Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
IstanbulOptional Activities
- Istanbul Classics full-day tour (9am-4pm) visiting St Sophia Museum, Byzantine Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar
- Bosphorus Cruise by public ferry (1 hour, plus 30 mins transport to/from port)
- Traditional Turkish Folklore Evening with dinner, unlimited beer, wine, Turkish Raki, soft drinks, and entertainment (belly dancers, traditional folk dancers, traditional Turkish musicians)
- Bosphorus by Night cruise at 8pm with dinner viewing Ottoman summer palaces, waterside mansions, and modern villas
- Istanbul Two Continents Tour including Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, Rumeli Fortress, Dolmabahce Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, and Camlica Hill
- Topkapi Palace Harem visit
- Bosphorus by public ferry (majority of day, zig-zagging between continents)
- Prince's Islands by public ferry day trip to Buyuk Ada (Big Island) with horse and buggy and bicycle available
- Day 2
Istanbul to Cappadocia
Istanbul to Cappadocia- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bosphorus Cruise by public ferry (1 hour) with guide commentary on historical sites
- Day 3
Cappadocia
Cappadocia- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Goreme Valley Open Air Museum visit
- Fairy chimneys exploration
- Underground city exploration
Optional Activities
- Traditional Turkish Folklore Evening featuring folklore dancers, belly dancers, and traditional Turkish musicians
- Hot Air Ballooning short flight (45 minutes) over the moonscapes of Cappadocia, rising as high as 2000 feet (EUR 20 surcharge for credit card payments; longer flights available on request)
- Turkish Bath traditional experience (approximately 1 hour) including sauna, marble slab relaxation, exfoliating massage, and washing
Landmarks Goreme Valley Open Air Museum Fairy Chimneys - Day 4
Cappadocia to Konya
Cappadocia to Konya- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mevlana Museum visit including tomb, ancient manuscripts, and Whirling Dervishes exhibits
- Çatalhöyük Museum visit
Landmarks Mevlana Museum Çatalhöyük Museum - Day 5
Konya to Pamukkale
Konya to Pamukkale- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hierapolis ruins visit
- Temple of Apollo visit
- Necropolis visit
- Pamukkale white calcium terraces walk
Optional Activities
- Hot Air Ballooning short flight (45 minutes) to view the landscape of Pamukkale from the air early in the morning (EUR 20 surcharge for credit card payments; longer flights available on request)
- Whirling Dervish Show evening ceremony inspired by Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi
- Cleopatra's Pool swim in thermal spring pool among Roman ruins
Landmarks Hierapolis Temple of Apollo Pamukkale Terraces - Day 6
Pamukkale to Kusadasi
Pamukkale to Kusadasi- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Laodicea ancient city exploration
- Handcrafted leather goods display
Landmarks Laodicea - Day 7
Kusadasi to Istanbul
Kusadasi to Istanbul- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ephesus guided tour
- Temple of Artemis site visit
- Ancient theatre exploration
- Ephesus Archaeology Museum visit
- Carpet village visit with handweaving demonstration
Landmarks Ephesus Temple of Artemis Ephesus Archaeology Museum - Day 8
Istanbul
Istanbul- Meals
- Breakfast
