Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul after your flight, and your tour guide will meet you at the airport to take you to your hotel. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to spend however you'd like. You can walk around the area near your accommodation or just relax and recover from the journey.
Optional Activities
- Explore surrounding area near accommodation
- Restaurant recommendations from tour guide
- Day 2
Istanbul
This morning you'll see Istanbul's blend of Byzantine and Ottoman culture. Start at the Binbirdirek cistern, which dates back to Roman times, then head to the Hagia Sophia to see its distinctive architecture. From there, walk through the Blue Mosque and spend time in the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets. Don't skip trying a traditional cup of Turkish black tea while you're exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Binbirdirek cistern
- Visit to Hagia Sophia
- Visit to Blue Mosque
- Stroll through Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)
- Traditional Turkish tea experience
Landmarks Binbirdirek Cistern Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) - Day 3
Istanbul to Çanakkale
Start with breakfast, then visit Topkapi Palace, a UNESCO site where Ottoman sultans lived for 624 years on the Bosphorus banks. You'll walk through the palace's four courtyards and see fine marble, tropical woods, carpets, and furniture. The views of Istanbul, the Bosphorus, and Golden Horn from the palace are great. Later, travel to Kilitbahir and take a ferry across to Turkey's Asian side.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Menemen and Ottoman mocha), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Topkapi Palace
Landmarks Topkapi Palace - Day 4
Çanakkale to Ayvalik
You'll start at Troy, the legendary archaeological site connected to the Trojan War and a UNESCO heritage site. From there, head to the Gallipoli peninsula to learn about its history from Alexander the Great through World War I. Stop in Assos to see ancient ruins and views of the sea and the island where poet Sappho lived. End your day in the town of Ayvalik and watch the sunset from Cunda island, surrounded by olive groves.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Troy UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Exploration of Gallipoli peninsula (Gelibolu)
- Visit to Assos ruins and theater
- Stroll through Ayvalik old town
- Sunset viewing at island of Cunda
Landmarks Troy Gallipoli Peninsula (Gelibolu) Assos Cunda Island - Day 5
Ayvalik to Selçuk
You'll explore Ayvalik, a town with Greek influences known for its Aegean cuisine and olive oil. Visit an olive oil factory to learn how quality levels work with this golden oil. Continue south to the UNESCO site of Pergamon to see the Acropolis on a hill, the red basilica, and the Asklepieion, one of antiquity's most famous healing centers. Later, travel to Selçuk.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk through Ayvalik town
- Visit to olive oil factory
- Visit to Pergamon UNESCO World Heritage Site - Acropolis
- Visit to Pergamon - Red Basilica
- Visit to Pergamon - Asklepieion
Landmarks Pergamon Pergamon Acropolis Red Basilica (Pergamon) Asklepieion 
- Day 6
Selçuk
Begin at the House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site where Mary is believed to have lived with the Apostle John. Then head to Ephesus, a UNESCO site that was once the second largest city after Rome. You'll see the Celsus Library facade and walk through terraced houses with mosaics and frescoes. In the late afternoon, check out Selçuk's old town center, including the Isa Bey Mosque and the Basilica of St. John.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to House of the Virgin Mary pilgrimage site
- Visit to Ephesus UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit to Celsus Library
- Visit to terraced houses of Ephesus
- Exploration of Selçuk old town center
- Visit to Isa Bey Mosque
- Visit to Basilica of St. John
Landmarks House of the Virgin Mary Ephesus Celsus Library Temple of Artemis Isa Bey Mosque Basilica of St. John - Day 7
Selçuk to Aphrodisias
Start in the village of Sirince with its cobbled streets winding through hills, so wear sturdy shoes for walking around. The village's name changed from 'Çirkince' (meaning ugly) to 'Sirince' (meaning sweet) in 1926. Later, travel to Aphrodisias, an ancient city dedicated to Aphrodite. You'll see famous marble buildings from well-known sculpting schools that sent statues throughout the ancient world, even to Egypt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Sirince village
- Visit to Aphrodisias ancient city
Landmarks Sirince Village Aphrodisias - Day 8
Pamukkale and Hierapolis
Visit Pamukkale, a UNESCO site called 'cotton castle,' with its white plateaus and pale blue thermal pools formed over thousands of years by mineral springs. The water reaches about 58°C/136°F, and you can dip your feet in pools of different temperatures to feel the healing waters. Then explore Hierapolis, the adjacent UNESCO site known as the 'holy city,' with its thermal baths and ancient history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Pamukkale UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Thermal pool experience at Pamukkale
- Visit to Hierapolis UNESCO World Heritage Site
Landmarks Pamukkale Hierapolis 
- Day 9
Kas
Today in the village of Kas is relaxed and on your schedule. Sleep in if you'd like and plan your day at your own pace. You can stroll along the harbor or wander through the streets at leisure. Your tour guide is free today but can provide information about optional activities and suggestions for exploring on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Free day in Kas
Optional Activities
- Ferry trip to island of Meis (Greece) - ferry departs 9:45 am, returns 4:00 pm, approximately 30 minutes each way. Includes harbor walk, explore narrow streets, panoramic views from historic castle, and swimming in crystal-clear waters. Registration required with tour guide on site. Payment on site. Travel documents required as Meis is part of Greece.
