Itinerary
- Day 1
Antalya
You'll arrive in Antalya and get transferred to your hotel to settle in. The afternoon brings a short tour through this coastal city where you can see Hadrian's Gate, wander the Ottoman district, and check out a waterfall that drops right into the sea. Dinner's on the itinerary for tonight.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ring Downtown)
Included Activities
- Brief tour of Antalya including Hadrian's Gate, Ottoman district, and waterfall flowing into the sea
Landmarks Hadrian's Gate 
- Day 2
Antalya - Aspendos - Side - Nigde
Starting early from Antalya, you head to Aspendos to see its famous Roman theater, one of the most well-preserved around. From there, it's on to Side where you'll find the Temple of Apollo right by the water and can walk through the busy port area. The drive takes you through nice landscapes and over the Taurus Mountains with peaks reaching 3,500 meters and snow coverage most of the year. You'll stop at Karaman to view its fortress from outside, then continue to Nigde in the Cappadocia region. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Hotel Nigde)
Included Activities
- Visit to Roman theater in Aspendos
- Visit to Temple of Apollo in Side
- Exploration of Side's port and streets
- External viewing of Karaman fortress
Landmarks Roman Theater of Aspendos Temple of Apollo Karaman Fortress Taurus Mountains 
- Day 3
Cappadocia
Today is all about Cappadocia's unusual lunar-like terrain, ancient churches, and cave villages. You start at Gumusler, a 7th-century underground monastery with exceptional Byzantine frescoes on the walls. Next comes Kaymacli's underground city, which once held up to 30,000 people in its carved-out chambers. Then you visit Uchisar, a natural fortress with great views of the region. After lunch, you head to Göreme Valley with its open-air museum and rock-cut churches carved into the stone. You'll stay in Avanos with dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Cappadocia)
Included Activities
- Visit to Gumusler 7th-century underground monastery
- Exploration of Kaymacli underground city
- Visit to Uchisar natural fortress
- Visit to Göreme Valley open-air museum with rock-cut churches (entrance included)
Landmarks Gumusler Underground Monastery Kaymacli Underground City Uchisar Göreme Valley Open-Air Museum 
- Day 4
Cappadocia - Safranbolu
The drive north through central Anatolia shows off increasingly green and lush countryside. By early afternoon you reach Safranbolu, a small city and UNESCO World Heritage Site that used to be important on old caravan routes. You can have traditional Turkish tea in the courtyard of a well-preserved caravanserai. Dinner is included tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Garden Inn Safranbolu)
Included Activities
- Visit to Safranbolu UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Traditional Turkish tea in a caravanserai courtyard
Landmarks Safranbolu 
- Day 5
Safranbolu - Black Sea Coast - Istanbul
You travel along the Black Sea coast with green landscapes on both sides. There's a stop at Gökgöl Magrasi to see this cave with an underground river and bright mineral colors inside. Later in Eregli, a coastal town, you'll have time for lunch and can visit the impressive Cehennemagzi caves and tombs with interesting mythological connections. By evening you arrive in Istanbul.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Istambul Topkapi)
Included Activities
- Visit to Gökgöl Magrasi cave with underground river (admission included)
- Visit to Cehennemagzi caves and tombs in Eregli
Landmarks Gökgöl Magrasi Cave Cehennemagzi Caves and Tombs 
- Day 6
Istanbul
A guided tour takes you through Istanbul starting with the Süleymaniye Mosque, the largest in the city. You'll walk along the ancient city walls, look over the Golden Horn, and visit the busy fishing district. The exterior of Hagia Sophia comes next, followed by Topkapi Palace with your ticket included, where you can see the courtyards and pavilions that once served as the Ottoman Empire's administrative center. In the afternoon, you have free time to wander around on your own. Later, you head to Taksim, Istanbul's main commercial area, where you can eat at local restaurants, ride the old tram, or visit the nearby Galata Tower.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Istambul Topkapi)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Istanbul including Süleymaniye Mosque, ancient walls, Golden Horn, and fishing district
- Visit to Topkapi Palace (entrance included)
- Exterior viewing of Hagia Sophia
- Transfer to Taksim Square
Optional Activities
- Visit to Galata Tower
- Dining at restaurants in Taksim
Landmarks Süleymaniye Mosque Golden Horn Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Galata Tower 
- Day 7
Istanbul
You take a private boat trip on the Bosphorus for about two hours, set aside just for travelers on this tour. The boat moves through the strait connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, the water that splits Istanbul between Europe and Asia. You'll see lots of boat traffic, pass under the two bridges joining the continents, and take in the Sultan's palaces, old wooden houses, and Ottoman buildings along the shore. Afterward, you return to central Istanbul with the rest of the day free to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Istambul Topkapi)
Included Activities
- Bosphorus boat tour on private boat (approximately 2 hours, tickets included)
Landmarks Bosphorus Strait 
- Day 8
Istanbul
After breakfast, your trip concludes and you head home with the memories from your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
