Turkey Cappadocia Highlights Exploration

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you have the rest of the day at your leisure to begin exploring the vibrant city of Istanbul at your own pace. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

After breakfast, we set off for the Istanbul City Tour. Our first stop is Topkapi Palace, the grand residence of Ottoman sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. Here, we explore an impressive collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, as well as the sultans robes, the Imperial Treasurys renowned jewels, miniatures, and the Holy Mantle, which holds relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Next, we visit the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque due to its stunning interior adorned with blue Iznik tiles. Opposite the mosque lies the Hippodrome, once the centre of chariot races and public events, featuring three notable monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. After a pleasant lunch break, we head to the Grand Spice Bazaar for some shopping. We then return to the hotel for your overnight stay in Istanbul.

After breakfast, we take a traditional boat cruise along the Bosphorus, the waterway dividing Europe and Asia. The shoreline is dotted with historic wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses, and fishing villages. From the boat, we admire landmarks such as Dolmabahce Palace and the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. Along the coast, you will see Ciragan Palace, notable for its extensive marble faade facing the water. We pass Ortakoy, a neighbourhood symbolising religious tolerance with a church, mosque and synagogue standing side by side. We also view Rumeli Fortress, built in 1452 by Mehmet the Conqueror to control the Bosphorus, regarded as a remarkable example of military architecture. Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of Ottoman sultans on the Asian side, is another highlight, featuring original furnishings and gardens including the Harem. After a lunch break at a Turkish restaurant, we visit the Grand Spice Bazaar, where you can browse a variety of local foods, spices and souvenirs. Following the tour, we transfer to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Izmir (not included). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in and dinner. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, we will collect you from the hotel for a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world. Along the way, we will visit the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, the renowned Roman Baths, Celsus Library and the Grand Theatre. Following a lunch break, we will visit a traditional carpet weaving centre, where one of Turkeys oldest crafts is still practised. Next, we continue to the village of Sirince, known for its authentic Anatolian Greek architecture with whitewashed houses set on a hillside. Sirince is also famous for its fruit wines; we will tour the vineyards and learn about the wine-making process from local producers. Later, you will have the chance to test your knowledge of fruit wine production. On the return journey, we will stop at a well-known leather workshop, offering quality products at factory prices. This guided tour ensures a relaxed shopping experience, free from the usual market pressure, while providing insight into traditional craftsmanship. We will then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, we set off for a full-day tour to Pamukkale. Upon arrival, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the striking calcium terraces known as the "Cotton Castle." We then visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, wandering through this remarkable archaeological site. You will have the option to relax in the warm waters of the natural thermal springs, renowned for their soothing properties. After the tour, we return to your hotel in Kusadasi where dinner will be served.

After breakfast, we transfer to Izmir Airport for your domestic flight to Cappadocia (flight not included). Upon arrival at Kayseri Airport, we will transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore Cappadocia at your own pace. Lunch and dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, we will collect you from the hotel and drive to zkonak Underground City, one of Cappadocias best-preserved subterranean settlements. Next, we visit the Greme Open Air Museum, renowned for its 10th-century frescoes depicting the life of Jesus Christ and monastic scenes. We then explore avu?in, an abandoned village known for its old cave houses built by Greek inhabitants. Lunch will be served at a restaurant in Avanos, followed by a visit to a pottery workshop to observe traditional pottery-making techniques. Afterwards, we travel to Love Valley, noted for its striking natural rock formations. Our final stops include Devrent Valley, also called Imagination Valley, where the rock shapes resemble various animals, and the Three Beauties, a trio of iconic fairy chimneys symbolising Cappadocia. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time to explore Cappadocia at your own pace. Later, we transfer you to Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul (not included), where your journey concludes with your onward travel home. We hope you found the tour memorable and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure in the future.