Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive at Istanbul airport where a local representative meets you for the transfer to your hotel. After checking in, the afternoon and evening are free for you to wander around and get oriented at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Yasmak Sultan Hotel, Istanbul)
- Day 2
Istanbul
A local guide takes you through Istanbul's old city starting with the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. From there you'll head to Topkapi Palace to see royal treasures (or the Basilica Cistern if the palace is closed). The day wraps up at the Grand Bazaar browsing one of the world's largest indoor markets, or Beyazit Square if the bazaar isn't accessible.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Yasmak Sultan Hotel, Istanbul)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Blue Mosque
- Visit Hippodrome of Constantinople (Sultanahmet Square)
- Guided tour of Hagia Sophia
- Topkapi Palace with all-included tickets (or Basilica Cistern alternative if closed on Tuesday)
- Visit Grand Bazaar (or Beyazit Square alternative if closed on Sunday)
Landmarks Blue Mosque Hippodrome of Constantinople Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Basilica Cistern Grand Bazaar Beyazit Square - Day 3
Istanbul to Kusadasi
You'll spend two hours on a Bosphorus Strait cruise taking in Dolmabahçe Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, and Çamlica Hill from the water. Then you fly to Izmir for about an hour. After landing, your transfer takes you to the hotel in Kusadasi where you can spend the rest of the day checking out this charming seaside town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel, Kusadasi)
Included Activities
- Bosphorus Strait cruise (2 hours)
Landmarks Dolmabahçe Palace Bosphorus Bridge Çamlica Hill - Day 4
Pamukkale
The drive to Pamukkale takes about 2.5 hours. Once there, you'll relax in the travertine pools and experience the mineral-rich hot springs flowing down 200-meter-high terraces. Later you tour the ancient city of Hierapolis with its Roman amphitheaters, cemeteries, and city gates. You'll stay overnight in Pamukkale.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal, Pamukkale)
Included Activities
- Hot spring experience in travertine pool
- Guided tour of Hierapolis Ancient City
Landmarks Pamukkale Hierapolis Ancient City - Day 5
Ephesus to Cappadocia
After breakfast, you drive about 2 hours to Ephesus Ancient City and walk through the Marble Street, Temple of Hadrian, Celsus Library, and the Grand Theater. Lunch happens in the area before heading to the Ephesus Archeological Museum and the Temple of Artemis. You'll also see the House of the Virgin Mary before flying to Cappadocia for your cave hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Agarta Cave Suites, Cappadocia or similar)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ephesus Ancient City
- Visit Ephesus Archeological Museum
- Visit Temple of Artemis
- Visit House of the Virgin Mary
Landmarks Ephesus Ancient City Celsus Library Grand Theater Ephesus Archeological Museum Temple of Artemis House of the Virgin Mary - Day 6
Cappadocia
Northern Cappadocia starts with the Goreme Open Air Museum and its cave churches, then the Dark Church with preserved murals. You'll watch traditional pottery-making in Avanos, walk through Devrent Valley's distinctive lava rocks, and see the tall stone pillars of Pasabag Valley. Love Valley is where you'll catch the Cappadocia sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Agarta Cave Suites, Cappadocia or similar)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Goreme Open Air Museum
- Exclusive access to Dark Church
- Visit to Avanos pottery workshops
- Explore Devrent Valley
- Visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley)
- Sunset viewing at Love Valley
Landmarks Goreme Open Air Museum Dark Church Avanos Devrent Valley Pasabag Valley Love Valley - Day 7
Cappadocia
Southern Cappadocia begins at Cavusin Village to see murals in the Great Basilica. You take a 2-hour hike through Red Valley with its rock-carved churches, then climb to Uchisar Castle for panoramic views from a 60-meter boulder. After lunch, you explore Pigeon Valley's pigeon holes and descend into Kaymakli Underground City before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Agarta Cave Suites, Cappadocia or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Cavusin Village and Great Basilica (St. John the Baptist Chapel)
- 2-hour hike in Red Valley
- Climb and explore Uchisar Castle
- Visit Pigeon Valley
- Explore Kaymakli Underground City
Landmarks Cavusin Village Great Basilica Red Valley Uchisar Castle Pigeon Valley Kaymakli Underground City - Day 8
Konya to Istanbul
You leave early for Konya, arriving after about 3 hours of driving. There you visit the Mevlana Museum and its adjacent Semahane with musical instruments and rosary beads on display. Next is the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai before heading back to Cappadocia airport for your flight to Istanbul and transfer to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Yasmak Sultan Hotel, Istanbul)
Included Activities
- Visit Mevlana Museum
- Visit Semahane (Ceremonial Hall)
- Visit Sultanhani Caravanserai
Landmarks Mevlana Museum Semahane Sultanhani Caravanserai - Day 9
Departure
Have breakfast at your hotel, then pack and check out by noon. Your driver transfers you to the airport based on your flight time. If your departure is later, you have time to return to the Grand Bazaar for souvenirs and local snacks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Grand Bazaar for shopping and dining
Landmarks Grand Bazaar
