevation with panoramic views of both sides of the city
Landmarks/POIs Bosphorus Spice Bazaar Beylerbeyi Palace Bosphorus Bridge Camlica Hill - Day 4
Istanbul to Ankara
After breakfast, you'll travel to Ankara by driving through the Bolu mountains. Once you arrive, there's a panoramic bus tour of the capital, then you'll visit the Anitkabir Mausoleum where the founder of the Turkish Republic is buried. You'll have dinner at your hotel and stay overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Ankara
- Visit to Anitkabir Mausoleum
Landmarks/POIs Anitkabir Mausoleum - Day 5
Ankara to Cappadocia
You'll head toward Cappadocia, passing Lake Tuz (Turkey's second largest lake) and a 13th-century caravanserai along the way. An optional jeep safari is available if you want to explore the volcanic formations and valleys off-road. Dinner and overnight are at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Jeep Safari 4x4 tour through Cappadocia exploring volcanic formations, valleys, Monastery of the Hospital, Ortahisar Castle, Pancarlik Church with transfers to and from hotel included
Landmarks/POIs Lake Tuz - Day 6
Cappadocia
After hotel breakfast, you'll explore Cappadocia's volcanic landscape that formed about 3 million years ago. You'll walk through Göreme Valley to see Byzantine rock-carved churches with frescoes, then check out the fairy chimney formations in Avcilar and Güvercinlik Valleys. There's also time to tour carpet and stone workshops before dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Göreme Valley with Byzantine monastic complex
- Visit to Avcilar Valley
- Visit to Güvercinlik Valleys
- Visit to carpet and Onyx and Turquoise stone workshops
Landmarks/POIs Göreme Valley Avcilar Valley Güvercinlik Valleys - Day 7
Cappadocia to Pamukkale
You'll start early after breakfast and travel to Pamukkale. First, you'll see Hierapolis, the ruins of an ancient Hellenistic city, then move on to the famous Cotton Castle with its white terraces, natural pools, and thermal springs that have been forming over centuries. You'll have dinner and stay overnight at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Hierapolis
- Visit to Cotton Castle (Pamukkale)
Landmarks/POIs Hierapolis Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) - Day 8
Pamukkale to Kusadasi/Izmir
Early in the morning, you'll head to Ephesus, a well-preserved Greco-Roman city. You'll see the Temple of Hadrian, Temple of Trajan, the theater, and the Library of Celsus. You'll also visit the House of the Virgin Mary where she spent her last years. Later, there's a leather goods gallery tour to learn about the region's lambskin garments before continuing to Kusadasi or Izmir for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Ephesus including Temple of Hadrian, Temple of Trajan, theater, and Library of Celsus
- Visit to House of the Virgin Mary
- Visit to leather goods gallery
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Temple of Hadrian Library of Celsus House of the Virgin Mary - Day 9
Kusadasi to Canakkale
You'll travel to Pergamum, a major cultural and medical center in ancient times. You'll visit the Asclepion (an ancient hospital dedicated to Asclepius where the famous doctor Galen worked), and explore the sleeping tunnels, theater, pools, and Ionic columns. From there, you'll continue to Troy, the legendary 9-level ancient city from Homer's Iliad. You'll arrive in Canakkale on the Dardanelles strait for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Asclepion in Pergamum
- Visit to Troy
Landmarks/POIs Asclepion Troy - Day 10
Canakkale to Bursa to Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll depart for Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. You'll see the Ulucamii Mosque, visit the Kozahan Silk Bazaar, and check out the Green Mausoleum. Then you'll travel back to Istanbul and check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Ulucamii Mosque
- Visit to Kozahan Silk Bazaar
- Visit to Green Mausoleum
Landmarks/POIs Ulucamii Mosque Kozahan Silk Bazaar Green Mausoleum - Day 11
Departure from Istanbul
You'll have breakfast before transferring to the airport at your scheduled time. Tour services end here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
