Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll get picked up from Istanbul airport and head to your hotel. After that, the day is yours to wander around the city however you'd like. Take time to get oriented, grab a meal, and start soaking in the atmosphere of this sprawling metropolis.
- Day 2
Istanbul
Start with breakfast, then head into Istanbul's Old City. You'll visit Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irene, and the Harem before moving on to the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia Museum, and the Hippodrome. If you're interested, there's an optional half day Bosphorus cruise in the afternoon that takes you sailing between Europe and Asia, which really shows you the geography of the city.
- 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'll be transferred to the airport for a domestic flight heading to Cappadocia. Once you land and get to your hotel, the rest of the day is free. Use it to check out the local surroundings, have dinner somewhere nearby, and get accustomed to this unique landscape with its unusual rock formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4
Cappadocia
Following breakfast, you'll visit Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and see the fairy chimneys. Then you'll tour the different levels of an underground city, which gives plenty of chances for great photos. In the evening, there's an optional Turkish folklore event with folklore dancers and belly dancers if you want to experience local entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Goreme Valley Open Air Museum
- Visit fairy chimneys
- Tour underground city levels
Optional Activities
- Turkish folklore event with folklore and belly dancers
Landmarks Goreme Valley Open Air Museum - Day 5
Cappadocia - Hattusas - Amasya
You'll leave Cappadocia in the morning and drive through central Anatolia. A stop at Hattusas lets you explore the ancient Hittite capital's impressive ruins, gates, and temples (it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site). From there, you'll continue north to Amasya, a city tucked in a narrow valley with Ottoman-era wooden houses and dramatic rock tombs carved right into the cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Hattusas ruins, ancient Hittite capital
Landmarks Hattusas 
- Day 6
Amasya - Kastamonu
Spend the morning walking through Amasya's charming town center, strolling along the river to see the iconic Ottoman houses. You'll visit the Hazeranlar Mansion, a well-preserved 19th century Ottoman building. Later in the morning you'll depart and drive through scenic landscapes toward Kastamonu, arriving in the afternoon with time to relax or explore the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Amasya town center
- Walk along Yeşilırmak River
- Visit Hazeranlar Mansion
Landmarks Hazeranlar Mansion - Day 7
Kastamonu - Safranbolu
Morning involves checking out Kastamonu's cultural sites: Kastamonu Castle for city views, Nasrullah Mosque and Square, and the Liva Pasha Mansion Ethnography Museum to learn about Ottoman heritage. You'll walk through streets with historic wooden houses, then head out late morning. Along the route, stop at a spectacular Glass Viewing Platform overlooking a canyon for photos. Then continue to Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for Ottoman architecture and cobblestone 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 
- Day 8
Safranbolu
You'll explore Safranbolu's historic town center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its Ottoman architecture. Visit the Cinci Han and Cinci Hammam (former Silk Road stops), plus the Kaymakamlar Museum House showing traditional Ottoman life. Take in views from the Clock Tower and see the Izzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque. In the afternoon, drive to Amasra, a Black Sea village with coastal views and fresh seafood, including a walking tour and photo stop before heading back 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
- View from Clock Tower
- Visit Amasra
Landmarks Cinci Han Cinci Hammam Kaymakamlar Museum House Izzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque Clock Tower - Day 9
Safranbolu - Abant Lake - Istanbul
Depart Safranbolu in the morning, traveling west toward Istanbul through northern Turkey's scenic landscapes. You'll stop at Abant Lake, a natural area surrounded by lush pine forests and rolling hills. Take a leisurely walk along the lakeshore, breathe in the mountain air, and take photos. Grab coffee or tea at a lakeside café, then continue driving to Istanbul.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at Abant Lake
- Leisurely walk along lakeshore
Optional Activities
- Coffee or tea at lakeside café
Landmarks Abant Lake - Day 10
Istanbul
Your tour finishes with an airport transfer from Istanbul, heading to depart the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