Landmarks Kas Meis Island - Day 10
Kekova to Antalya
Board a boat to see Kekova island and its partially submerged ruins created by the tectonic plate boundary where the Anatolian and Greek plates meet. Travel to Kalekoy, a small village built over ancient Simena from the Lycian League, where you'll get panoramic views from the castle. Walk on Tersane island to find more ruins. Later, head by bus toward Antalya with a stop at Myra to see Roman remains like the theater and the first church of St. Nicholas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Kekova island
- Exploration of submerged ruins at Kekova
- Visit to Kalekoy village
- Walk on island of Tersane
- Visit to Myra - Roman theater and acropolis
- Visit to first Church of St. Nicholas
Landmarks Kekova Island Kalekoy (Simena) Tersane Island Myra Church of St. Nicholas 
- Day 11
Antalya to Konya
Travel north from Antalya through the Pamphylia region with its ancient cities and well-preserved Roman theaters. Stop at Aspendos to see one of the best-preserved theaters in the Roman world, where famous opera stars have performed. Explore the ancient ruins of Side, then continue to Konya to visit the Mevlana Museum, which houses the famous Persian poet Rumi, revered by the Sufi dervish movement for their spinning dance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Aspendos Roman theater
- Exploration of Side ancient ruins
- Visit to Mevlana Museum/Mausoleum
Landmarks Aspendos Theater Side Mevlana Museum - Day 12
Silk Road Caravanserai and Ihlara Gorge
You'll cross the Silk Road and visit the largest and most important caravanserai in Asia Minor, positioned on this famous caravan trade route. Explore Selime with its Cappadocian landscape and monastery carved from tufa stone into church, kitchen, and bedroom spaces. Continue to Belisirma and see the impressive Ihlara Gorge, a 14-kilometer-long gorge with hundreds of rock-cut rooms and churches that served as refuges for monks seeking solitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Silk Road caravanserai
- Visit to Selime monastery
- Exploration of Ihlara Gorge
Landmarks Ihlara Gorge Selime Monastery 
- Day 13
Cappadocia Natural Wonders
Start exploring Cappadocia's natural wonders with the White Valley and Valley of Love. The White Valley has bizarrely shaped bright rocks, while the Valley of Love features distinctive tower-like fairy chimneys formed over millions of years by wind and rain. These formations were carved out centuries ago for early Christian churches and homes. You'll visit one of the region's oldest churches in Çavusin, explore the Zelve Monastery open-air museum, and try pottery making in Avanos.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to White Valley
- Visit to Valley of Love
- Visit to Çavusin village and Church of St. John the Baptist
- Exploration of Zelve Monastery open-air museum
- Pottery making experience in Avanos
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon ride at sunrise over Cappadocia landscape - approximately 45 minutes, approximately €290 per person (price varies by season). Shared basket with international guests. Exact duration and course depend on weather and wind conditions. Advance booking required. Payment on site to tour guide. Registration is binding. Cancellation costs may apply.
Landmarks White Valley Valley of Love Çavusin Village Zelve Monastery Avanos - Day 14
Underground Cities and Göreme
Explore the underground city of Kaymakli, one of 36 underground cities in the region, seeing the large hall with its vaulted ceiling and learning about the ventilation system. Your guide can tell you about how many people lived here. Next, climb the 60-meter-high castle rock of Uchisar for panoramic views. Then visit Göreme, a UNESCO site known as one of Cappadocia's most beautiful valleys with masterpiece frescoes in its churches. Finish with the Red Valley for another landscape view and final group photos.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Kaymakli underground city
- Visit to Uchisar castle rock
- Visit to Göreme open-air museum UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Exploration of Red Valley
Landmarks Kaymakli Underground City Uchisar Castle Göreme Open-Air Museum Red Valley - Day 15
Departure
Check out of your accommodation and transfer to Kayseri airport (or Nevsehir airport if that's what's available) for your return flight home. Your Turkish adventure ends here with memories of Byzantine history, Ottoman heritage, and Cappadocia's natural wonders.
- Meals
- Breakfast
