Subject to changes due to weather or operational issues (always including the same services).
Day 1 – DEPARTURE CITY – ISTANBUL
Welcome to Turkey, a country full of culture, history, and unique experiences, where the differences between East and West come together. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary vacation. Arrival at Istanbul International Airport (IST), which opened in April 2019 and is now the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. After landing, proceed through immigration, collect your luggage, and head to our meeting point (consult the voucher), where our team will meet you. Then, meet your drivers for transfer to the hotel. Arrival and check-in. Free time to relax. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – ISTANBUL
Breakfast.
Start with a panoramic tour in one of the oldest parts of the city, where we’ll see the Roman Aqueduct, finished under the reign of Roman Emperor Valens in 368 AD. Continue to the Walls of Constantinople, which were once seen as invincible, limiting access by land and sea to the "Eis-tin Poli" or "Inner City," from which the name Istanbul may have originated. We’ll pass over the Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn, offering a panoramic view dominated by minarets, the Galata Tower, and the Asian side of the city. Then, head to the Beyoglu district, where you’ll experience a modern metropolis with a touch of classical European architecture at the gates of the Middle East. This area is a bustling commercial and tourist hub with shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars around its famous pedestrian street.
At the end of the visit, you’ll have free time, and return to the hotel will be after the optional excursions depending on timing.
Optional excursion: “PEARLS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS” (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant): Enjoy spectacular views of the ancient Walls of Constantinople and the Roman Aqueduct. Visit the old Jewish neighborhood in Balat, the Greek neighborhood in Fener, and admire magnificent views of the Golden Horn. Visit St. George’s Cathedral, the main patriarchal church of the Greek Orthodox Church, then continue to the magnificent Süleymaniye Mosque. Afterward, visit the Spice Bazaar, a colorful and aromatic market for teas, herbs, dried fruits, sweets, and spices. The tour ends with a boat trip along the Bosphorus, the strait dividing Europe and Asia, where you’ll enjoy views of Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges connecting both sides. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 – ISTANBUL
Breakfast.
Free day.
Optional excursion: “JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE” (includes lunch at a typical restaurant): Delve into the historic center of the city, where you’ll see remnants from different empires that shaped modern Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Obelisk of Constantine, the German Fountain; the Blue Mosque, with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles from Iznik; the Basilica Cistern, with over 300 marble columns rising from the water, and enjoy panoramic views of Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. End the tour with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where haggling is a tradition.
Return to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
(If you wish to enter Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia, an additional 60 USD per person is required).
Day 4 – ISTANBUL – ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast at the hotel and early departure to Ankara to visit the Turkish capital and the mausoleum of the founder of the Republic. On the way to Cappadocia, enjoy views of the Salt Lake and stop for photos at this spectacular site. Continue with a visit to a Caravanserai, a historical rest stop from the Silk Road era.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
You can also opt to take a direct domestic flight to Cappadocia for an additional fee.
Day 5 – CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast.
Visit this fascinating region with its original landscape formed by volcanic lava over 3 million years ago. Start with the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a monastery with rock-cut chapels decorated with 13th-century frescoes. Continue to the stunning valleys of the region, where you’ll see iconic geological formations known as the "Fairy Chimneys." Stop to enjoy panoramic views of the Pigeon Valley, named for the pigeons that have lived in the rocks for centuries. Visit one of Cappadocia’s underground cities, an impressive feat of engineering built by ancient communities for protection.
End the day with a visit to a carpet center to learn about the production of these handmade treasures, and a precious stone center featuring exclusive regional jewelry designs.
Dinner and Overnight in Cappadocia.
Optional programs in Cappadocia: “TURKISH NIGHT” folk dance performance in a typical cave with local drinks; “JEEP SAFARI” through the mystical valleys with photo stops; “BALLOON RIDE” early in the morning to admire one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.
Day 6 & 7 – DEPENDING ON SEASON (AUTUMN/WINTER)
Day 6 – CAPPADOCIA (AUTUMN/WINTER 16/10 – 15/04)
Breakfast.
Free day. Optional excursions based on season and weather conditions:
- “CAPPADOCIA WINTER CAPITAL – ERCIYES SKI RESORT” (excursion available from approx. 15/12 to 31/03) – Unique snow experience with transfers, appropriate clothing rental, cable car ride, and a Turkish-style barbecue.
- “AUTUMN COLORS IN CAPPADOCIA” (excursion available from approx. 01/10 to 14/12) – Visit the Ihlara Valley, famous for its beautiful vegetation, which turns into a spectrum of green, yellow, and orange hues in autumn. Visit the Selime Monastery, Sivrihisar’s Red Church, and have lunch in the village of Belisirma by the river.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7 – CAPPADOCIA – PAMUKKALE (AUTUMN/WINTER 16/10 – 15/04)
Breakfast.
Travel to Pamukkale to visit the ancient Hierapolis and Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder with giant waterfalls, stalactites, and natural pools. Hierapolis, meaning "sacred city," was known for its temples and religious sites. Visit its famous theatre, still largely intact today. Pamukkale and Hierapolis are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites due to their historical and natural beauty.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 8 – PAMUKKALE – EPHESUS – IZMIR/KUSADASI
Breakfast. Visit Ephesus, the best-preserved Greco-Roman city in Asia Minor, with highlights like the Roman Theatre, Library of Celsus, and the Marble Street. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, now a place of pilgrimage.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Izmir/Kusadasi.
Day 9 – IZMIR/KUSADASI
Breakfast.
Free day. Optional excursion: “CHIOS – A GREEK PARADISE”: Transfer to Çeşme port and take a boat to the island of Chios to explore mastic production, the Byzantine village of Mesta, and more.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Izmir/Kusadasi.
Day 10 – IZMIR/KUSADASI – BURSA – ISTANBUL
Breakfast.
Visit Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Explore the Green Mosque and Mausoleum, famous for their Iznik tile decoration. Continue to Istanbul and transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 11 – ISTANBUL
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport (IST) for your return flight.
End of our services.
10 days | 9 nights
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