Day 1: Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be warmly welcomed at the airport. Enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel, where you will be checked in and shown to your room. Dinner will be served at the hotel (a cold dinner will be provided for arrivals after 9:00 pm), followed by an overnight stay. (D)
Day 2: Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the ancient peninsula, crossing the Golden Horn, the historic Byzantine and Ottoman port. Visit the Hippodrome, once home to chariot races, and explore the obelisks and the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, famously known as the Blue Mosque for its stunning 17th-century blue tiles. Enjoy free time to visit the Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern independently, both masterpieces of Byzantine architecture (optional, for a fee). Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Topkapi Palace, including the Harem section, and the Church of Saint Irene. The Topkapi Palace, home of the Sultans for nearly four centuries, is a testament to the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire. You will also explore the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world. There is an optional Bosphorus cruise available, where you can enjoy views of both the Asian and European sides of Istanbul (optional, for a fee). Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (B-L-D)
Day 3: Istanbul / Ankara / Cappadocia (737 Km)
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Ankara, the capital of Turkey, crossing the Euroasia Bridge, known for its stunning panoramic views. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Hittite Museum), where exhibits are arranged chronologically, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of civilizations in Anatolia from prehistory to the Roman period. Then, make a photo stop at the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Continue the journey to Cappadocia, with a stop at the Salt Lake for a brief break. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, check in at your hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by an overnight stay. (B-L-D)
Day 4: Cappadocia
Start your day with the option to join a hot air balloon ride at dawn, offering a breathtaking view of Cappadocia’s unique landscape, subject to availability; the excursion may be postponed if the weather is unfavorable (optional, for a fee). After breakfast at the hotel, visit Devrent Valley (or alternatively, Pigeon Valley or Avcilar Valley), where the eroded rock formations have created peaks and obelisks. Then, explore the Göreme Open Air Museum, famous for its rock columns, known as "fairy chimneys," which give the landscape a magical, fairytale-like appearance. Next, visit a carpet cooperative to learn about the traditional art of carpet weaving. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch, take an external tour of the Uchisar Citadel, located within a cone of tuff rock, and explore one of Cappadocia's underground cities (options include Ozkonak, Saratli, or Mazi). You’ll also visit a workshop specializing in precious stones, gold, and silver craftsmanship. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. In the evening, you can choose to attend an optional folkloric show with a belly dancer (optional, for a fee). (B-L-D)
Day 5: Cappadocia / Pamukkale (627 Km)
Start your day with the option to join a Jeep Safari excursion, a thrilling way to experience Cappadocia’s stunning landscapes, valleys, and unique rock formations, with stops for photographs and views of the iconic hot air balloons (optional, for a fee). The itinerary includes several scenic stops to photograph the stunning landscapes and iconic hot air balloons. After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Pamukkale, with a stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai (alternatively, Agzikarahan or Alayhan), now a museum. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, which was rebuilt after the earthquake of 17 AD. Then, explore Pamukkale, known for its natural thermal pools formed by millennia of limestone water flow. The area appears timeless, as if the waterfalls have turned to stone, which is reflected in the place's name, meaning "Cotton Fortress". Afterward, transfer to your hotel and check in. You may have the option to relax in the thermal pool. Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by an overnight stay. You may also choose to attend an optional Whirling Dervish show (optional, for a fee). (B-L-D)
Day 6: Pamukkale / Izmir (284 Km)
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the ancient city of Ephesus, where you will explore the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theater, and the Ephesus Experience Museum. Make a stop at a local leather goods shop for a chance to shop for unique products. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afterward, continue to Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, known for being one of the most beautiful cities after Istanbul. You will have some free time to explore the city center. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by an overnight stay. (B-L-D)
Day 7: Izmir / Pergamon / Istanbul (464 Km)
After breakfast at the hotel, visit Pergamon (excluding the Acropolis) and the Asclepion, an ancient healing center dedicated to Asclepius, the god of health. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then, visit a hand-painted pottery cooperative, renowned for its beauty and craftsmanship. Continue the journey to Istanbul, crossing the Osmangazi Bridge, the fourth longest bridge in the world by the length of its central span. Arrive at the hotel, check in, and relax in your room. Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by an overnight stay. (B-L-D)
Day 8: Istanbul/Departure And Journey Home
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your return flight (B).
