Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll get picked up from the airport and head to your hotel in Istanbul. The rest of the day is yours to wander around and get a feel for the city on your own schedule.
- Day 2
Istanbul Old City
This morning you'll check out Istanbul's historic core, starting at Topkapi Palace where you can see the Hagia Irene and the Harem. From there, you'll stop by the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia Museum, and the Hippodrome. After lunch, there's an optional Bosphorus cruise if you want to sail between Europe and Asia and see the city from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene and the Harem)
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit St. Sophia Museum
- Visit Hippodrome
Optional Activities
- Half day Bosphorus cruise
Landmarks Topkapi Palace Hagia Irene Blue Mosque St. Sophia Museum Hippodrome - Day 3
Istanbul to Cappadocia
After breakfast, you're transferred to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Once you land and get to your hotel, the afternoon and evening are free for you to explore the area at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4
Cappadocia - Goreme and Underground City
Following breakfast, you'll head out to see Cappadocia's otherworldly landscape. You'll walk through Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and see the fairy chimneys, then tour one of the underground cities with multiple levels to explore. There's lots of time for photos throughout the day. Later in the evening, there's an optional Turkish folklore event with traditional dancers if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Goreme Valley Open Air Museum
- View fairy chimneys
- Tour underground city
Optional Activities
- Turkish folklore event with folklore and belly dancers
Landmarks Goreme Valley Open Air Museum - Day 5
Cappadocia to Amasya via Hattusas
You'll leave Cappadocia early and drive through central Anatolia with a stop at Hattusas, where you can walk around the ancient Hittite capital and see the impressive ruins, gates, and temples. After that, you'll continue north to Amasya, a town set in a valley along the Yesilirmak River with Ottoman-era wooden houses and rock tombs carved into the cliffs above.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Hattusas ruins and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Landmarks Hattusas - Day 6
Amasya to Kastamonu
Start your morning walking around Amasya's town center and along the Yesilirmak River to see the Ottoman houses and the views. You'll tour the Hazeranlar Mansion, a well-preserved 19th-century building, and take a riverside walk to enjoy the peaceful setting. By late morning, you'll head out for Kastamonu, arriving in the afternoon with time to rest or check things out.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Amasya town center
- Visit Hazeranlar Mansion
- Riverside walk in Amasya
Landmarks Hazeranlar Mansion Yeşilirmak River - Day 7
Kastamonu to Safranbolu
Begin at Kastamonu Castle for views over the city, then visit Nasrullah Mosque and Square and the Liva Pasha Mansion Ethnography Museum to learn about Ottoman culture. You'll walk through streets with historic wooden houses before leaving late morning. On the way to Safranbolu, you'll stop at the Glass Viewing Platform for photos of the canyon. Then you'll arrive in Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for Ottoman architecture and old stone streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kastamonu Castle
- Visit Nasrullah Mosque and Square
- Visit Liva Pasha Mansion Ethnography Museum
- Stop at Glass Viewing Platform
Landmarks Kastamonu Castle Nasrullah Mosque Liva Pasha Mansion Ethnography Museum Glass Viewing Platform - Day 8
Safranbolu Sightseeing Tour and Amasra
This morning explores Safranbolu's historic center, starting with the Cinci Han and Cinci Hammam, two important Silk Road stops, then the Kaymakamlar Museum House showing traditional Ottoman life, and the Izzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque. You'll get views from the Clock Tower looking over the town. In the afternoon, you'll drive to Amasra on the Black Sea coast for a short walk and photos, then return to Safranbolu.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Safranbolu historic town center
- Visit Cinci Han
- Visit Cinci Hammam
- Visit Kaymakamlar Museum House
- Visit Izzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque
- Visit Clock Tower
- Walking tour and photo stop in Amasra
Landmarks Cinci Han Cinci Hammam Kaymakamlar Museum House Izzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque Safranbolu Clock Tower Amasra - Day 9
Safranbolu to Istanbul via Abant Lake
You'll leave Safranbolu in the morning and drive west across northern Turkey's scenic landscape. Along the way, you'll stop at Abant Lake, a quiet spot surrounded by pine forests and hills. You can walk along the shore, enjoy the mountain air, and take photos. There's time for coffee or tea at a lakeside spot before continuing back to Istanbul.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leisurely walk at Abant Lake
Optional Activities
- Coffee or tea at lakeside café
Landmarks Abant Lake - Day 10
Istanbul
Your trip ends with an airport transfer from Istanbul to get you to your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
