Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll get picked up from the airport and head to your hotel in Istanbul. If you want to get out and see something on your first day, there's an optional half-day tour that takes you through the Egyptian Spice Bazaar and Rustempasa Mosque. After that wraps up, you'll board a Bosphorus cruise at 1 p.m., which gives you nice views of the city from the water.
Optional Activities
- Half-day tour of Egyptian Spice Bazaar and Rustempasa Mosque with Bosphorus cruise (departs 1 p.m.)
Landmarks/POIs Egyptian Spice Bazaar Rustempasa Mosque Bosphorus - Day 2
Istanbul to Kusadasi
Following breakfast, a guide takes you through Istanbul's main sights like the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, and the Hippodrome. Later in the day you'll head to the airport for a flight to Izmir, then get transferred on to Kusadasi for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Blue Mosque
- Guided tour of St Sophia Museum
- Guided tour of Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
- Guided tour of Hippodrome
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mosque St Sophia Museum Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum Hippodrome - Day 3
Kusadasi
This day focuses on ancient history around Ephesus. You'll walk through the ruins with a guide, check out what remains of the Temple of Artemis, and spend time in the Ephesus Archaeology Museum looking at local artifacts. Later you'll visit a carpet village to see how Turkish hand-weaving works up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ephesus
- Visit to Temple of Artemis site
- Ephesus Archaeology Museum
- Carpet village visit and demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Temple of Artemis Ephesus Archaeology Museum - Day 4
Kusadasi to Pamukkale
The morning starts with a look at locally handcrafted leather goods. Then you head to Pamukkale to see the white calcium terraces called Travertines, which are really something to walk around. You'll tour the ancient city of Hierapolis and get to swim in hot springs surrounded by old Roman columns that are known for being good for your health.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Leather goods display
- Guided tour of Travertines (Pamukkale)
- Guided tour of Hierapolis
- Hot springs swimming experience
Landmarks/POIs Pamukkale Travertines Hierapolis - Day 5
Pamukkale to Cappadocia
You'll travel along the old Silk Road route today, stopping at Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana museum in Konya along the way. By evening you'll arrive in Cappadocia. There's an optional traditional Turkish folklore show available if you'd like some local entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Sultanhani Caravansary
- Guided visit to Mevlana museum
Optional Activities
- Traditional Turkish folklore evening (dinner, unlimited beer, wine, Turkish Raki, soft drinks and entertainment included)
Landmarks/POIs Sultanhani Caravansary Mevlana Museum - Day 6
Cappadocia
Cappadocia's unusual landscape is the focus today. You'll check out Goreme Valley Open Air Museum with its distinctive fairy chimneys, then explore the different levels of an underground city. It's quite different from anywhere else in Turkey, and the geography really stands out.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Goreme Valley Open Air Museum
- Fairy chimneys viewing
- Underground city exploration
Optional Activities
- Hot Air Ballooning (EUR 20 surcharge for credit card payments; longer flights available on request)
- Turkish Bath (approximately 1 hour duration)
- Traditional Turkish Folklore Evening (dinner, unlimited beer, wine, Turkish Raki, soft drinks and entertainment included)
Landmarks/POIs Goreme Valley Open Air Museum Fairy Chimneys - Day 7
Cappadocia to Ankara to Istanbul
An early morning departure takes you to Ankara, Turkey's capital. You'll visit Anitkabir, the mausoleum honoring Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and then return to Istanbul for your last night of the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Anitkabir (Ataturk Mausoleum)
Landmarks/POIs Anitkabir - Day 8
Istanbul
After breakfast, your tour wraps up. You'll say goodbye to the people you've traveled with and get transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
